Coyotes Slumping ; Shut Out Three Times In As Many Weeks

Team Coyote continues to suffer a losing streak that began back in Week 2.  At the midway point of the season, the Coyotes are nursing a 1-4 record.

The problem is a simple one:  The 'Yotes are simply not attacking the ball and being aggressive.  They are kicking the ball down field and stopping...not following it up...and the results are that the other team is picking up the ball, driving downfield, and scoring at will. 

I will be looking to find drills that hopefully will teach the Coyotes to go after the ball and be more aggressive in the coming weeks.  Parents..please encourage your young 'Yote to follow ball and to attack the ball...don't wait for the ball to come to you and then just kick it downfield and stop....go after the ball, attack it, and follow the ball downfield . 

Last week, the Reds took it to the Coyotes as they dropped their second consecutive game by a score of 4-0.  In that game, the Coyotes actually showed some spark and were "in" the game for most of the game,but just could not find the goal.  Again...it was simply because the Coyotes were not attacking the ball and being aggressive offensively.

Regressing back to Team Rule #1: HAVE FUN!!, I want to stress the fact that the kids seem to be having fun...and that is very important.  At the same time, they also have expressed some frustration.  I want to encourage them to keep their heads up and keep on fighting...and keep on having fun.  If they are having fun, the rest will fall into place in due time.

This  week, it was the Tigers turn to shut out the struggling Coyote team 6-0.  It wasn't even a contest.  The Tigers took the ball and ran up and down the field...keeping the Coyote offense reeling and virtually non-existent.  We did manage to take 7 shots on goal yesterday (compared to only 4 shots on goal the week before), but that is not nearly enough.  The lack of aggressiveness has put a lot of pressure on the Coyote defense, and there is just no way to stop a team that is constantly running the ball downfield.  Our offense has got to find a way to be more attacking....and that will slow down opposing teams.

I have been keeping a new stat for our Midfield position the past couple of weeks, tabulating the number of "tackles" our midfielders make during a game.  That is an important stat, because for every tackle made on the ball by the Midfielders, that is one less shot on goal taken by the opposing offense.

Here are the stats for Games 4 and 5

The Strikers:                      Game 4                  Game 5

Devin                                   4 shots on goal         1 shot on goal
Matt                                     0                             3 shots on goal
Rebekah                               0                             2 shots on goal
Callie                                    0                             1 shot on goal

Midfielders:                       Game 4                   Game 5

Brock                                  4 tackles                  0 tackles
Nick                                    6 tackles                  0
Tyler                                    3 tackles                  1 tackle
Akil                                     0                              3 tackles
Devin                                  0                              5 tackles
Callie                                  0                               1 tackles 
Kendrick                            1 tackle                     0

The Goalies                     Game 4                    Game 5

Akil                                  8 saves                         2 saves
Brock                               2 saves                        4 saves
Addison                           2 saves                          0
Tyler                                 3 saves                         0
Kendrick                          0                                  2 saves
Nick                                 0                                  2 saves

The stats truly tell the story for the past couple of weeks!  Our offense is not showing up!  In two games, we have only taken 11 shots on goal (while our opponents have taken at LEAST 35 shots on goal)

Defensively...we are overburdened (due to a lack of offense), as our Midfielders have combined for a total of 24 tackles, and our goalies have combined for 25 saves.

And so, as the 2nd half of the season kicks in, let us hope we can find a way for our offense to kick in again as well.  Coach Joseph and I will be looking for some drills that will hopefully bring it out, and that will get the kids to attack the ball.  Please encourage your Coyote to go after the ball, attack it, and don't give up fighting for the ball...and to HAVE FUN....If we can find a way to do that, we will pull out a couple more wins before it is all said and done!

Don't give up, Coyotes!  Let's get out there and give it a good fight for the rest of the season...one week at a time, beginning this next week.  I am not sure of which weeks they are, but I know that we have at least 2 more tough,  well coached teams to play.  It doesn't matter when that is...let's just take it a game at a time and get out there and play hard.

Parents..please try to instill in your Coyote's mind the importance of paying attention during practice.  Introducing new drills can get confusing (especially at this age), so it is imperative that they pay attention so that they can understand what it is we are trying to teach them.  And most importantly...encourage your kids to keep their heads up, play hard, and have fun....if they are learning the game....and are having fun doing so, that is what it is all about.