NASL  NEWSLETTER

September 19, 2002
       This is the 42nd issue distributed to the new NASL list. The previous newsletters are now on-line at http://www.nasl.com/current_news.htm 
Articles in this week's newsletter:
  1. Upcoming Soccer Calendar
  2. Reach for the Summitt
  3. Offside rule set for more changes English Premier leagues
  4. Samba FC '89 do well at Atlanta Cup
  5. River City Raptors Win Summer Sizzler
  6. Local Adult Soccer League Forming
  7. USA clinches U19 World Championship on a Golden Goal
  8. Next NASL Board Meeting - next Wednesday
  9. It's Tournament Time - Do you know who your penalty takers are?
  10. A Coach's Letter to Parents
  11. A Little Parent Cooperation
  12. Player Passes Must be Laminated - No lamination, no play.
  13. Weekend of Big Spring Jam - Too few referees, too many games.
  14. Early Season State Games - Don't take them so seriously.
  15. Soccer Drills, Tips, Exercises and Articles
  16. State and NASL Game Schedules and Team Information
Soccer Calendar - Dates to Remember
   More information on all events below is available at the NASL website.

  • September 20th-22nd - TNFC Fall Classic Tournament - Franklin, Tennessee

  • 2002 Dothan Showdown Tournament - Dothan, AL - September 28-29

  • October 1, 2002 - Initial fall computer registration disk is due in the AYSA office – postmarked by this date and must include: A correctly prepared and readable diskette, roster or copy of the registration form containing required information for all players and coaches. ($1.00 per entry fee is due for data entry of members from rosters and/or registration forms.)

  • Rocket City Invitational Tournament - October 5-6, 2002 in Huntsville, Alabama
  • October 9th, 2002
    • Roster freeze date for Chevy® Governor’s Cup teams.
    • Roster freeze date for Snickers® State Cup teams.
    • Entry deadline for all Division I and II teams wishing to play in the Snickers State Cup
    • Entry deadline for Division II U14-U18 teams and Division III and Division IV U10-U18 teams wishing to play in the Chevy Governor’s Cup.
  • Kicks Invitational Soccer Tournament - October 25-27, 2002 in Huntsville, Alabama
  • "Fall" Tide American Festival - October 26, 2002 - "Location TBD"
  • "Fall" State League ends (D-I & D-II) - October 31, 2002 -
  • November 1, 2002
    • §1 Final fall registration is due in the AYSA office postmarked by this date and must include:
    • §2 A correctly prepared and readable diskette, roster or copy of the registration form containing required information for any player or coach registered after the submittal of registration information in October.
    • §3 Submission of Registration form and fees for additional players and coaches
  • Final date for Statewide Division III and Division IV League play - November 2, 2002
  • Snicker’s State Cup preliminary matches - November 1- 3, 2002
  • November 6, 2002
    • Entry deadline for Kellogg’s Cup for Division II U11-U13 teams.
    • Roster- freeze date for Kellogg’s Cup teams.
  • Governors Cup will be November 8th - 10th, 2002. Chevy Governor’s Cup for Division II U14-U18 and Division III & Division IV U10-U18.
  • Kellogg’s Cup for Division II U11-U13 - December 6-8, 2002
  • Snickers Cup will be December 6/7/8th, 2002 - semi-finals and finals.
  • Registration Deadline for Division I/II Spring League - December 13, 2002
  • Registration for Division III and Division IV members may begin - January 1, 2003
  • Division III and Division IV players may be officially rostered to Spring teams as of this date - February 1, 2003
  • Submission of Registration forms and fees due in AYSA office. These must be true, accurate number of new member registrations and fees. Member cards will be issued to clubs for Division III and Division IV members once forms and fees are submitted. - February 15, 2003
  • Statewide Division III and Division IV League play may begin - March 1, 2003
  • Final date for Statewide Division III and Division IV League play - May 10, 2003
  • "Spring" Tide American Festival - May 17, 2003
Reach for the Summitt

      Here's a soccer story from Pat Summitt's excellent book on coaching philosophy REACH FOR THE SUMMIT (Pat Summitt is the head basketball coach at the University of Tennessee and is considered to be the best women's college basketball coach - and possibly the best college basketball coach period). She has an interesting story about herself as a soccer Mom:
      "Tyler (her son) plays a little baseball, and he plays soccer. That's right. I'm a soccer Mom. Now, there are few things more potentially disharmonious than a parent who doesn't understand his or her proper role in the team concept. Parents who think their daughter should be playing more or that they know more about how to coach her than I do. I ask them to trust me and let me do the coaching. I ask for their support in making a cohesive unit out of our players. When I discipline or bench a player, our parents must understand that I have to do what I think is best for all. Their proper role on our team is to support their daughter and our team. But when Tyler came along, Mickie and Holly got these knowing looks on their faces. They said 'Just wait until Tyler starts playing sports, and we'll see how you act.'
      I said 'I'm not going act like some Little League parent. I'm not going to do it.' But that was before I went to his first soccer match. As Tyler ran on to the field that day, I was so proud of him. He looked adorable in his shorts and his new socks and his cleats. Then the game got underway. Now, I don't know a lot about soccer. But as the game progressed, I couldn't help being a little disappointed because Tyler was hanging back.
      He wasn't aggressive. It seemed like a lot of those kids were playing harder than he was. Some of them were really out front, running toward the goal and kicking up a storm. From where I stood, Tyler was being awfully passive. As the game went on, I started worrying about it.
      Finally, there was a time-out, and Tyler's coach substituted for him. Tyler came jogging over to the sideline, and the first thing he did, naturally, was look me right in the eye expectantly. He said, 'Mom, how'd I do?'
      He wanted my approval. I knew that how I reacted was so important. I could influence his self-esteem for life, right then and there. So I said, 'Son, you did great. You did just great.'
      He stood next to me, watching the game. Boy, I was really struggling not to say anything more to him. After a minute, finally, I couldn't stand it. I put my hand on his shoulder, and I leaned down, and I said, "But you could be more aggressive! You didn't kick the ball. Get in there! Be competitive! Be aggressive!' Tyler looked back at me with his big, somber eyes, and said, 'Okay.'
      When he went back into the game, I was one proud mother. He kicked the ball. He ran so hard, he knocked people down. He was AGGRESSIVE. Boy, did I puff up. I was pretty full of myself, thinking, THAT'S MY BOY.
      Well, at halftime the coach went over and talked to Tyler. Afterward Tyler walked back toward me. I could tell from his body language that something was wrong. He scuffed along, his head hanging down. I said, 'What's the matter?'
      Tyler said, 'Mom, I'm so confused.'
      'Why?' I said.
      He said, 'Well, you told me to get in there and kick the ball and be aggressive. But my coach told me to be back on defense and protect the goal.' I went pale. 'What do I do?' he asked me.
      'Son,' I said, 'you do EXACTLY what your coach tells you to do.'
 
Offside rule set for more changes English Premier leagues

By By Alan Nixon and Alan Biggs

      Football is bracing itself for another change in the offside law this season with linesmen being asked to give attackers an even greater advantage.
The League Managers' Association has been informed that the assistant referees 'must see air' - the exact definition - between a forward and a defender before giving offside this season.

      Referees' spokesman Philip Don was at a meeting in London to let the LMA members know what subtle changes are in store for next season, with the offside rule and simulation, such as diving, being the two main topics.

      The offside interpretation should make it even harder for players to be pulled up, encouraging attacking play.

       At present strikers are onside if they are level with the last defender, but from this season they can go forward a few vital inches.

      However, managers Glenn Hoddle, Gordon Strachan and Jean Tigana were uneasy with the FIFA directive.

      After a discussion, when some bosses questioned the move and were told 'it was nothing new', a resigned Hoddle remarked: 'There is no point arguing, they have made their minds up already.'

To read the complete article click here.
Samba FC '89 do well at Atlanta Cup
      Samba FC 89 Girls (U14) advanced to the semi-finals in the A bracket of the Atlanta Cup this weekend. Results were as follows:
Samba 6 - Atlanta Metros 2
Samba 1 - GSA Phoenix Red (Ga. State Champions) 1
Samba 2 - St. Giles Thunder (Greenville SC) 1
Triangle FC Navy (NC State Champs and #4 in Group III Region) 1 - Samba 0
      Samba was tied 0-0 with the Triangle FC when they scored on a corner kick with 2 minutes remaining in regulation play. United Quest Red (Ranked 8th in the Group III Region) beat GSA Phoenix Red on PK's in the other semi final. Triangle FC went on to beat the Quest 2-1 in the finals.
      Samba FC 89 is coached by Richard Todd and is made up entirely of players from the Huntsville/Madison area.
       Check out pictures from the Atlanta Cup and a team building raft trip on the Ocoee River at http://www.nasl.com/samba/samba_pix.htm.

       If your team does well at a tournament please send us an e-mail at dsports@hiwaay.net so that we can tell the world about it on the NASL Brag Page.
River City Raptors Win Summer Sizzler
      The U12 River City Raptors, a new NASL girls team from Decatur, played in and won their first tournament ever at the Summer Sizzler in Tuscaloosa August 24th.  Their first match at the Sizzler (also their first match ever) was played on the stadium field of the University of Alabama soccer team.  Check out the pictures from their matches at
http://www.mvpphoto.net/mp_includes/index_ie2.asp
 
Adult Soccer League Forming

GET IN THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
It is time for the adults to have some fun.  I am starting the most informal adult league in the world of football.
 
WHEN: As soon as we can get it together
 
WHERE: For the foreseeable future all games will be at the Just4Kicks soccer facility.
 
FOR WHOM: For most people 35+.  Under 35's may apply and if you have never played and are not in very good shape, you might be included. If you are over 35, played in college, and are in great shape, we will still take you, but we will ask you to not overly embarrass the rest of us.
 
WHY: Why not! It is time to do more than watch the game...learn the game...have fun NO SOCCER EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.  
 
WHOM: All of you and your spouse and friends are invited. 
 
HOW: Please reply by email to be placed on a rotating roster.  We will have as few rules as possible.  All games are 5v5 on the slightly larger than tennis court fields at the new facility.  Children who wish to spectate, scream instructions, and laugh at their parents are welcome.  No practice.  One session per week of 90-120 minutes that will allow for two games per session.
 
RULES:  As few as possible.  Wear shinguards.  Have fun while learning the game.  Cost is $10 to $15 per session...I've talked to Ricky Crawford and have the hourly rate but it will depend on how many are involved.
 
Suggestions as to a catchy name for this activity are welcome.  e.g "the Over-theHill group"; "the Geezer League"; "the can't play soccer group".  well you get the idea.
 
Respond quickly, rosters are filling up fast and there are only a limited number of slots available.  Not really but I learned to use this marketing approach some years ago.  Like almost all advertising, I have no idea if it works.  REMEMBER you need not to have ever played a game of soccer in your life.
ron evans   
USA clinches U19 World Championship on a Golden Goal
 
 By Gavin Owen-Thomas
e-mail: gavin@gotsoccer.com
 

      EDMONTON, Alberta (Sept. 1, 2002) – Captain Lindsay Tarpley pounced on a loose ball just eight yards out to hammer home an astounding victory for US women's soccer. It took 109 minutes and an overtime golden goal to snatch victory from Canada.

But the US came within seconds of losing to the hosts in front of the 47,784 fans at Commonwealth Stadium. Canadian captain Christine Sinclair blasted wide from just 8 yards out in the final minute of regulation time.

It was a historic victory for the USA under the toughest of circumstances. It was the largest crowd ever to watch a youth game, male or female.

"It was an incredible game,” said U.S. head coach Tracey Leone. “Canada came out so organized, together and tough. And of course, the crowd was amazing. It was a great opportunity for both teams to play in front of that kind of crowd. Canada came out fighting and it was an incredible product to show the world. It was well played and end-to-end..”

The Canadian team had captured the hearts of the home country with five good wins over the past two weeks, aada came out so organized, together and tough. And of course, the crowd was amazing. It was a great opportunity for both teams to play in front of that kind of crowd. Canada came out fighting and it was an incredible product to show the world. It was well played and end-to-end..”

The Canadian team had captured the hearts of the home country with five good wins over the past two weeks, and the stadium was awash with red and white flags. Never before had any of the players had to perform in such an arena.

The championship win was the climax of a two-year journey for a USA team that went 21-1-1 in international competition.

The US had cruised to the finals with easy wins over England, Australia and China/Taipei in group qualifying, a quarterfinal win over Denmark and a tougher clash against Germany on the semis.

But the Canadians, with their massive crowd support, were a very different kettle of fish. The hosts played a defensive 5-3-2 to stop the US offensive trio of Tarpley, Heather O'Reilly and Kelly Wilson. And they did that surprisingly well.

And the US had to overcome an early blow when San Diego Surf star Rachel Buehler went down in the 13th with a suspected ACL injury.

It was midfielder Lori Chalupny who took early control of the game, penetrating the Canadian defense with some probing passes looking for O'Reilly, Tarpley and Wilson.

But it was the Canadians who got the first real opportunity of the game. A defensive blunder allowed striker Christine Sinclair, the tournament's top scorer and the player who most carried Canadian hopes, to fly in from the right and hit a crisp shot from a tight angle just outside the box. The ball sailed just wide.

On the other side of the field the Canadians were giving no space at all to the Americans, packing their defense and keeping lots of players behind the ball.

And it was Canada again who nearly jumped ahead when Katie Thorlakson slipped in behind the US defense down the right in the 32nd minute. Her long, low cross found Amy Vermeulen at the far corner, but the Canadian scuffed the shot. The bouncing ball twisted back to Thorlakson who send the ball just wide.

But as he Canadians ventured forward they opened up some space for the US, and the Americans took advantage, and Keeley Dowling's header was unlucky not to find the back of the net after Canadian keeper Erin McLeod misjudged a cross in the 35th minute

The tempo picked up in the second half, and in the 54th minute PDA Splash star Heather O'Reilly broke down the left and pulled the ball across the mouth of the goal, only for Kelly Wilson's shot to sail just high.

Then the Canadians applied the pressure. A nifty bit of trickery by Sinclair set up Thorlakson from close range. Thorlakson split two U.S. defenders inside the penalty but a diving save from US goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris turned away a point blank shot.

Two minutes later Sinclair found Thorlakson again and from four yards out she beat Harris only to see her shot careen off the post. It was the best chance of the match.

Thorlakson tried to make amends by seeking out Sinclair on a dead run for the US goal, but a brave tackle by Jill Oakes stopped the attack.

In the 68th minute it was the US who were frustrated to see a good opportunity go begging. Wilson got behind Andrews on the left flank and cut a short pass back to O'Reilly, but she shot high from 16 yards out.

Then with time running out Sinclair broke through and found herself face-to-face with American goalkeeper Harris, only to hammer her shot over the bar. The USA breathed a collective sigh of relief.

With fatigue setting in and star player Heather O'Reilly limping from a crunching Canadian tackle, the USA dug deep.


Megan Kakadelas brought fresh legs onto the field in the 105th minute, coming on for Angie Woznuk who had played an effective game. Kakadelas proved to be the key to victory, creating the winning goal just four minutes later. Taking a pass from Leslie Osborne, she tore down the left wing and curved in a cross on the ground. Tarpley, coming in from the right, saw her first shot blocked, but the ball spun free and Tarpley pounced, breaking over 45,000 Canadian hearts.

It was Tarpley’s seventh goal of the tournament.

“I really don’t know what happened,” said Tarpley. “All I know is that all of sudden the ball popped in front of me. I saw the ‘keeper moving to the near post, so I shot far post. Then we went crazy.”

Tarpley won the Bronze Boot as the third leading scorer in the tournament while Kelly Wilson earned the Silver Boot. Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, who had 10 goals, took the Golden Boot.

Wilson played in one less match than Sinclair, sitting out the USA’s 6-0 group victory against Chinese Taipei. Wilson also picked up the Bronze Ball as the third most valuable player in the tournament. Sinclair won the Golden Ball and Brazil’s Marta was awarded with the Silver Ball.

“The journey not only made us better players, but it showed us that great things can be accomplished through hard work, love and belief,” said Tarpley. “Over the last two years, we’ve had some amazing times on the soccer field, but it’s the friendships we’ll carry forever. I know we will look back at this 20 years from now with the same feelings for each other that we have now. We’ll remember the day we became world champions together.”

Germany took third place with a penalty-shootout win over Brazil after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.

 
Next NASL Board Meeting

     The next NASL Board meeting will be this Wednesday, September 25th at 6:30pm at Brahan Springs Recreation Center.
 
It's Tournament Time - Do you know who your penalty takers are?

    Now is the time! Many teams are going to their first tournaments of the season this weekend - others got started with the Atlanta Cup and Summer Sizzler Tournaments. This is a reminder to coaches to have your "Shots from the Mark" list completed before you leave town. Some tournaments require "Shots from the Mark" to decide tie games (semi-finals and finals) and rain shortened or abandoned matches due to weather. 
    You don't want to be put on the spot and have to make up a list of your shot takers at the last hectic moment of a tie game. This is especially true for young teams who may have never been in that position before.  Have your list ready now - just in case. And read the rules closely - often the only players allowed to take the kicks are the ones actually on the field playing at the end of the game.
 
A Coach's Letter to Parents



Dear Parents,

Here are some hints on how to make this a fun season, with lots of positive memories for your kids and your family.

  1. Make sure that win or lose you love them, as the person in their life that they can always look to for support.
  2. Try to be completely honest with yourself about your kids' athletic capability, their competitive attitude, their sportsmanship, and their level of skills.
  3. Be helpful, but don't coach your kids on the way to the game or at the breakfast table. Think about how tough it must be on them to be constantly inundated with advice, pep talks, and criticism.
  4. Teach your kids to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be out there trying, to be constantly working to improve their skills, to take physical bumps and come back for more. Don't tell them that winning doesn't count because it does, and they know it. Instead help them develop a healthy competitive attitude, a "feel" for competing, for trying hard, for having a good time.
  5. Try not to live your life through your kids. You've lost as well as won. You've been frightened and backed off at times. Sure they are an extension of you but they may not feel the same way as you did, want the same things, or have the same attitude.
  6. Don't push them in the direction that gives you the most satisfaction. Don't compete with your kids' coaches. A coach may become a hero to your kids for a while, someone who can do no wrong, and you may find that hard to take. Conversely, don't automatically side with your kids against their coaches. Try to help them understand the necessity for discipline, rules, and regulations.
  7. Don't compare your kids with other players on their team - at least not within their hearing - don't lie to them about their capabilities as a player. If you are overly protective you will perpetuate the problem.
  8. Get to know your kids' coaches. Make sure that you approve of each coach's attitude and ethics. Coaches can be influential, and you should know the values of each coach so that you can decide whether or not you want them passed on to your kids.
  9. Remember that children tend to exaggerate. Temper your reaction to stories that they bring home from practice or the game about how they were praised or criticized. Don't criticize them for exaggerating, but don't overact to the stories that they tell you.
  10. Teach your kids the meaning of courage. Some of us can climb mountains, but are frightened about getting into a fight. Some of us can fight without fear, but turn to jelly at the sight of a bee. Everyone is frightened about something. Courage isn't the absence of fear. Courage is learning to perform in spite of fear. It's overcoming it.
  11. Winning is an important goal. Winning at all costs is stupidity.
  12. Remember that the officials are necessary. Don't overreact to their calls. They have rules and guidelines to follow representing authority on the field. Teach your kids to respect authority and to play by the rules.
  13. Finally, remember, if the kids aren't having fun, we're missing the whole point of youth sports.

    Darrell Burnett, Ph.D.

    Darrell J. Burnett, Ph.D. Clinical and Sports Psychologist, FUNAGAIN Press, P. O. Box 7223, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-7223, 1-800-493-5943, Fax # (949) 495-8204, funagain@pacbell.net or http://www.djburnett.com
A Little Parent Cooperation

       At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, "Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?" The little boy nodded in the affirmative.
       "Do you understand that what matters is how we play together as a team?" The little boy nodded yes.
       "So," the coach continued, "when offsides is called, or a handball is not called, you don't argue or curse or attack the referee. Do you understand all that?"
       Again the little boy nodded.
       "Good," said the coach. "Now go over there and explain it to your mother."
Player Passes Must be Laminated

WARNING!
       We, NASOA (North Alabama Soccer Officials Association) and NASL (North Alabama Soccer League), expect and demand that all teams have properly filled out AND laminated player passes. A situation arose this past weekend - a team came to their game with un-laminated passes that had pictures clipped to the paper passes. That is not acceptable. In order to be considered complete all passes must be laminated! If your passes are not laminated your team will not be allowed to play. Repeat, ALL passes must be complete, including lamination.
NO PASS! NO PLAY! NO EXCEPTIONS!
Weekend of Big Spring Jam
  
      The Weekend of Huntsville's Big Spring Jam presents a special problem for Huntsville's soccer community.  Currently 44 State and NASL games are scheduled for Saturday, September 28th and Sunday, September 29th.  That's a problem in that we don't have enough officials to do that many games on a weekend when many people (including referees) will be visiting the music festival.  Many games may have to be refereed by fewer refs than the standard three man crews. The shortage of officials is nothing new in our area and elsewhere around the nation. Please be especially tolerant. 
Early Season State Games
     I've noticed an increase in interest in the early season results of state games by a lot of parents and some coaches.  On al.com there is seldom a day when someone is not trying to rank each team in a certain division.  Let this serve as a reminder to those people. Ease up! You're taking it way too seriously.  The state games are a means for coaches to experiment with different line-ups and train their players.  Game results now are likely to be different from results at the Snicker's and Kellogg's Cup at the end of the season when the games actually mean something. Save your chants of We're #1 for then.
       
Soccer Drills, Tips, Exercises and Articles

     The local website http://www.decatursports.com/soccerdrills.htm has thousands and thousands of articles about soccer for parents, coaches and players.  It's the largest free website of soccer tips, drills, exercises and articles on the internet and gets more than a million visitors a year.  Check it out and let me know what you think. At a recent NSCAA convention it was listed as one of only two websites recommended for youth soccer coaches. 

New NASL Logo
     To better reflect the fact that the NASL is a North Alabama based league I have remodeled the logo showing Huntsville, Alabama and replaced it with a similar logo.  Thanks to Ron Evans for suggesting the change.  Let me know what you think.
State and NASL Game Schedules

      The schedules for the next two weekends are on-line at http://www.nasl.com/state_games.htm (State Games) and http://www.nasl.com/schedules.htm (NASL Games).
      Be sure to check out your team contact information at 
http://www.nasl.com/teams.htm and let me know if any changes need to be made.
 

NASL NEWSLETTER:

       You may sign up for the NASL e-mail list and also provide changes (including removing your name from the list) to your current e-mail address and phone numbers by using this form at  http://www.nasl.com/Email.htm This is our means of keeping the local soccer community up-to-date on events and items of interest.  If you have something to contribute please e-mail me at dsports@hiwaay.net
All of the above information and more is on-line at http://www.nasl.com

Thanks for being involved in soccer in Alabama. 

Ken Gamble - NASL Secretary
"Next Goal Wins!"