Performances or results?

[freddyyakubu]

Sometimes I wonder what fans of the sport in our state give more credit for.

If putting 10 players behind a ball, and always playing it up to a single forward player gets results, I really dont see why the other team complains.

Its a tactic, why arent coaches allowed to use it without getting criticism, even from their own fans!

[hdkjga]

because these are 15-18 year old boys, not 4-6 year olds. Everything can be a strategy. You can technically line up all 11 players across the goal line and try to tie games 0-0. That's not soccer. Highschool soccer is designed to allow students to play for their school, but also to learn how to play in a high pressure, high pace game. The reason these coaches get criticism, is because they aren't teaching these kids how to play the game. They are doing whatever they can to win and most of the students who I have spoken to that play for coaches who pack the box, hate to play and quit. It's not good for the sport and it's not allowing the players to better their skills. That's why there is criticism.

[csrocksmysocks]

id rather school someone than score an ugly goal... but thats just me

[DREDG03]

give me the goal. it might be chippy but i can always celebrate. 1-0 me.

[msc18]

i want to win end of story...it is annoying though when a team puts 9 men in the box and 3 on the line and you have 30 or so corners and 4 or 5 shots cleared off the line and you tie 1-1

[GrobbenK]

Some of the best teams in the world eventually use the tactic of packing 10 men behind the ball and leaving 1 up front. It's something you have to do at times, and sometimes you can't use skill to win you have to grind out the wins with tough play. So there is no reason for any criticism the fans have to understand that sometimes you just can't beat teams by using just skill. And for those teams lacking the ability to beat a better team they hope to counter attack. Professional teams use similar tactics,

[coachray40]

I think teams and coaches use what is available to them to be successful. Some teams have less talent, and therefore have to play acertain way to be competitive. Laffy and Jesuit wont have to pack the box, because they have a plethora of talent, and can do as they see fit in an attacking scheme. This isnt rec ball where we all get a cookie and drink after the game and run through the "tunnel"--this is HS where results count. People may not like that, but that is the competitive level we are at. At St Amant we have been on both sides of the coin this year. Against Dutchtown, we got up early, and then hung back and protected our lead with numbers on defense. I wouldn't say we packed the box, but we werent forced to go forward, and as playing at The Pit is very difficult for visiting teams, it was an effective strategy. We won that game 2-1. Against West Feliciana, we took a gazillion shots, controlled 80% of the possession, and played the predominant part of the game in WF's half of the field. They chose to hang back and then counter occasionally. It worked for them, and while we played very attractive soccer and looked good, we lost 1-0.
Now, our team is being judged most specifically by the result of that game, rather than the sustance of it. I believe we would have been happier to play like poo, and win. I also believe our credibility would be higher if we had won, regardless of the "style points" we have gained.

[takeitdowntown1]

hdkjga said:

because these are 15-18 year old boys, not 4-6 year olds. Everything can be a strategy. You can technically line up all 11 players across the goal line and try to tie games 0-0. That's not soccer. Highschool soccer is designed to allow students to play for their school, but also to learn how to play in a high pressure, high pace game. The reason these coaches get criticism, is because they aren't teaching these kids how to play the game. They are doing whatever they can to win and most of the students who I have spoken to that play for coaches who pack the box, hate to play and quit. It's not good for the sport and it's not allowing the players to better their skills. That's why there is criticism.

This might amaze everyone but I have seen 11 people lined up on the goal line trying to tie a game. It was at the Sulphur turnament in '98 and the Sam Houston High School Coach thought that his best best chance at getting some tournament points was to line up his kids on the goal line and go for a tie. They were playing Barbe High School, who was much better in those days than they are now. Needless to say, it didn't work and Barbe ended up winning.

[Pitchstalker]

This poll question isn't worded well.

If you're asking should a team enjoy always playing poorly and winning then I'd say ...NO. You want to better yourselves.

But if you say should a team be happy that they won a single game after playing poorly...sure they should count themselves lucky but learn from their mistakes.

The other half of the question is what is confusing.

I would venture to guess that NO ONE at the high school level is interested in making sure they entertain the crowd.

Its about learning the game, having fun, AND winning. Obviously you don't win every time out. There is no problem with this. A team should set goals for themselves that are within their reach and work hard each game to acheive those goals.

I'm not sure how the "packing the box" part of the thread got started. As a coach you have to evaluate what you have and build your strategy to suit your talent. There are teams that could not possibly expect to contend and try to play possession against a team like Jesuit. For that game their strategy would probably be more defensive minded and look for quick counters to a low number of attackers. This doesn't mean that at practice the team doesn't still work on touches and possession.

As a general rule..yes you should teach your kids different approaches to the game and work on all of them. No one should just "pack the box" all the time. But as a strategy in isolation against a particular opponent or at a particular time in the game...nothing wrong with it.

[flat3]

Well-put, Pitchstalker. You said virtually 100% of what I would have said. Thanks for saving my time .

[lakeview]

For years, our coach has said that you play soccer with the players you have, not the team you wish you had or will have later.

[coachray40]

I will agree with Pitchstalker about learning the game, and having fun. Fun should be part of every practice, game, meeting etc.

I will cut through all the rahrah stuff though and be direct--LOSING SUCKS. Does that mean we should try to win at all cost--no--and as Pitchstalker has correctly pointed out, nobody should expect to win every game.

Still, I will take winning ugly any day of the week.

Scenario for you--

1)a player plays a great game (the best of his life) in the finals for the state championship. The game eventually goes to penaltys, he is chosen to shoot and his shot is the decisive one. He misses, his team loses.

2) Same player plays the worst game of his life in the finals for the state championship. The game eventually goes to penaltys, he is chosen to shoot and his shot is the decisive one. He makes it, his team wins.

Which one would you want to be?

[ostrya]

I hate to say this, but for me personally, I'm happy if my sons play well whether or not the team wins. My concern with winning is secondary-mostly because of how they feel.

[coachhill]

Yes, winning is important as most Schools like to see their teams compete in the State play-offs, so do the players.
Each School has it's own agenda usually set by past history and seasonal availability, Jesuit has a strong program and is expected to compete at the higher level.
My comment is; No one has stated the importance of developing the individuals skills, emotionally, physically and mentally. As a coach I try to develop the player so if they decide to play at the next level ( College, PDL ) they have the correct foundational skills.
There alot of coaches who have good seasons purely on the fact they have a high level of player attending their School, this does not make them a good coach, just a winning one!
Yes, you want a winning program, but development must surely be the priority.