An exceptional striker, solid midfielder, steady defender and a good keeper are important for any successful boys soccer team.
But the most valuable player is often the athlete who consistently wins or controls 50/50 balls, which allows his team to keep possession and many times, helps his team score goals and play good defense.
A 50/50 ball is one in which two players from opposing teams approach a loose ball either on the ground or in the air, with both having an equal chance of getting the ball. A first touch is when a player makes first contact with the ball and tries to control it.
"Winning 50/50s is a premier quality of every winning team," Valor Christian coach Brian Schulz said. "From scoring off 50/50 set plays to winning balls in the run of play to caring if you win even a 50/50 throw-in, it says something about your desire to achieve, win, compete and beat your opponent."
Players need anticipation, confidence and physicality to be successful on 50/50 balls.
"Especially for good 50/50 players, it's anticipating a ball before it's played and understanding what could happen," Heritage coach Adam Buseck said. "Then for the rest of them, it's like basketball --; boxing out and having some skill to get out of pressure."
Legend coach Jordan Ivey said challenging the second ball is most important.
"We stress the importance of challenging the first 50/50 ball but don't focus on it," he said. "When you challenge a 50/50 ball it typically creates a second 50/50 ball, and we focus on surrounding the original 50/50 so that we can win the second ball."
ThunderRidge coach Jeremy Hayes said positioning is essential.
"It is more important for players to be in good positioning defensively to create turnovers or create chances to win the ball," Hayes said. "There are those opportunities to win 50/50 challenges, but they only really occur when a change in possession happens."
"Ideally, we keep possession on offense and create opportunities to win the ball on defense. Playing small side games is the best way to simulate the idea of keeping the ball or winning it. Knowing when to step or when to engage an attacking player is a tough skill that requires timing, physicality and a bit of luck."
Heritage senior Nate Reisler has been skilled at competing for loose balls.
"Winning a 50/50 ball is most important off our goalie's kick," Reisler said. "We just won possession and it's a waste if you don't win it right away. Obviously, we want to keep possession."
Keeping control of 50/50 balls can be tough.
"For me, I kind of have to spot where I think the ball is going to go and get there before anybody else to the spot, and from there I kind of have to get physical a little bit to make sure I'm in a better position..." Reisler said. "I have to physically go get the ball. I have to have that will to get the ball.
"If I know I can't get to it, I try to position myself at the best possible position to receive the second ball where it is going to rebound out to."
Reisler's teammate, senior Shayan Mehrani, said players need to mix it up and not get pushed away from the 50/50 balls.
"I just use my body," Mehrani said. "I just go in just being strong and not backing away from the ball, using your arms and obviously not playing dirty. With a 50/50 it is not that hard not to foul as long as you are not tugging a jersey or holding onto someone's shoulder and just jump straight up on air balls and use your body."
There will be 32 teams that qualify for the Class 3A, 4A and 5A state playoffs that begin Oct. 28. Last season, Heritage, Cherry Creek, state runner-up Mountain Vista and Arapahoe were among the teams that advanced to the quarterfinals.
Semifinals are set for Nov. 9 with the state finals for all three classes scheduled for Nov. 12 at Dick's Sports Goods Park in Commerce City.
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Taking-control-can-turn-the-tide,233818
No comments:
Post a Comment