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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 22, 2015 9:31:02 GMT -5
I assuming you mean in season (which includes Dec-Feb even if your team isn't practicing), if that's the case the answer is not without your coach/clubs permission, illegal contact/recruiting rules could be broken.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 22, 2015 9:27:03 GMT -5
I agree she needs to get her crap together but I don't know if I agree with her getting suspended for something her husband did. Guilty by association.... A few more details have emerged: -she was belligerent towards the cops and apparently was almost arrested herself for resisting/obstruction. - this occurred at 1:30am in the morning while the team is in training camp - she returned to her hotel room and didn't tell anyone- Jill Ellis and US Soccer officials found out via the TMZ report - she was just acquitted of domestic violence seven days prior from what I understand the 30 day suspension is just an initial step and can be extended, she was given stipulations (I assume no drinking, late nights, etc) in addition that she must follow in order to be reinstated.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 21, 2015 19:27:34 GMT -5
I agree! He needs the "Representing TopHat with class" award under his avatar! Always provides great insight. As far as the other forum, I stopped going there a year ago. It was completely out of control then so I'm sure it's progressed into a full blown meltdown now. This forum gives me more information without the silly character assassinations and false rumors. Sometimes there was good information there but it was so few and far between and you had to go through alot of garbage just to find it. You guys are far too kind and I appreciate the kind words. I know Tophat gets a bad rap from time to time due to perceived over exuberance of a minority of parents, having coached at a couple of big clubs in Atlanta, I can assure you its the same everywhere, not sure why Tophat gets magnified so often. Same with coaches, I know most of the DOC's and "name" coaches that get talked about often, some of the characterizations are often valid while others are way off base. As a coach put aside wins/losses, the biggest measure of a coach for me is the positive impact and life lessons they convey to their players, surprisingly many players don't get those messages at home, coaches and teachers can full that void, that's what I try to impart on my players.
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Forum
Jan 21, 2015 11:50:38 GMT -5
via mobile
jack4343 likes this
Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 21, 2015 11:50:38 GMT -5
It's a shame really, that forum has been around for close to 10 years and thesee last two have been the worst. I used to contribute a bi-monthly podcast to the forum years ago to promote some positive discussion and the negativity just turned me off so I stopped. I'm pretty sure many on that forum don't even know the persons/ subjects they are talking about, they just want to troll and agitate people.
Its unfortunate that you have current/former club, college, ODP, HS coaches that actually want to contribute something positive but they get bashed or trolled....but that's why we have an alternative here.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 20, 2015 19:27:27 GMT -5
Her father had substance/alcohol issues so I'm sure Hope has a genetic predisposition to potentially go down that path, combined being married to someone that has similar issues apparently seems like a recipe for disaster.
At the minimum US Soccer should mandate she get help, it seems there is a pattern of behavior going on that needs an intervention.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 20, 2015 16:12:02 GMT -5
its hard to take this out on her, but seems like the 2 of them need to start making better judgement...... i guess to be a keeper you need to be a little crazy!! Well I'm a keeper and I'm not crazy nor made poor life decisions TMZ has additional elements to the story- claiming Hope was belligerent to the cops and they pulled the dreaded "don't you know who we are?" line. www.tmz.com/2015/01/20/ex-nfl-star-jerramy-stevens-arrested-los-angeles-hope-solo/?adid=hero5I'm going to guess one of the following scenarios occurred: 1. Given Hope's "relationship" in the past with alcohol, she was worse off than her husband so he elected to drive 2. If she wasn't impaired she certainly made a poor decision to allow her husband to drive impaired. 3. Since they pulled the "don't you know who we are" line, that must mean they are A list celebrities and as such could certainly afford car service or a taxi. so again her decision making is in question- as I said above trouble seems to follow her around. Given she was just acquitted of domestic violence this week, it would benefit her to stay out of trouble.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 20, 2015 14:52:58 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 19, 2015 21:06:43 GMT -5
Well considering they finished dead last the previous season and the NASL has taken over operations of the team the Silverbacks should probably be paying people to try out.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 15, 2015 15:56:55 GMT -5
Interesting. I was at the ODP Sub-Regionals last weekend. In the games I saw, all of the other states mirrored Georgia in forcing the keepers to roll, throw or pass the ball out of the back and not to punt. It also looked like the other states were also playing 4-3-3 as well. I'm going to assume you with the girls teams, I was with the boys in Winston- Salem, I was with the 2002 Boys and was at all six games they played that weekend vs. NC and VA, the opposing teams allowed their goalkeepers to punt and take 50/50 goalkicks just launched upfield, additionally some of the teams played 4-4-2, while a couple played 4-3-3 during some stretches of the game.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 14, 2015 9:04:07 GMT -5
I read that Toronto was the only team to meet his five million a year salary demands, not trying to be cynical but I don't think he's worth that much, at least based on past performance.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 14, 2015 8:31:28 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 13, 2015 11:09:58 GMT -5
GK's did good as well, a few of the games they were under some pressure based on the team make ups I mentioned above (ours balanced vs true A and B teams from other states), they are instructed to build from the back (no punting and utilizing outside backs on goalkicks) while other states allowed their GK's to punt and allowed their GK's to just launch goal kicks. Once other teams become aware that our GK's are not going to punt and look to outside backs for goalkicks they are going to high press and create potential turnovers, which happens from time to time however the boys will be better for it as they get older and have a better understanding how to adjust and direct their teammates in those situations. Technically all the GK's are very sound and work hard. Lately, Georgia has been sending boys to the US national camps and games in the u14 and u15 age groups. It is a bit early but is there any early indications that we can be sending more with this 02 boys age group? Too early to tell, one of the players from last year got pulled to the 2001's this year I believe, lots of very good players on the 2002 but I wouldn't say any are head and shoulders above the rest, just a very good collective group.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 13, 2015 9:56:29 GMT -5
Mix just signed with NY City FC today
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 12, 2015 18:23:11 GMT -5
GK's did good as well, a few of the games they were under some pressure based on the team make ups I mentioned above (ours balanced vs true A and B teams from other states), they are instructed to build from the back (no punting and utilizing outside backs on goalkicks) while other states allowed their GK's to punt and allowed their GK's to just launch goal kicks. Once other teams become aware that our GK's are not going to punt and look to outside backs for goalkicks they are going to high press and create potential turnovers, which happens from time to time however the boys will be better for it as they get older and have a better understanding how to adjust and direct their teammates in those situations.
Technically all the GK's are very sound and work hard.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 12, 2015 17:22:37 GMT -5
I was in Winston-Salem this weekend with the 2002 Boys, great weekend of soccer and the boys played well. I've heard some good things about age group for the 02 boys on the other forum without much detail on those good things. Is there a particular area of strength for this age group? Back line? Mid field? Forward? The 2002 boys won four games and lost two but played very well. The boys were split into two balanced teams while some other states it was apparent did a true A and B team. Technically the boys are very good and have a great understanding of the game, ability to possess the ball for long periods of time and build through all three thirds of the field. Many times there were stretches of eight to ten passes in a row built up from the back. I wouldn't say they have a particular area of strength as they do well in all positions on the field, it speaks to the quality of the players as many are asked to play a different position on ODP versus their club team, we have forwards that play in the back, holding mids that play attacking mid, mids that play forward, etc. The team plays a 4-3-3 typically so the understanding between the three mids is vital and may be different as most teams play with traditional outside mids in a four mid formation, the outside backs are encouraged to get forward and overlap to join into the attack. Great group of boys
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 11, 2015 21:17:25 GMT -5
I was in Winston-Salem this weekend with the 2002 Boys, great weekend of soccer and the boys played well.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jan 4, 2015 11:42:10 GMT -5
Going to the LA Galaxy
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Post by soccerfan30 on Dec 29, 2014 13:26:22 GMT -5
Our DOC typically decides which tournaments each team will attend.
As for the term "coaches vacation", not sure why people think that as most coaches barely have any time between games to do anything, let alone sightsee. Typically on Saturday nights, I'll go out to dinner with my team, pleasant experience but I wouldn't characterize that as a vacation.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Dec 14, 2014 13:15:35 GMT -5
Think PP meant over broadcast TV, most people don't want to watch a game on a latop or tablet. Can you imagine watching the El Clasico like that?
I think the stream on US Soccer is audio only
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Post by soccerfan30 on Dec 6, 2014 9:15:51 GMT -5
We were due to play at GPP got an email earlier this morning that said games at GPP and Rabbit Hill are canceled
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Post by soccerfan30 on Dec 2, 2014 11:47:43 GMT -5
You notice that 70% or so of those blowouts are at the U13 age group, seems like many of those teams were misplaced in the wrong division.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Nov 9, 2014 8:30:22 GMT -5
Wow, I was way off on the TH Gold - GSA Red game. GSA has only won one game this season but managed to keep TH from having a 10-0 season. It was a 1-1 tie. I watched the game yesterday, GSA score first off of a GK error and then TH tied later in the game, GSA had some very good athletic defenders but the game really was one way traffic, TH just couldn't put away a second goal even though 80% of the game was played in GSA's half, give GSA credit though, they got the result.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Nov 2, 2014 11:57:31 GMT -5
It's sad to see threads like this is regards to coaches and parents behaving badly, it seems to have gotten worse over the years.
Coaches and teachers in addition to the parents have the biggest influence over the development of the child, I'm not talking about soccer development but more I'm regards to teaching life lessons/life skills that will stay with them outside the athletic arena and they have a role in behavior modification as to what and what is not acceptable. Many children don't have positive influences at home so the coach/teacher may end up being the driving force in being a positive influence for them.
I've seen great parents that conduct themselves accordingly away from the field but something happens when their child is playing a sport and they act in an inappropriate manner, maybe it's because they are "chasing the college carrot" or they derive their own sense of worth through the athletic accomplishments of their kids. Maybe their kid won't be the next Mia or Messi, but what about being a good person with strong character that makes a positive contribution to society, isn't that what most important?
I feel fortunate to have coached a great group of kids and young adults over the last 10 plus years, I can honest say none of my parents act in the manner described in the posts above, I think the coach sets the tenor of expectations/behaviors and the parents & players will follow suit, players will do whatever they are allowed to do, I expect my players to conduct themselves in a positive manner, they don't talk trash or make derogatory comments and play fair, they know if they ever cursed or said something inappropriate they wouldn't have to worry about the referee, I would bench them faster then they could blink, but fortunately that hasn't happened.
Coaches that curse at players or during the games are due to several reasons: immaturity, they can't articulate themselves and get their message across without profanity, or that's part of their everyday vernacular and can't filter themselves. I have coaches college, high school, club and I have never used a curse word at a players or referee, do I get upset sometimes yes we all do, but I don't use that language in my every day life so it doesn't come out in times of duress. Heck I feel guilty if I mumble "crap" under my breath after a bad play.
We all have to remember this is just a game, our value of a person isn't tied up in wins on losses. I have hundreds of trophies collecting dust and I don't remember how I won most of them but I do remember the life lessons my coaches instilled in me during my time in the sporting arena: self sacrifice, overcoming adversity, good work habits, being a good teammate, playing the right way, setting goals and expectations, dealing with failures, etc- all of these traits will serve you well way after the cleats are put away for good.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 15, 2014 13:51:13 GMT -5
Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo Messi Ronaldinho Peter Schmeichel (because I wanted one goalkeeper)
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 8, 2014 14:57:49 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 8, 2014 14:08:16 GMT -5
As a coach if I pick out just one skill that I would view as most important it would be a clean directional first touch, it allows you to do other things better and may help overcome potential athleticism/speed deficiencies. Juggling does have it's benefits in terms of muscle memory and close control with different surfaces of the body but that doesn't always translate to being a good soccer player, I know lots of freestyle jugglers that can do all sorts of tricks but can't play soccer for a lick, Ronaldo's (Brazilian) former wife/ex girlfriend held the women's juggling record I believe for a time but she couldn't play soccer either. Just like those golf trick shot guys you see on youtube, that doesn't necessarily mean they can play the game of golf.
Now if you can juggle and have a great first touch that would be more beneficial, look at how most players practice juggling, typically in a stationary position trying to get as many as possible....meaning under no pressure/duress or nor while moving at speed.
Having a great directional first touch allows players to do many things: play faster, play one and two touch, gives them extra time/space against a potentially superior athlete. You can practice under pressure, back to goal turning, receiving the ball one touch and transferring to the opposite foot for a far post shot, goalkeepers can receive back passes with a first touch towards the way they want to play out of the back, for center mids taking the first touch away from pressure, etc.
One of my former strikers was probably one of my slowest and not physically imposing but she had a great soccer mind, could find pockets of space near the goal and had a great first touch that allowed her an extra second or two to get her shot off.
Again both juggling and a great first touch are both beneficial to soccer but if I could only choose one I would choose the later because it has more game application, you can practice it in a game scenario and under duress.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 7, 2014 15:36:26 GMT -5
I agree with the concept of choose your school for academics and then see how soccer fits in from there. I know the Club Soccer team at UGA is filled with girls that played high level soccer around Atlanta and some could have played D1. They are girls who all chose not to go that path, but they still get to play a competitive level of soccer on their own terms. I agree- one of my former Tophat players (2013 HS grad) decided to play club ball at UGA as well and is having a great experience.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 7, 2014 11:11:10 GMT -5
If player wants to play in college there are options for most players at all the various playing levels, many focus on playing D1 but that may not always be the best option for the individual. I always tell the players to pick their school based on academics first, soccer second and find the best fit for you individually. One percent of these players will continue playing high level soccer after college (semi pro, pro, etc) so their primary objective is to get the best education possible. There are no full four year rides in college- scholarships are renewed annually, now a coach may say he/she is giving you a full ride based on combined academic/athletic aid and you may in fact get that all four years but again it's renewed annually. If there is a coaching change he/she may decide to go a different direction and may not renew or a player may get injured and they may elect not to renew, again players should pick their college based on academics as things could change in the future in regards to the team. I know a player that was offered a scholarship to an instate D1 school, tore her ACL in her senior year of HS and the college rescinded their offer, she ended up going somewhere else.
i have coached players that went on to play D1, D2, D3, NAIA and NJCAA, several were high level D1 prospects but elected to play D2 or D3 for their own reasons, I had a former player who never made her clubs top team, played on the second team throughout high school, went to a two year school in GA and then transferred to Missouri (SEC) and was the teams co leading scorer her senior year, another got an offer to play for M.I.T which is D3 and cannot offer athletic aid but was awarded academic aid, another at Emory, Sewanee, Mercer, GCSU, GPC and many others.
Look at the rosters of the schools you are interested in, many D1 schools carry in excess of 30 players and some rarely see playing time, also look at your playing position and the class sizes ahead of you, ex: if you are a freshman GK and there are two sophomores and one senior gk ahead of you, unless you can displace them you may not play for a year or two if at all. Many players go to top D1 programs and then end up transferring elsewhere after a year or so for various reasons. Does the programs style of play fit your playing style? Additionally look to see if there is a good athlete to social time ratio, at big schools your "job" is academics and soccer, there will be little time for other activities, some kids chafe at that and want more time for other things, coaches will try to maximize their time with the athletes in order to keep them from off the field distractions, find an institution that fits your soccer/life balance.
i have seen Athena B and C players go on to play college soccer and get a good education, now the quality of play may not be comparable to high level D1 but they were able to go somewhere, play often and get a good education.
Regardless of your child's level of play there are college programs that they can play for and have a positive experience. As a former college coach and current club coach I always try to be honest and upfront with players about playing at the various levels and what to expect. It's not about me pushing players to D1 programs to boost my resume but rather to ensure they go somewhere to get a good education and at an institution that fits their expectations and needs.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 6, 2014 20:35:18 GMT -5
Sure- especially on a turf field
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 6, 2014 11:22:00 GMT -5
Unfortunately it happens more often than you think, i wonder why the parents of players that get displaced for games don't ever speak up. As long as people's livelihoods are tied into wins/losses some people are going to try to get every advantage possible.
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