chelseafc1975

Agreed, base. Stamford, take nothing away from Hixson. They played well. And if you are an Ooltewah player, stop posting junk on here. If you have any questions about that, talk to me after practice and we can clear up any misunderstanding.

We had a match scheduled against PJPII (it had been scheduled since October) and it was cancelled less than 12 hours before kick-off. We were upset. Not the first time something like this has happened. In the past, I have thought match contracts were going a bit too far and chose to never use them. Curious how many coaches might be using them now (contract sent to visiting coach that is signed and returned...a fee is charged the school if the match is cancelled). Thanks all.

Ezion - Did you play D1 or NAIA? You speak as though you have some experience there, but IMO your assessment of D1 vs NAIA is quite a generalization (While I too think it funny when others hang there hat on going D1 because there are some horrible D1 schools out there, there are some horrible NAIA schools out there, as well). Just curious.

Simply cannot wait until the start of this match. Good luck to both teams.

I was at the match and have not dog in the hunt, and I will say this: The call was a bad call. 1) The Baylor player was, indeed, outside the box. 2) Her arms were straight down - the ball hit her arm as her arm was extended straight down and at her waist. The ball was hit hard enough that she did not have time to react and bring her arm up. It was a bad call, period. How disappointing that an official who is supposed to be invisible (in terms of having a direct effect on the outcome of the match) ends up playing such a pivotal role in the outcome of the match. The PK changed the whole complexion of the match - a fellow colleague (seating at the match with me) and I were commenting about how surprised we were with how much Baylor was controlling and dictating play for the entire match. Aside from a little second half spurt at the very beginning of the half (to be expected), Baylor was in control of the match and only after the PK did it become a match that went back and forth. The save from the BGA keeper was phenomenal, though. I would love to see it again.

No problem. Enjoy the soccer.

Market Street Bridge is now open. Just in case you don't know, get off 27 at the fourth street exit and turn left onto Market Street. After crossing the bridge turn right at your first light (Frazier Avenue). Turn right at your second light (?) which takes you down towards the river. Take your first left at the bottom of the small hill and go straight for two hundred yards. As this road goes under veterans bridge it veers to the right BUT do not go right. Instead, stay straight through the gate. Soccer field is straight ahead and tennis courts will be on your right.

Excellent points. And I do agree with your assessment of officials sometimes allowing too much physical play in high school soccer. I do not know, though, if those are the same officials who have played at a high level (I just have not paid attention to who is allowing more physical play and who is not this year.). And I understand your thoughts on taking coaches statements/requests with a grain of salt. And I agree with your assessment of what is important. I stress to my teams that it is about how we win or lose that is most important. And I strive to carry myself in the same manner. And that is why I hope that when I do make a comment to an official it is listened to. I am not one who whines, complains, or yells at officials (a mentor of mine long ago told me to think if yelling at you guys/gals will change anything about the currrent situation 20 seconds later, when I am done yelling...I have taken that to heart). Those coaches are out there and they are as annoying to me as they are to the official, I imagine. So, if I would like to think that if I am making note of something and feel it's necessary to bring it to their attention, they will take it seriously because of my own track record in how I carry myself around them and interact with them. I have found that to be true thus far. And I am grateful.

No kidding - take it easy Stamford. I am hopeful that Soddy can represent our area well and have a good showing against Collierville. Some people believed (and hoped) there would be some other team from the area at state (but try telling Soddy that) but Soddy did what was needed. Good job of coaching and good job of performing on the field at the right times. Congratulations to all the teams that made it to state...I really believed this was our year but it was not meant to be, unlucky at the wrong times, I guess. Good luck to all.

Not exactly the apples and oranges I am referring to but you make your point. It is pretty clear you have an unfavorable view of fans' opinions/perspectives and their "take on the game", and I understand why - I have heard some of what you must put up with. Please know I do not condone it and tell our parents to keep it to themselves (if for no other reason because it hurts us in the long run - officials are human too and the more one group rides them the less likely they can be to give us a call). But let's be careful about typing in sweeping generalizations as it sounds like you are equating a coaches perspective with that of a fan and player. I would like to think that I know a little more about the game than the average (or even above average) fan/player. And if there is a good coach (playing and coaching experience in their background) and a good official (same criteria), I find that their perspectives differ very little. Not trying to be argumentative but wouldn't an official want to know if they made a mistake to better their judgement on the field. If video helps here, so be it. One last general thought: I would like to see more officials who have experience playing the game at a high level in the past - over the years I have had little/no issues with these officials. having played the game gives them a great perspective. Just my opinion there...

Good points all around. Two things that are clearly hindering our conversation: 1) we are talking about two entirely different situations (sounds like we are comparing apples and oranges) and 2) I get no personal satisfaction from sending in film (the match is over and nothing can or should come from it being sent in) but our head official disagrees that the film isn't "really the type of play that would make for good training" since he is the one who requested a copy to be made and given to him after viewing it. If he did not make the request, I would not waste my time burning the dvd for him.

Your last paragraph leads me to believe that I have offended you...if so, apologies. I am crucifying no one, not even the AR who missed our foul. I was simply stating that taping matches has an added bonus in that it can be used later on for teaching purposes. I was pleased that our head official asked for the tape to use in the future. I agree with you for the most part. My only point of contention that is a little frustrating is that the AR did make the call, calling for the center to stop the match. And she had a better angle than the camera. I completely agree that it is very difficult to make a split second decision and that it is certainly a different story when you are the losing coach looking at the foul in slow motion over and over and over (get my drift) on film after the match. I will say though, that the AR did see the foul because she did call for play to stop and she did have a conversation with the center. Because of this and seeing the foul for myself, it is hard for me to believe she could see this as anything but a red, but I digress... On another note, having never been an official myself I do not know the answer to this, but as a coach I have always hoped that AR's would see their jobs has more than just helping to spot offsides. My complaint with some AR's through the season is that they do not make calls, they just run the line and designate whose throw it is. I have always wanted more from the AR's (to the point that I have asked in the pre-match meeting if AR's will be making calls or not). Again, I APPRECIATE you guys and gals that do this, period. Obviously, as a coach I am going to have a bias in certain circumstances. And obviously, as an official, you are always going to have someone upset with you. I am sure you have learned to deal with that or you would have stopped officiating a long time ago.

Tape your matches. The assigner for our area has asked for a tape from our match because of a similar situation. Our camera had a great angle on a red card offense that the AR passed off as a yellow. Coaches did not see how egregious the foul was from our angle, but after watching the film, we were frustrated. Obviously the match is over and we lost. After seeing the offense, though, a call to our assigner was warranted. He asked for the film, and I am happy to provide the tape to help with educating officials (as an aside, our center is one of the best in the area and did not have the angle to make the call - he was completely at the mercy of the AR, who was reluctant to make any kind of call for the entire evening). I do appreciate all of our officials. Some are great. Some are...not so great. But all of you are underpaid. I am just hopeful that all officials will view their "careers" as a journey (still much to learn) and not as a destination. Having that mentality has certainly helped me as a coach. Looking forward to watching some good soccer this week, and good officiating

Ooltewah went a few years ago...three or four years ago, I believe. I thought this was the year the Lady Owls would go back, but it was not to be. Congratulations to Soddy Daisy. Good luck in state.

Agreed, G. I would never have guessed that mj had never played in high school. While I have only started posting this year, I have checked in on this site for quite some time. MJ does a great job. Thanks, MJ, by the way. I do not know if you are thanked enough - at the very least, you give us all something to post and talk about, but I, for one, while not always agreeing with your picks, find that you do have your finger on the pulse of TN high school soccer. You have done a great job this season...keep up the good work. Stamford, take a couple of deep breaths and relax. There is only one team that ends their season on a winning note. I do not think that this site is the best of places for therapeutic venting. Teams play when they have to play, and they play the hands they are dealt. Sure, some teams have injuries to deal with. Sure, some teams have an easier road to sub-state. But, at the end of the day, the fact remains...only one team (in each classification that is) ends their season on a winning note. Good luck to all in sub-state and state tournament. I really wish we could have found a way to be there with you. It just wasn't meant to be this year for us.