An Opportunity To Learn

Gentlemen: Charlottesville Catholic played a strong game today. 

We had moments of toughness (and we scored two pretty goals), but we did not weave those moments together into the complete game that Coach Connors challenged us to play.

-------------------

I encourage you to find both lessons and motivation in today's loss. 

In terms of the lessons, a major takeaway for me is that we are often holding the ball for a second too long -- we are taking an extra dribble during which we lose the advantage. In order to maintain the advantage, let's work on: 

1. Keeping our heads up (before and after receiving the ball)

2. Anticipating what we're going to do upon receiving the pass 

3. Taking one fewer dribble, rather than one more dribble

There are moments in a game, of course, when you may have plenty of time to dribble and find the perfect pass. But there were far more frequent moments today when we lost possession because we hesitated.

In addition, we'll work on winning the 50/50 balls. Today, CCS won the vast majority of them, and that made a huge difference in the outcome.

-------------------

Good work to both Carter and Charlie for their work in the goal today. Both boys made several nice saves, without which the score would have been more lopsided.

-------------------

Game balls:

#11 for CCS: I don't know this boy's name, but he played an exceptional game. Notably, he did not change his focus or effort after his first couple of goals. To the contrary, during the second half he lifted up his teammates' level of play with his continued command of the field. He played a complete game.