2025-12-06, 06:04 AM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2025-12-06, 06:29 AM by Ltblackgrizzly. Edited 1 time in total.)
Bodhi sits in the film room with his coaches. Now that the season was more than halfway over, they wanted to talk with him about his numbers and how he's been doing this season. Bodhi was more than happy to join in. The bear quite enjoyed watching film and learning how to make himself a better player. And as he would have liked to get to this earlier in the season. He also understood that there was a lot going on with all the travel and constant practice the team was doing which caused this to take a while. "Okay Bodhi. Let's take a look at some of your numbers and see how you're doing compared to your peers and what you can do to get better." one of the coaches said hitting a key on a laptop causing the projector to pop up with a stat line with some stats on it
Attempted Passes-489 Key Passes-9
Successful Passes-445
Pass Percentage-91%
Crosses-1
Successful Crosses-0
Cross Percentage-0%
Attempted Headers-29 Key Headers-2
Successful Headers-21
Header Percentage-72%
Attempted Tackles-35 Key Tackles-1
Tackles Won-20 Key Interceptions-15
Tackle Percentage-57%
Fouls-7
Fouls Against-1
Clearances-17
Attempted Shots-20
Shots on target-10
Goals-1
Assists-1
Bodhi stared at the screen. His brow furrowing as he looked at the numbers. They looked okay. Maybe even good if you wanted to be an average player. But it's not what he wanted out of his play. "So..." One of the coaches started. Clearing their throat in the process. "Your numbers are pretty good but we have some spots we think you could progress in." He said lifting a laser pointer and using it to circle the passes first. "Your good with your passes. Making sure to keep it moving and not letting the opposing teams get many chances as getting the ball. But we think you might be more worried about making the safe pass over the most optimal one to get it down the field. And while I'm glad you're protecting the ball. I just want you to try and get a better look around the field and try and read the bigger picture." Bodhi nodded in agreement. "I see what you're saying Boss. I need to open my eyes and make sure I'm giving the ball to the guy who's open and can get it movin. Not just keep playing keep away and worrying about them takin the ball." He said one of his fingers tapping the desk in front of him. The young center couldn't disagree with that. There were times in past games he'd made the choice to give it back to other defenders when he had lanes to get it moving and possibly help his team score. The coach wagged his finger in agreement with Bodhi. "Right you are. But that doesn't mean you need to make risky passes. If they are pressing hard it's better to move it back and trust your teammates to move the ball where it need to go."
The red dot from the laser pointer moved to the crosses. Circling it quickly to draw attention. This time Bodhi spoke first. "Yeah, that one's been buggin me. I can't find the best timing to make a cross. I've never been very good at them. But I'm trying to get them figured out. I just don't feel comfortable kicking the ball up like that." He spoke sternly. Obviously annoyed at the statistic. The coach let out a small huff of a laugh. "Glad you feel that way. But it's okay. You're in the center. Crosses can be a little difficult to make from where you stand on the field. But sometimes a good forward cross can surprise the opponents and catch them off guard. We'll work that into your practice regimen and see if we can help get you more comfortable with them. But don't tress it too much." he commented as he moved the laser pointer again. Satisfied at the response Bodhi gave.
The red dot then moved to wrap itself around the headers. Circling them quickly but pointedly. "This one well make this quick. Headers are a bit of a tossup. They're more about being in the right place at the right time and have a lot to do with physical ability. Which you have. You got the jump height and even know how to hit them to get them where they need to be for us to take the shot or have control. We just need to tweak your form a bit and that will be an elite skill in your arsenal." He noted as he looked towards Bodhi. Making sure he knew that there wasn't really an issue here. Just something worth nothing. To which Bodhi nodded back at him. Not really having anything to say about this one. The coach was right and he knew it. It was just something he would have to practice at.
"Okay now tackles." The coach said sounding a little concerned. "Now these numbers aren't terrible. But it's looking like you're afraid of the foul. And while I like that you're trying to not hurt the team. There are times where you should be going for it and trying to make a play to steal the ball from under them." He held is hands up miming a punching movement to emphasize his point. Bodi scratched his neck. tilting his head to the side and grimaced at the critique. "You right Coach. I need to be more aggressive. I'm thinkin to hard about getting carded or giving them a free kick." The coach interrupted hm there. "Nothing wrong with that. I like that you're thinking about how your actions could affect the team. I'm just suggesting that you need to be a little braver in your play. Use them long legs of yours to make the other teams think twice of trying to run the ball by you." Bodhi nodded at that. Taking the suggestion in and trying to remind himself to work on his tackling timing later.
"Okay last few things here." The coast continued quickly. Noting that Bodhi was being responsive to his critiques. "Clearances are great. Not too few. Not too many. Sometimes the best option is to just boot the ball and get it off our side of the pitch. Got nothing for you right now on those." He sang as he began to underline the shots portion of the slide. "Your shots aren't bad either. You play pretty far back so you shouldn't be taking a bunch of shots. You got a 50 percent on target rate which I love. We just need to work on your finishing or shot range. Help you build the tools to get that ball in when you do take the shot." To which Bodhi nodded again. "Yeah. I know I'm more on the defense side of the ball but every now and then even i want a shot at the goal tender. I been thinking recently I should be trying to get it to Scat or Peach more. But man do I like the look on the goalie's face when i take that shot. They always look at me a bit wide eyed. Like they weren't expectin me to make that decision." He said with a low chuckle. Relishing the memory of the look's goalies give him. "I get where you're coming from. Just remember to keep your eyes open. Take the good shots not every shot." The coach said as he lowered the laser pointer. "Okay now that we went over some stats. Let's review some tape and see what we can learn. Then we can make some practice plans and you can get home and rest." The next couple were filled with replays and comments on film reviews. Pointing out everything Bodhi was doing well or could work on to elevate his play. And by the end of it. Bodhi felt like he had a good path to upping his game.
Attempted Passes-489 Key Passes-9
Successful Passes-445
Pass Percentage-91%
Crosses-1
Successful Crosses-0
Cross Percentage-0%
Attempted Headers-29 Key Headers-2
Successful Headers-21
Header Percentage-72%
Attempted Tackles-35 Key Tackles-1
Tackles Won-20 Key Interceptions-15
Tackle Percentage-57%
Fouls-7
Fouls Against-1
Clearances-17
Attempted Shots-20
Shots on target-10
Goals-1
Assists-1
Bodhi stared at the screen. His brow furrowing as he looked at the numbers. They looked okay. Maybe even good if you wanted to be an average player. But it's not what he wanted out of his play. "So..." One of the coaches started. Clearing their throat in the process. "Your numbers are pretty good but we have some spots we think you could progress in." He said lifting a laser pointer and using it to circle the passes first. "Your good with your passes. Making sure to keep it moving and not letting the opposing teams get many chances as getting the ball. But we think you might be more worried about making the safe pass over the most optimal one to get it down the field. And while I'm glad you're protecting the ball. I just want you to try and get a better look around the field and try and read the bigger picture." Bodhi nodded in agreement. "I see what you're saying Boss. I need to open my eyes and make sure I'm giving the ball to the guy who's open and can get it movin. Not just keep playing keep away and worrying about them takin the ball." He said one of his fingers tapping the desk in front of him. The young center couldn't disagree with that. There were times in past games he'd made the choice to give it back to other defenders when he had lanes to get it moving and possibly help his team score. The coach wagged his finger in agreement with Bodhi. "Right you are. But that doesn't mean you need to make risky passes. If they are pressing hard it's better to move it back and trust your teammates to move the ball where it need to go."
The red dot from the laser pointer moved to the crosses. Circling it quickly to draw attention. This time Bodhi spoke first. "Yeah, that one's been buggin me. I can't find the best timing to make a cross. I've never been very good at them. But I'm trying to get them figured out. I just don't feel comfortable kicking the ball up like that." He spoke sternly. Obviously annoyed at the statistic. The coach let out a small huff of a laugh. "Glad you feel that way. But it's okay. You're in the center. Crosses can be a little difficult to make from where you stand on the field. But sometimes a good forward cross can surprise the opponents and catch them off guard. We'll work that into your practice regimen and see if we can help get you more comfortable with them. But don't tress it too much." he commented as he moved the laser pointer again. Satisfied at the response Bodhi gave.
The red dot then moved to wrap itself around the headers. Circling them quickly but pointedly. "This one well make this quick. Headers are a bit of a tossup. They're more about being in the right place at the right time and have a lot to do with physical ability. Which you have. You got the jump height and even know how to hit them to get them where they need to be for us to take the shot or have control. We just need to tweak your form a bit and that will be an elite skill in your arsenal." He noted as he looked towards Bodhi. Making sure he knew that there wasn't really an issue here. Just something worth nothing. To which Bodhi nodded back at him. Not really having anything to say about this one. The coach was right and he knew it. It was just something he would have to practice at.
"Okay now tackles." The coach said sounding a little concerned. "Now these numbers aren't terrible. But it's looking like you're afraid of the foul. And while I like that you're trying to not hurt the team. There are times where you should be going for it and trying to make a play to steal the ball from under them." He held is hands up miming a punching movement to emphasize his point. Bodi scratched his neck. tilting his head to the side and grimaced at the critique. "You right Coach. I need to be more aggressive. I'm thinkin to hard about getting carded or giving them a free kick." The coach interrupted hm there. "Nothing wrong with that. I like that you're thinking about how your actions could affect the team. I'm just suggesting that you need to be a little braver in your play. Use them long legs of yours to make the other teams think twice of trying to run the ball by you." Bodhi nodded at that. Taking the suggestion in and trying to remind himself to work on his tackling timing later.
"Okay last few things here." The coast continued quickly. Noting that Bodhi was being responsive to his critiques. "Clearances are great. Not too few. Not too many. Sometimes the best option is to just boot the ball and get it off our side of the pitch. Got nothing for you right now on those." He sang as he began to underline the shots portion of the slide. "Your shots aren't bad either. You play pretty far back so you shouldn't be taking a bunch of shots. You got a 50 percent on target rate which I love. We just need to work on your finishing or shot range. Help you build the tools to get that ball in when you do take the shot." To which Bodhi nodded again. "Yeah. I know I'm more on the defense side of the ball but every now and then even i want a shot at the goal tender. I been thinking recently I should be trying to get it to Scat or Peach more. But man do I like the look on the goalie's face when i take that shot. They always look at me a bit wide eyed. Like they weren't expectin me to make that decision." He said with a low chuckle. Relishing the memory of the look's goalies give him. "I get where you're coming from. Just remember to keep your eyes open. Take the good shots not every shot." The coach said as he lowered the laser pointer. "Okay now that we went over some stats. Let's review some tape and see what we can learn. Then we can make some practice plans and you can get home and rest." The next couple were filled with replays and comments on film reviews. Pointing out everything Bodhi was doing well or could work on to elevate his play. And by the end of it. Bodhi felt like he had a good path to upping his game.
