I hate gyms

I'm not a gym rat.

I have never felt the compulsion to bring myself to a gym. The gym is so... Impersonal. It's a lonely activity. Just Me. And the cold metal weights. Occasionally, in the midst of my tedious and monotonous workout, I'll get the welcomed (not!) whiff of someone's Eau de BodyOdour that jolts me out of my daze.

Had a nice workout in my Reeboks, who are now sitting prettily under my desk.

All for the Love of the Game!

Why do we do the things we do?

Why do we, after a Saturday of high fever, incessant coughing and scratchy throats, insist that we are fit enough for a Sunday football game?

Not everyone is Jon Bonjovi!

Three weeks out due to work, family etc and finally I'm back on the training ground. It feels good to lace up the boots and head to the field where everyone is already all geared up.

As usual, I arrived late coz the 3 little tykes, all decked out in full Arsenal regalia, were busy playing amongst themselves enroute to the car, blissfully unaware that daddy is late for training. 

I hate being late for football. Anyone who knows me can vouch for that. Which also means I have a low tolerance for players who are tardy... But I digress. 

I belong here. On the turf. In my boots. 

2 things anyone can do to improve their team

There are little things we as players can do to help the team, regardless of our relative skill level or experience. All we need, is a little effort, and sometimes, just saying something encouraging.

Coach shared with us a nugget of advice the other day, after witnessing a shambolic 2-sided game displayed in training. 

"The losing team, especially at amateur level, is losing because they are operating  as 3 distinct lines of players- defence, midfield, attack. Each line not connected to the others."

4 main ways we all concede goals from

We were doing possession play that week during training. As usual, we started well. The team in possession starts off with quick passing, good off the ball running.

But a few minutes later, people start to slack off. Sloppy passing, trying to Messi-Ronaldo their way out of tight spots, no one running into open space to support. As a result, possession turned over more quickly.

Deadball situations contribute about 30% of a team's goals scored, as well as goals conceded.