What is the definition of "playing good soccer"?
In the last few years, an explosive controversy has dominated soccer. It refers to the elusive concept of "playing good soccer". Many of the people believe that believe that good soccer is exclusively the domain of teams utilizing the indirect "tiki-taka" style of play, a style based on sustained possession of the ball in the middle third of the field.
Last night, Hawks played against The Saints. In one side, the tactics is to sub every five minutes. One day, I am going to talk to the coach and he will have to explain to me why he has been doing this for years. He doesn't know the concept of making a "mayonnaise". Give time to make the mayonnaise so all the ingredients are one. On the other side, it is screaming at his players. Who knows why?
Soccer is a team sport! Team formation is complex and sometimes tedious; it requires time, effort, dedication and hard work. Before a group of players can form a team many things must happen. But by subbing all the times, players won't integrate the concept of the team, they won't be comfortable with his teammate, they won't understand the philosophy of play. Ok there is none!
Again last night was not a beautiful game, beautiful soccer. It is high school soccer. Sport is not solely about winning. A sport will keep moving forward and developing as participants maintain their passion and enjoyment of it.
At the end of the game, that was it! Fans went into the field, were singing, were enjoying the moment. That was their moment! That was their meaning of playing soccer!
