Official Football Practise #1

[Jayr Byrne]

Communication is key

Jayr would direct her defenders, They were limited at best but she'd dealt with worse on past teams, teams in which she'd had to play the exhausting one woman army where she'd been bolting across the field, in all honesty though Jayr was not that type of player she was much more of a support unit kept in the rear to direct traffic and sacrifice herself for the good of the team. Essentially an affectionate role that many players passed up.

"No that sounds good lets get this started."

A quick nod in agreement as Jayr bounced back into her position bouncing on her toes as the heated anticipation took hold. A vice looking glance shared with those at the opposite side of the field, she was the only girl on the team, that meant a sense of prerogative, she couldn't fail not here and not now.

[Jack]

"No that sounds good lets get this started."

Jack decided not to take the starting touch, feeling that he would be able to do more for the team in the back. He had his strikers in front of him taking the kick off, his midfielder beside him and the wingers out on either wings. With a four man defence and two CDM’s Jack was confident they could hold it while Jack and the midfield pressed forward. The whistle sounded as the ball was passed from one striker to the other. The first receiver quickly passed the ball back to Jack, taking a step forward with his left he guided the ball behind his left foot with his right to the midfielder beside him. Not waiting for the defence to catch up Jack would burst forward he was instantly marked by two players as a threat running passed them he stuck his hand in the air calling for it. The defence hot on his tail ready to shut him down.

“Pass!”

Jack would motion toward his winger to come in as the ball was bombed in, Jack used his feline like agility to quickly spin around, his eyes found the ball. His huge quads would bend and like a spring he would uncoil and launch his body into the air. The basketballer’s Jump was simply too great for the other footballer’s, towering over every other player around him. He flicked his head to his left, heading the ball toward his winger who had zipped in, receiving it cleanly on his foot. Using the outside of his right foot the winger changed the direction of his run. Running along the wing, he was instantly marked as a threat. Jack looked around nodding to Jayr as he run up the field calling his midfield over with him, the two would work their way behind the winger who was now being zoned in on by a midfielder and defender. The two strikers, worked their way up the field calling for the ball, the winger decided it was too hot to continue pressing forward, passing the ball back to Jack. The ball was intercepted, by the midfielder who was covering the gap between Jack and the winger isolating him. The midfielder cut in, it would now be a one on one battle with jack before he broke through and hit the six man defence. Jack slid in taking the ball out from under the ball carrier’s feet. The male hit the ground and the ball rolled out, Jack got to his feet and jogged back guarding the mid field, the right winger and right midfielder marked up on players, the strikers pushed up in the gap between the opposite defenders and the opposite midfielders, limiting their passing in only one direction, back.

As the ball was thrown in, to one of the defenders, Jack signalled his other winger over, pushing up and in, he aligned himself in the middle of the two CDM’s. Marking a player heavily, the ball was kicked long soaring over Jack’s head, Jack would turn and chase, it was up to Jayr and her gang to do the rest.

[Jayr Byrne]

OOC: A little out of it so excuse the horrible fail.

Out on you

Jayr had to contend with matters of a different sort. The sociology of defense was that of a mental nature rather than a physical one, which played to her quite well and while it required physical prowess to beat out the other players if one handled it much like a game of strategy then it became all too simple.

As the defenders bounced unconsciously following the movement of the ball on Offense Jayr kept her peripheral on the guy she'd tagged. Large, boisterous and unshaven, the boy was like someone taken from a professional rugby squad, or perhaps just a very obvious pick from the wrestling team, which entirely made sense.

Bobbling back and forward herself she couldn't help the feeling he was staring at her, but each check aback his gaze would stretch upfield. No doubt he was wondering how to get a covert hit in on her while rushing down field to score. if so he had another thing coming.

The ball was quickly displaced however finding its way into the air soaring just above her head in the blaring light. A cupped hand from most watching however she'd not had the time to do so as the giant hair monster pounced at this weakened opportunity. A moment would change giving her ample opportunity to shift her body lowering her shoulder into his gut as he charged forcing the boy to keel over and Jayr would roll out from under his collapsing weight to jump thrusting her head up into the ball the stabilize its direction down to the floor before her.

At this point the only offensive player covering her was the big guy who was now buried in the ground before him but that'd change quickly as two mid-fielders bolted towards her position. Quickly now she'd scan the horizon for an open offensive player but they were closing off all options fast, Jayr would paddle up bolting for the sideline and she'd kick off the midfielder's toe sending it out of bounds on him.

'Good.' That'll press it forward.

Jayr would smile arrogantly before bouncing backward off her heels ready for the next round.

[Jack]

OOC: It's fine you always produce quality posts.

Jayr worked the ball out, for the newbies throw in, Jack took it quick throwing it back to one of the centre midfielders Jack pushed up the middle the ball got worked in, the midfielders passing it back and forward, the opposition strikers, running in bursts at the defenders and lower midfielders. It took Jayr to keep them all calm, the winger called for it he received the ball instantly running up the wing Jack got into position for the pass. The play was read and the defender was quick to get there, Jack was just quicker. Bursting past him Jack intercepted the intercept with his right foot, forcing the ball away from Jack and through the defenders’ legs. It was completely by chance that Jack got passed the defender, spinning around he chased the ball, the man no match for Jack’s explosive pace. Jack was shut down instantly by two defenders seeing the gap Jack flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot sending the through ball to the winger who just cut in, the defenders were all on the back foot now, the winger was an experienced player he instantly carved it up, forcing the ball wide and attempted to pass it through to Jack or an equal midfielder who was in position. The ball was kicked out they had gained a fair bit of ground.

The ball was thrown in again, this time crossed to the other side, the defence was good they didn’t leave any gaps. Yet the team was fired up they would want to show these guys just how much they wanted to win this, even good players when put under pressure can make mistakes. Jack was waiting around the top of the box as the left midfield received the ball he decided to cut in drawing a defender to him, running back out he spread their defence. Passing it to the striker who took it further forward, his passing option was cut off in the defensive spread so he was forced to pass it back and to the right. Jack received the ball around the top of the box around the centre. He took one step with his left foot and then slammed that ball toward the goal, the goalie had to dive for it, just managing to get a hand to it and deflecting it over the cross bar. Jack grabbed his hair in frustration as he brought his hands down his face letting out a scream of frustration. The winger picked up the ball, Jack placed his arm up, starting out high near the end of the box and then as he signalled the ball to be crossed in he moved, the winger kicked the ball, crossing it into Jack who was now having a one on one with the keeper. Jack jumped extremely high, higher than the keeper using his elbows to form a protective barrier around him preventing the keeper from comfortably getting into Jack’s space. He kept his eyes on the ball so he could better time his header he knew it was a good one just the way it felt as it connected with his forehead. Sending the ball toward the open goals and the sound of ball meeting net was simply amazing. Jack landed and instantly began cheering, running back toward the defenders pumping his arms as he did so. Yelling like a crazy man.

Jack would jog up to Jayr as the team celebrated the first of possibly many goals. The team would then re set, all players suddenly had an energy boost, but by the looks of it so did the regulars.

OOC: I'm thinking the regulars win 2-1

[Jayr Byrne]

First blood.

It was a great motivator for one, sparking the first goal of the game. A sudden leap in her stomach as Jayr bounced a bit hands curled up at her sides excitably however not giving away too much emotion out of it all. There was still the selfish side of her that felt she could have done more in that series as opposed to just get the ball out of bounds but she'd quickly be extremely critical of herself mentally mapping the game out seeing as if she'd been selfish they could have very much lost the ball and the score could be very much changed. Nodding silently to herself Jayr held her ground watching as the team of boys grow vastly overexcited as her eyes trailed to the Captain of the other team grow red in the face.

It seemed as though while our side had been celebrating the opposite side poised a deadly dagger, the threat of first blood that would inspire such a team to strike back though this time around their anger would be channeled. Score score score, kill kill kill. Their thoughts derived with nothing more than to ingrain it into their opponents team that they were the returning members for a reason, because they were the best.

"Alright lets turn it around."

Jayr shouted quickly the voice of reason calling her team to the line as the other seemed quickly poised at the ready, rilled up with a sort of controlled focus. Hopefully this wouldn't be their undoing.

(ooc: fine by me)

[Jack]

OOC: So sorry I've had this post done for so long!

IC:

Jack lifted his shirt up over his head as he celebrated his goal, spreading his arms out directly horizontally he would aeroplane around the field, having a great laugh with his forwards and midfields. Moral was high, and the regulars had been stung hard, they would come back at them and show them why they were veteran regular players and well the rest were just shitty newbies. The team surrounded him all patting him on the back cheering along with him as they started a little chant before Mrs bossy boots Jayr had to tell them all off. Jack stared at Jayr, giving her a cheeky grin, the one a child would give a parent who was scolding them for doing something wrong. He just wanted to have fun, why was she being such a spoil sport?

"Alright let’s turn it around."

Jack got into position, nodding to his boys “same game plan boys” the regular’s captain’s hand went up in the air signally that his team was ready. Next was Jyr’s turn when she gave the signal the team that had just conceded a goal would kick off. Jack pushed up, the whole team of fresh meat hungry for that ball and eager to impress the coach. The Regular’s brought the ball up before kicking it back, building their play up, drawing the inexperienced midfielders up and out of place to create gaps, but the CDM’s , Jayr and Jack were doing their job no one was going to get passed any time soon. They moved the ball out onto the right wing, the midfielder and Jack were instantly on it, but it left a gap where Jack used to be, playing back he put enough pressure on the ball carrier to cut off his forward passing option but not enough to steal it. The outcome was a collision of wingers with the ruling in favour of the Regulars. Jack pushed back, covering his area and any man within it, the ball was thrown in and Jack headed it, the header was intercepted by a regular’s player who through balled it passed Jack.

Quickly shut down by more defenders it was being forced to the corner, Jack spun around and sprinted back toward the defenders, it was up to Jayr and her squad how this ended up. “Force it out!” Jack screamed not wanting to let the Regulars get the less experienced players on the back foot at which point it would be all over and a definite goal.

[Jack]

OOC: I'm sorry but I can't wait any longer the 27th is coming up and with it my next round of sports and clubs I must get this finished.

IC:

Jayr and the defenders were quick to force the ball back, the midfield pushed up , to support the defence. This would be a team effort no one could afford to lose concentration or it was end up in a goal to the Regulars and this would be a dog fight again. The ball was thrown is, Jack saw a midfielder run down the centre of the field unchallenged, Jack began running straight for the intercept, sliding out he intercepted the ball in a slide tackle like maneuver , getting to his feet he booted it as hard and as far as he could. The ball flew out around the halfway mark on the other side of the field. Looking around he nodded to Jayr giving her the thumbs up, time to play some defensive.

For the next few minutes the regulars mind fucked the hell out of the newbie’s, passing the ball around, keeping luring the defenders out, Jack being the fastest of them and the fittest was doing the most running. Like a hungry wolf he sniffed out his opportunity and when it presented itself he pounced, slide tackling another player, a centre defensive midfielder booted the ball again. Jayr was warming up to her captaincy role, now she was able to see more of the game, the longer the game went on the better the team worked together. At the start Jack wasn't sure about how he could follow out his role as vice captain but now he realized that as a midfielder he was a play maker, just like a point guard in basketball. Without the communication between defence and midfield the main attackers (the strikers) would be left exposed and useless.

“Push left, don’t let them get past, let’s give them hell boys!” Jack lead the midfielders up, marking up on the players, their defence was pushing up leaving a large option for a counter attack. Once again the ball was crossed in, knocked out for a corner to the regulars. Everyone manned up, not budging an inch as the regulars attempted to get the upper hand. The ball was crossed in, Jack soared up into the air but was quickly shut down by four large bodies, furious he shoulders one out as he climbed up toward the ball. He saw it soar directly over to him, the ball had so much curl it was as if some great divine had altered the course of the ball’s path. it was never intended to go into the great mass of bodies, instead it met the boot of a regular waiting just outside the box, Jack’s eyes widened as he saw that they had been tricked, the ball soared past all defenders and met the back of the net. Jack’s eyes widened as he heard the cheers of the regulars, swearing as they ran past him huddling up and cheering together at the man who scored the equalizer. There wasn’t long left of the half and if they didn’t turn it around Jack would lose and he hated losing!

Quick words of encouragement was shouted by their captain as they started again, Jack passed the ball back moving off to the wings creating angels the winger dropped back. The ball was passed to him he had two options the dangerous option or the safe option. He had no idea what to do anymore, he was not good at this stuff! Jack got a quick one touch to the ball as it was sent more or less directly in front of the winger who was on his tail. The coaches watched eagerly as they saw Jack’s split second indecision, this was crucial for a midfielder, a midfielder had to know what he wanted and go with it. perhaps they now understood why he was struggling so much he wasn’t a midfielder at all. Yet he showed potential his athleticism was un-matched and he was quickly adapting to his new role. Jack bounded down the field, receiving the ball in-between the box and the halfway line, turning his back to the midfielder he decided to play it safe by passing the ball back once again. The defensive pressure was massive, he had never felt so much pressure in a training for years. The ball was intercepted, bombed long over the defenders head the regular’s winger swooped in collecting the ball as he took on the remaining defenders placing the ball in top corner. The goalie saw the play unfold screaming at his teammates to get back, Jayr and the defenders were the only ones fast enough and aware enough to do so. This put enough pressure on the kicker to disturb his accuracy a bit, as it went out for another corner to them. Jack clapped his hands as he congratulated the defenders and the goal keeper on their effort as he organized their defence to counter their corner. His eyes scanned for that player who had scored last time, he wasn’t there.

Once again the ball was crossed in, Jack timed his jump as best as he could launching himself into the air once again he was isolated from the rest of the group, shouldering any regulars out of his way he looked up as the ball as it curled away from him. Being pulled by another force directly to the boot of a regular striker, he slammed the ball in top right hand corner of the goals. Jack yelled as he heard the whistle blow they had lost, two-one to a lesser side. Jack was better about the defeat yet he had learned a valuable lesson, the regulars and the newbies shook hands. Some quick words by the coach and they were dismissed from training. The coaching staff dispersed amongst the squad to talk to them about their playing and how they could improve. how do you think you played? Jack thought about it “Not bad, but I feel I could have contributed a lot more to the team”, In what sense?. This was a hard thing for Jack to admit but humility came a long way. “I felt at times I didn’t know what to do, for example I didn’t know whether or not to push it or pass it back. I didn’t know when I saw my openings apart from set pieces.” The coach nodded his approval Your ball handling could use a lot of work but apart from that, you’re on the right path. Jack nodded “Thanks coach” With that Jack would shake his hand and depart the football field.

OOC: /End