When overcommitting becomes a problem

Euro U23. What a delight watching these young fellas. The game we are watching today is a game that every Spanish and Portuguese player wants to play. Yes, a Spain - Portugal game. Just sit and enjoy. The game is completely free on the WSE Europe site.

This game is the round 3 on group stage, it ended 8-5 for the Spanish team

Spread the roller hockey word

As a reminder, Follow this steps:

1. Take a look at the video:
2. Read and think about the analysis.
3. Match the analysis and the video. Min 6:01

Today, the main character is again the two-tactics, and sides.

I know I sound like I am obsessed with sides. But the way I understand roller hockey is based on spaces. Spaces are made when players spread. When they spread they go to the sides. And this is where the party starts. 

We start the analysis when Spain restarts the game on their own floor. We can see how as soon as they touch the ball, they pass the ball to the opposite side. Carles Casas (Spain Nº3) gets the ball while he is skating.

I repeat, while he is skating. And he skates off the wall keeping that space open. It is not in the images, but if you look at the first two players, we can see how none of them cut into the middle. Both of them stay on the side. 

Given in that way a huge space for the other two players. I will assume that the 4th Spanish player was around 9. As soon as Copa (Spain Nº4), the 4th player, offers the support at 3, Carles Casas passes the ball. 

Look at this now. Copa skates with the ball. Off the wall. Until he crosses Casas. Casas is being patient but he keeps an eye on Copa. When Copa turned around to face the Portuguese cage. Casas is waiting at 3, giving the back to the wall. Copa strats skating towards 3 and passes the ball back to Casas. After the pass, Copa sets a block on the Area  top corner.

Now look at 9. No one. Completely free. The other 2 players are on the opposite side. Some people will say that they are not helping their teammates. I think that is wrong. This sport is played in a tight space. Sometimes. Just sometimes it is better to go away. This is a perfect example. 

When the block is set. Casas, like a rocket, changes rhythm getting rid of his defender on the block. Getting a clear shot on 9. The other 2 defenders are far away covering the other 2 Spanish players. Which means that no one is close enough to help. 

Casas misses the shot but rebonds at the back wall. Now look at the goalie. He overcommitted. The reason is simple. On short distance shots, goalies save by positioning. The farther the cage, the better. But it has a dark side.

Casas takes advantage of the goalie’s positioning and also how slow the defence is. Casas picks up the rebound and scores at the goalkeepers back.

Grab a stick & keep skating! Or not