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Coach Flip Naumburg's Journal
Saturday, August 31, 2002
On Wednesday I sent an e-mail announcing that we would have an "informal" practice and scrimmage on Friday afternoon. I knew a bunch of guys would come out, but to my astonishment
there were more than 35. A few graduates were there, and they won’t be playing when it counts, but even so the number seemed absolutely huge. In a way it was scary, because remember, I
am the "Lone Coach". There is no way that everyone (team ‘02-’03) was there, yet there was a hoard.
What I did was set up a short field, so the back and forth would not render everyone, and therefore the entire scrimmage useless. We played with a three-second "rule", three seconds
being the longest a player could carry the ball. I will likely do a lot of this sort of thing. I made a larger crease outside the goal crease, instead of a "restraining box". A team
had to move the ball inside this outer crease within 30 seconds of having the ball. It was fun for them, I think, and actually worked well for me, too, allowing me to see a lot. Even though
it was 10 vs. 10, it had a "Chumash" feel to it. The pace was quick, the way I want us to play all the time. They played for most of 2 hours. I am going to get some decent sessions
for evaluation before we even officially start. Yeah, baby!
EVALUATING A NON-PRACTICE
With so many out to play ball on a lovely late summer’s afternoon, it became clearer than ever to me that I do not want to have a team of 45-50 players. That is just too many. With a group
that size there are too many cracks for things to slip through, too many variables. I’m getting too old of course, but I also want to work more with and spend more time shaping the "core"
of this team. I want to spend less time developing a J.V. than I have in the past. There is lots of "family" on a huge team, but it never seems to translate into making us deeper.
The extra 15 or so players come and go. They are not "core"
One of the first things I noticed yesterday was a reminder of what we won’t have this coming year. Davis and Priebe were there, and scoring goals at will. Since these two have graduated,
and taken with them their ability to create instant offense, it is clear that this year we will have to truly play team offense, and to play offense as a team. Scoring goals at past rates will
be a challenge I know, but it is one I look forward to.
I do not want us to rely on specific individuals. I have really never liked the modern style of play where you are always looking to settle the ball and go after the almighty match-up that you
want. I want us to break down the other defense. I want us to pressure their goal. I want us to rely on one another and what we do as a unit at all times. If one player gets hot or whatever,
then let’s ride him like a pony, but let’s never "wait" for certain people to do things. Let’s create an environment where, when it becomes a player’s time, he
will have the opportunity. Opportunity + Conversion = Playing Time. O + C = PT
I have been thinking about these offensive realities, and the hopefully logical changes to come all summer. I am taking a little different approach to "attacking" the opponent's goal.
I am trying to increase our chances of "finishing" a given sequence without worrying about personnel or the individual scoring talents and capabilities of this player or that one.
Scorers will always score. I want to get important goals from lots of different people.
Alex the Goalie and I are working on the whole defense, sort of from square one. We are also remodeling Alex the goalie a bit as well. We have had some good sessions already, and yesterday’s
scrimmage was excellent for him. He was left "naked" a few times by the defense, but I suppose it is a bit early to expect us to be playing good "team defense" yet. Too bad.
I expect it anyway.
I have been talking lately about the John Wooden "Pyramid of Success", and though I don’t spend a lot of time on how players should put on their socks, as the old coach did, I
do intend to build a strong fundamental base with this team.
It looks like the Las Vegas tournament this year is going to have 16 teams. Maybe it will really be the "Best of the West" tournament after all.
As I write I am watching the CSU vs. CU football game. God bless you, Sonny Lubick, I have gotten to be a very rabid CSU football fan. They are fun to watch. I love the QB from my old home town,
SB, too. Go Rams.
They just hung on to beat the Buffs (ranked #6) 19-14. Great game.
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