Pistolas FC 2011

A player must always be aware that, with team possession of the ball, you are always involved in the offensive attack. Regardless of where the play is at any given time, offense requires improvisation and creativity, which means the play may reach you at any time.

Here are some key factors in establishing a consistently dangerous offensive attack, which should be incorporated in the grand scheme of building up to a goal.

Short Passing

When passing to a marked player, you should pass the ball in the opposite direction of his marker. Beyond this, as the passer, you should also consider that you are responsible for leading your teammate both away from danger and, more importantly, in the direction the play is being envisioned to proceed to (i.e. leading him in a direction whereby he can run onto more space and gain field with possession -or- towards a teammate that he can comfortably pass onto, extending the play forward, etc.).

Of course, the closer to goal, the shorter the passes will normally become. As less time is afforded to the recipient of the pass in or around the goal area (based on an increased defensive presence that will arise), a well placed pass can afford the receiving player much needed time and space, leading potentially to a proper chance on goal and/or direct him to the next passing opportunity (i.e. give and go, etc.).

For the recipient player, he should always be moving towards the ball, not away from it. This is even more essential when being marked, as the opposing player may attempt to cut in front and intercept. Moving towards the ball and 'shielding' the direction that the opposing player is moving in from will keep you from being dispossessed.

Overlapping

If there is free space away from the ball carrier, players should attempt to incorporate the overlap. When used on the wing (the overlapping player will pass the ball carrier up field, the overlap is very difficult to cover for defenders. When executed across the width of the field (the overlapping player will pass the ball carrier to the left/right), the overlap usually spreads apart the defence. Both examples of overlapping would most likely result in confusion for the defenders and open up more space for the offense to operate.

Distributing the Ball

Players should always survey the area in or around the opposing defenders, including the space between the enemy defenders and their own goal. It is highly advantageous to play the ball in open space (rather than target passing, as it is unusually difficult for the opposing defenders to recover. The best way to use an outside angle is by making an overlapping run, timing to get behind the defence on-side. The creativity and chemistry between the passer and any prospective recipient is key, in understanding where the passer wants to go with the ball and where the prospective recipient is looking to move to. As well, always being aware of potential passing lanes makes it easier for the passer to distribute effectively. Off the ball, an offensive player's top priority should be to be moving into proper passing lanes, which are ever-changing.

In the Attacking Zone

If the strikers on your team are being marked by the last line of defenders, there are two essential plans of attack to score off of. The more controlled option for the striker is to check down toward the ball for a simple target pass. However, the more direct approach for goal is for the striker to head forward. With the offside rule limiting the ability to simply run off, the ball has to be played over the striker first. Depending on the striker's speed and angle to goal, the ball should be targeted to a spot whereby the striker can run onto the ball before any defender and goalkeeper can. The striker should start running toward the area behind the line of defenders slightly before the ball leaves the foot of the passer. The enemy defenders may be caught off guard and, further, their recovery requires them to turn at many angles (even 108 degrees) to regain their ground; a clear advantage to the offense. Possibly more than with any other distribution of the ball, this play will require a certain level of chemistry to effectively utilize and avoid the linesman's flag being constantly raised. Almost an unspoken sense of what each other is trying to accomplish without tipping off the defence to your intentions.

Crossing the Ball

In situations when the ball is out on the flanks, away from optimal scoring zones, the ball should be crossed to a place where a better scoring opportunity can be gained. It is widely recognized that the ideal spot for a cross is in the area between the penalty spot and the 6 yard line. By crossing to this area, you will force the enemy keeper to come out of the goal, while allowing your teammates to be close enough to goal for a header or shot. It is important to note that the when heading into the area a player should stay outside of the penalty box until the ball carrier delivers the cross. This makes the opposite defenders' role more difficult as they have to simultaneously follow both the moving ball and the player being marked. The proper runs by those receiving the crosses should essentially be comprised of a near post run. The first player that arrives in the penalty area should go towards the post of the side the cross is entering from) and subsequently, the second man in should go to the far post. The remaining players should proceed to ensure staggering between each other and the goal.

These techniques when used properly result in a potent offensive attack and endless headaches for any opposing team.

TORONTO - Once again, our reporters are in the middle of the action, capturing all there is to report on from the January transfer market.

This time, however, the aquisition is non other than former PFC Defender John 'Shaky' Shipley.

Shakes joined PFC back in 2007 as part of the Superdraft that also brought in Steve Ward, Jason Shumski, and Matt Dookie. The foursome, all friends, have fit in nicely at PFC and the rest as they say is history.

Shakes spent time at defence and defensive mid, working often in tandem with buddy Jason Shumski, to hunt down opposing attackers and shut them down.

He helped turn the team into a contender, and was a member of the 2007 Championship Team.

Teaming up with buddies Matt Dookie, and the return of Jason Shumski this year as well, Shakes should prove to be a much welcomed return to a team desperate for better defensive results.

TORONTO - They called him 'Fast Eddy' Meguerian, or Eddy M.VP

Now, fans and players alike will be calling him Eddy 'The Legend'.

After taking a year off and then giving it a great effort in October's Toronto Mississauga Cup, Eddy Meguerian has announced his retirement from soccer, leaving a legacy behind at Pistolas FC.

A shoo-in to be the first ever inducted into the PFC Hall of Fame, Eddy brought an incredible talent to the field, and made deeking other players - entire teams sometimes - and goalies, look so effortless.

He remains one of the All-Time Goal Scoring Leaders, notching 9 in 2008 when stats were first recorded, and if his goals from 2007 before stats were recorded, he would clearly be the All-Time Goal Scoring Leader.

"Eddy was one player you could always count on to just takeover a game, and essentially win it for you. He deservedly won the MVP in the 2007 Championship Game, scoring the winning penalty shot with such confidence and ease to seal the victory," said lifelong friend and PFC Director Davidinho, "He will be missed greatly by all, and I can only dream of what this season would've been like had Eddy gotten a chance to play more with the likes of Rob Pikula and Jules, the two star studded roster players added last year and never got a chance to play with Eddy."

"Eddy is truly a special player. He will be missed by all - especially me, as I always looked better when he was on the field!" chimed in team captain Charles Eppich.

Eddy, a former First Team Collegiate Basketball Star (See: OUA 1996-97 ALL STAR), had previously suffered knee injuries throughout his playing years, and re injured them again in July of 2008. Though he missed the 2009 season, he played in the 2009 Toronto Cup, notching a few goals and looking good. And though the knee is fine now, the demands of the sport on them would most likely cause pain or re injury, and aren't worth the risk.

"I think Eddy's come through for us on more than one occasion. He's a star no doubt about it. It was good to see him play in October, and he still has his magic stuff. We understand his situation and support his decision, as heartbreaking as it is. Hopefully, he might still be able to make cameo appearances at future Tournaments as he did in October, as I get the sense he loves to play and is quite competitive. Maybe the itch can be satisfied by these one off tourneys," said Romerinho.

"Most importantly, we want to say Thank You Eddy for all you've done for this franchise, and remember the door will always be open to you."

TORONTO - Only a week into the new year, and only three days into the January Transfer Market, and Pistolas FC is happy to announce two new additions to the club; Johnny and Kes.

Captain Charles had a great conversation with Johnny, and got quite the impression about team commitment. Charles discussed it with the Executive Committee, while in the meantime Johnny made a pitch for his buddy Kes as well.

"Solun FC has for the most part been a very consistent team since the inception of the league. They were one of the originals, and we've always enjoyed hard fought, clean, games against them. Scorelines have always been tight. But our need was defence. Having communicated our interest and making our needs clear, we were happy with the response from Johnny and Kes who committed to the team first mentality. Having watched them play, coupled with both their experience in the league and coming from a team like Solun FC, the decision to add them was a quick one. As it turns out, we have increased our search for quality players on the transfer market, and hopefully if we can grab some more solid defenders that will allow Kes play his natural striker position. But for now, on defence, they add a much needed depth component we've been looking for," said Romerinho.

Stay tuned tommorow for the morning and afternoon revelations of the 2010 season.