COVERDRAGON HEATS IT UP!!!!!
....And EASTERNWASHINGTON ASKS THE TOUGH QUESTIONS!!
....AS WE INTERVIEW "THE ASSASSIN" NEIL MEGSON/PUSHUP!!!!!
...picture taken today (10-2-07) at a greek restraunt in Federal Way...as Neil met Doug Andreassen for lunch...The Pulse! No. #13COVER STORY & LATEST HEADLINES:DRAGON'S INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE KINGS OF THE PDL ~ NEIL MEGSON!DRAGON: What do you think about your move to Crossfire?
NEIL: So far it's been wonderful. Crossfire is so organized. The real story behind Crossfire is their office staff and volunteer's. If it weren't for people like Curt, Celeste, Connie, Sandy, Dick and Bernie crossfire would be just another club. The volunteers base ran by Tina, Veronica, Barry, Lance and Brain also create massive funds so that every child who needs financial help gets to play.
DRAGON: Do you do anything for a living outside of coaching?
NEIL: I coach 7 days a week in the evenings. I've just started a spec house project in Gig Harbor.
DRAGON: You are frequently “bashed or applauded” on WPS. How do you feel about the “accolades”? How do you feel about the “bashing”?
NEIL: It comes with coaching soccer. Some people hate you , some people love you. I do however love it when people take time out of their day to bash me. It would be like me wasteing my time telling people how to do their jobs when I have no idea what I'm talking about.
DRAGON: What is your feelings on the WPS site? What made you decide to “Come out” as your persona “Pushup” as you did on the site?
NEIL: I don't care what people say about me on the Internet, as I said it goes with the territory. But while I was at Westsound not only me, but volunteer board members and players were getting bashed. So I fought fire with fire. Over time I realized nobody cares about anyone else's problems so when someone bashed my BU11 team at Crossfire I posted as my self.
DRAGON: It is obvious that several of the posters on the site are unknown. Name 3 people (that are unknown to you now) who you would like to meet in person someday and why.
NEIL:
Duffer and Eastern Washington - two tuff talking chickens who nobody knows who they are, and who hide on the internet. Duffer actually says he's going to walk up to my face and tell me what an ass#$%^^ I am. Well Duffer here's my stats. Height 6'2". Weight 216. Position when playing pro; Hard nose defender. Nickname.... "Assassin". Let's meet for coffee :twisted:
Dragon - Of course, who wouldn't.
Gumby - 99% of the time this person is so positive.
94soccermom - I honestly don't know who this is but shes always has my back.
99% of the parents at Westsound are wonderful people who get bashed because of a few. I still say that if the Kitsap Peninsula could unite they would become an overnight club to deal with. The other 1% ruin it for the other 99%.
DRAGON: What do you think your team's chances are this year? Boys team? Girls team?
NEIL:
BU11 - the best group of young boys I've ever had. I have between 11 to 14 depending on which roster Dick, Seth and myself put them on. All of them would be starters on any other team in the State. They practice and play 4 times a week. Our goal this year is to go undefeated and win State.
GU13C - This group of girls are the most improved team I've ever had the privilege to coach. I decided with Porter and Amy they would practice exactly the same as the A and B team. We practice 3 times a week and focused on fitness and ball skills for the first 6 weeks. I did actually have parents complain that the C team shouldn't have to run as much as the A and B team. Go figure. What was great is that it paid off, we won 2 tournaments and it was great to see a C team have success.
GU18 - this team makes me sad a little. I've had 4 players follow me from Norpoint, to Harbor to Kitsap to Crossfire in the past 6 years. They were wonderful kids who grew up to be great young adults. On the other hand they are great young adults and players that I wish I had the chance to coach on Crossfire when they were younger. We had a good summer and I know that this team can play with anybody.
DRAGON: What are your personal goals as a coach?
NEIL: This ones easy. Bernie, Dick and myself have the same formula. Listen to what we coach. Practice hard and practice often. That's it. You won't find much help in a book.
DRAGON: Besides yourself, name some of the best coach you have seen?
NEIL: Old school - Bernie James. Dick McCormick. Tommy Jenkins. Fran O'Brien. Bash all you want, they produce quality teams that win at the highest tournaments.
New on the block - Tim Reynolds. Michell French, Jason Harnasch, Jim Thomas. There are many other coaches who do fantastic jobs (mainly at Crossfire. I had to say it ) but I don't see them coach. If your happy with your coach, the grass is not always greener on the other side.
DRAGON: Describe the 94 Crush team as you would to a friend over a pint at MadPizza.
NEIL: This is a tricky question. I don't think that the 94 Crush team has ever had a player that wouldn't start on any other team in the state. Their fun to watch, their quick over 2 yards, fast over 20. Their powerful and good on the ball. Their wonderful going forward but have the worst offside trap I've ever seen. The parents that are now on the team have nothing to do with the fight I had when they were U10/U11. Those players have been replaced by recruited players. I don't care what you say about me, O'Neil recruits cause he can't coach, In my humble opinion.
DRAGON: All of us here on WPS know that you don't care for G.O.; Can you think of 3 people that you would rather NOT spend a month with on a desert island?
NEIL: Wow trying to find 1 person is like trying to find a needle in in a haystack!... but 3?!!
#1 Hitler. he would yell at kids like O'Neil.
#2 Jeffrey Dahmer. He might get hungey.
#3 Lauren Bobbit. She might get mad.
DRAGON: If you could not coach with your team tomorrow, name one team you would not mind taking over if you had your pick of any?
NEIL: GU13 FC Crush.
DRAGON: What is some thing you would like Dragon to tell the whole world about you?
NEIL: A lot of stuff has been posted on this web page about me. Most of it's not true. I haven't had any problems with the Crush since I left WS for XF. When I first went to Westsound the FC kitsap versus FC Crush was just beginning. When ever the Crush didn't get their own way after breaking WSYSA and D4 rules I got blamed. I even got blamed when O'Neil had an argument with the Gig Harbor tournament director, he got his teams kicked out. Then some idiot puts on WPS that I had them removed. Total BS. Never happened; But because it was posted on here people think its true. Any how, most of the players from back then have been cut and replaced with more developed recruited players. I don't know any of the new parents and I haven't really had any problems with the new parents. Anyhow, just like you don't judge a book by it's cover, please meet me before you decide if you like me or not.
DRAGON: I have a young son or daughter looking to play for a top level coach…you are one of the coach’s they are considering. Tell us all why they should pick you over another coach.
NEIL: All of the DOC"S and coach's at Crossfire have the same formula. Listen to the coach, practice hard and practice often.
Well, I've coached youth, college and pro. Sometimes with good talent and sometimes not so good. If your children played for me I would make them become the best player they could be.
DRAGON: Being one of the Kings of the PDL, what is something you would like to tell everyone about the PDL if you were given the chance?
NEIL: Give the PDL a chance. It's evolving. Some things may work some may not. We may stay apart from the state, we may go back with them. All we know is for 20 years nothing changed, in 3 months we moved the girls season to save numerous ACL tears and injuries. There are other ideas that are being talked about to help develop WA State youth soccer. Look for Tier 1, 2 and 3 PDL club league. Most parents think that all clubs are the same. There not. Some clubs are well organized machines, some clubs don't know their ass from their elbow. Get organized or get out of the way.
DRAGON: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. The readers of the Pulse all appreciate it! Dragon and the Pulse welcome any response from parents or coachs to this interview 
HEADLINES!**BONUS INTERVIEW**EASTERNWASHINGTON'S INTERVIEW WITH PUSHUP!!EW: What the requirements to get into the PDL?
PU: You have to a DOC with at least a B License. You have to have a history of producing quality teams year after year. You have to have the majority of age teams from U11 to U18.
EW: Why do they change from year to year so drastically? (first number of teams in premier, then performance in state cup.)
PU: The PDL is developing all the time. WSYSA has had the same rules for the past 20 years. With layer after layer within WSYSA it is virtually impossible to change anything.
EW: Why is the PDL so hush, hush with what they are doing? Where are minutes?
PU: Your the one who's saying it's hush, not us. The DOC's get together at Starfire and talk about what we can do better for youth soccer in Washington. We don't have minutes. Todd and Greg take notes. If you want information ask a DOC, we have nothing to hide.
EW: If the PDL is truly about like competition against like competition and "player development", then why is it not based upon RPI rating like Blue Chips per age group?
PU: This is the first year. We aren't certain but we think the RPI will be implemented very soon. When we had the debate all the DOC's had their opinions of where their young teams should be placed. They were told they would be held accountable for placing their teams to high or low. After we get the first year out of the way we will then have data for the U12/13/14 teams so we can then place them accordingly.
EW: Were not the PDL teams supposed to go to less tournaments? Are any discipline being done since teams did just as much if not more?
PU: It was up to the teams to decide that. Most parents and teams can figure that out on their own.
EW: Why is the PDL club based? Have their not been great individual teams like Parrots, Tyncastle(didn't your son play for them? cant remember could be wrong, sorry if I'm?) etc.?
PU: Yes, your correct. My son did play for Tyncastle. I was new to youth soccer in WA and was contacted by the manager. I have to admit I bought in. My son was recruited. All independent teams that are quality teams are recruited. No one has ever developed a team from U11. If they say they did it's BS. David Hoggan who's a friend of mine coached Tyncastle. He's a good trainer and would be the first to admit if a really good player was available he would try and get them.
EW: Can not individual teams develop great players? And if the PDL is about "PLAYER DEVELOPMENT" then how can these teams not be included?
PU: See above
EW: Who is to say one program/club is better at developing players then an individual team? Numerous individual teams have sent players on to higher levels, are there not all different ways to develop players? Are not every club country do something different?
PU: No one's saying that. As I just said all independent teams that have huge success are coached by coaches who recruited. How do you think they replace players, from within their club? There is no club! 99% of these coach's are nut jobs. The only coach who I know who was an independent coach who wasn't a nut job was Eugene at the parrots. He is a good coach/trainer who was supplied players though his manager. I'm on the look out for players all the time. I don't contact them but if they contact me I'll definitely take a look at them. I've had 2 players who came out to practice who are play ups who now play for Bernie's U10 team. My friend Hoggie was a nutter but can coach. Gary O'Neil. ( NOT)
EW: Southern California is probably developing the best players in the US.....why not have our league setup like theres? Granted we do not have the population/climate/demographics, but what is wrong with their league setup? Individual quality teams compete with the Irvine Strikers etc.....
PU: We will never be able to do what Southern Cal does.
EW: There was once a requirement to be in the PDL of having a fulltime coaching director, why? If a club/team can do well without a fulltime CD why not let them in? IF the team starts to suck just boot them out.......
PU: Some clubs are really well organized, some are not. The PDL was set up to raise the standard for the elite youth players in WA. Club's who want to pursue this need a leader who is committed to raising their clubs standers. We don't want clubs to suck and fail. Were only talking about 7% of all of the soccer players in WA. These 7% deserve the same commitment from WSYSA as the other 93% rec players. What is wrong with that. Parents of talented players also put a lot of time and effort in to their child's development. Are you saying these are just CP'S who should have no say in their child's development? Why don't these 7% parents have the same say and rights as the other 93% rec players?
EW: Whatever happened with the Sounders? Did you quit? or get fired? Did it have to do with the Sounder's (owner/manager) son?
PU: It had nothing to do with the owners son. I was fired because I wouldn't guarantee the German players playing time. We had an partnership with Werder Bremen of the German Bundesliga that we would swap players. I told the Sounders we had nothing to gain from this relationship. After winning coach of the year in 2000 I was told I had to start the German players who WB sent over. I was trying to sign 2 UW players at the time but had my hands tied financially. We had a heated meeting where I was told you will play the German players or else. I told them we should be trying to develop young Americans. If these young German players were any good they wouldn't send them over here. There was a stand off, I lost.
EW: What is the payscale at Crossfire? for coaches, directors etc.?
PU: It's a really good second paying job. No DOC or coach only coaches for a living. Bernie remodels house's. Dick is on another planet in real estate. I, over the years have owned 2 Baskin Robbins, built a few spes house's and with the wife owned and managed hair salons for 20 years. Oh wait, I forgot, it was posted so it must be true. Duffer said were all stupid ex soccer pros who can't count. Love you Duffer, ...KMA, Neil :twisted: .DRAGON: Thanks to both EW and PU for doing this *Bonus* interview for the Pulse!"ATTRACTIVE" VS "WINNING" Soccer. Why not Both?Here is an article by one of the Pulse Staff writers:I see the key to improvement for US Soccer is a drastic change of core coaching beliefs of what actually is "attractive" vs. "winning" soccer. Why not both?
Why is it that often a coach doesn't mind losing possession with a long lumping kick up field to no one? (Good kick/clear Johnny !!!!!)
Yet, he always gets pissed if Johnny actually tries something imaginative like dribbling, or a new move he saw on GolTV, or trying to do something skillful? (Who does he think he is, Ronaldo? Just pass the ball.)
The modern soccer world craves players that excite the crowds whenever they have the ball at their feet. Who reading this does not enjoy watching CRonaldo, Ronaldinho or Messi once they have the ball at their feet (What is he going to try/do this time?). However, in the junior ranks the so-called “greedy players” would be on the “B” team for not passing.
If the US wants to create our own CRonaldo, an environment has to be created in which creativity is far more important than results. He has to have the environment in which he is encouraged, and allowed to try.
The game of soccer is a series of continuous 1v1 battles all over the field.
A major part of learning technique is learning how to use the acquired skill(s) correctly to defeat a possibly larger, stronger opponent by using the opponents' very size, mass, quickness, balance, and speed of foot against them. Such skill combined with a good first touch, accurate passing, correct body positioning, and skillful dribbling is what leads to more success.
However, it is much easier to coach the player to just “kick it long/clear it out”.
These "winning" coaches will run usually the players through the exact same boring "foot skill" drills virtually every practice yet his players never use the skills during a game.
Why?
Often it is because during initial applications, if a mistake takes place during “training”, they will be chewed out. So why chance it and try the “new move” during a “real” game.
These "winning" coaches are the ones who believe “A best offense is a strong defense" or "Defense wins championships".
Try telling Brasil, Netherlands or Argentina that. These 3 countries consistently produce the best forwards and midfielders (and arguably defenders) in the world.
I was once told by a Brasilian coach that the "unofficial" tactic he was taught was,
You score 3, we will score 4. You score 4, and we'll score 5.
Can you imagine watching soccer without Ronaldinho, Kaka, Messi, Henry, Eto’o, Deco, Figo, Ronaldo(s), Roberto Carlos, Van Basten, Robinho, Sanchez, Cruyff, Maradona, Best, Ibrahimovic, Totti, Giggs, etc?
I wonder how many times their youth coaches told them to not try something new during a game? (Ronaldinho, you have a 4 touch max)
Yes, it is actually ok for a BU11 to try a bicycle kick at midfield.
I don't think this opinion will be very popular with the English influenced soccer groups in the US …
But,
If the US ever really wants to get into the top 10 in the world consistently, we really need to find a new “teacher” country to follow, and to teach the US how to train to “play the game” at the highest level.
I think in order to play at the highest level, you have to be able to score goals. You have to be able to train players to score goals.
How many “World Class” forwards has England produced in the past 10 years? Owen and possibly Rooney. What have England won recently? One World Cup 40 years ago as the host nation and …
A majority of the best players and coaches in the EPL are not even English. Looking at the recent major transfers, I don’t remember any major English player signings. (Any help here?)
If the English coaching/training method worked so well, why do they not export more players and coaches to other countries (other than the US, Scottish and Australia leagues) like the Spanish, French, Dutch and Italian and German leagues?
Face it. Very, very few of the English import coaches in this country (US) are any better than the coaches born, played and trained here in this country within the last 15 years.
If these poorly trained/qualified English “imports” were really 1st class FA coaches, they would be with a professional club at home (working/scouting with a premier club youth system 10+ years ago does not mean you know what to do today). Even if they were 2nd class FA coaches, they should still be able to make a living over there coaching (one would think).
So, the US is stuck with mostly reject and wannabee coaches dreaming of glorious tackles from behind (Heeee got allll baaawwwlll refahreeeee) like the famous ManU hack, Roy Keane.
English coaches do a good job of teaching parents that running fast and tackling hard, trumps technical ability. There can be no argument that U.S. soccer is currently along the lines of the long ball and direct play vs. the slow buildup of Brasil and the Dutch.
While our very top players have decent ball skills, where are the “youth” Iniesta, Sneijder, Van Persie, Saviola, Guardado, Robinho, Messi, CRonaldo and Fabregas in the U.S.?
Until every single club offers additional and specialized "Striker" training like "goalkeeper" training usually offered, we will never consistently produce world class forwards and mid-fielders.
How many coaches really know how to coach forwards?
“True” forwards are very special players and a different type of player just like goalkeepers are. (I can speak of this personally since DS is a forward)
They (forwards) often think they have to score in every single game multiple times and when they don’t, they often pout. Yes, they are temperamental too. They often believe it is not just fun to beat 1 or 2 players; they will often try to beat another player (instead of shooting) because they often can and that is where the “fun” is for them. And when they are successful beating the 3rd player and scoring, the smile and the look in their eyes is like “See, I told you I could do it”.
Most U.S. players simply aren't as comfortable with the ball as players from other nations. I think this is because our English “teachers” cannot teach what they do not know.
More poor training however, won't fix poor training.
If the US seriously wants to succeed as a soccer “power”, learning and following the methods used to train Dutch coaches and players seems the logical choice. The Dutch system has consistently produced quality players at all positions for decades. This same system also produces many coaches coaching other countries national teams. I can think of no other country with so many head coaches coaching at the national team level other than the Brasilians.
What the US desperately needs is better coaching at the little-little age levels, and let it work it's way up. This will take at least one generation. And that, is the greatest challenge.
Often parents of youth players don't understand that development is not always winning or the club that charges the most. Nor is it always the club that produces the most ODP players either. Remember, ODP is where we draw our “spectacular” national sides from.
We need those who can recognize the differences between adequate, good, better and best coaching. We do not have that.
The only way I can see to solve this dilemma is to hire several someone(s) at the national/state/local level from the Netherlands, Brasil, Mexico or Argentina to really implement training which is known to work in those respected countries.
Whereas the current result is a system that appoints coaches based on more of a good old boys network.
Its not where you came from, it is what you can do that makes the coach.
LEAGUE LOONEYNESS!"League News!"First we will look at the "highlighted" games that happened this past weekend:
PASTLets see how Dragon did with his GOTW picks in week #4!
U11Crossfire Dev vs
Eagles Blue Dev -
Dragon says - Eagles 2-1Score was 2-0 Eagles! :mrgreen:
U12Das Uberteam vs
Crossfire T. -
Dragon says - Crossfire 2-1Score was 3-1 Crossfire :mrgreen:
U13NWN Red vs
Reign Purple -
Dragon say - NWN 1-0Score was 3-2 Reign :oops: U14Timbers Red vs
Crossfire S. -
Dragon say - Crossfire 2-0Score was 2-0 Crossfire! Dead On!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Dragon 3-1 this past week...Good showing!! :lol:
For all other game scores go to our new
STANDINGS AREA. For recaps though, you know what to do....please look to our Recap thread for week #4:
http://washingtonpremiersoccer.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6453and as always, If there is not enough blah blah blah there for you, then you only have
yourselfs to blame :lol:
FUTUREU11Looking at the Boys PDL A...
Sno-Ho United vs
NWN Red - Its the 3rd place team vs the 4th place team. As its been said these two have yet to face this year! NWN's have giving up too many goals so far in D's mind (20), to overcome the powerful attack of Sno-Ho who are on fire with 28 goals for!
Dragon say - Sno-Ho 3-1U12Looking at the boys PDL C...
Crossfire H. vs
Sun City Stikers - We have our very own Lord of the forum's team vs the little studs from across the pass! SS is on fire with 37 goals this year, but the little studs from Crossfire have yet to concide a goal! In what will surely be a battle to remember!!!
Dragon says - Crossfire 1-0U13On girls U13 Gold Oregon...
Timbers Red vs
Bend Storm - The rematch of all rematchs! The DOD's are in 1st and the Timbers want it back! Will the Mighty Timbers be able to get revenge? Will the Bend gals be able to hold on to the crown?
Dragon say - Timbers 1-0U14Looking at PDL B...
EFC White vs
Spokane Shadow - To be honest with you D knows nothing about these two teams...but as an old friend pointed out, we just cannot focus on the "A" divisions all the time. So D gonna hope both teams play great and gonna go with the gut!
Dragon say - EFC 1-0That's it for now. Will do 4 more
"highlighted gotw" next issue :mrgreen:
WPS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK!!!
U11NOT ONE SINGLE PLAYER!This really hurts D's heart...U11 is the time to encourage and praise our little ones...come on people :oops:
U12NOT ONE SINGLE PLAYER!Same with U12's...if you all wish, we can stop doing these awards...just write to the editor and let me know if you feel these are no longer warrented
U13Hats off to the U13's!!! Had SO MANY nominations that D had to send them off to special judge for voting!
#8 EMILY & #12 ANNA - EASTSIDE WHITE!For only the 2nd time we give 2 players on the same team this award. Emily turned the Heart into overdrive scoring 2 goals, while Anna brought the fire to shut down the other team! Congrats to both these young super stars! Dragon very proud of you both! :mrgreen:
*honorable mention to Spud who played up from the "C" team on Crossfire Amy for getting their first goal, and to Lil' Apple Core for playing "out of her mind"! :mrgreen:
U14*actually had several nominations this week at U14...Great job!!!!
#15 TAYLER - WPFC WHITE!!!Very Awesome to see U14's getting nominations again! We had several, and this young superstar stood out as she played with the Black team this weekend. Even though they lost big to Dos. Several of the parents noted how she stood out as playing with Heart & Fire the whole game til the last whistle! Great job young lady, Dragon very proud of you! :mrgreen:
Thats it for this week, keep those nominations coming in next week!! :mrgreen:
CRAZY PARENT WATCH:"Shout out to da newbies"A few new posters this week that Dragon noticed! As always lets give a shout out to all the new ones that have taken the time to post at least one post since joining recently:
This week Dragon would like to point out!
Cougman
ScreamnG
Let's Pick 'em
CWsoccer
Whatever...
D signer$520
As always it is great to see so many new members here on the Pulse of Washington soccer! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
"A view from the Mini-Van"
Time to let them grow up?
When is it time for parents to pull away? As the girls/boys grow up, its more important for players to develop a relationship with their coach where they are the ones to communicate missing practices, illnesses, problems with the team, etc. instead of their parents...it shows growth and development for the girls/boys to have to take some responsibility for those things. It also eliminates the parent influence on the team/atmosphere.
When I watch parents go "talk" to the coaches at U13 and above, I wonder what the real motive is!!! #1- Don't ruin it for your kid, #2, let them own what happens on the field!!!!!
"WPS Paparazzi"Our Staff Paparazzi took a vacation this week. He will return next week with more great pictures! :mrgreen:
"...Out on the Pitch"Please submit pictures for the newsletter to the Pulse email
The Pulse's "guest editor" will never live down the day he took this flop....is that butt crack?! :lol: :lol: **Please continue to send pix's to the Pulse newsroom! Anything soccer related is welcome!** :mrgreen:
"Help! Is there a Doctor in the house?"*Send all medical questions for "the doctor" to the Pulse email address*Question for the Doc: "Why do so many young girls these days seem to have problems with their achilles and arches? What can we do to help kids with this problem? Also, could wearing sandals/flip flops have anything to do with this?"Dear Flip Flop,
Good :?: .
Many young women are hyperlax in their joints most notably their shoulders and feet. Laxity leads to structural changes under load (ie, running) so many young ladies playing sports have a tendency to hyperpronate, ie, their arches start to sag and they develop a fatfoot type deformity. Flip flops give ZERO support so if the tendency is there, pain in the arches will be accentuated (including barefoot walking) because the arch is collapsing .
Achilles problems occur because of the excess stress placed on them when the arch sags. So the two sometimes occur in combo.
Moral of the story: if your DD is flatfooted , make sure she has a rigid boot when she plays.Vapors while all the rage should NOT be the boot of choice for your young striker. If they insist, then get a good orthotic, custom made if pain is a chronic issue.
If Achilles problems occur without arch troubles, then a small 1/4 inch VISCO heel pad obtainable at sporting good stores can be placed in the boot.
Stay healthy,
The Doc
GIRLS U13 NORTH-CALIFORNIA REPORTS!!!
Hi everyone in Washington, The ChiliPeppers played in the Almaden Champions Cup this weeend and came home with the Gold! 
In our first match we played East Diablo shutting them out 7-0 our goals were scored by Lauren #9 and Sloan #5 each had 2 while Sam #21, Leslie #11 and Zarete #15 each had one. Unfourtunately we lost Sarah # 10 to a badly sprained ankle. In our second game we played a very fiesty ACC Mavericks team we won 2-0 on 2nd half goals by Marrissa #13 and Zarette #15. In our sunday morning match we played the Los Gatos Thundercats who scored 30 seconds into the game shocking the Peppers but the final would find it 4-1 Peppers, on goals by Sloan #5, Gabby #20, Zarette #15 and Kaylyn #3. Los Gatos by scoring the goal against us earned a narrow 1 pt Margin over the ACC Mavericks to face us again in the Championship match. The Peppers came out strong taking a 3-0 lead at the half and cruising th 2nd half with zereo subs for a 4-0 Championship sealing Victory. the goals were scored by Zarette #15, Gabby #20, and Kaylyn #3 added 2 more. The Goalie duo of Leslie and Lauren were outstanding as were our back 4 of Sarina, Sloan, Brittany and Hannah who finally returned from her broken arm suffered before we went to regionals. The midfield of Zarette, Celeste, Marrissa and Sam controlled the tempo of the games.
Two side notes our regular goalie Maddie gets her cast off on Tues. and can begin practicing next week. The other is Janessa #17 will be eligible to play this week, Janessa is an outstanding midfielder from our league rival OV Storm. Janessa decided to join her two old teammates Colby and Sam and make the Peppers even that more dangerous with her wicked left footed shot and her excellent vision from the midfield. Until next week!!!!
GREAT JOB Peppers!!! We are all proud of you bringing home the gold bling bling! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
OTHER NEWS AND GOSSIP AND TIDBITS:"COACHS CORNER!"This weeks topic for the coach is
"Line Up Changes"
This week was kind of boring for me. No on submitted any questions, how sad. O wells life goes on, instead I’ll pick a quick topic. Line up’s and line up changes. I wonder why I’m picking this topic. Maybe because its my turn to make a few topics on Ryan’s decision with the US national team.
As a coach he screwed up and screwed up badly. You do not bench your starting goal keeper for a player that hasn’t played in 3 months. That’s just not wise. The only way he could have done this and avoided disrupting the team as much is before the world cup even starts sit down with the entire team and say this
“If we end up playing against brazil I will be starting scurry because of her history against brazil and her quickness”. If he would have done this then at least they would already know its going to happen and then its not a last minute surprise. Once again it comes down to communication, or lack there of.
On the other side Hope Solo was definitely wrong with her decision to address the public. You never want to make comments while you are emotional as a coach or a player. When it comes to what she said I don’t really mind what she said about her coach but she screwed up when she brought scurry into it. It wasn’t scurry’s fault that her coach threw her under the bus.
Fact is two bad decisions both by a coach and a player. Now how does this relate to youth sports? Well it really doesn’t but we can all learn a few lessons. Coaches: communicate whenever you can. The more the better and it will help your team from being upset by last minute changes. Parents and Players: If your upset about something take a day or two to cool down before approaching the coach or anyone else about it. You will almost always say something you may regret later if you don’t cool down. Then you will force the coach to perhaps do something he does not want to after your blow up. Remember lets teach our kids some good life lessons, that’s what this is all about.
"VIEW FROM BEHIND THE WHISTLE"Myths of the Game and other Nonsense
Over the next few weeks in Dragon's newsletter, I’d like to help clear up some common myths in soccer. My intent is to help increase an understanding of the game and the basis of some referee decisions.
Law 7
Periods of Play
The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two participating teams. Any agreement to alter the periods of play (for example to reduce each half to 40 minutes because of insufficient light) must be made before the start of play and must comply with competition rules.
Allowance for Time Lost
Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:
• substitution(s)
• assessment of injury to players
• removal of injured players from the fi eld of play for treatment
• wasting time
• any other cause
The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee.
2007-2008 ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREES
Additional Time Allowance for Time Lost
Many stoppages in play are entirely natural (e.g. throw-ins, goal kicks). An allowance is to be made only when these delays are excessive.
The fourth official indicates the minimum additional time decided by the referee at the end of the final minute of each period of play.
The announcement of the additional time does not indicate the exact amount of time left in the match. The time may be increased if the referee considers it appropriate but never reduced.
The referee shall not compensate for a timekeeping error during the first half by increasing or reducing the length of the second half.
Time belongs to the players and the LOTG empowers the referee as timekeeper to ensure the players get their full time. In youth matches I’m sometimes disappointed with officials who blow for full-time at exactly 30:00 of a 30 minute half. I have yet to witness a match that did not have some lost time that could be added.
The time belongs to the players - not the referee or coaches. The only reason not to add lost time is if the players don’t want the time. This could happen in a blowout game or any game where the players are signaling to the referee they want the half or game to end.
The USSF ATR has additional explanations on proper procedures for timekeeping errors. In a nut shell, if the referee blows too early, he calls the players back onto the field to finish the time (as long as the next half hasn't begun). If time goes too long (and the referee believes he's made an error), the error is noted in the match report.
"Dear Eggy"Dear Eggy
My DD was able to play more in the past 3 games than she has all the games before. Do you think this is because she has improved or because I talked to the Coach?
Signed,
Mama Mouth Dear Mama Mouth,
I can't really say the the increase in your DD's playing time is directly related to your speaking with the coach. It might be. Let me caution you that your continued conversations with the coach just might result in your DD getting reduced playing time.
Hopefully, the increase in time was from your DD's skills improving. As a former coach (not soccer) I was always willing to talk to parents that had concerns about playing time. Just becareful about your "opinion" of your DD's skills and remember you hired the coach for his/her evaluation of those skills.
Dear Eggy,
my mother is a teacher with a masters degree. my dad is a truck driver with out degree. why does my dad make more money? why are teachers so underpaid?
Signed
Confused Dear Confused,
The world doesn't always make sense. Just look at your own team. Do you think all of those starters are really that much better then the bench players? probably not, but they get loads more playing time,so remember young DD "Sometimes life gives you lemons, So go make lemonaide.
Just be thankful that your mother chose to be an educator, she gets June, July, August, Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring break off so that she can drive you to games and tournaments.
"My 2 cents worth...The Posters Voice!" This week we lets the "posters voice" tell their story with pictures! :mrgreen:
The WWC team takes the field as chants of "WPS, WPS, WPS" fills the air!!! :mrgreen: 
....Coach Ralph....eat your heart out :twisted:
...ball $39.99....childrens plane ticket $375.00....juggling on the great wall of China!!!!....Priceless THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO MMMMMMMMMMMMMM?"Dragon Coachs Interviews!"**this week we gave you two interviews for the price of one. The regular Coachs interviews will return next week** :mrgreen:
Guest Editor's, EDITORIAL:
Club Pass thoughts
So, I think these last couple of weeks have shown us all how controvesial the "Club Pass" is. The WSYSA took quite a bit of grief for not moving and implementing the pass. So lets take a quick look at some of the feed back.
Firstly, and predictably, are the accusations of pass abuse to help teams win games they may not have otherwise won (or tied). There is no doubt this has happened in a few games, I have seen it personally. The PDL has stated there may be movement on a promation/relegation basis. You have already read my thoughts on the compatibility of the pass and this system so we wont go there again.
I have also heard how players using the pass have caused some players to have less playing time. That coaches are using the pass as a "high pressure" motivational tactic to make players improve "or else".
I, myself, have stated how mis-use of the pass could cause one (unworthy) group of kids to be promoted while another (more wothy) group does not.
You know what I haven't heard? I haven't heard any of this from the kids themselves, only from the CP's. All I've heard from the kids is how nice it is to get to know better a friend that shares their passion for the game. How pass players have helped them in a bind. etc.
I still have some concerns about "the pass", but from what I've seen so far it is well worth thr experiment. The kids seem to like it... and thats what this is all about ... right?
Thank you guest Editor! That was fun, we hope to do that again in the future!
Thats it for this weeks Issue of the Pulse, hope you enjoy it...and as always never forget to...
Play with Heart & Fire, Heart & Fire Always!
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Topic: THE PULSE - #13 (Read 524 times)