kickgrass

I've always heard it described as "If the ball hits the hand" it's not an infraction; "If the hand hits the ball" it is an infraction. Does that summation still not hold true. I also had been told that girls were given more leeway when arms are across their chest as protection. While I understand that is not a written rule, is it something that tends to be allowed?

I believe that signature is a quote from Anson Doran in talking about Mia Hamm.

Brentwood High - 1 JP II - 1

Yes I think we should do away with slide tackles because too many don't know how to tackle properly or they are too mean. Then let's establish a rule that the keeper can not come out past the 6 yard box and attackers can't go in that box, because I've seen a lot of players injured because of an attacker and keeper both being aggressive players and getting to the ball simultaneously, the keeper going to the ground with good technique and someone gets hurt. Then let's set a too big size limit because those big girls are too rough on the smaller ones. Better yet let's just completely change the game and allow no contact at all and let them play in prom gowns. Or the game could remain as it is and we require that High School coaches have a license (which means that at least they have some training) so they can properly train technique in tackling to keep both themselves and the other player from getting hurt, how to go up into the air properly for balls, proper technique for keepers to protect themselves, how players can protect themselves, keep their bodies under control. I've seen more players injured by sticking a leg out at the ball as a player goes past than by slide tackles (that is poor training). Then last but everyone's favorite, have a system that evaluates referees and holds them accountable, helps them correct deficencies (which doesn't mean yelling at them, fineing them and that type of thing), but actually go over the mistakes or interpretations with them as a means of improvement. We have to have faith in and trust the beautiful game that it is and the referees. Whew I'll get down off this soapbox now, getting tired up here.

Brentwood High -0 Ravenwood - 0

Changing the rules of the game to avoid potential injury from "lesser skilled players" or players that are poorly trained or coached is not the answer. Referees must call the fouls as the rules require. The referees do have more discretion in soccer than most to interpret the intent of a play, or the dangerous nature of an action. Dangerous play should be called and the punishment should be decisive. Red cards or repeated yellow cards will get a players attention. In many cases these "hard" fouls or dirty play whatever it is called comes repeatedly from the same players. Do bookings carry cumulative points by the TSSAA? In other words does the TSSAA keep up with yellow and red cards by players, so that after repeated bookings the players receive increasingly longer suspensions up to and including the remainder of the season. All other civililized leagues do this, even the TSSA (club soccer). However, TSSA does a horrible job of keeping up with the violations. But, as bad as it is for players to play: too hard, out of control, dirty, whatever you choose to call it, for a coach to instruct players to attempt to hurt another or encourage that type of behavior is absolutely unacceptable. Sir, you should be ashamed and I most certainly would not admit to telling my players to jump on another, if someone does get hurt you may find yourself on the short end of a serious lawsuit. I have also heard a coach who was also the Dad of the Goalkeeper yell and instruct her to take physical action against the strikers of the other team, that he felt was coming in too hard or getting too close, then cheer her on as she extended elbows at the heads of strikers running past her. IMO these people have no business coaching, if they can not set a better example of proper sportsmanship and ethics. My heart goes out to the players and the families of players that are injured and certainly hope they recover quickly.

Well said Big G. I am a big proponent of club soccer, yet I like the way that it is currently set-up. The kids have a chance to do both. There is something special about the kids being able to suit up and play for their school in front of their peers. If both club and school were allowed in the same season you would see kids leaving school practice and going straight to club practice. Playing school games during the week and club games/tournaments on weekends. The result would be 2 things: a dramatic increase in overuse injuries, and more kids getting burned out and quitting 1 team or the other or both. At the same time I'm also against the TSSAA being able to legislate what and when kids can do things on theri own time.

Brentwood High School - 6 Gallatin - 1

This was an excellent idea that I understand was the Franklin Coach's. The final standings and results (based upon a 3 point system: win=3 points; tie = 1 point; loss = 0 points) Brentwood High = 10 points : 3-0-1 BGA = 6 points: 1-0-3 Ravenwood = 6 points: 1-0-3 Franklin = 5 points: 1-1-2 Father Ryan = 5 points: 1-1-2 Harpeth Hall = 5 points: 1-1-2 Hendersonville = 2 points: 0-2-2 FRA = 1 point: 0-3-1 I think I have all the results correct, but I'm sure someone will set the record staright if I don't.

Brentwood - 1 BGA - 1 Well played game by both squads. Numerous momentum shifts while teams took turns controlling the ball. Jessica Smith the BGA goalkeeper was outstanding and put on a clinic.

Having seen the play: the call against Shannon Box was one of the worst ever. The call was away from the ball and the Brazilian ran right up Shannon Box's back. Shannon had her back to her running. After the player ran up her back they both went to the ground and the ref pulled the 2nd yellow, which was in stoppage time of the 1st half. By all rights the USA should have gotten the call and the free kick. Having said all of that it is a perfect illustration of why to tell kids that even though you get 2 yellows in a game, don't give up a cheap one. Cause you never know when you might get a bad call and end up sent off hurting your team. Not to forget either the score was 2-0 at that time. Brazil dominated the game. The first goal was an own goal with a horrible decision from the USA defender to try and dive at a low (18-24" off the ground) corner kick facing her own goal and try to head it out. Scurrey could do nothing. Matter of fact she was standing behind the defender and would likely have easily caught it. 2nd Goal she may should have had, but it was on the ground into the lower corner of the net, not easy. I left for work at the half so no comment on the 2nd.

Harpeth Hall 2 Hendersonville 0 Ravenwood 0 BGA 0

I think it should be required equipment for all players and I feel very strongly about it. Think about it for a minute: they require shinguards to protect legs and a leg injury while very painful is not life threatening and normally will heal in less than a year. A head injury may last a lifetime and ruin that players quality of living or even be fatal. I've seen 2 head injuries in the past 2 seasons that ended those girls soccer career. It's very unfortunate and scary. The current headgear is not perfect and detractors will say that it doesn't provide full protection, but studies have shown that it does help. The older players strongly object to the idea and my daughter goes ballistic at the mention of it. The only way that this can happen is for the USYSA/TSSAA/TSSA to make it required equipment and if the kids start wearing them from the time they start playing and everyone is wearing them, it's just another piece of equipment and will not be a big deal. But, if you ask kids to wear them when everyone else isn't, then you have to fight the dork factor. Governing body of sports need to step up. Maybe the TSSAA instead of trying to restrict the number of club players per team or the amount of time they can practice, should actually look at something that can make the game safer for the participants and not change the quality of play.

Brentwood had 2 starters sitting on the bench with injuries/illness also.

I agree Cougette. Brentwood and everyone else in the District will have lots of competition at the end and during the remainder of the regular season. That (as Laban said) is what makes this District fun and serves to prepare the teams for the post season. Yup, Santa will bring some teams Big Wheels and some switches and ashes. But, you gotta be good girls to get Big Wheels.

A link to the article about the Brentwood vs. Centennial game below. Very interesting comments from the Centennial coach at the end. I guess that explains where all of the "we dominated the game but lost 3-0" type remarks come from. After reading the comments I wonder if I saw the same game? http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl...2/1166/COUNTY09

Brentwood High School (not Brentwood Academy) also has a challenging week: Wednesday: at FRA Thursday: Harpeth Hall Saturday: at Father Ryan Sunday: BGA Should be interesting

Thanks for sharing these. There were also some other very interesting articles in the right box that I want to share with my daughter.

Prior to the season it was mentioned that 11 AAA was very tough and difficult to advance from. The results through the midpoint of the season illustrate the parity of this District. The folks that want to do the they did this against school A and School A did this to School B, so School C is the best, will get a real headache from these results: Franklin (1-0-1): Ravenwood 0-0 draw Brentwood 2-1 win Brentwood ( 2-1-0 ): Franklin 1-2 loss Independence 4-1 win Centennial 3-0 win Centennial (1-1-1): Independence 2-2 draw Ravenwood 3-1 win Brnetwood 0-3 loss Ravenwood (1-1-1): Franklin 0-0 draw Centennial 1-3 loss Independence 1-0 win Independence (0-2-1): Centennial 2-2 draw Ravenwood 0-1 loss Brentwood 1-4 loss Is there any other distrcit that has this type of parity amongst quality teams? Geez this district tournament is going to be something else, anything could happen, just as Ravenwoods run last year. 3 of these teams will be eliminated after the district tourney. It would appear that Franklin is in the drivers seaqt with the win over Brentwood, but they still have 3 district games left and who knows?

I think your logic is flawed to associate weight training with knee injuries. There is a lot of studies that have been performed on the increased number of knee injuries with girls vs boys. I've seen everything from: that they occur more often during hormonal changes during menustration (probably the birth control pill thing although I haven't seen that one), to poor training practices that result in poor muscular balance due to overbuilding the quadraceps and underbuilding the hamstrings and as was mentioned the erect posture issue. Lot's of ideas but no real answers. PROPER training is the key phrase. Girls are athletes too and they should train as athletes, it really cranks me that people do not give girls the same respect as athletes that they do boys. Girls work just as hard. If weight training is not appropriate for soccer, why does every College program (Men and Women) have mandatory weight training for their soccer players? However, they need to learn how to lift properly and establish a proper program and they should not lift till they learn this. The workout should be balanced. There are many, many people out there qualified to teach proper technigue and establish appropriate programs. There are books, videos, the internet (all the kids surely know how to use that). A lot of weight lifting injuries are caused by people that have no idea what they are doing getting in the gym and trying to lift the machine to impress or get quick results and end up injured. Getting results from weight lifting are a marathon not a sprint. Cardio is very important, agreed more than weights in soccer. But, a well balanced training program for soccer or any sport utilizes a lot of varied types of training to acheive an overall goal of proper fitness. It also helps to prevent overuse injuries.

I agree with the G man. Weight training has a place in every sport, but the workout should be geared toward that sport. Being stronger isn't a bad thing. I agree with what was said about technique being the main factor. Weight training should enhance not substitute. Soccer players are not out to build bulk, but lean muscle mass is good. Weight training for legs, quads and hamstrings helps prevent knee injury by making the muscles that support the knee area stronger. Upper body strength is also a factor in fighting off hands arms and shoulders. If your basketball coach has the players lift for the upper body on soccer game days that shouldn't be a problem (except maybe the keeper), but if they make the girls do leg work on those days shame on them.

I agree Flash. I know it won't happen and would mean too many games but, it would be nice to set it up like a club tournament. Take the 8 teams and put them into brackets of 4. Play a round robin on a 3 point system and the top 2 teams from each bracket advance to the semi-finals and play cross bracket 1 vs 2. Then winners meet in the final. Having said all of that I realize it would be a week long tournament and too much school would be missed. There is something to be said also for having to bring your A game or go home also.

Hendersonville coach suspended one of his players 3 games for getting a red card. Wonder if he'll suspend himself for 3?

Soccerfan I agree with what you say. Don't misunderstand, I think that there are some High School coaches that are very good, that's why I made the statement about the fortunate schools having them. Across the board this may not be the case. Yet, I respect what all of the High School coaches do by giving of their time in order for the girls to have a team, even if all they know how to do is roll the balls out there. The money that these coaches get paid for the time that they commit is miniscule and they are to be commended. I also very strongly agree that at the younger age groups the club kids should be learning and developing not be overly concerned about their won-loss record. When I think the winning should come into play is when they decide if they wish to commit the time and effort to play Division 1 at the U-14 age. If they decide to go that route vs. Div 2 or 3 then winning becomes very important.