MD4Sports

Interesting topic for conversation, but there are plenty of pitfalls no matter what you choose. I think NFHS rules are reasonable. Two tens no matter what, then two fives golden goal then pks. The game has to end at some point and after 110 minutes, most teams are gassed, especially with the intensity of the state tournament. Are pks better than fatigued players running (walking) around till someone gives up a goal? That's up for debate. I also think the better team can find a way to score even if the opponent "packs it in." Most coaches do place some emphasis on pks, realizing that a critical game may come down to just that scenario. While there is some luck with pks, I think they even out in the long run. CBHS may have lost four straight state finals, but I recall they also won four straight state finals in the past. I think this debate will continue for a while.

They are plenty of ways around the TSSAA "dead periods." All that means is that you can't be on campus or have contact with your coach. You can work out off campus and with other players and many facilities offer dead period training! Just ask the American football coaches (and families.)

Just saw here on Coacht that the Fling is coming to Murfreesboro for one more year before they accept bids again next year. Chattanooga is going to bid. Doubt Memphis will since they lost money on their three year run. And I'm sure Murfreesboro will want it to stay there.

Maybe there is a water restriction in the area that limits how much they can irrigate. The stadium field just seemed really parched. Anyway, is Spring Fling committed to Murfreesboro for next year or for multiple years? I read on here that it was coming back, but I haven't seen anything official.

Having recently returned from attending the State tournament for the fourth year in a row, the stadium field and the side fields seemed to be in the worst shape of the three years it has been held there. The stadium field in particular had multiple dead spots and it was completely dried out. The bermuda was in fair shape at best. Certainly they have an adequate irrigation system, but I was surprised the field was so parched. The other fields had multiple sod patch jobs throughout also. Four years ago at the Mike Rose complex, the side fields were in average shape, but the stadium field was pristine. It was disappointing to see the fields in these conditions for the state tournament. I'd be interested to know what the players thought, especially those who have been to state the last few years.

Unfortunately they have not consulted me on his injury.

Player must sit out the rest of the game but team may sub for him and do not have to play short.

A previous post states that game is being played today at 2:30.

I don't think we want to get into that situation. We had quite a discussion on this board after that game last year as many of us thought the call was incorrect. The mouth and gestures were quite profane ( I attended that game); it didn't look like delaying the restart was his offense!!

oknative, Don't forget there are two situations which can warrant a soft red: the second yellow is one, but the other is excessive celebration. A player can be shown the yellow red for excessive celebration without a previous yellow card. As a high school and USSF ref, I wish NFHS would just do away with the soft red. I think they are headed that way as taunting also used to be a soft red and that was changed to a straight red. The fewer different rules the better in my opinion as it engenders confusion. On the other hand, there are a few NFHS rules I like better than USSF like the required sub for a yellow card and an indirect free kick for the team in possession if you stop for injury, etc., instead of a drop ball. Despite my wishes, I suspect there will always be some differences in the rules so we'll just have to deal with it. /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Suspension rules are set by each individual state, not NFHS. TSSAA will contact the school after a straight red to confirm the two game suspension. There is no suspension for a soft red. That must have been solely a coach or school decision, not TSSAA. That straight red call on an attacker puzzles me unless he just clubbed the defender or did something violent. Dangerous play itself doesn't even warrant a yellow, just an indirect free kick for the opponent. Must be more to that story I would think.

Please post game times and locations for sectional matches on Saturday.

Don't forget the clock is stopped for penalty kicks also. There is no such thing as "stoppage time" in high school soccer. You stop the clock for the above reasons and when time is out, the game is over, no advantage, no waiting to see if the attacking team scores, no allowing a corner, etc.. If you're lucky enough to get to state, the game clock is official. When it buzzes at zero, game over, no matter what else is going on.

I was at the game and am a high school and USSF referee. The previous yellow has no bearing since he received the straight or hard red for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity. This was a text book example. There are only two situations in which you can receive a soft red- a second yellow or excessive celebration, that's it. You are sent off for a soft red but your team can sub for you and you do not miss any additional games. The hard red gets you sent off, your team plays a man down and you sit for two additional games. Others have complained Maryville should have been awarded a PK. This is completely wrong. A referee cannot award a PK when the foul does not occur in the penalty area and this one clearly was outside the penalty area. I was looking right at it, and I'm sure the video would confirm that. You cannot award a PK just because it was a bad foul or the player had a chance to score, etc. The foul must occur in the penalty area to result in a PK, period. By the way, the center ref in this game is probably the best ref in our area if not in the state in my opinion. He called the foul and showed the red immediately and the restart was spot on just outside the penalty area. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Why does TSSAA play girls state tournament games on school fields? The boys play at a neutral facility such as Memphis and Murfreesboro. CAK had to play CCS on the CCS home field at 11:30 am on a Wednesday. The entire CCS school was let out to watch the match. What a home field advantage! This should not be the case. What kind of reward is it to make the tournament, then have to travel and play a team on their home field in the middle of a workday making it difficult for your fans to attend while their entire school is let out to attend?

TSSAA just ruled that soccer ejections will now result in a 2 game suspension instead of 1. I do not know if the soft red situation changed which previously resulted in no suspension. Also no games can be added during the season to offset the suspension. This is a big change. What do you CoachTers think about it?

I don't have my rule books accessible, but I believe proper procedure is to beckon the player to you, then hold the card directly over your head so there is no question which player is receiving the card. I think you're asking for trouble if you don't clearly identify who is receiving the card as I have seen situations where what you describe has been done and arguments ensue, the wrong player is recorded and subs, etc. I also don't think it is an ego or respect issue; it certainly isn't for me, I just consider it proper procedure. If I can find anything in the rules or procedures addressing this I will post it in the next couple days. By the way, TSSAA just ruled that soccer ejections will now result in missing the next 2 games instead of 1. I didn't see if they addressed the soft red situation which previously has resulted in no suspension. I'm sure they will address this in the rules meeting in August.

I would never ask anyone to bash another referee. I simply want someone from NFHS or TSSAA, to explain the red/yellow given for taunting. The only two red/yellow situations in high school are for a second yellow in the same match or for excessive celebration. This clearly was neither of those. I assume that the powers that be consider the center referee in the AAA state championship game to be either the best or one of the best referees in state or he should not be given that assignment. So why can't we simply question a call with serious ramifications made in the biggest high school game of the year? My contention is that this was an incorrect call since taunting was made a straight red two seasons ago, and there is no question this episode fit the definition of taunting. I also think TSSAA should review this at the next set of rules meetings in August. Everyone makes mistakes; I wish that these mistakes would be acknowledged so that we may learn from them instead of ignoring them as we usually do.

Did you see the Bearden-Farragut state final?

Let's put the whole play on youtube. Everyone knows the red/yellow wasn't for the foul. /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

Yes, I attended the game. Anyway you slice it or dice it this should have been a straight red and no substitute allowed. Check the high school rulebook page 55, Rule 12, section 8, article 3b. "A player, coach, or bench personnel shall be disqualified (red card) for: Taunting- use of word or act to incite or degrade an opposing player, coach, referee or other individual." I don't think there is any question what was done qualifies under this definition; actually there was use of word AND act. Look, this was probably the best high school game I've ever seen with incredibly talented players on both sides. My point is that this was an incorrect call by a center ref in a state championship game due to either misapplication of or lack of knowledge of the rules. This ref also centered the A/AA final last year. I hope that TSSAA uses this situation to improve referee education and that this ref's local association also addresses it in their meetings. This is a basic application of the rules and not a judgement call; therefore this kind of error should not be ignored by TSSAA and their assigning officials. By the way, if anyone has a tape/dvd of this game or knows where to get one, please post it. Thanks.

He would have been right three seasons ago. This rule was changed two seasons ago, but I guess he was confused or forgot. Again, how disappointing in a State Final. I'm sure he didn't write it up as taunting since that would have confirmed his error to the state so he had to write the report differently to justify it. /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" />

I have no dog in this fight, but I did attend this superb game. There is some obvious confusion about the rules and a particular incorrect call in this game. There is no such thing as a red/yellow or double yellow for taunting. The only red/yellow situations are for a second yellow card in the same match or excessive celebration. This makes a huge difference since you can sub for a red/yellow but must play a man down for a straight red. Taunting was made a straight red for last season. Since even the player that committed the act referred to it as taunting, I don't think there is any question that it was taunting. Would playing a man down the last six minutes have made a difference in this game? Who knows, but that is what should have happened. It is extremely disappointing that incorrect calls like this are made in the State Championship game. This is basic knowledge of the high school rules, and I hope that TSSAA and the center referee's local referee association reviews this situation with the center referee and the entire referee crew. There is no excuse for lack of knowledge of the high school rules especially when you are selected for the state tournament.

No question about this. If you were at the AAA final today and saw that shot, you would agree, not to mention it was the winning goal in the state championship with 2 minutes to play. /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

I'll be there each day making sure the referees make the right calls. /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />