Just posted the first episode of Film Friday, a weekly breakdown where we dig into game film and talk about the small details that separate good players from great ones.
This week’s focus: how to guard positions 1 and 2, and how the center’s positioning completely changes what your job is on defense.
One thing I’ve been seeing a lot lately, especially with the 16U players we work with, is defenders on the 1 and 2 side not adjusting based on where the center is. It’s a common mistake and ends up leading to easy opportunities for the offense or putting the 2 meter defender in a bad spot without realizing it.
I went through four real game clips showing different looks and how your positioning should adjust in each. Covered tactics like:
When it’s actually fine for the offense to get the ball at 1 or 2, and when it’s a problem
How your body angle should change based on where the center is
Why fronting your attacker without reading the set can get you burned
How being smart on the 1 and 2 side can shut down an offense before it gets started
If you’re trying to become a more aware and effective defender, this is worth a watch.
Film Friday Breakdown – 3 Common Mistakes from Junior Olympics 2025
Hey everyone,
I just posted a new Film Friday video based on what I saw at this year’s Junior Olympics in California. First off, congratulations to all the athletes who competed. Getting to JOs takes a ton of work and it was awesome seeing so many young players leaving it all in the pool.
After watching a bunch of games, I kept seeing the same mistakes pop up. They’re all small things, but they make a big difference when it comes to playing at the next level. I put together a quick video breaking down the three biggest ones.
Here’s what I go over:
Passing without a purpose. A lot of players were passing just to get rid of the ball, not to move the defense or create anything. That kind of habit makes possessions easy to defend.
Not looking at the cage when you’re at position 6 on man-up. Even if you’re not shooting, that spot has to be a threat. If you don’t look, the defense doesn’t have to respect you.
Sitting at 2 meters too long after a failed drive. If your post-up isn’t there, get out fast. Hanging around just jams up your own offense.
If you’re a younger player or a coach working with developing athletes, hopefully this helps. Also, if you want to learn directly from top Division 1 players (who are way better than me) and see how they break down their own film, you can join the Prep2Play Sports waitlist. We’re building something really valuable for athletes who want to improve.
Film Friday Breakdown – 6 Goals That Show What Elite Shooting Looks Like
Hey everyone,
Just dropped this week’s Film Friday and it’s a fun one. I went through six goals from the MPSF semifinals and broke down exactly what made each one work.
These were not just lucky shots or brute force goals. Every single one had something subtle that made the difference. A head fake, a quick look-away, a shift in body position. Something that made the goalie jump early or slide just enough to open up space.
Here’s what I focused on:
How shooters manipulate goalies with body language and eye contact
The small fakes that freeze defenders or pull the goalie off center
Why timing and patience matter more than power
What elite shooters are thinking before they even shoot
If you’re a younger attacker or a coach working with shooters, this is the kind of detail that makes a real difference. It’s not just about having a strong shot. It’s about using your eyes, your hips, and your head to create space and force mistakes.
Also, if you want to learn directly from Division 1 athletes with personalized film reviews and training, join the Prep2Play Sports waitlist here:
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Would love to hear what you think of the breakdown or which goal stood out most to you.
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Watching the third goal, I think there was also some game context that shooter took advantage of:
#3 on the white caps had over committed on the stunt to knock him down, this led to a breakdown where #10 on was attacking the post and pulled all of the defenders (#3, #9 shot-blocking, #10 from X1, and the goalkeeper) to the right corner.
On top of the technical skills you’re breaking down, I think a big part of that goal creation was understanding that the defense was collapsing to the post player popping up.
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