Alpha Inspiration - Imperfect Question

Before starting the lesson, a Science teacher casually asked his class a question "Do any of you know what is infront a woman and behind a cow?"

Immediately, the clueless expression from most of the student indicated that they felt the question was not a valid one and the teacher was going to tell them a joke.

One student, nevertheless, stand up and asked "Is it a science question?" Another asked "Is it a joke related type question?" The third one said "Teacher, I don't find anything in common in the two places."

Looking serious, the teacher replied "It might not be a very well defined question, but let comes up with a possible, rational answer that closely satisfy the question."

After a pause, a little girl who always obey and faithful to the teacher said softly " W - infront a Women and behind a coW."

In our daily life, we also constantly dealt with similar ill defined question that being asked by the teacher, be it raised by our own or others ie our boss. With OPEN HEART and OPEN MIND, we should take those question positively and attempt to come up with a CLOSE ANSWER rather than reject it outright.

In many instances, there is no perfect question or perfect answer, as there is always room for improvement. Indeed, some great invention derived from silly question. This is evidenced in the technology we are enjoying now, for example from the traditional fixed line phone to mobile, internet phone.

Don't get too agitated and defensive when there is adverse response, irritating query or conflicting opinion as it will hinder us from knowing the question further and its various alternate answer. With trust, patience and faith, it will be an encouraging option to understand each other concern and help one another in a constructive way so that collectively we ALL can improve on a daily basis.

"三人行, 必有我师, 择其善者而从之, 其不善者而改之" - one can always find a teacher among a group of people who you can learn something from. Learn the good thing and remember the bad thing to avoid repeating it in yourself.

Alpha Game - Compassvale Sec (26/10/08)

We finally got a breakthrough from our lossing streak by drawing with the opponent 1 - 1.

Alex, our undisputed striker, scored again in first half, which gave us a ONE goal lead at half time. Since this blog started, Alex had been scoring at every game he plays, a very consistent performance.

To date since 7th Sept 08 game at Bedok Green Sec, we scored total of 6 goals - Alex scored 3, Desmond, Jimmy and Wan each scored 1.

We were much committed defensively and substitute players like Edmond, Lloyd doing great jobs in safeguarding our goal post. Not to mention our regular key defensive icons like Richard, Lim Yong, Siew. They all had work hard to get us this breakthrough result.

路遥知马力.....! The race just started ...... we definitely can decide the way we race and the way we complete it ...

Players attended the game - Adrian, Alex, Bronson, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Seng, Clement, Edmond, Kelvin, Lim Yong, Lloyd, Richard, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Wan.

Alpha Coach - Choe Choke Marina Talks

Hello Brother Takt Quees!!! 加油!!!

This is Choe Choke Marina!. Yes you will be happy to know that I can speak your local dialects "Knee how ma? 你好吗? " or "Hoe Boh? 好无?" and make you feel at home all thanks to Patrick's intensive course on "How to speak like Ah Beng in 6 weeks"

I will do my best to offer you guys some tips that will help you/your team in your future games.

Bare in mind,

Patrick has given me as you may say "Kong Ka Liao 讲够了" infact a fairly good idea of every player in the team, your strengths especially. No point talking about your Weakness cause, the only person that can help you in your weakness is " YOURSELF". I can only help those who wants or has the passion to improve.

So here goes tip number 1. - The Forward Pass

One of the biggest things lacking in soccer these days, especially at the youth level, is the willingness and ability to switch the field of play with the long driven pass.

Refer - Pic 1

Most players (Siew/Choon Seng), in this situation will play the ball to the right back and then have that player (Adrian/Loy)) play the ball forward to the right midfielder (Wan).

Refer - Pic 2

While there is nothing wrong with this (some might argue it's dangerous to pass the ball in front of the goal but it's a back pass and if the player is open and has skill, I don't consider this to be risky) it is a slow way to switch the ball. The alternative is the driven ball straight to the right midfielder

Refer - Pic 3

The advantage of this pass is it gets the ball switched and changes the point of attack much quicker than the two pass method.

The disadvantage is it requires the back to be able to drive a ball 40 yards and for the outside midfielder to be able to receive the ball.

The key to receiving a ball in this situation is to get your body behind the ball and have your body be perpendicular to the path of the ball. When the ball is played on the ground, the receiving player will want to open their body to receive the ball and have the ball going in the attacking direction with the first touch. See the diagram below for an example

Refer - Pic 4

However, when the ball is driven in the air, the receiving player can not afford to open their body and instead must keep it perpendicular to the flight of the ball until contact is made. This allows the receiver to make contact with as large a part of their body (chest, thigh or head) as possible to have the best chance of success.

As the ball makes contact with the player, the player wants to cushion the ball by pulling back to keep the ball close to their body.In the same way that the only way to get better at playing a long driven ball is to practice it, the only way to get better at receiving the long driven ball is to practice it.

Concentrate on getting your body behind the ball, perpendicular to the flight of the path and cushion the ball and it will enable your team to switch the point of attack much quicker and more effectively.

Alpha Game - Pei Hwa Sec (12/10/08)

A 2 goals lead at half time did not secure us a win or even a draw. We got stormed in 3 goals in second half and continue our lossing streak.

Quite a well match up between us and the opponent in term of age, size and speed.

Key lessons learnt from the game - ( i ) focus and consistency throughout the 90 minutes is essential ( ii ) opponent's determination and perseverance in winning back during second half.

Nevertheless we are improving game by game, in term of team work, understanding and confidence.

Our goals were scored by Jimmy and Wan through penalty and freekick. Simon and Spencer each narrowly missed open shot in second half. Richard had done a great job in clearing ball and commanding defence as the last man. We need to develop a few more such "star" players on the field to lead us into persistency.

A good turn up of 17 registered players plus 1 unregistered - Nicholas.

Players attended the game - Adrian, Bronson, Casey, Chin Seng, Chee Toong, Clement, Derrek, Edmond, Grant, Jimmy, Kelvin, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Wan.