Fall Evaluations

Hello Man Utd Family,

The end of summer brings many things. One of them is the second round of evaluations.

This week I will be releasing player evaluations via email.

And I hope to speak with every player at training the week after that.

And of course, contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Thanks.

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Principles of Attack

Lets go over some basic principles of how we attack & the Sac United Attacking Philosophy.
The Main Focus is to Score more Goals than the other team!

1. Penetration - the first choice through dribbling, shooting, passing
2. Support - providing all around support for player with the ball
3. Mobility - an attempt to create gaps in the defense by a variety of different runs
4. Width - in order to spread out the defense and create space
5. Improvisation - make the attack unpredictable through creativity

The player on the ball we call the First Attacker. The next closest is the Second Attacker & so forth.. Here the the roles for each attacker.

• 1st Attacker – penetrate, improvisation
• 2nd Attacker – width, depth, mobility
• 3rd Attacker – width, depth, mobility

Sac United Attacking Philosophy

• If we can go directly to goal, we will.
(#10)

• If we can not, we will make the game wide, long, and hold on to the ball.

Penetration

1. dribble
2. pass
3. shot

Support

• The ball must have three options:
  
  1. right
  2. lef
  3. through
  4. a fourth option would be a stretch option - direct ball over the defense


• Call for the ball when:
  1. you can be seen
  2. eye contact – the passer looks up

Mobility
Options to the ball: right, left, through, and if possible a stretch option. Specifically;

• Present targets to support the ball.
• If covered, move. If covered middle, move down the line.
• If covered square, vacate space.
• Always look to be the third man.

Width

• We achieve width through flank players and overlaps.
• Achieve width early out of the back.
• At minimum, present wide targets.

Improvisation

• Dribble when:
  
  1. open space
  2. in vital area, one defender to beat and shoot
  3. no options (shielding)

Visual And Visual Cues

1. Eye contact between players in possession and teammates
2. Sudden burst of speed by player will act as a cue
3. Positioning and body shape of player comparison to their defender
4. Nodding of the head in the direction where you want the ball to be passed
5. Strengths and weaknesses of person on the ball
6. Run dictates pass


The final consideration when we attack is the Risk vs. Safety Issue. We want to attack, but we don't want to expose ourselves to counter-attacks or make rash decisions in the wrong part of the park. How we act depends on where we are and how much pressure we're under.

1. Attacking Third

---> More risks should be taken

2. Middle Third

----> 50/50 consideration of Safety vs. Risk

3. Defensive Third

----> Safety is the first concern

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EPL - Goal of the Month - WITH PRIZES

**UPDATE: Make sure to post your favorite goal in the Comments!**

As you all should know, the EPL (English Premier League) is back and better than ever (mostly because of being sans Newcastle.

The best EPL review show around is without a doubt the BBC's Match Of The Day. Every month MOTD rounds up the months best goals and sometimes awards prizes for guessing the best goal.

So I would like to inaugurate a new contest here on the BLOG. If you can guess the goal of the month, selected by the MOTD pundits, you'll win a soccer/Sac United prize.

Rules:
To enter, simply leave a comment to this post with (1) the goal # (2) your first name (or nickname) so I know who it is. You can only vote once. This competition is open to the entire Man Utd family, players and parents. In case of a tie, the winner will be drawn from a hat.

The winner will be announced this weekend! So get your votes in.

So without further ado, I give you the EPL AUGUST GOAL OF THE MONTH!

Good Luck!

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Great Shot = (1) Follow through (2) Land on The Striking Foot

Video Evidence

As someone once said, "The camera doesn't lie." Here is Craig Bellamy's goal from the Man Utd vs Man City game, one of the best goals scored last weekend.


If you can, I suggest putting it on full screen mode.

Especially watch the last super slow reply. It shows Bellamy swing all the way through the shot, using his whole body to accelerate his leg, following through and landing on his striking foot.

It's a very excellent goal. He even scored another in that game.

Too bad he came out on the losing side this time though huhhn....

Gotta love video evidence.

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One For The GK's

I don't give enough love to GK's with all these video post.

So by popular demand... Here is video evidence of a GK preserving a game for their team. It comes courtesy of the Champions League this past week.

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Panna! Goalkeeper vs. Defender

Here is Football Club Internazionale Milano's GK Julio Cesar* in a possession practice pulling a sweet panna on Italian National Team defender Marco Materazzi.


* Please keep in mind he is Brazilian.

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5 Best Playmakers

Here is terrific list of the games best play makers.

The players who know where everyone is at all times, who know every angle, every type of pass & when to play it.

It is always a joy to watch a great playmaker at work.

Who would be in your top 5?

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