Junior Varsity - Bellevue vs Seattle Prep 9-17-24

0-3 BHS vs Seattle Prep

“It’s the little things”

At the very first practice of each season, I sit the team down and we talk about expectations. The things I want to get across to the team and the mindset I need … want, to see from the girls each season. One of the things, if not the most important thing I stress, is doing the little things correctly. By little things I mean, correct positioning, proper trapping, passing, set piece offensive and defense, etc. These are things we take for granted when you play the game, but they are the things you do hundreds of times throughout a game. Good teams do it all.

When we struggle or neglect these crucial aspects of the game, we have a hard time. Not just our team, but any team. In our last two games, we have had a tough time with the basics of the game. Each practice we work on and discuss these fundamentals. As our competition has risen, the need to master the little things becomes more and more imperative.

Last night against Seattle Prep, we knew we were in for a fight, just as we had last week against Eastside Catholic. Prep is well-coached, gritty and they give you very little time on the ball. We knew it was important to get the ball under control quickly and move the ball with urgency. However, when we must spend extra time controlling the ball with errant traps and ball handling, it allows our opponents the opportunity to swoop in and disrupt the flow of the game. Better trapping leads to easier passing, which leads to better movement around the pitch. Better movement helps create dangerous chances around the goal.

We found ourselves losing balls we shouldn’t, letting players slip behind us with poor positioning and neglecting the little things. Prep took advantage of our mistakes throughout the game. All three goals we surrendered were split-second lapses of concentration and focus that allow them to get in behind us and score.

We’re just four games into the season and we are still getting to know each other as we learn our strengths and weaknesses. I like the fight in the girls and can’t say they ever give up. We just need to tighten up our game and raise our skill level. I think if we can accomplish that, we can hang with these teams. I can tell the girls can see where we need to get, but it going to take more effort and focus. It’s my job to pave the way. It’s a quick season so we got some work to do. I’m confident we have it in us.

It's the little things.

​On to the next battle. Friday night vs Eastlake at home. Hope to see you there. Go Wolverines!