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Boyz must conquer technical glitches
From The Sports Desk
BY HARTLEY ANDERSON
Sunday, February 07, 2010
WHILE the international friendly against Canada ended in a creditable win for the Reggae Boyz last Sunday, I'm still not convinced that technically or tactically, the team can in the foreseeable future approach the lofty standards set by the 1991 Sell Cup or 1998 World Cup squads.
And while they cannot be faulted for their unstinting enthusiasm and commitment displayed, the Jamaicans lost possession much too easily; were not spatially aware in the final third; were disjointed in the transition from defence to attack; were woefully off target, and were bereft of creative ideas in midfield.
Further, the team was often caught in possession, lacked cohesion and the essential element of on-the-field leadership in the mould of, say, an Anthony Corbett, Peter Cargill or Warren Barrett.
But rather than be negative in re-living past glories, and bearing in mind that coach Theodore Whitmore is still in experimental mode, a critical assessment of the reasons for the inadequacies of these emerging players should be considered, even as we ponder strategies for the next World Cup qualifying campaign.
In citing bad habits and poor coaching at the developmental stages as the nucleus of our footballing woes, it is noteworthy that Jamaicans are indeed renowned for their penchant for showing off their individual ball skills -- like juggling -- and this, unfortunately, tends to carry over into the formal game.
This weakness is evident in the player's first touch where instead of cushioning a received pass, he instinctively scoops it up before contemplating his next move. This debilitates against his overall vision of the ball game and results in his losing focus on any opposing player who may be challenging for possession.
In the area of shooting, which has perpetually been the bane of Jamaican teams, the simple laws of physics and the basics of good coaching are flagrantly ignored.
And so, instead of players putting their body weight over the ball at the decisive moment of contact, they instinctively lean backwards, thus 'skying' their efforts over the crossbar.
However, in conceding that nerves and inexperience are possible factors in the poor execution of a player during a game, inadequate and incorrect training should also be regarded as competing grounds.
A good coach knows that a player more often than not applies what he practices, thus the numerous repetitions done during training. The effect is that at the required moment, the muscles will, on impulse, recall what would have been done dozens of times before.
A popular school of thought asserts that Jamaican players generally under-perform because tactically, they do not understand the game.
Does that account for their poor decision-making on the field of play? If so, then perhaps they should not be inundated with gibberish on formations and all those technical terms like 'holding midfielder', '119' and 'maintaining the shape' of the team
Again, the fundamental principles of football dictate that the game is dynamic -- not static. Common sense would then suggest that since the sport pits 11 players vs 11, the simple practice of getting behind the ball and marking the player closest to you encapsulates the art of defending.
Conversely, one should strive to avail one's self by providing a 'triangular' passing option for one's team-mate when in possession of the ball and relying on speed as that critical element of surprise in attack.
This brings to mind the discourse that was bandied about not so long ago, about creating a Jamaican football philosophy that is underpinned by our phenomenal natural speed, agility and aggression.
Perhaps in lending credence to this notion as a gateway to our footballing future, the success of our homegrown athletes should be the paradigm that we strive for.
Hence, when the Boyz tackle Argentina in their backyard next Wednesday, let us look for improved ball control on what, presumably, will be a lush outfield in Mar del Plata.
Let us further consider the fledgling nature of our history in the sport, and expect a miracle.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Sports-Desk
From The Sports Desk
BY HARTLEY ANDERSON
Sunday, February 07, 2010
WHILE the international friendly against Canada ended in a creditable win for the Reggae Boyz last Sunday, I'm still not convinced that technically or tactically, the team can in the foreseeable future approach the lofty standards set by the 1991 Sell Cup or 1998 World Cup squads.
And while they cannot be faulted for their unstinting enthusiasm and commitment displayed, the Jamaicans lost possession much too easily; were not spatially aware in the final third; were disjointed in the transition from defence to attack; were woefully off target, and were bereft of creative ideas in midfield.
Further, the team was often caught in possession, lacked cohesion and the essential element of on-the-field leadership in the mould of, say, an Anthony Corbett, Peter Cargill or Warren Barrett.
But rather than be negative in re-living past glories, and bearing in mind that coach Theodore Whitmore is still in experimental mode, a critical assessment of the reasons for the inadequacies of these emerging players should be considered, even as we ponder strategies for the next World Cup qualifying campaign.
In citing bad habits and poor coaching at the developmental stages as the nucleus of our footballing woes, it is noteworthy that Jamaicans are indeed renowned for their penchant for showing off their individual ball skills -- like juggling -- and this, unfortunately, tends to carry over into the formal game.
This weakness is evident in the player's first touch where instead of cushioning a received pass, he instinctively scoops it up before contemplating his next move. This debilitates against his overall vision of the ball game and results in his losing focus on any opposing player who may be challenging for possession.
In the area of shooting, which has perpetually been the bane of Jamaican teams, the simple laws of physics and the basics of good coaching are flagrantly ignored.
And so, instead of players putting their body weight over the ball at the decisive moment of contact, they instinctively lean backwards, thus 'skying' their efforts over the crossbar.
However, in conceding that nerves and inexperience are possible factors in the poor execution of a player during a game, inadequate and incorrect training should also be regarded as competing grounds.
A good coach knows that a player more often than not applies what he practices, thus the numerous repetitions done during training. The effect is that at the required moment, the muscles will, on impulse, recall what would have been done dozens of times before.
A popular school of thought asserts that Jamaican players generally under-perform because tactically, they do not understand the game.
Does that account for their poor decision-making on the field of play? If so, then perhaps they should not be inundated with gibberish on formations and all those technical terms like 'holding midfielder', '119' and 'maintaining the shape' of the team
Again, the fundamental principles of football dictate that the game is dynamic -- not static. Common sense would then suggest that since the sport pits 11 players vs 11, the simple practice of getting behind the ball and marking the player closest to you encapsulates the art of defending.
Conversely, one should strive to avail one's self by providing a 'triangular' passing option for one's team-mate when in possession of the ball and relying on speed as that critical element of surprise in attack.
This brings to mind the discourse that was bandied about not so long ago, about creating a Jamaican football philosophy that is underpinned by our phenomenal natural speed, agility and aggression.
Perhaps in lending credence to this notion as a gateway to our footballing future, the success of our homegrown athletes should be the paradigm that we strive for.
Hence, when the Boyz tackle Argentina in their backyard next Wednesday, let us look for improved ball control on what, presumably, will be a lush outfield in Mar del Plata.
Let us further consider the fledgling nature of our history in the sport, and expect a miracle.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Sports-Desk
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