Another HS soccer thread

[Unregistered]

My daughter is 7 years removed from HS but from Sophomore season onward was frequently in the 20 for scoring in Eastern MA. As teams began to find out about her scoring ability we would hear stuff like "Get #XX" "Take her out" etc from the parents on the sidelines. The first time she got taken down hard she came to me complaining. I told her she needed to take care of herself on the field. She took yellow cards for delivering some nasty elbows and bloody noses but after a few times around people realized that she was not to be messed. Soccer is both beautiful and brutal. If you cannot accept that reality then it is time to move. Club soccer was only slightly more civil.

They should retitle this thread: "my daughter is a prima Donna who scores lots of goals and I can't stand watching when she gets fouled"
It's a good thing she's not playing against the New Orleans Saints.
Next up-- " my daughter doesn't get enough passes and now the college scouts can't see her outperform everybody else"
When we will hear a defense of the thugs?
There must be some parents of them, unless they magically sprout like mushrooms.
Liz Warren, please come protect us...

[Unregistered]

My daughter is 7 years removed from HS but from Sophomore season onward was frequently in the 20 for scoring in Eastern MA. As teams began to find out about her scoring ability we would hear stuff like "Get #XX" "Take her out" etc from the parents on the sidelines. The first time she got taken down hard she came to me complaining. I told her she needed to take care of herself on the field. She took yellow cards for delivering some nasty elbows and bloody noses but after a few times around people realized that she was not to be messed. Soccer is both beautiful and brutal. If you cannot accept that reality then it is time to move. Club soccer was only slightly more civil.

This is a real issue for referees (HS, club, whatever). Forget about the parent comments. The issue is skilled players being targeted for physical abuse by lesser skilled players. It's the ref's job to deal with these situations. They come up all the time. When they aren't dealt with, players take things into their own hands and games go in the sh!tter. And then? Unfortunately, in most cases, the retaliation gets the biggest punishment.

[Unregistered]

My daughter is a junior & center mid playing HS soccer, and played club until last year. At her most recent game, a girl larger than her was delivering cheap shot after cheap shot. My daughter told her to cool it in the first half but stayed composed. In the 2nd half the girl raised her fist as a threat to punch her. Funny thing happened after that. While shielding the ball, my daughter accidentally caught her with an elbow to the jaw. Apparently the girl was much better behaved after that

[Unregistered]

This is a real issue for referees (HS, club, whatever). Forget about the parent comments. The issue is skilled players being targeted for physical abuse by lesser skilled players. It's the ref's job to deal with these situations. They come up all the time. When they aren't dealt with, players take things into their own hands and games go in the sh!tter. And then? Unfortunately, in most cases, the retaliation gets the biggest punishment.

I think that is the discussion also. Glad as a parent it's coming out because if it can be reduced or at least managed then maybe the good players would want to play both HS and Club instead of taking time off in the fall.

I will say this is not the same in all areas, BTW. In largely populated towns/cities there is generally a huge population of skilled players and they typically play other large schools. Because of this the kids that play are generally higher level players and they are there to play soccer.

I've seen this more in the small town teams where the only defense might be the thug approach. I've been around the sport for 30 yrs and there is definately a difference in play when the teams come from smaller towns. Not many options when a good player makes you look out of place. Often its not a thug mentality but a anger management issue.

Once again it's up to the coach and ref to fix that when they see these issues occur during a game.

It might even mean forfeit if necessary.

[Unregistered]

I think that is the discussion also. Glad as a parent it's coming out because if it can be reduced or at least managed then maybe the good players would want to play both HS and Club instead of taking time off in the fall.

I will say this is not the same in all areas, BTW. In largely populated towns/cities there is generally a huge population of skilled players and they typically play other large schools. Because of this the kids that play are generally higher level players and they are there to play soccer.

I've seen this more in the small town teams where the only defense might be the thug approach. I've been around the sport for 30 yrs and there is definately a difference in play when the teams come from smaller towns. Not many options when a good player makes you look out of place. Often its not a thug mentality but a anger management issue.

Once again it's up to the coach and ref to fix that when they see these issues occur during a game.

It might even mean forfeit if necessary.

You all need to relax and watch the movie "Slapshot"
It will allay all your fears and answer all your questions.

[Unregistered]

After 15 years playing, 10 coaching and 20+ reffing, I'm hardly naive.
But I think you are an BS artist. Here's why.
In my experience, people that routinely threaten violence on the field fall into 1 of 2 categories. Either they are absolute cowards, and everyone knows it (so their threats are met with guffaws and pity or just more attacks). Or they are forced to throw down rather regularly.

Now, you tell me your threats worked, so it can't be the first. And you never had to act, so it can't be the second. I'm left with a firm belief that you are just another TS troll.

Sorry, but I have half again as much experience as you in each category (except reffing w/ only 10...). Listen up cupcake, if you want to hang on to the notion that girls should behave on the field like a bunch of pacifist nuns then go ahead. But anybody who has spent time coaching HS age girls teams knows that modern young women can be just as tough as any male. Hey! what's that ringing noise? Oh, it's the 1950's calling. They want you to come back.

[Unregistered]

My daughter is a junior & center mid playing HS soccer, and played club until last year. At her most recent game, a girl larger than her was delivering cheap shot after cheap shot. My daughter told her to cool it in the first half but stayed composed. In the 2nd half the girl raised her fist as a threat to punch her. Funny thing happened after that. While shielding the ball, my daughter accidentally caught her with an elbow to the jaw. Apparently the girl was much better behaved after that

"Accidental" elbows are very effective deterrents.

[Unregistered]

Sorry, but I have half again as much experience as you in each category (except reffing w/ only 10...). Listen up cupcake, if you want to hang on to the notion that girls should behave on the field like a bunch of pacifist nuns then go ahead. But anybody who has spent time coaching HS age girls teams knows that modern young women can be just as tough as any male. Hey! what's that ringing noise? Oh, it's the 1950's calling. They want you to come back.

Sorry, wasn't even born then.
My problem is not with toughness. It's with wannabe's.

I've played football, basketball, soccer and rugby.
I've reffed boys and men up to NCAA D2.
I've reffed girls and women all the way to pro.
Never met a single player who could routinely threaten violence without having to put up once in a while.
Never met a decent coach who routinely used it as a weapon.

So, I repeat. I think you are a blowhard and a fraud.
All you have to do to prove me wrong is post what school you coached these felonious girls at and when. Of course, then you would be reported for violating your coach's code of ethics. But that shouldn't be a problem for somebody as tough as you!

So, which is it? Are you a liar making stuff up, or a coward who won't come clean?

I hope you prove me wrong and come out of your nasty little closet. It would be great for the sport to remove a coach like you (assuming you really exist).

[Unregistered]

Sorry, wasn't even born then.
My problem is not with toughness. It's with wannabe's.

I've played football, basketball, soccer and rugby.
I've reffed boys and men up to NCAA D2.
I've reffed girls and women all the way to pro.
Never met a single player who could routinely threaten violence without having to put up once in a while.
Never met a decent coach who routinely used it as a weapon.

So, I repeat. I think you are a blowhard and a fraud.
All you have to do to prove me wrong is post what school you coached these felonious girls at and when. Of course, then you would be reported for violating your coach's code of ethics. But that shouldn't be a problem for somebody as tough as you!

So, which is it? Are you a liar making stuff up, or a coward who won't come clean?

I hope you prove me wrong and come out of your nasty little closet. It would be great for the sport to remove a coach like you (assuming you really exist).

Whatever. I am not a current coach. So you can delete that email to MIAA. My teams were clean but they knew how to take care of themselves. You very much live in a fantasy world. Too bad, really. Life is hard. Sports are hard. Competition is not always pretty.

[Unregistered]

Whatever. I am not a current coach. So you can delete that email to MIAA. My teams were clean but they knew how to take care of themselves. You very much live in a fantasy world. Too bad, really. Life is hard. Sports are hard. Competition is not always pretty.

Wasn't there a rather long thread on the punishments being meted out by ADs for yellow cards. Now we have a thread on how tough everybody is (or in your case, was.)
This entire thread is bull/&@$.
And the OP is the biggest baby of them all.

[Unregistered]

This is a real issue for referees (HS, club, whatever). Forget about the parent comments. The issue is skilled players being targeted for physical abuse by lesser skilled players. It's the ref's job to deal with these situations. They come up all the time.

In my experience watching Mass. HS soccer, many of the "skilled" players you refer to are also adept at dishing it out. They tend to be athletic and faster, which is largely why they are drawn to the game. They are craftier, too. I have seen many nasty collisions initiated by so-called skilled, i.e., club, players. I have seen cleats-up slide tackles, dirty elbows, and just general good old clobbering from the rear.

In my experience, what I've just described is far more prevalent than your "real issue." Possibly your skilled freshman daughter was roughed up by burly upperclassmen. But not that many freshmen start for varsity teams.

[Unregistered]

My teams were clean but they knew how to take care of themselves.

Dear God. What a F-ing hypocrite.

[Unregistered]

In my experience watching Mass. HS soccer, many of the "skilled" players you refer to are also adept at dishing it out. They tend to be athletic and faster, which is largely why they are drawn to the game. They are craftier, too. I have seen many nasty collisions initiated by so-called skilled, i.e., club, players. I have seen cleats-up slide tackles, dirty elbows, and just general good old clobbering from the rear.

In my experience, what I've just described is far more prevalent than your "real issue." Possibly your skilled freshman daughter was roughed up by burly upperclassmen. But not that many freshmen start for varsity teams.

Our daughter is a freshman and is a starting Varsity player for a D1 HS team. She Usually plays the entire game, and we are very pleased with the overall play of her HS team. She does play club for a top team, and ODP, but I have to tell you there is alot of talented players on her team. I see the biggest issue with the age difference. When going against players 4 years older, it is just as much mental as physically challenging. As a freshman, you are dealing with finding your place socially, and learning pretty quickly how to physically play against much bigger players. The competition has been very good, they haven't lost but have had some very close games. I do believe we are kucky to live in our town where the HS team is very good. Her team consists of almost all club players, and her coach is great. Our daughter has adjusted to the physical part of the game, as she is one of the ones they always look to take her out of her game by pushing her around alot. She has learned to push back when needed, but more importantly has learned to be quicker with decisions and making moves to avoid it. She loves her team and everything about HS, I just wanted to put out there that not all HS ball is horrible.

[Unregistered]

Our daughter is a freshman and is a starting Varsity player for a D1 HS team. She Usually plays the entire game, and we are very pleased with the overall play of her HS team. She does play club for a top team, and ODP, but I have to tell you there is alot of talented players on her team. I see the biggest issue with the age difference. When going against players 4 years older, it is just as much mental as physically challenging. As a freshman, you are dealing with finding your place socially, and learning pretty quickly how to physically play against much bigger players. The competition has been very good, they haven't lost but have had some very close games. I do believe we are kucky to live in our town where the HS team is very good. Her team consists of almost all club players, and her coach is great. Our daughter has adjusted to the physical part of the game, as she is one of the ones they always look to take her out of her game by pushing her around alot. She has learned to push back when needed, but more importantly has learned to be quicker with decisions and making moves to avoid it. She loves her team and everything about HS, I just wanted to put out there that not all HS ball is horrible.

GREAT POST....faster Decision making is key, as is a coach who makes the girls play as a team instead of a group of individuals.

[Unregistered]

Our daughter is a freshman and is a starting Varsity player for a D1 HS team. She Usually plays the entire game, and we are very pleased with the overall play of her HS team. She does play club for a top team, and ODP, but I have to tell you there is alot of talented players on her team. I see the biggest issue with the age difference. When going against players 4 years older, it is just as much mental as physically challenging. As a freshman, you are dealing with finding your place socially, and learning pretty quickly how to physically play against much bigger players. The competition has been very good, they haven't lost but have had some very close games. I do believe we are kucky to live in our town where the HS team is very good. Her team consists of almost all club players, and her coach is great. Our daughter has adjusted to the physical part of the game, as she is one of the ones they always look to take her out of her game by pushing her around alot. She has learned to push back when needed, but more importantly has learned to be quicker with decisions and making moves to avoid it. She loves her team and everything about HS, I just wanted to put out there that not all HS ball is horrible.

what do you consider top club team". there really aren't any top "Cub" teams in western MA at the HS level. And please don't say "Stars West". riding on the laurels of the Stars name does not make a team a "top Club" team.