Go Team!

Picture, if you will, me hopping on a bicycle and riding out to Los Angeles to ask for pearls of soccer wisdom from that all-knowing sage, Lt. Columbo.

"Lt. Columbo," I ask, "how can people who are almost as old as you learn to play better soccer?"

Lt. Columbo moves his cigar around, furrows his brow, and reaches up to rub his forehead. Finally, he says "Well, let me tell you," and then he pauses and looks off into the distance.

I wait.

And I wait.

And I wait some more.

Finally, he looks at me and says "All other things being equal, the team with a plan or strategy has an advantage."

Well, that makes sense. Almost enough sense to be worth pedaling a bicycle from central Ohio to Los Angeles. So I turn around and start to walk to my bicycle. As I reach the door, Lt. Columbo calls out, "Oh...just one more thing."

I walk back towards him, and he says "All other things being equal, the team that correctly and fully executes a plan or strategy has an advantage."

Well, gee - that makes even more sense. Definitely a pearl of wisdom worth the effort of riding a tandem bicycle from Central Ohio to Los Angeles - especially since I pick up hitch-hickers and make them ride in the front so they can't see me coasting and not pedaling.

With a bit of a spring in my step, I thank Lt. Columbo and again head towards my bicycle. Just before the door completely closes behind me, I hear that distinctive voice say, "Oh...just one more thing."

I job back into the room, and as I'm getting closer to Lt. Columbo, I wonder what more there can be.

"It's like this, see," Lt. Columbo says, "the team that correctly and fully executes the BETTER plan or strategy has an advantage."

Well, would you believe it? That's the key - the mother-load of soccer wisdom from Lt. Columbo. It would certainly provide plenty of food for thought as I rode a bike from Los Angeles back to Ohio.

The Team Executes the Better Plan has an Advantage

Our "Who Cares," "Not Us," and "I Dunno" teams have traditionally been very competitive with teams that had players with athletic ability and soccer skills at the same level or a bit better level than the athletic ability and soccer skills of our players. We almost always had fun while we played, and we won a few more games than we lost.

To stay competitive and win enough games to keep the season fun, we need to follow Lt. Columbo's advice. When next indoor season starts, we need to implement and execute a better plan.

Click Here to see the "The Better Plan" page.