Time for Some Book Learnin' (Day 6)

One thing that I would like to see us do more is vertical (North-South) rotation between the forward and withdrawn players, rather than simply exchanging the two forward spots (East-West). This video shows some basics on rotation.

I'm starting to feel sorry for the red team, the Washington Generals of futsal.

Time for Some Book Learnin' (Day 5)

Today's video is short and has a pair of somewhat obvious kick-off plays. However, I like it because it shows that we can use Edi on more dead ball situations than we normally use.

Time for Some Book Learnin' (Day 4)

Today's lesson involves the sneaky and deplorable use of substitution to bolster the attack. If someone did this to us, we would be really mad. But since we found the video first, it is totally legit, like our own little Manhattan Project.

Full Session 1 Schedule Posted

The Session 1 schedule has been posted here. Dates to circle are December 11th (Waltham) and December 18th (Optometrists).

Dean Park Rangers FC's Schedule
Sun-Dec 4 | Arsenal Ramsey v Dean Park Rangers FC | 10:00 AM | Park 2
Sun-Dec 11 | Dean Park Rangers FC v Waltham Hawks | 11:00 AM | Park 2
Sun-Dec 18 | Dean Park Rangers FC v Otpisani FC | 8:00 AM | Park 1
Sun-Jan 8 | Hemenway FC v Dean Park Rangers FC | 8:00 AM | Park 2
Sun-Jan 22 | Dean Park Rangers FC v Arsenal Van Persie | 9:30 AM | Park 3

Sneak Peak

As things stand right now, this is what our division will look like:

Arsenal Ramsey (blue/white)
Arsenal Van Persie (blue/white)
Dean Park Rangers FC (red/black)
Hemenway FC (white/black)
Otpisani FC (black/black)
Waltham Hawks (probably red)

Maybe we should change our name to Arsenal Gervinho!

Time for Some Book Learnin' (Day 3)

Here are some basic offensive plays:

Time for Some Book Learnin' (Day 2)

How about some dead-ball situations? Free kicks, goal kicks, and kick-ins.

Waivers

By now, you all have received an email from the "Registration Department" of MA Futsal with a link to a really, really, really simple form that needs to be completed. Even if you have dial-up, it will only take 20 seconds. Do it.

Time for Some Book Learnin'

Starting today, and continuing over the next 7 days, I am posting seven instructional videos on futsal tactics.

The first chapter is pretty basic and you probably will be bored. But what else are you going to do? Seriously.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would have posted this yesterday....but...I fell asleep.

Match Report: Toast!

The 2011-12 season began, sort of, with a rare preseason friendly. And it was a rare chance for DPR to get into the swing of things before the season started, rather than the customary halfway-through-the-season.

The match was against a decent team, and certainly not one that was going to let us cake walk. From the start, new guys Craig and Jordean showed their value to the team, patiently working the attack from deep in the defensive end until attacking options appeared. There was good ball movement, and good movement off the ball. Transitions were pretty strong too, with some good counters, and Nick, Craig and Jordean jumping into good attacking positions.

The high points included some nice strikes by Dan, who drilled some missiles inside the posts, and Craig, who repeatedly placed tantalizing balls just beyond the keeper's reach. Edi, as usual, made some ridiculous saves, stoning a couple of shots from point blank to prevent things from getting interesting.

Now, if there were any doubts about my defensive abilities, I like to think I put them to rest yesterday with an exclamation point yesterday. Early in the second half, I lost the ball to some dude who someone snuck one past Edi. I then followed that up with a flatfooted toasting where my guy ran 15 yards into a receiving position in the time that I was able to run 1.5 yards. (And it wasn't even a sneaky run; it was telegraphed from the beginning. Like, even the old ladies who were warming to play after us were like: "oh, my, that guy's headed for the far post.") And to couple insult to injury, the play resulted in goal and a hurt keeper. Fittingly, the game literally ended with some dude punting me in the shin.

Final Result (preseason friendly)
DPR 12-5 Bloody Shins*

*All scores are approximate.

Back online

A new season, and time to dust off the old blog.

The new edition of Dean Park Rangers promises to have all what you liked before, and maybe a few extra surprises. Like the Bruins, we return nearly everyone from last year's championship team that came together at the end. But unlike the Bruins, we have added some top shelf talent that should serve to make the team more versatile, more balanced, and more skilled. New guys Craig and Jordean will let us pass our way out of the back and bolster our possession game. Both are excellent footballers, and the slightly new look augers well for the new season.

Stay tuned!