NWCL games this weekend!

[Unregistered]

I think the "handball calls" were a handed down decision from the head of refs. In only one of our games did the ref actually call the foul. Only after 6-7 non-calls, a girl from the opposing team actually reached her arm out and deflected the ball to her feet. Then they blew the whistle. But not another time during the game after that. It almost looked as if the Seattle based WA teams knew it too. They played that way from the first blow of the whistle until a call was made and still didnt let up.

Did any of you have that dark haired younger (early-mid 30's) gal center one of your games ? By the looks of her calls I dont think she had ever had much experience with competitive soccer. She didnt understand that if a ball never enters the field on a throw in it's a re-throw, or if she did think it bent inwards, at the place where it landed would be the place where the opposing team should throw it from. Then the AR we had didnt speak much english and the two of them were having some difficulties trying to reach a verdict or decision. Then in another time, she musta declared mutual/simultaneous fouls, stopped play and did a drop ball inside the penalty box all the while standing in a position that was nearly blocking the goal from our player.

One of the other familiar things I saw was the obvious aggressive physical play by the WA teams. Shoulder you first, then go for the ball. I looked (as if they knew) if they didnt raise an arm they wouldnt get a call. In some cases it looked reckless and/or dangerous to those that arent used to playing that way. Musta been that "home court" advantage thing.

The Oregon teams did show some promise in the games that I watched. Physicality was up, speed was quicker and good ball movement. The wet marshy fields didnt play to any ones advantage either way.

In an unrelated note; funny you should mention the handball issue. My daughter plays U15 and is currently playing with her high school team but I had the same observation. In every, and mean EVERY game this season there have been numerous, obvious handballs where the flight & direction of the ball actually changes due to it, but never a call. One was in the box where the defender almost caught the shot in mid-air! And still no call.

We have been discussing this and when I saw your post had to comment as well. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Unregistered]

A lot

In an unrelated note; funny you should mention the handball issue. My daughter plays U15 and is currently playing with her high school team but I had the same observation. In every, and mean EVERY game this season there have been numerous, obvious handballs where the flight & direction of the ball actually changes due to it, but never a call. One was in the box where the defender almost caught the shot in mid-air! And still no call.

We have been discussing this and when I saw your post had to comment as well. Has anyone else noticed this?

I have noticed it a lot. It seems like the higher you go in regional play, the more handballs get by. Is it some lame way of trying to pretend you are allowing advantage, because it seems pretty cleat it violates the rules I know...

[Unregistered]

Let me give this a shot. 8 because they didn't play with their goalie or they have no defense. 0 because they didn't put the ball in the net.

Thanks for clearing that up!

[adidas]

Hand Ball

I thought the distinction is "ball to hand" where no violation is called, whereas "hand to ball" is when a violation is called. Nothing to do with the change in direction of the ball just intent by the player.

[Unregistered]

Heard LO ice lost an important player this weekend?

[Unregistered]

NW Champions on the weekend

Weather wasn't too bad this weekend at 60 Acres some rain but mostly ok. One field our boys (U13) played on Sunday was definitely lower than some of the others and got very swampy. I hope they can somehow regrade or relevel it a little as its going to be a problem as long as they use it in the wet weather.

Saw some really good boys teams from Washington and some really poor (or poor performing) boys teams from Oregon. Washington U12 and U13 teams I saw were generally more confident on the ball and had a much better concept of playing soccer "together". The poor LO U12 boys I watched on the next field over just got completely outclassed on Sunday by an Eastside team who could have named their score. It was painful to watch. FC boys were a bright spot though from what I saw.

[Unregistered]

Toeing (or more accurately Handing) the line

I thought the distinction is "ball to hand" where no violation is called, whereas "hand to ball" is when a violation is called. Nothing to do with the change in direction of the ball just intent by the player.

A similar distinction is if the hand or arm is raised, it is ruled a deliberate handball, if the player is just struck then it may not be a violation. What I have noticed is certain teams have learned how to benefit from a handball while not having it appear like a violation. You will see them do the same thing over and over through the game. Clearly it is something that has been trained, not just accidental.

Sound familiar to anyone else, or am I just too picky?

[Unregistered]

A similar distinction is if the hand or arm is raised, it is ruled a deliberate handball, if the player is just struck then it may not be a violation. What I have noticed is certain teams have learned how to benefit from a handball while not having it appear like a violation. You will see them do the same thing over and over through the game. Clearly it is something that has been trained, not just accidental.

Sound familiar to anyone else, or am I just too picky?

Usually the hand ball should be called if an advantage is gained by it, even if it is accidental. Most refs seem to call it unless they don't see it because of their angle/ position.

[Unregistered]

On handling

http://www.ussoccer.com/Referees/~/m...8752C2EB4.ashx

Page 56 in the pdf