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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 31, 2016 19:40:38 GMT -5
I witnessed a disturbing incident during one of my NTH games last weekend that left me appalled after the game regarding an opposing coach's flippant concern about one of his players. During my younger teams games this weekend one of my players had a breakaway and went in unopposed against the opposition keeper, my player used the outside of het foot and rounded the GK, the GK led with her head and hit her head against my players knee. I could tell the GK was in trouble as she laid there for a minute or two. I asked the ref if in his view my player did anything wrong and he said he felt the GK initiated the contact. As a GK Coach myself you could tell the GK probably hadn't been taught how to come out on breakaways but that's beside the point. After a few minutes the coach put her back in the game.
Fast foward late into the second half the same incident occurs, GK tries to grab my forwards legs as she goes around and the GK gets kneed in the head, this time she stayed down for a few minutes. I walked down the length of the sideline near the goal to see if she was ok while her coach went onto the field. He looked into her eyes and deemed her fit to continue even though she was crying and holding her head. At this junture in a 4-0 game they are losing I can't understand why he doesn't take her out and not to continue to put her in harms way, I was genuinely concerned for the girl, it was apparent to everyone the GK wasn't fit to continue but he put her back in, at this point I told my players not to score as I didn't want anything to happen to the GK.
After the game I asked the girl if she was ok, she nodded her head. I asked the coach if the girl was ok and he chuckled and said (I kid you not) "Yeah she probably takes several blows to the head like that every game", I didn't know whether to be shocked or angry, part of me wanted to lay into him but I bit my tongue. What about the young girls parents? Maybe suggest she wear protective headgear? To see a 12 yr old girl take repeated blows like that with a coach with a flippant attitude made me livid. I wonder what role a ref can play in this when they can clearly see a player is not right but the coach puts the player back into the game....someone has to advocate for the player.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 9, 2016 15:36:43 GMT -5
It typically happens at U13/U14 when players look to be surrounded by players of like ability and commitment. I was at DOC at a small club for four years, we had a great deal of success, the biggest obstacle I faced was the organization didn't want to emphasize select soccer and there just wasn't enough depth on each of the teams where at a bigger club players 1-15 would be similar in ability at a small club you may have varying levels of ability on every team.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Oct 6, 2016 13:57:24 GMT -5
I wouldn't read too much into that, no Alex Morgan or Julie Johnston either. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 23, 2016 20:45:27 GMT -5
Soccer rules provide for aluminum screw in studs which most soccer screw in cleats have anyway. The referee has no leeway to deny a player the ability to wear them unless they are broken or have sharp edges, that is the only discretion they have, unlike say hard cast, the referee has no discretion and a player cannot play in club matches while wearing one, no matter how many pillows or bubble wrap is surrounding it, there is no wiggle room for hard cast in club soccer, it's a 100% no. You can say it, but doesn't mean it hasn't happened and will continue to happen. Metal is metal and has no place on a youth soccer field outside of the goal posts. And about your cast posts, that's why you always call it a "brace" or "split" haha All due respect but it's not me "saying" it, under the laws of the game metal/aluminum screw in cleats are allowed provided they are not defective, that is without dispute. I was a certified ref and that's always been the case at least back in the early 2000's when I took my course and has been true since. If it has haopened unless the screw in's were damaged the referee's were wrong. What about the player that has a full knee brace after an ACL injury, that's allowed and had metal/aluminum parts and I was say it's more dangerous as it has more exposed surface area, going knee to knee with another player while wearing a full brace could injure a player as well, again that is allowed as well. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 23, 2016 20:13:56 GMT -5
Guess like heading at U11 it's up to referee discretion since I've heard it both ways now. Soccer rules provide for aluminum screw in studs which most soccer screw in cleats have anyway. The referee has no leeway to deny a player the ability to wear them unless they are broken or have sharp edges, that is the only discretion they have, unlike say hard cast, the referee has no discretion and a player cannot play in club matches while wearing one, no matter how many pillows or bubble wrap is surrounding it, there is no wiggle room for hard cast in club soccer, it's a 100% no. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 23, 2016 20:04:48 GMT -5
There is no such rule against screw in cleats/studs, it's a misinterpretation of the rules that most people believe to be true. Screw in studs are in fact allowed provided they are not worn or have any sharp dangerous edges (they would file them down in the old days). The referee cleat inspection is not for screw in cleats, it's to insure the cleats are not dangerous and in proper condition.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 20, 2016 20:35:09 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2016 20:39:29 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2016 20:27:31 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2016 13:18:21 GMT -5
@soccerhouse I've been involved with soccer in Georgia since 2000, I have served in various capacities: Soccer Director, DOC, Referee, an AGC for GA Soccer, as well as coaching at the club, ODP, high school and college level here in Atlanta. I developed a soccer podcast a number of years ago, it wasnt anything elaborate by today's standards but I invested a few hours a week trying to create weekly or biweekly episodes, with my relationships here in GA I had access to many people in the local soccer community and tried to parlay that into an informative podcast. I would do commentary on local high school games, Silverbacks and Atlanta Beat games, reviews on soccer books, movies, magazines, interviews with soccer people in the community. I even sought out unsigned bands to spotlight their music for the intro and outro segments each week. Donna (other forum admin) even provided me webspace to create a domain to host the weekly episodes. I tried to maintain it for an extended period but all the negativity on the other forum and my schedule eventually led me to give it up. For your other request a Q and A would be great, I'd be happy to contribute from time to time. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2016 12:16:09 GMT -5
When did coaches ever post there? Legitimately post? I wasn't there long or much but I never got any more indication that forum was anything other than gossip and a haven for online bullying I've been posting on the other forum since it's inception, in the beginning I even posted my real name, I also developed a soccer podcast back in the mid 2000's focusing on Soccer in Georgia, I eventually got tired of the vitriol and childish comments so I stopped posting under my real name. I know many coaches and DOC's that post on the forum, some provide thoughtful insight, others post negative stuff about other clubs or misinformation in an effort to bolster their own recruiting abilities. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 16, 2016 20:01:55 GMT -5
Great change in history has never been accomplished by remaining silent, keeping your head down or remaining compliant. In order to change anything you have to make people look within themselves and sometimes it's going to make people uncomfortable.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 16, 2016 14:14:25 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 16, 2016 11:52:27 GMT -5
I know I've posted about this topic in the past but I'll chime in again. This will be my eighth year involved in coaching ODP, in all those years we probably get asked to take second looks at most two players a year for whatever reason. Ultimately it's the coaching staffs decision alone whether to take the player or not. I've never had a DOC or parent pressure me or the other coaches on our team to take a player. Additionally Jacob has never asked us to take a player, he empowers the coaches to make that decision. With so many kids out there we are never going to get it 100% correct but any coach with any credibility wants to get it as right as he/she can. The top players are easy to identify as are the bottom third, that leaves about 75% in the middle third who will take up a bulk of the spots on the team, it's never an exact science. Even pro scouts who do this full time don't get it right. There are politics in every facet of life but I think when people cry politics it's just a way to absolve themselves of personal responsibility. We live in a society where unfortunately we have to blame someone when we don't get what we want, if a child doesn't make the team it's the coaches fault, if a child gets a C it's the teachers fault...rarely do you ever hear "maybe we just weren't good enough" or "I didn't do enough to separate myself from the others players and I didn't do the things on my own to make myself successful". It's always someone else's fault except for the person who didn't get what they wanted. Certainly there is some of that but I promise you it's not the only reason people cry politics. Your numbers don't jibe with the numbers of kids I personally know who had the DOC call for second looks (and third in at least one case) -- and that's just at my one small club. I assure you, though, that me saying 'politics' has nothing to do with my kid. I can't speak to your experience but as I said we only get asked to take a second look once or two a year, this is for 2002 Boys specifically. There isn't any harm in advocating for someone that maybe an evaluator made a gross error in judgement or giving someone a second look because they may have been sick or injured I wouldn't say that's politics. Putting someone on the team that clearly has no business would be politics, again I haven't experienced that either. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 16, 2016 11:05:53 GMT -5
I know I've posted about this topic in the past but I'll chime in again. This will be my eighth year involved in coaching ODP, in all those years we probably get asked to take second looks at most two players a year for whatever reason. Ultimately it's the coaching staffs decision alone whether to take the player or not. I've never had a DOC or parent pressure me or the other coaches on our team to take a player. Additionally Jacob has never asked us to take a player, he empowers the coaches to make that decision. With so many kids out there we are never going to get it 100% correct but any coach with any credibility wants to get it as right as he/she can. The top players are easy to identify as are the bottom third, that leaves about 75% in the middle third who will take up a bulk of the spots on the team, it's never an exact science. Even pro scouts who do this full time don't get it right.
There are politics in every facet of life but I think when people cry politics it's just a way to absolve themselves of personal responsibility. We live in a society where unfortunately we have to blame someone when we don't get what we want, if a child doesn't make the team it's the coaches fault, if a child gets a C it's the teachers fault...rarely do you ever hear "maybe we just weren't good enough" or "I didn't do enough to separate myself from the others players and I didn't do the things on my own to make myself successful". It's always someone else's fault except for the person who didn't get what they wanted.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 7, 2016 11:45:13 GMT -5
Akin is one of the true stand up guys in Atlanta Soccer.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Aug 15, 2016 12:10:33 GMT -5
Many opportunities are given based on who you know, NOT what you know.....I'll just leave it at that. This quote seems appropriate coming someone representing the merger squads. Lots of nepotism built-out over there. Care to clarify your stance? I've been coaching at Tophat for seven years and I certainly don't see what you describe. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Aug 11, 2016 8:53:48 GMT -5
I don't believe clubs should charge extra for "in season" training, if it's private individual training that's fine but parents shouldn't be expected to pay for something that should be taught in their regular team practices. NTH has a dedicated strength and conditioning staff person that works with the teams, no additional charge to the players, GK Training which players can attend multiple sessions per week, again no additional charge. Now trainings during the winter and summer are a different matter and should be optional if the players want to attend, many coaches do not get paid during the winter/summer I see no problem in doing clinics to supplement their income during the off season.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Aug 5, 2016 22:46:28 GMT -5
License level doesn't tell the entire story, just because someone has a teaching certificate doesn't make them a good teacher. I try to as tactful as possible but I can say with 100% certainty that TC at Tophat (who has a C License and never played soccer) is far and away a better developer of talent than most of these guys, I can say that because I've worked directly with several of them.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Aug 5, 2016 20:46:37 GMT -5
Many opportunities are given based on who you know, NOT what you know.....I'll just leave it at that.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jul 31, 2016 19:40:47 GMT -5
Could be by choice or family reasons. There is a boy on the ODP team I work with that could easily make a DA team and probably play for Atlanta FC's DA team but he is on scholarship at a very good private school and he wants to play HS soccer, playing DA would not allow him that opportunity.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jul 25, 2016 10:25:33 GMT -5
Or how about we had 80% posession so we dominated the game not understanding that all that posession was backwards and side to side, nothing into the attacking third. Numbers don't always tell the real story.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jul 23, 2016 22:23:44 GMT -5
I don't know much about the U15 NASA team but I can say with 100% certainty that Tophat was VERY clear that they would follow the birth year mandate and that no teams would be allowed to play up, they did make a 98/99 combo team as that team is comprised of HS Seniors, additionally no players would be allowed to play up unless they were a top National level player for competitive purposes, other than that the club communicated that to everyone, including at the composite NASA Tophat sessions that took place a few months ago. For someone to say otherwise is completely disingenuous, I cannot speak for the NASA side but I know from various emails sent to the parents from TC and TG that explained the above. Maybe the parents thought they would threaten to walk if the club didn't cave to their demands, as I said I'm not familiar with the U15 NASA team but I do know that TC or TG would never allow parents to "bully" them into any decision.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jul 18, 2016 10:34:01 GMT -5
NASA Tophat holds their team camps the first week of August, these are actual team camps with their coaches, not a club camp.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jun 29, 2016 10:17:10 GMT -5
Navigating the merger of TH and NASA was a nightmare. It was predetermined days in advance regardless of skill, loyalty, or the input of the head of an entire girls program. Rough lesson for a 13yr old. We were not club hoppers but we are interested in an authentic evaluation and actual coaching. Can you elaborate on your thoughts, I've been coaching at Tophat for eight years, I know TC and TG don't play politics nor would they ever allow a parent to dictate anything to them. I think any coach will take a player who they feel will help their team be successful, regardless of where they came from. |
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jun 28, 2016 11:50:47 GMT -5
Four Finals - zero goals. Yes he's a great player but all time best absolutely not. Despite his personal shortcomings Maradona actually did carry an entire team on his back in the 86 WC, Hand of God goal notwithstanding. Back then great players would not get the protection they get now, you breathe on someone now it's a foul. Messi has a wealth of talent around him, but he always seems to falter when he doesn't have the Spanish National Team (Barcelona) supplying him the ball.
If LeBron went 1-10 in game seven of the NBA Finals or Tom Brady threw three picks in a Super Bowl they would be raked over the coals for it, right or wrong when you are the face of the team it comes with the territory. Lots of people lose in a championship, they pick themselves up and go congratulate the other team, not sit on the bench sulking alone, you didn't see Steph Curry do that when they lost game 7.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jun 28, 2016 9:08:03 GMT -5
Yep while Messi cries and pouts on the bench rather than trying to console his teammates.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jun 28, 2016 9:05:58 GMT -5
Remember Greece is the 2004 Euro's, that for me was the better story as they won the Championship.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jun 26, 2016 12:42:06 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jun 21, 2016 8:00:13 GMT -5
I don't think so, I think WC has more importance as you are typically playing against the best teams. Some teams in CA don't always send their best players, especially with the Olympics right around the corner.
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