What we are about Rant

I figured I should put up a post for what this league is about, and what we expect from players that are with us.

1) This is a pay to play league. This league IS NOT FREE; this is not the "Charity Soccer League". It is not a big deal if you show up once in a while without having paid, like twice a season), but if you play regularly you are expected to pay. What we charge is $80/year, which is a SCREAMING DEAL. Alternatively you can play USSA and pay $300 for around 15-20 games, which is only in the summer. In our league you also get midweek games, BBQs, Winter Futsal, and insurance in case you get hurt. So when I hear someone whine about how "expensive" we are and that they have no money, I really get choked! It's been public knowledge that dues are expected now, yet yesterday (8/29/09) I got a bunch of "I'm broke" and "it's too expensive" whining. DON'T MAKE YOUR PROBLEM MY PROBLEM! I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR IT! If you want to play for free go to Sunnyside Park near the U, they play pickup there for free every night of the week. AYSO is NOT FREE. If you do not like it, do not play with us, no problem.

2) Referee Calls: It may come as a shock to you, but refs do not call the games even!

I'm doing my best doing the ref/play, and feel I do a pretty darned good job. I call an even game when the game is even. However, when a team is winning by 6 goals, the winning team IS NOT GOING TO GET THE 50/50 CALLS. I call the game to KEEP it as even as possible. This usually won't happen until the deficit is >3 goals. But this means that a good player is not going to get all the calls against a bad player. A blowout win team is not going to get calls against a team getting killed. Furthermore, refs are also going to blow calls occasionally. GET OVER IT, AND RESPECT THE CALL!!!! If you think reffing is easy, I have a uniform and whistle, I invite you to try it! It is MUCH harder than it looks, all these armchair referee experts. Come run center on a game and see how easy it is! Calling while playing is even tougher.

It bothers me that one of my "friends" (won't name names) purposely slammed into me 1 min after my "borderline offside call", as obvious physical retaliation for the call. NEWS FLASH: Teams winning by 7 goals are gonna get called offside if it's even CLOSE. And if a team is losing by 7, they are not going to get called offside unless they are 10+ yards off. When there is an obvious strength mismatch, the calls are NOT going to be even, at least if I'm calling the game. This is going to happen unless the players do something else that they have not been doing, which is....

3) Evening up teams DURING THE GAME. When we pick teams before a game, that's just the INITIAL player selection. Some guys are just bad at putting a team together. Other times a team may have a ton of talent and no chemistry. The result is there will be situations where one team is dominating another one. I EXPECT good players from the winning team to voluntarily change sides for the benefit of the game, and for everyone. It bothers me that yesterday, with blue up by 6 goals IN THE FIRST HALF, when a new (good) player came up to play, the blues were talent-grabbing to further stack their team. Sickening.

IMO this shows no class, and shows a "must win" attitude that is going to ruin our fun group if it continues. The attitude should be "I do not mind playing on the losing team, I just don't want to lose by 6 goals". I'd rather lose by 3 than win by 7. I'd like to think that most of you believe that winning 10-0 isn't any fun, but after yesterday I'm not so sure! If winning is THAT important to you, let me know and I'll set up a game for you "must win" guys against a team of 4th graders so you can run it up.

There is more to a team than having the same # of players. When a good player shows up, the weaker team SHOULD GET THEM. I see team stacking like this is Fantasy Soccer and it makes me sick. I'd like to see

LEADERSHIP
CHARACTER
CLASS

Which means some of the better players voluntarily changing to a losing team to even things up. I did it yesterday, as I also took myself out of the game for 20min so a sub could come in and play. I don't see people volunteering to come out, even when they get "hurt". Speaking of "hurt"......

There are a few players that only put out any effort when they have the ball, or when they might. When they do not have the ball, they are "hurt or tired". It's obvious to everyone that the injury is only in effect when it's time to play defense or to run without the ball, and it's a pretty low-class move IMO. If you are that hurt, take yourself out (or don't play in the first place) and let someone else into the game that is going to put their effort in. Skill is not the only thing you need to play. I would rather have a guy that just "tries" on my team than a skilled player that is a lazy ball hog, that happens to be good for 3 goals/game.

We like to see nice passes, offside traps, team ball, not just who can dribble the best on the field.

4) Smack Talking. This is Bush League, and really has no place in our group. There was a little bit on Saturday, it's NOT OK.

I want to see this group succeed, thrive and grow. It's supposed to be FUN.

Good advice, perspective, and direction. I agree with the objectives.

True, good advise. I really don't want to hear anyone saying bad things on the field, it's low class.

I agree with John completely. Furthermore.... if you've scored 3 goals.... great! ....you're awsome! (honest! no sarcasm intended!) ....but how about giving someone else a chance to improve their offensive skills? VOLUNTEER to go the back line/midfield.

Substitutions..... I would like to see us pick teams of 12 or 13, and rotate subs in and out every 5 minutes.... maybe play 50 minute halves...... when you get tired GO OUT, instead of walking and letting your team down..... after a 5 minute break, run back on, tap someone on the shoulder and tell them "you're out, buddy".... we don't need to wait for a break in play all the time. As long as everyone takes 1 - 2 breaks during the game...we all play 80+ minutes.

ADDTITIONALLY....the substitutes could act as LINESMEN..... the honor system for offsides just doesn't seem to work....it's a tough call sometimes.

I would LOVE to see guys that weren't playing, run lines for offside. Besides making the game honest on the field, the line-runner will get a much greater understanding of the rule! I think a sub rule of "you are slacking = you are out" rule is a good one too. Too many don't run "because they are tired" but have too much energy to go out?

I think the linesman idea is great! Thanks for all your work John.