Thanks to Anonymous, that left his/her comments, inspired me, THANKS AGAIN!!. Because, like I said, if I do not generated comments, WHY keep the hopes of some day, somebody, would listen to my cries, and try to do the something for the BEAUTIFUL GAME!! As a lone warrior, in a war to beatify the game, sometimes I feel like I losing the battle.
Also, with my broken English, hope do not offend nobody, I think that I should write in the language of the country I'm living, my conscience and streetwise tells me, to respect!!
Coming back to the title, CREATIVITY and/or ORIGINALITY;
it tells all!!, the majority of the players, today, appears to left the coach command (kick, kick away, don't look where!! just kick it!-defend,DEFEEEEND)
It's Clear (for me), that the player has to CREATE, if you are outside the 18 yards box, YOU have to create, face the defender, try your best footwork, pass him/her, and, you'll find out, that the goalie did his/her job, and close your shooting angle, -again- use YOUR BRAINS, fake, footwork AGAIN!! and put the ball nice and smooth, into the goal!! Easy?? It sounds, easy, that is the way is suppose to be!
But not, next game you'll be out of the team, (if you think) or, maybe! the fans would love it, and no coach will go against the fans!! (?)
According to the coach, you should kick it, where you got the ball, 35, 40 yards out of the goal, not thinking, that, from that distance, you'll convert ONLY IF THE GOALIE GET A HEART ATTACK, or SOMETHING!! Most of the times, the ball goes so far out of target, that the other team get a throwing!! instead then a goal sidekick!!
That is ORIGINALITY too, IT'S THE PLAYERS who win or lose GAMES!!!. Let them PLAY, a good coach, has to know where the person's position inside the field is best, and put the parts together, another reason for the numbers on the jersey, the numbers indicate the position the player have to stand on the field.
CREATIVITY and/or ORIGINALITY on DEFEND!!
If I'm watching a game, and ONE attacker against 4 (FOUR) defenders lose the ball, the defender (ONE!!!) close his/her eyes, and kick it the higher that can be done! Not even THINKING they are 3 (THREE) more players (defenders) watching the play! and wisely could be given to one of the three players sitting (birdwatching) doing nothing, without thinking,
that (JUST I GIVE THE BALL AWAY!!) C'mon let they THINK!! let they use the brains!!!- (not the rear end!)- Like a good friend of mine usually said!-
The funny thing out of all of this, is, when a coach choice/pick a player, it's according with his/her skills, if the player has a good domination of the ball, can pass it, in one word is GOOD!! You are in the TEAM!! WHY, I keep asking myself, WHY it's, in the game is COMPLETE DIFFERENT!!
Back to the title, on the long way, it would help the person to live a better life, because so many times in life, we have to CREATE or be ORIGINAL, to pass hard situations, that we'll not have anybody to tell as, what to do!
Some players misinterpret the CREATIVITY, ORIGINALITY, and get out of hand, when they scored a goal, being not very used to scored, when they luckily, convert, they think (I believe) that they are something like GOD!! run all over the field, celebrating, taking the jersey off (getting yellow card) others jumping on top, holding for behind like dogs, dancing. No, that is not respect for others, and the worse thing is, sometimes the other team get insulted, and they respond with several goals more!! The reality is that is ABSURD and FIFA soon or later will do something!! PLEASE SOON!!!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The beautiful game
I'm getting sic talking about the way are playing the game, an probability you too, believe me it's not BEAUTIFUL.
Lets concentrate in doing it, the right way... But I already said IT!!
Who am I, to tell HOW the game have to be played?....If I tell you, that I was nobody, that was the worse player in my neighborhood, but, I had GUTS!, never back up for nobody, or anything, That help me in life tremendously. Today, everything I own, is thank to my integrity, courage, honesty, or, whatever you want to call it. But no FEAR, or if onetime I felt the FEAR, I kick it to the side, and, KEEP GOING straight up!, Can be one of the reasons I do not hold any licenses (driver, YES!), I always said, WHO will teach me how to play the game?
If I learned it, with the best ones that played the BEAUTIFUL game!! I'll tell you just one (for now), My good friend Hector (Sapito--Little toad) Martinez, we played a few times together,but, when he was playing for Penarol on the Liberator's Cup, has to play against Brazil,- Santos' PELE, before the game began, "Sapito" told PELE, "Hey Pele, I'll pass the ball in between yours legs" Pele smiled, for the positions they played, just meet once in the whole game, in that particular play, Sapito got the ball, faced Pele, and with a fancy feet move, tried to pass the ball in between Pele's legs, instinctively Pele closed his feet, and the ball did not go through. I imagine Pele smiling, I never could confirm this history, never have the chance to ask Pele. But knowing Sapito, it cold happen!! he was FANTASTIC!! Players like him were all over, he played with a Pele's team mate MOASIR, they usually, in the practices, kicking the ball, will bet, where the ball hit! (for a glass of wine!), I would like, that somebody check in his records and fine out how many goals he MADE from corners kicks!!!, free kicks! you named!!, but IN THAT YEARS, they were so many good players, and, not transfers to other countries, like today!! I don't want to say they were better than today's players, not, was not chances to play, not openings. Look at Pele's record, he just played for Santos, -yes, I know the NY Cosmos, but, that is another history!!-
Like I said, FEAR, it was not in our dictionary, I don't want to say, today's it!, but, just look a couple examples. No, better I shut my mouth!!, but in the game, that line of four (4) THAT IS FEAR!!. Only two (2) attackers, THAT'S FEAR!!!. The team is defending a corner kick, get 8 players inside the box, and the start to hold by the jerseys, the arms, even they get in touch with body parts!!! THIS IS FEAR!! Plus is RIDICULOUS!!! Is ONLY ONE (1) BALL!!! And sometimes it goes out of bound!!!
I can go no and on, for days, but, nobody listen, again FEAR of change something, that is not working, BUT, what if?, better give the ball back to the goalie!,
I'm getting sic talking about the way are playing the game, an probability you too, believe me it's not BEAUTIFUL.
Lets concentrate in doing it, the right way... But I already said IT!!
Who am I, to tell HOW the game have to be played?....If I tell you, that I was nobody, that was the worse player in my neighborhood, but, I had GUTS!, never back up for nobody, or anything, That help me in life tremendously. Today, everything I own, is thank to my integrity, courage, honesty, or, whatever you want to call it. But no FEAR, or if onetime I felt the FEAR, I kick it to the side, and, KEEP GOING straight up!, Can be one of the reasons I do not hold any licenses (driver, YES!), I always said, WHO will teach me how to play the game?
If I learned it, with the best ones that played the BEAUTIFUL game!! I'll tell you just one (for now), My good friend Hector (Sapito--Little toad) Martinez, we played a few times together,but, when he was playing for Penarol on the Liberator's Cup, has to play against Brazil,- Santos' PELE, before the game began, "Sapito" told PELE, "Hey Pele, I'll pass the ball in between yours legs" Pele smiled, for the positions they played, just meet once in the whole game, in that particular play, Sapito got the ball, faced Pele, and with a fancy feet move, tried to pass the ball in between Pele's legs, instinctively Pele closed his feet, and the ball did not go through. I imagine Pele smiling, I never could confirm this history, never have the chance to ask Pele. But knowing Sapito, it cold happen!! he was FANTASTIC!! Players like him were all over, he played with a Pele's team mate MOASIR, they usually, in the practices, kicking the ball, will bet, where the ball hit! (for a glass of wine!), I would like, that somebody check in his records and fine out how many goals he MADE from corners kicks!!!, free kicks! you named!!, but IN THAT YEARS, they were so many good players, and, not transfers to other countries, like today!! I don't want to say they were better than today's players, not, was not chances to play, not openings. Look at Pele's record, he just played for Santos, -yes, I know the NY Cosmos, but, that is another history!!-
Like I said, FEAR, it was not in our dictionary, I don't want to say, today's it!, but, just look a couple examples. No, better I shut my mouth!!, but in the game, that line of four (4) THAT IS FEAR!!. Only two (2) attackers, THAT'S FEAR!!!. The team is defending a corner kick, get 8 players inside the box, and the start to hold by the jerseys, the arms, even they get in touch with body parts!!! THIS IS FEAR!! Plus is RIDICULOUS!!! Is ONLY ONE (1) BALL!!! And sometimes it goes out of bound!!!
I can go no and on, for days, but, nobody listen, again FEAR of change something, that is not working, BUT, what if?, better give the ball back to the goalie!,
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Welcome _Again!
First I have to THANK my buddy ACE!! Again and again, because without his knowledge and patience I could not do this!
Because I didn't have many responses on the couple years this blog is running, I thought people didn't care, and the truth is I lose my enthusiasm. And now by POPULAR DEMAND (ACE) I'll start to write in my broken English, and in my natural language Spanish see if I can touch base! before I hung up my cleats!!!
According with the request and/or questions, would be the life of this blog!
I don't want to look critical, but, lets check the last MLS Final game.
What I was talking about it, in past posts, came to be the real truth!!
The "Revolving Door" Yes, coaches are fire for inept from one Club, and, another Club HIRE them!!!" Old Players" turned coaches- do not know better that toss the ball in the air (High as they can) and RUN for it!! "Players may get hurt" In this particular game also happen it! Two players got hurt! running for that loose ball! "The luckiest one will WIN" exactly, is what happen, both teams, during the season, were lousiest, do not tell me the best team won! No Sir, the LUCKIEST WON! The funniest thing is, the winning coach told me couple years ago, (by emails) the "I was insulting him, WHY, he would take my advise", I tried to explain him, then that is one of the beauty of this game, that you can criticise constructively, and believe or not he won the 2009 Cup! "Too many people in the box, and blind the goalie" Exactly what happens in one of the goals, guys running "in line" watching ONE attacker with the ball. That defenders should pay entrance , because they got the best seat in the Stadium!! The other goal, almost the same scene, but this time the "STAR ( I said "FIASCO") in front of the attacker, but, turned his body and jump like a butterfly, again, the goalie would not expected that move and did not see the ball!
Next Post I would like to say something about the slogan some WEB PAGES ARE RUNNING, they write the "BEAUTIFUL GAME" (They don't have idea what it means)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Keeping Busy
If you want to know what I have been up to, check out the new web site for the Huracán F.C.: http://www.huracanfc.com. As you can see, I'm keeping busy.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
My Thoughts
Do you need more proof that what I have said is true?
First, obviously, I was dead on when it comes to Beckham. (See Walters Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Post Off The Top Of My Head). It’s the Pele fiasco all over again.
The coaches’ revolving door is still revolving, sometimes with the same club. And, the style of play still makes every game a crapshoot. Anyone could wind up champion.
Beside being unproductive, the accepted style of play which I detest is potentially dangerous. Consider the danger posed when two players running wildly toward the ball, like cars flying downhill without brakes, jump simultaneously trying to head the ball. Head injuries generated by this type of collision are common and, one day, could lead to a fatality. Do they really think this is the kind of action fans pay to see?
Moving on, because I could not find a GM with guts enough to hire somebody like me, somebody who will change their current system of play which requires tossing the ball high into the air, I have put my money where my mouth is by investing in a club in Uruguay that has fallen into economic hard times. Do you doubt my level of commitment?
Anyway, my team starts to play next weekend. I must see how the coach performs. We have talked and it seems like we are on the same page. But, if he does not understand my message, I will not hesitate, like any good GM, to step in and start coaching myself. Then, I will prove I’m more than an opinionated old timer.
Just to refresh your mind, I will stress to players “good” treatment of the ball - like it was their first girlfriend. My style requires that players move the ball up the field in steps, not with NFL-style kicks. They should not leave the proximity of their own boxes and wind up with four backs in a line having coffee with the goalie. There must be a buffer zone! It’s no wonder that when a player from the other team volleys the ball, the goalie can’t see it. THAT LINE OF FOUR FULL BACKS is the ANTI-FOOTBALL.
You can keep tabs on my team here.
I’ll be traveling to Uruguay in late October.
Be aware that it is possible for a small club to race to stardom. This club, Huracan, is in Second Div. B, has claim to First Div. B, and, later to First Div. A.
Of course, money is a pressing issue. This year expenses will be covered by me. Next year, who knows? We already have one sponsor, but we need many more. Hopefully, my efforts to raise more money will pay off before my pockets run dry. My life has become a true reality show.
First, obviously, I was dead on when it comes to Beckham. (See Walters Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Post Off The Top Of My Head). It’s the Pele fiasco all over again.
The coaches’ revolving door is still revolving, sometimes with the same club. And, the style of play still makes every game a crapshoot. Anyone could wind up champion.
Beside being unproductive, the accepted style of play which I detest is potentially dangerous. Consider the danger posed when two players running wildly toward the ball, like cars flying downhill without brakes, jump simultaneously trying to head the ball. Head injuries generated by this type of collision are common and, one day, could lead to a fatality. Do they really think this is the kind of action fans pay to see?
Moving on, because I could not find a GM with guts enough to hire somebody like me, somebody who will change their current system of play which requires tossing the ball high into the air, I have put my money where my mouth is by investing in a club in Uruguay that has fallen into economic hard times. Do you doubt my level of commitment?
Anyway, my team starts to play next weekend. I must see how the coach performs. We have talked and it seems like we are on the same page. But, if he does not understand my message, I will not hesitate, like any good GM, to step in and start coaching myself. Then, I will prove I’m more than an opinionated old timer.
Just to refresh your mind, I will stress to players “good” treatment of the ball - like it was their first girlfriend. My style requires that players move the ball up the field in steps, not with NFL-style kicks. They should not leave the proximity of their own boxes and wind up with four backs in a line having coffee with the goalie. There must be a buffer zone! It’s no wonder that when a player from the other team volleys the ball, the goalie can’t see it. THAT LINE OF FOUR FULL BACKS is the ANTI-FOOTBALL.
You can keep tabs on my team here.
I’ll be traveling to Uruguay in late October.
Be aware that it is possible for a small club to race to stardom. This club, Huracan, is in Second Div. B, has claim to First Div. B, and, later to First Div. A.
Of course, money is a pressing issue. This year expenses will be covered by me. Next year, who knows? We already have one sponsor, but we need many more. Hopefully, my efforts to raise more money will pay off before my pockets run dry. My life has become a true reality show.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Off the Top of My Head
(Editor's note: My friend, Ace Toscano, asked me to post my thoughts on the state of soccer, today. Following are my responses to his questions.)
Oh, my man! People may not like what I have to say, but, good, maybe it will generate some comments.
Who do you think will win the Olympic Gold Medal for soccer?
Who will win the Gold? Like I have said before, THE TEAM THAT IS LUCKIEST! As long as the coaches promote this ping-pong style of play, anybody can win.
And let's not forget the $$$$$. The teams with more money are stronger - their players will literally roll over their opponents like a speeding train.
Last week they played the final game to see who would be the European champions. In the game between Manchester United and Chelsea, after they played the regular 90 minutes, plus 30 in overtime, the score was still 1-1 on two lucky goals. They then had to go to penalty kicks. Embarrassingly, some of these kicks, which are so easy you can make them with your eyes closed, were missed.
Up here in the National League, competition is so even, there's little difference between the best teams and the lousiest. One coach, talking to reporters after his team lost 5-1, blamed the loss on personnel, formations and offensive shortcomings. Poor excuses! The real cause was lousy coaching. Eventually, he'll get fired but another team will pick him up and as a result of this revolving door policy, the game will continue to stagnate. What they need is a coach like me. As I've told you before, their whole approach to the game is wrong.
You asked what I think about Beckham. It's the Pele fiasco all over again. Sure, he can push the ball a long way into the other team's box, but you know what happens with long balls? right? If you see him taking another guy in a dribble, ALLELUIA!! But, to his credit, he's not beating people at night and getting drunk where the paparazzi can see him. He is a roll model. And, he has the looks (like us, remember Ace?) but he can't play the game. Oh, I almost forgot, he also married a pretty girl. Like us!
Oh, my man! People may not like what I have to say, but, good, maybe it will generate some comments.
Who do you think will win the Olympic Gold Medal for soccer?
Who will win the Gold? Like I have said before, THE TEAM THAT IS LUCKIEST! As long as the coaches promote this ping-pong style of play, anybody can win.
And let's not forget the $$$$$. The teams with more money are stronger - their players will literally roll over their opponents like a speeding train.
Last week they played the final game to see who would be the European champions. In the game between Manchester United and Chelsea, after they played the regular 90 minutes, plus 30 in overtime, the score was still 1-1 on two lucky goals. They then had to go to penalty kicks. Embarrassingly, some of these kicks, which are so easy you can make them with your eyes closed, were missed.
Up here in the National League, competition is so even, there's little difference between the best teams and the lousiest. One coach, talking to reporters after his team lost 5-1, blamed the loss on personnel, formations and offensive shortcomings. Poor excuses! The real cause was lousy coaching. Eventually, he'll get fired but another team will pick him up and as a result of this revolving door policy, the game will continue to stagnate. What they need is a coach like me. As I've told you before, their whole approach to the game is wrong.
You asked what I think about Beckham. It's the Pele fiasco all over again. Sure, he can push the ball a long way into the other team's box, but you know what happens with long balls? right? If you see him taking another guy in a dribble, ALLELUIA!! But, to his credit, he's not beating people at night and getting drunk where the paparazzi can see him. He is a roll model. And, he has the looks (like us, remember Ace?) but he can't play the game. Oh, I almost forgot, he also married a pretty girl. Like us!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Campito - The Lessons of Maracanazo
Uruguay has a long and illustrious history. They were world champion 4 times – two Olympic Championships before the world cup and two after. For a country of only 3 million, they produce more world class players than any other country.
Many fans wonder why Uruguay has not won a world championship in 58 years. Here, I intend to give you my two cents on that subject.
First, there’s the issue of the Campito (playground, sandlot). This has always been a haven for youngsters to develop their skills, but, as cities expand and vacant lots become scarcer, there has been less opportunity, except in rural areas, for this kind of development. I believe there can be no real progress until the Campito returns to its former importance as a training ground.
Another factor standing in the way of winning is the coaching. Coaching has become a restricted community. Ex-players who know the game frontward and backwards aren’t able to become coaches because they haven’t completed the required 3-year training program. Whatever the reasons for this complicated process, one thing is for sure – it keeps many talented coaches out of work and places many without the proper know-how on the field. You cannot underestimate the importance of this point - the coaching situation is a cancer on football in Uruguay.
Let’s get back to the Campito. Not only is it a place where physical skills are developed, but also mental and leadership skills. On the playgrounds leaders naturally emerge. Later, when they join organized teams, those with leadership qualities assert themselves and become team leaders. The best example of a team leader was legendary great Obdulio “El Negro Jefe” Varela, the black chief.
Let’s go back to the championship game of 1950. The Brazilian machine came out and scored a quick goal intending to bury the underdogs from Uruguay. It was the street-smart Jefe who slowed down play by placing the ball under his arm and initiating a prolonged discussion with the referees. This not only calmed down the 200,000 wild Brazilian fans, it took the momentum from the great Brazilian players.
Then, after a Brazilian defender fouled Alcides Ghiggia hard, Schubert Gambetta (Mono “The Monkey” Gambetta) took the first opportunity to return the favor to the Brazilian defender and, while they were on the ground, he relayed the message that if he should foul Ghiggia again he would kill him, literally or figuratively. From then on the Brazilians were less willing to mix it up and, ultimately, this cost them the game. This stunning defeat of Brazil is referred to as the Maracanazo.
This is just one example of how attitudes and styles developed on the playground transfer to the big field. The chain of events immortalized at the Maracanazo, unfortunately, would not repeat themselves today. Rather than learn in the playground and on the streets, todays players come up through a succession of soccer camps where their first impulse is to run to the referee crying foul. They have no idea of how to work out problems on their own. Where are the Gambettas of today?
I was recently approached by a group in Uruguay who wanted me to explore several possibilities. For one, they would like to form an alliance with a professional team from anywhere in the world. This relationship would be like a farm team. I am eager to help them in this regard. They also asked me to give them the benefit of my coaching experience. Here, however, there seem to be several issues regarding coaching that I have to investigate when I travel to Uruguay this spring. I’ll let you know what I find out. Still, regardless of the situation in Uruguay, I would be willing to travel elsewhere and to organize, coach and co-sponsor a farm team anywhere else in the world.
Many fans wonder why Uruguay has not won a world championship in 58 years. Here, I intend to give you my two cents on that subject.
First, there’s the issue of the Campito (playground, sandlot). This has always been a haven for youngsters to develop their skills, but, as cities expand and vacant lots become scarcer, there has been less opportunity, except in rural areas, for this kind of development. I believe there can be no real progress until the Campito returns to its former importance as a training ground.
Another factor standing in the way of winning is the coaching. Coaching has become a restricted community. Ex-players who know the game frontward and backwards aren’t able to become coaches because they haven’t completed the required 3-year training program. Whatever the reasons for this complicated process, one thing is for sure – it keeps many talented coaches out of work and places many without the proper know-how on the field. You cannot underestimate the importance of this point - the coaching situation is a cancer on football in Uruguay.
Let’s get back to the Campito. Not only is it a place where physical skills are developed, but also mental and leadership skills. On the playgrounds leaders naturally emerge. Later, when they join organized teams, those with leadership qualities assert themselves and become team leaders. The best example of a team leader was legendary great Obdulio “El Negro Jefe” Varela, the black chief.
Let’s go back to the championship game of 1950. The Brazilian machine came out and scored a quick goal intending to bury the underdogs from Uruguay. It was the street-smart Jefe who slowed down play by placing the ball under his arm and initiating a prolonged discussion with the referees. This not only calmed down the 200,000 wild Brazilian fans, it took the momentum from the great Brazilian players.
Then, after a Brazilian defender fouled Alcides Ghiggia hard, Schubert Gambetta (Mono “The Monkey” Gambetta) took the first opportunity to return the favor to the Brazilian defender and, while they were on the ground, he relayed the message that if he should foul Ghiggia again he would kill him, literally or figuratively. From then on the Brazilians were less willing to mix it up and, ultimately, this cost them the game. This stunning defeat of Brazil is referred to as the Maracanazo.
This is just one example of how attitudes and styles developed on the playground transfer to the big field. The chain of events immortalized at the Maracanazo, unfortunately, would not repeat themselves today. Rather than learn in the playground and on the streets, todays players come up through a succession of soccer camps where their first impulse is to run to the referee crying foul. They have no idea of how to work out problems on their own. Where are the Gambettas of today?
I was recently approached by a group in Uruguay who wanted me to explore several possibilities. For one, they would like to form an alliance with a professional team from anywhere in the world. This relationship would be like a farm team. I am eager to help them in this regard. They also asked me to give them the benefit of my coaching experience. Here, however, there seem to be several issues regarding coaching that I have to investigate when I travel to Uruguay this spring. I’ll let you know what I find out. Still, regardless of the situation in Uruguay, I would be willing to travel elsewhere and to organize, coach and co-sponsor a farm team anywhere else in the world.
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