The Playmaker Blog: What I knew Then (looking back)

 

The First Playmaker

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2009

QUESTIONS

I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to coach a JV Soccer team. I always had the idea of being a coach but after a long period of playing and maturing as a person. Who knew it would happen so quickly. It's a very difficult job. I love it. Sometimes I don't know if my plans are going to work. Without the help of the head coach, I probably would be frustrated. Everyday, every minute, every second of the day, I think about how I can teach the game and how I can help the kids. I love this.

What's more satisfying? Playing the best I can or helping a group of kids develop not only as soccer players, but as human beings? I do not know the answer to my own question.

Many have asked me, Are you getting your tactics right? Can you mastermind a winning season? Are you good enough to be coaching? I'll tell you this: I am not a professional coach. I am not Jose Mourinho or some top tactician. I'm not in charge of a big European club. I am a JV coach. I thought it was about winning, but it really isnt. I'm down to the basics. What they should be asking me is, how can you help someone learn how to pass the ball, to control the ball, to move without the ball, no name a few. That simple. Thanks to experienced coaches, I am able to understand what I am supposed to focus on.

If you ever want to coach, think about it. Find out what its like to be in this field. Many think it's easy. You are wrong. Many do it for the money but money will never pay the time and work a coach puts in and what he does for the team.

It has been more than two months since I began coaching. I hope I find the answer to the many questions and challenges I set for myself. I want to be the best at what I do. Most importantly, I hope I can make a difference in at least one of these kids' lives.

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009

Earthquakes…. All over the world.

The was another earthquake. This time, a 7.1 off the coast off Honduras.  People ran out to the streets around 3 AM. There were some fears of a Tsunami. Let’s hope the lives are not lost.

This made me wonder why they occur? Why so many, and in different locations. A few earthquakes have been felt recently in southern california. Many fear the “big one” is coming up.  But, Many earthquakes are reported every day. We just don’t feel them.

i don’t know what I would do if a very strong earthquake strikes. I wonder.

There has been over 20 earthquakes over 5.0 around the world over the past few days. And many more less than 5.0.

This is the first time I pay close attention to this. It’s pretty interesting. Dangerous.    

Champions League. For those who love the game.

Who new? Barcelona are The European Champions. Without a doubt, they play the most entertaining football in the world. Their tactical discipline and individual skills were too much for Manchester United. No one denies that Barcelona deserved to win.

Yes, Barcelona were better. I still think Manchester could have done a better job. In a tactical point of view, Manchester United were unable to counteract Barcelona’s mixed strategy. 

Guardiola was excellent. He has set the standard of how a team should play. It doesn’t have to be a 4-3-3. It can be a 4-3-1-2 or a simple 4-4-2. The key is to play a mixed football style; keeping possession of the ball, while pushing up. Barcelona’s way of keeping possession of the ball is done by passing the ball horizontally, from the right midfielder all the way across the midfield, and a little back to the defense. This creates spaces. That’s when Barcelona switches to more vertical game. That’s when Messi, Henry, and Eto’o  get the ball. And then you see the magic happen. Barcelona is able to do this because of one thing. DISCIPLINE. Thank Guardiola for that. 

Now, What could Manchester do? You saw the outcome. United had everything needed to win. They are the team with the best talent. Maybe all Man U needed was focus, and emotional control. Frustration took the best out of the English side.

I’d like to know what you think United should have done? Speak your mind, Let your football knowledge out. I’ll let you know what I think they should have done. After watching the game a few more times. 

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009

Long Week.

This week was full of immense amounts of math problems and essays. It's friday night, so I needed something to laugh. So I went on YouTube to try find some comedians and I found Gabriel Iglesias. He's very good. He has a very unique style. Check it out. There are six parts. It will give you a good laugh.

Things Happen.

OOPS! What happened there? I mean, it happened to a Manchester united ball. It has never happened before. lol A few friends and I were about to play some indoor soccer and I guess someone kicked it so hard that the ball was ruined. Oh well.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2009

Football around the world.

Last weekend was an interesting one for the world of the beautiful game.

In Spain, FC Barcelona had a confortable 3-1 lead. But, Villareal came back to tie the game, postponing Barcelona's title celebrations. The mighty Bacelona are currently 8 points clear and are set to win another championship.

In Italy, Inter Milan needed to win against Chievo and a Juventus victory over AC Milan to win the scudetto. However, Chievo played a great match against the most consistent side in Serie A, ending the game in a 2-2 draw. AC Milan were unable to beat Juventus in another Derby D'Italia. It was another entertaining game thatended in a 1-1 draw.
Inter have a 7 point lead over city rivals AC Milan and need 5 points to secure their fourth consecutive title. FORZA INTER!

Manchester United are without a doubt, the most consistent team in the Premier League and in Europe. The defending champions are 3 points ahead of Liverpool with one game in hand. Sir Alex Ferguson has done a great job in building a team that will mostlikely win another title and another champions league trophy.

No one really talks about the Bundesliga. But this season has been one of the best. There are four teams fighting for the championship. The top four are only separated by 2 ponts. Wolfsburg and Bayern both have 60 points. Hertha Berlin currently have 59 points while Stuttgard sit in fourth place with 58. It will be interesting to see who will win the championship this season.

Who roots for Celtic? It was a very disappointing fixture for them. After a hard fought game, Rangers defeated Celtic 1-0 and moved 2 points clear ahead of Celtic. Many fans blame the Celtic Boss for the loss, because of his decision to start some players who did not have enought match fitness. But it doesn't matter anymore. The Scottish Championship is now for Rangers to lose.

There is no doubt Football-Futbol-Soccer is the beautiful game. Let's hope to have more interesting seasons ahead of us.

MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009

Windows 7 set to be released this year.

For those whole love PCs, and are waiting for Microsoft's new Operating System, your wait is now over. Microsoft plans to release Windows 7 by the holiday season. Great News! I know there are many people out there who don't like Vista. Nothing has to be said about Vista anymore. Windows 7 will make up for what Vista did not do.
Check out some of the new features here.