Another week...Another Wipe Out

[Beachbum]

G11-O NEFC N 15 - 0 Liverpool FSC B

Same division that had the 16-0 Hamlets/Stars game

[Unregistered]

G11-O NEFC N 15 - 0 Liverpool FSC B

Same division that had the 16-0 Hamlets/Stars game

Another Sunday, another really great NEP game. These games remind me of HS pre-season scrimmages. The kids really want to win and play really hard, but the parents are way more positive and relaxed on the sidelines, and the coaches seem way more hands on, positive and instructive during the games.
I think Maple should really consider re-evaluating it's appproah to U10-U13. Too many teams, too many blow outs, too much competition at one end of the spectrum and too little at the other, WAY too many hysterical parents and coaches on the sidelines. The whole thing seems to have gotten out of hand.

[Unregistered]

I completely agree especially as it relates to how hard the kids were working and to how effective the coaching is when winning isn't the only goal. My son played today in Lancaster and there were MAPLE games being played as well. The difference in atmosphere was palpable. That being said, NEP isn't immune to blowouts which are not particularly productive for either team. Ideally games would have a spread of no more than three goals but I guess there isn't a league around that can achieve all of the objectives. I'll take the NEP any day even with its flaws.

[Unregistered]

I completely agree especially as it relates to how hard the kids were working and to how effective the coaching is when winning isn't the only goal. My son played today in Lancaster and there were MAPLE games being played as well. The difference in atmosphere was palpable. That being said, NEP isn't immune to blowouts which are not particularly productive for either team. Ideally games would have a spread of no more than three goals but I guess there isn't a league around that can achieve all of the objectives. I'll take the NEP any day even with its flaws.

We've been on both sided of an NEP blowout and you're right, they aren't as instructive as an even match. But I did think they were substantially more instructive than a Maple blow out. There wasn't the total dispair involved. Nor were the winners hyterical with joy. The loosing team kept working on things and didn't totally give up the way they tend to in Maple blowouts, and that kept the whole game more competitive. And the parents and coach of the loosing team? No screaming, no abuse, no rending of garments. Definitely a better scene.

[Unregistered]

We've been on both sided of an NEP blowout and you're right, they aren't as instructive as an even match. But I did think they were substantially more instructive than a Maple blow out. There wasn't the total dispair involved. Nor were the winners hyterical with joy. The loosing team kept working on things and didn't totally give up the way they tend to in Maple blowouts, and that kept the whole game more competitive. And the parents and coach of the loosing team? No screaming, no abuse, no rending of garments. Definitely a better scene.

This feel-good atmosphere where everyone gets a trophy at the end of the year is great up until a certain point. I do like that atmosphere for the younger age groups up to U10/U11, however, at this time, I do suspect that the level of play for the NEP is inferior to that in MAPLE. If and when more teams join, then this might change......or course, you don't want to build another MAPLE.

[Unregistered]

This feel-good atmosphere where everyone gets a trophy at the end of the year is great up until a certain point. I do like that atmosphere for the younger age groups up to U10/U11, however, at this time, I do suspect that the level of play for the NEP is inferior to that in MAPLE. If and when more teams join, then this might change......or course, you don't want to build another MAPLE.

Inferior to MAPLE is a huge understatement.

NEP is a joke. Another MPS sham. Just a way for their teams to play in a State Cup qualifying league.

However, by the State Cup rules, NEP does not meet the standard for a State Cup qualifying league for U13 Girls. They do not have enough teams with only five teams playing. Based on the State Cup rules, there must be six teams for the league to be eligible.

Let's see how MYSA deals with this. The MPS/NEP teams have been seeded in State Cup. How this is being allowed is a great question.

[Beachbum]

Found another one...

B11-G SS Select L 0 - 12 Galway Rovers R

[Unregistered]

Another Sunday, another really great NEP game. These games remind me of HS pre-season scrimmages. The kids really want to win and play really hard, but the parents are way more positive and relaxed on the sidelines, and the coaches seem way more hands on, positive and instructive during the games.
I think Maple should really consider re-evaluating it's appproah to U10-U13. Too many teams, too many blow outs, too much competition at one end of the spectrum and too little at the other, WAY too many hysterical parents and coaches on the sidelines. The whole thing seems to have gotten out of hand.

U-10 and U-11 is traditionally hard. The large and mid-sized clubs traditionally field an A team along with a B and even a C team on occasion. They do this for two reasons - $ and in the hope of finding a couple diamonds in the rough that they can funnel into their A team come U-12. So you have teams that don't belong which, when coupled with how MAPLE organizes teams during the U-11 Fall season leads to these kinds of blowouts and these kinds of threads. It's a problem - no one benefits from blowouts. I don't see the clubs taking fewer teams, but there is a solution - namely that clubs rate the quality of their various teams and MAPLE organize them on that basis. This won't eliminate blowouts, but it will minimize them.

As far as NEP goes, please. By U-13 the quality of play among MAPLE Div 1 and some 2 teams is markedly better.

[Unregistered]

Learning how to lose is part of the growing up process. parents just need to get over the fact that some kids are working harder to be good at a young age.

[Unregistered]

Inferior to MAPLE is a huge understatement.

NEP is a joke. Another MPS sham. Just a way for their teams to play in a State Cup qualifying league.

However, by the State Cup rules, NEP does not meet the standard for a State Cup qualifying league for U13 Girls. They do not have enough teams with only five teams playing. Based on the State Cup rules, there must be six teams for the league to be eligible.

Let's see how MYSA deals with this. The MPS/NEP teams have been seeded in State Cup. How this is being allowed is a great question.

It's "being allowed" because ANY team that applies and meets the age requirements can play in State Cup. Are you really that stupid?

[Unregistered]

Inferior to MAPLE is a huge understatement.

NEP is a joke. Another MPS sham. Just a way for their teams to play in a State Cup qualifying league.

However, by the State Cup rules, NEP does not meet the standard for a State Cup qualifying league for U13 Girls. They do not have enough teams with only five teams playing. Based on the State Cup rules, there must be six teams for the league to be eligible.

Let's see how MYSA deals with this. The MPS/NEP teams have been seeded in State Cup. How this is being allowed is a great question.

Are NEP teams state cup eligible? The level of play is clearly not MAPLE Div I or likely II, but it is decent soccer in a MUCH better atmosphere. For many kids and families this is a much better option than the MAPLE grind.

[Unregistered]

As far as NEP goes, please. By U-13 the quality of play among MAPLE Div 1 and some 2 teams is markedly better.

Are you talking boys or girls here?

[Unregistered]

Are NEP teams state cup eligible? The level of play is clearly not MAPLE Div I or likely II, but it is decent soccer in a MUCH better atmosphere. For many kids and families this is a much better option than the MAPLE grind.

My son plays U10B NEP. It is competitive with a good atmosphere. It is probably no different than MAPLE U10B with regard to competition. For my son's team, the coaching is great and dead set on developing the players. The boys move into all the positions. However, don't pretend as though there aren't similar crazy parents on the sidelines.

The atmosphere is only as different as the coaches make it to be. A purely developmental may minimize the competitiveness....this may not be good with regard to development. Suffice it to say, there is a competitive atmosphere. It may not be as intense or cutthroat as MAPLE since there is no relegation/demotion. I wonder, however, if the league gets bigger, will they then split into Division 1, 2, etc etc.....a mini MAPLE

[Unregistered]

Where have all the John Woodens Gone?

I really thing people need to reevaluate their expectations. I shell out the $ for club soccer to teach my kids what it takes to win. Hopefully this will translate to other aspects of their lives. My sons team recently took a shellacking in u11. Nobody came off the field with their head held low. After the game the coach gave a speech on what they need to work on at practice this week. I praised my son for not giving up the entire, game, in fact he played harder,tougher as the game progressed.

The opposing team was not unsportmanlike, they played to win. Cudos to both coaches.

The lesson to be learned, never quit and that every dog has his day.

Win with grace, lose with grace, Lord, where have all the John Woodens gone?

[Unregistered]

Learning how to lose is part of the growing up process. parents just need to get over the fact that some kids are working harder to be good at a young age.

Working harder to be good??? What a ridiculous statement when talking about young teams. More like born in the right month of the year or entering puberty early.