The subject of math is either frustrating or fulfilling for most people. The possibility of finding answers to complex problems can lead to headaches and a feeling of inadequacy, while others see order, music, possibility and definition in our chaotic world. Often Americans try to put statistics into sports in order to understand them better. I’ll touch on it briefly but don’t intend to belabor the point.
A perfect pass would go directly to the curve of the receiving player’s correct foot. Any professional player worth their salt can do this in low pressure situations but as the pressure mounts, passes go off target to a degree. To what degree really matters.
- A 10 yard pass that is off by 1 degree misses the target by 1/2 a foot.
- A 30 yard pass that is off by 1 degree misses the target by a foot and a half.
- A 10 yard pass that is off by 2 degrees misses the target by a foot.
- A 30 yard pass that is off by 2 degrees misses the target by over a yard.
- A 10 yard pass that is off by 5 degrees misses the target by over two and a half feet.
- A 30 yard pass this off by 5 degrees misses the target by over two and a half yards.
In a live and highly competitive match, pinpoint accuracy is difficult (almost impossible). While math may be able to measure the distances, it cannot particularly account for all of the variables, especially the human ones.
“Passes come from the heart.” is one of my favorite lines from the movie ‘Miracle’ that chronicles the journey of the 1980 USA hockey team. Although I’m not sure if Herb Brooks repeated this phrase as often or at all in real life, it sums up one of the variables at work. Passes come from the heart has always been about intent for me. When you care about the person who will be receiving the pass, you tend to put more intention behind it. You want it to be as good as it can be. Some players give quality passes regardless of their feelings about the individual on the other end because they care about the group.
At the moment, the mighty POSH are having a bit of a struggle. The passing and precision that were near perfect for a few months seem to have gone. It’s not. Collectively it’s just off by a few degrees. As soon as one pass misses its mark, the next one tends to suffer. I refer to it as soccer karma. If you give a good ball, you’ll get a good ball. It’s not a mathematical certainty but it creates a framework for an upward spiral.
The transfer market unbalanced a young team that believed in their collective ability prior to January. Now they need to find their way forward (not back). They cannot recreate the past. PK isn’t coming back. EMC has to balance his new multi-million pound transfer with what he means to this team now. Kyprianou and Edwards need to realize that their play for the next few months dictates their value in the transfer market, not the rumors from social media during the window. These are all good things! Wait… What? How can the team being unbalanced by all of this be good? Because these young men will learn from it. They will find a way or they won’t.
As a fan, I will support either result but this is exactly what I’ve signed up for as a POSH fan this season. A young team who need to find their way. They struggled in the beginning and again they are being challenged by the circumstances in front of them. While it feels like we’re miles off from where we were a month or so ago, it’s only a matter of a few degrees. Passes come from the heart and I believe in mine that they’ll find their way back.
Up the POSH!
Pete
Huryk Unlimited 