Monday, July 25, 2011
Getting ready
July is coming to a close. Force soccer looms on the horizon. Mini-Camp at Ultimate is August 8-10. Regular practice begins August 15.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
America v. France
The US Women's team is just mentally tough. France dominated most of the first half and thoroughly dominated the first part of the second half with a great ball possession game. But America stayed in it. A key substitution: (rather) late in the second half Coach Pia brought in Megan Rapinoe who started winning balls at midfield and generating offensive opportunities. This move payed off.
Championship Sunday.
Championship Sunday.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Soccer coaches
American parents love to watch the foreign born coaches of their kids. With that in mind check out Bruno Bini, the coach of the French Women's team in today's semi-final against the Americans. Noon on ESPN
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Women a bit tougher than men
From today's NYTimes
The act of diving, as the fake falls are called, is crafty or cynical, artful gamesmanship or outright cheating, depending on one’s view. Although the use of the ruse was clearly evident on Sunday during the United States’ riveting World Cup quarterfinal victory over Brazil, the relative lack of this tactic in women’s soccer was captured in a study conducted at Wake Forest University. Researchers determined that women were much less likely than men to dive and fake injuries, an act also known as simulation.
The study reviewed video of 47 matches from the 2003 and 2007 Women’s World Cups and compared injury rates with men’s matches in regional tournaments. Apparent injuries were divided into two categories. They were considered “definite” if a player was replaced within five minutes or was visibly bleeding. Otherwise, the injuries were considered “questionable.”
Researchers found that an average of 11.26 apparent injuries occurred in men’s matches, compared with 5.74 in women’s matches. Those considered “definite” involved 13.7 percent of injuries for women and 7.2 percent for men.
“We can say that men writhe on the ground looking like they’re injured more than women, almost twice as often,” said Dr. Daryl Rosenbaum, the lead author of the study, which was published in the July issue of the journal Research in Sports Medicine. “And when players are apparently injured, the percentage when it was authentic by our criteria was twice as high with women. You could trust more that they were injured.”
The act of diving, as the fake falls are called, is crafty or cynical, artful gamesmanship or outright cheating, depending on one’s view. Although the use of the ruse was clearly evident on Sunday during the United States’ riveting World Cup quarterfinal victory over Brazil, the relative lack of this tactic in women’s soccer was captured in a study conducted at Wake Forest University. Researchers determined that women were much less likely than men to dive and fake injuries, an act also known as simulation.
The study reviewed video of 47 matches from the 2003 and 2007 Women’s World Cups and compared injury rates with men’s matches in regional tournaments. Apparent injuries were divided into two categories. They were considered “definite” if a player was replaced within five minutes or was visibly bleeding. Otherwise, the injuries were considered “questionable.”
Researchers found that an average of 11.26 apparent injuries occurred in men’s matches, compared with 5.74 in women’s matches. Those considered “definite” involved 13.7 percent of injuries for women and 7.2 percent for men.
“We can say that men writhe on the ground looking like they’re injured more than women, almost twice as often,” said Dr. Daryl Rosenbaum, the lead author of the study, which was published in the July issue of the journal Research in Sports Medicine. “And when players are apparently injured, the percentage when it was authentic by our criteria was twice as high with women. You could trust more that they were injured.”
Monday, July 11, 2011
US v. Brazil
Regular readers of this blog are fortunate indeed! They would have been prepared to take in yesterday's America v. Brazil contest in Women's World Cup Soccer.
The game was, in fact, one of the most exciting and engaging athletic events -- of any type -- I have ever seen. At a 6th grade softball game yesterday a few other Dads expressed the same opinion.
The US went up 1-0 early on and held the lead until a very "unlucky" set of events. Marta, the great Brazilian forward, split two US defenders and was fouled in the penalty area. This resulted in a penalty kick and a red card for the US center defender. Things looked bleak for a few minutes until Hope Solo -- everybody's favorite keeper -- dove left to make a seemingly spectacular save. Euphoria!! But within seconds things turned hopelessly bleak again as the referee negated the save saying Solo moved off her line too quickly.
The second penalty kick went in -- Solo was given a yellow for complaining -- and the US now had to play with 10 for the remaining 35. The US hung in there, playing inspired soccer.
In the overtime period, however, Marta quicky gave Brazil a 2-1 advantage with a brilliant touch in front of Solo. Remarkably enough, the US dominated overtime play as Brazil seemed gassed. Still, the US couldn't tie things up despite a seemingly endless series of corners from Megan Rapinoe.
Brazil did themselves in. With perhaps four minutes left in OT one of their players "flopped" -- feigned injury -- to stall for time. The notorious strategy failed, though, as the ref added a few extra minutes.
And with a few seconds left Rapinoe sent a brilliant cross to Abbey Wambach who leaped for a spectacular header. 2-2!
In penalty kicks the US was perfect. And Hope Solo, again, came through with the one needed save.
Sports really does not get better than this.
The game was, in fact, one of the most exciting and engaging athletic events -- of any type -- I have ever seen. At a 6th grade softball game yesterday a few other Dads expressed the same opinion.
The US went up 1-0 early on and held the lead until a very "unlucky" set of events. Marta, the great Brazilian forward, split two US defenders and was fouled in the penalty area. This resulted in a penalty kick and a red card for the US center defender. Things looked bleak for a few minutes until Hope Solo -- everybody's favorite keeper -- dove left to make a seemingly spectacular save. Euphoria!! But within seconds things turned hopelessly bleak again as the referee negated the save saying Solo moved off her line too quickly.
The second penalty kick went in -- Solo was given a yellow for complaining -- and the US now had to play with 10 for the remaining 35. The US hung in there, playing inspired soccer.
In the overtime period, however, Marta quicky gave Brazil a 2-1 advantage with a brilliant touch in front of Solo. Remarkably enough, the US dominated overtime play as Brazil seemed gassed. Still, the US couldn't tie things up despite a seemingly endless series of corners from Megan Rapinoe.
Brazil did themselves in. With perhaps four minutes left in OT one of their players "flopped" -- feigned injury -- to stall for time. The notorious strategy failed, though, as the ref added a few extra minutes.
And with a few seconds left Rapinoe sent a brilliant cross to Abbey Wambach who leaped for a spectacular header. 2-2!
In penalty kicks the US was perfect. And Hope Solo, again, came through with the one needed save.
Sports really does not get better than this.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sweden v. USA surprise
In a bit of an upset Sweden defeated the US women's team 2-1. The good news? This sets up a very interesting weekend game for the US against Brazil.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
US Soccer and "development"
Every day, it seems, I read another story about the "stalled" progress of the US soccer program. Women are doing just fine -- better than fine. But this is because of economic and cultural reasons, not athletic ones Women's soccer thrives in large part because women in America have more opportunities (still) than other parts of the world.
Men's soccer, however, struggles because the US can't seem to find the right athletic formula for success. Too much emphasis is placed on winning at a young age the critics grumble; more emphasis needs to be placed on "development." That latter term has become something of a magic word.
Perhaps a concentration on development is the key.
Maybe not.
"Development" often is tied to other terms: controlled environment; structure; fairness; age-appropriate and so on.
I can't help but compare my recent experience with youth travel basketball to youth soccer.
As a parent who loves my daughter and watches her every move with great care I am delighted with programs like The Force and the leagues they associate themselves with. At their best, these clubs do seem all about development. Much time and effort is spent making sure kids play at against good -- but not overwhelming -- competition. Kids who aren't as far a long as other have a chance to play. Coaches seem to have a good sense that kids develop physically and emotionally at different paces. Every match is reasonably well officiated. Every tournament supremely well orgranized. Kids play hard, learn, and have fun in a secure environment.
As a parent, what's not to like? Would that our public schools were so well run. And would that our public schools were so responsive to parental concerns.
But is this a formula for athletic success? At a recent basketball tournament my daughter's4/5 grade team played 5 games in 3 days. On the last day -- in 90+ heat -- they took the floor against a team that was clearly composed of (at least) seventh and maybe even eighth graders. The results were predictable. This team was not only older and bigger but good. They were led by the local high school coach. One experienced baseball player on my team asked "is there a mercy rule in basketball?" Sorry. Teams do have to stop pressing full court once they are up by 25. But there is no rule against continuing a half court trap after the press is called off.
I was furious, but I shut my mouth. I had played in lots of games like this as a kid -- in schools, on the playground, and virtually every day in back yards on my street where older kids whomped us routinely.
Such a scenario -- for better or worse -- is unthinkable in "travel" soccer with its majestic organizations. Pass cards, anyone? Birth certificates? One can hear the giggles on the basketball court.
Soccer teams choose to play "up" all the time, of course. But can you imagine the cries from the sideline (parents' sidelines) if a U11 team showed up to play and out trotted a U13?
To develop athletically such thumpings are probably necessary. It might not be that there is too much emphasis placed on winning as much as it is there is not enough willingness to lose -- and to lose badly.
Men's soccer, however, struggles because the US can't seem to find the right athletic formula for success. Too much emphasis is placed on winning at a young age the critics grumble; more emphasis needs to be placed on "development." That latter term has become something of a magic word.
Perhaps a concentration on development is the key.
Maybe not.
"Development" often is tied to other terms: controlled environment; structure; fairness; age-appropriate and so on.
I can't help but compare my recent experience with youth travel basketball to youth soccer.
As a parent who loves my daughter and watches her every move with great care I am delighted with programs like The Force and the leagues they associate themselves with. At their best, these clubs do seem all about development. Much time and effort is spent making sure kids play at against good -- but not overwhelming -- competition. Kids who aren't as far a long as other have a chance to play. Coaches seem to have a good sense that kids develop physically and emotionally at different paces. Every match is reasonably well officiated. Every tournament supremely well orgranized. Kids play hard, learn, and have fun in a secure environment.
As a parent, what's not to like? Would that our public schools were so well run. And would that our public schools were so responsive to parental concerns.
But is this a formula for athletic success? At a recent basketball tournament my daughter's4/5 grade team played 5 games in 3 days. On the last day -- in 90+ heat -- they took the floor against a team that was clearly composed of (at least) seventh and maybe even eighth graders. The results were predictable. This team was not only older and bigger but good. They were led by the local high school coach. One experienced baseball player on my team asked "is there a mercy rule in basketball?" Sorry. Teams do have to stop pressing full court once they are up by 25. But there is no rule against continuing a half court trap after the press is called off.
I was furious, but I shut my mouth. I had played in lots of games like this as a kid -- in schools, on the playground, and virtually every day in back yards on my street where older kids whomped us routinely.
Such a scenario -- for better or worse -- is unthinkable in "travel" soccer with its majestic organizations. Pass cards, anyone? Birth certificates? One can hear the giggles on the basketball court.
Soccer teams choose to play "up" all the time, of course. But can you imagine the cries from the sideline (parents' sidelines) if a U11 team showed up to play and out trotted a U13?
To develop athletically such thumpings are probably necessary. It might not be that there is too much emphasis placed on winning as much as it is there is not enough willingness to lose -- and to lose badly.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
USA v. Columbia
The USA women's team dominated Columbia today. Powerful strikes gave the US a 3-0 advantage at the time of this posting. Most inspiring, perhaps, has been the play of Megan Rapinoe. Having given up her starting spot to Lauren Cheney in game 1 against North Korea, Rapinoe has played at every opportunity. Against NK she got some late minutes, but did well. Against Columbia her strike put the game away.
It is easy to get down when a coach decides not to "start" a player. But it is every player's job to stay on course and try to help the team. Rapinoe has done that -- and then some.
Coincidentally, ESPN commentators began talking about Idianapolis, Indiana as the new "Mecca" of soccer. Pikefest in August.
It is easy to get down when a coach decides not to "start" a player. But it is every player's job to stay on course and try to help the team. Rapinoe has done that -- and then some.
Coincidentally, ESPN commentators began talking about Idianapolis, Indiana as the new "Mecca" of soccer. Pikefest in August.
Friday, July 1, 2011
July 4 soccer?
It would be the innovative and daring club that started a July 4th soccer tournament. Why not? There are Labor Day tournaments (The Force Invitational) and Memorial Day tournaments. There are Xmas tournaments and Easter tournaments. Soccer tournaments routinely run over Jewish and Muslim holidays. But July 4 seems (strangely, I think) sacred.
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