I do not move a player who played D ALL year to R wing on O for the first time ALL year in a playoff game. Soccer is same as basketball or football in that by end of year you have set lineups so players are very comfortable playing with each other and know each others tendencies, ect. How comfortable can players be when first time together is in a playoff game? I also do not think it is important to make sure everybody plays in playoff game. If you have a lineup working you go with it, sorry but it is lose and go home and some players might night get in the game.

 

Did everyone get in? I am with the other person on this one. If it was your kid sitting you would not be saying anything like that.

Did everyone get in? I am with the other person on this one. If it was your kid sitting you would not be saying anything like that.

 

No not everyone got in, I think just one girl did not and if that is your child it sucks. The girl that did not get in is probably one of the best passers/distributurs/least selfish players on the team. Other players mentioned in this thread could learn a lot from her. I am like any other parent and want my kid to play every min, I know she does not deserve that much, but doesn't mean I do not still want that. I just think in playoffs when you have 20+ players on the team, that players and parents can not expect every kid to get off the bench. And yes, I will repeat if it is one of your kids that does not get in it sucks, but it happens in all sports and more so come playoff time when it is one lose and you go home.

Ok, change my question from lineup change to position change. Still like to hear an answer on it. I do agree that come playoff time, some players will not see the field. Most coaches make this clear to their teams. The best, most effective lineup will play the majority of minutes to try to advance and only players that can play to that level will be used as subs when the starters need a breather or if a starter is ineffective. The rest of the players should be prepared to play if called on, but should not expect playing time just because they are on the roster.

Position change made no sense. Only comment I will make on rest is if you can play all but one you play all.

Coaches can put people in different spots on the field for any of a number of reasons. Perhaps there is a match up problem, and you need more speed to counter a strong player, or you need someone that is a good distributor of the ball to get your team into the attack where in the past your team just played long thru balls. Bottom line is, if a kid is a good player, it really should not make a difference where she is on the field. She should be capable of helping your team. The best players are well rounded and can play wherever they are needed.

Position change made no sense. Only comment I will make on rest is if you can play all but one you play all.

 

Perhaps it made no sense to you, but again, I doubt the coach made the change in an effort to sabotage the team's chance of winning. Do you feel differently?

Perhaps it made no sense to you, but again, I doubt the coach made the change in an effort to sabotage the team's chance of winning. Do you feel differently?

 

Why would any coach try to sabotage a team from winning? You asked a question and I tried to answer. Since I am not the coach I cannot answeryour question with facts.

So you are saying there is a chance?

So you are saying there is a chance?

 

A chance a coach would sabotage a game? No I sure hope not.

Good, glad to hear that. I also agree with your point that if only 1 player was not inserted, it is not a good thing. Perhaps, the game clock advanced more quickly that anticipated and there was no time to get her in, or maybe there was a disciplinary reason we are unaware of.

By advancing more quickly, I mean that perhaps there were fewer breaks in the action where a substitution could have been made. Lots of ball control, few throw ins. I was not there, so I do not know this.

So you are okay with every kid not playing in the game unless it is your kid? I have only seen Highlands play a few times, but you seem to have something to say about them after every game about what you would do different. In fact, were you not the one who started the nonsense about kids crying after the Dayton game? Why were those kids crying, if in fact they were?

 

this

I do not move a player who played D ALL year to R wing on O for the first time ALL year in a playoff game. Soccer is same as basketball or football in that by end of year you have set lineups so players are very comfortable playing with each other and know each others tendencies, ect. How comfortable can players be when first time together is in a playoff game? I also do not think it is important to make sure everybody plays in playoff game. If you have a lineup working you go with it, sorry but it is lose and go home and some players might night get in the game.

 

I don't have any insight on the players you are talking about or the scenarios, but I do know that when you coach HS, you see these kids every day and know what they are and are not capable of...at least in the mind of the coach. So if he has REALLY put a kid in a tough situation that he didn't truly feel they can handle, then I understand. However, if he had expectations for that kid that she should be able to handle it and the team should be versatile, then completely different situation.

 

What kills me is that people want to sit and critique every move of this coach. My question to them would be...have you been at every practice? Have you been involve with every team conversation and expectation? Have you been involved with every individual conversation? Have you coached in High school? Have you coached GIRLS? Have you had ever had to assess a situation on the fly and then go back and even question whether you made the right decision?? Do you know if any of the kids weren't feeling great or tweeked an injury that wasn't allowing them to be 100%? Armchair and Monday morning QBing is very easy...isn't it?

I'm pretty sure this is all a highly coordinated scheme by the Highlands coach and parents to throw NDA off the scent. With as much dissent, controversy and intrigue surrounding HHS and its shadowy coaching staff, NDA will have no idea what to expect. Will the girl they're marking on a corner suddenly break out in tears? Will they be able to keep up with the confusing array of substitution patterns? Will all of the HHS girls get to play? And if not, how will Mom and Dad feel about it?

 

If the NDA players and coaches have followed the Highlands soccer threads at all, they have no idea what to expect tonight. We got 'em right where we want 'em! Train wreck on three... one, two, three... Go Birds!

This made me laugh. Thanks for writing this. My work day was getting so boring! I appreciate the sense of humor. Good luck tonight to both teams. Let's cheer for the girls and be positive! Pray for no injuries!