Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

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This "play" was spontaneous and I had no thought at all about rules at the time. It is only in post-game analysis that I wonder if it is ok

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I forwarded this to Bill Belicheck with permission for him to use this when he meets with the commissioner later this week.

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

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This "play" was spontaneous and I had no thought at all about rules at the time. It is only in post-game analysis that I wonder if it is ok

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I forwarded this to Bill Belicheck with permission for him to use this when he meets with the commissioner later this week.

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awesome

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

reno,

"there are no rules in this league El D. I share the ignorance of my kids."

I still think a soccer coach should know basic rules of soccer, but whatever.

"I think its pathetic that you didn't read my post."

I did read your post. You described the play as "obvious offsides" immediately after mentioning it. But even if that just came to you afterwards, same difference. My point still holds. If you thought something was wrong but still were planning to use it w/ your team, then I think that's sorta pathetic.

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

reno,

If there's no offsides in the league, why would the parents cry foul?

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

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reno,

If there's no offsides in the league, why would the parents cry foul?

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When I played small field games with no offsides rule, the other team would belittle "cherry pickers". Its considered angleshooting.

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

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reno,

If there's no offsides in the league, why would the parents cry foul?

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because they are as dumb as i am about the whole concept.

i've polled a couple soccer dads who immediately told me the play was offsides. they said "90-95% certain" They were shocked to find out they were wrong. you know, like when you take a pawn en passant and your opponent is like wtf?

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

5-6 sport should really be non-competitive. The aim is to learn ball skills and as you allude to - giving everyone a fair go. The developmental differences between kids at this age can be significant. If the fast or big kids dominate you can easily lose those slightly behind. Problem also works the other way - if those with a current natural advantage do not learn teamwork they will be lost when the others catch up.

Learning tricks is pointless. Plenty of time for that later.

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

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Anyway, I could instill this obvious offside play into our offensive scheme (not that we have anything other than "everyone go after the ball at once")

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Ah, yes ... amoeba soccer.

Anyway, I say if you have a kid with a talent, such as long throw-ins, of course you should take advantage of it. Don't see where the problem is.

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

I am really confused. Offsides don't apply to throw ins. Try running the play once or twice. The other teams coach should realize whats going on and send someone to mark your player. Its kind of bush league, but so what. Kids and parents need to learn the rule sometime.

Re: 5-6 year old soccer play--- bad form or good plan?
 

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5-6 sport should really be non-competitive.


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I don't know how much I agree with this. I think the main point of sports at this age is to stress teamwork, but also learning to deal with winning and losing. I don't think that it should be super-competitive, but I also think it's a mistake to take competition entirely out of it so that everyone's a winner. Kids need to learn how to win as well as lose. And by "learning to win as well as lose", I mean learning to win and lose in the manner of a sportsman (i.e. not being a sore winner or sore loser).