drsoccer wrote:In reality the only way for the non DA clubs to survive is to band together and form their own league with or without CL. CL has been pandering to the large clubs (no choice?) and they have only gotten bigger and now completely control NTX soccer. The non DA clubs need to seperate from the DA teams as soon as possible and offer a soccer option to DA in order to be relevant. Forming their own top league is a necessary good start. They must do it at U10 and not let the DA clubs into the league. Develop their own players and teams. Otherwise we will soon have only 3-4 clubs in NTX. Let the 2nd and 3rd and 4th teams from DA clubs play in the classic league or their own league, who cares. (Txns w can play txn e and txn s and txn nw.)

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

ImInter wrote:Texas Pre-Academy League formed as newest addition to US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues


Eight clubs from the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy will be participating in the Texas Pre-Academy League:

Classics Elite (San Antonio)
Dallas Texans (Dallas)
FC Dallas (Dallas)
Houston Dynamo (Houston)
Lonestar SC (Austin)
Solar (Dallas)
Texas Rush (Houston)
Texans SC (Houston)

Pulled from the Solar website. Says nothing about Andro. ??

donotquestion wrote:

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

I like that idea, but they would have to start a seperate league starting at the academy level too. Because SDL - the chosen league for the academy level does not call the game close in fact the only calls being made by most refs are between games to friends/wifes/girlfriends. They allow the physical play and it is not being reigned in by most coaches/officials. It does take away the ability of the individual to use their skills if everytime they touch a ball they are getting pushed, elbowed, slide tackled and knocked down without any call being made most of the time.

So I think your idea of a separate league focusing on skills and development of all players in which the officials call the game by the rules of the game would be welcome by most. Or the current leagues could require that their officials start calling the games by the rule of the law, if they did the players would learn, the coaches would learn.

clueless wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all
options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

I like that idea, but they would have to start a seperate league starting at the academy level too. Because SDL - the chosen league for the academy level does not call the game close in fact the only calls being made by most refs are between games to friends/wifes/girlfriends. They allow the physical play and it is not being reigned in by most coaches/officials. It does take away the ability of the individual to use their skills if everytime they touch a ball they are getting pushed, elbowed, slide tackled and knocked down without any call being made most of the time.

So I think your idea of a separate league focusing on skills and development of all players in which the officials call the game by the rules of the game would be welcome by most. Or the current leagues could require that their officials start calling the games by the rule of the law, if they did the players would learn, the coaches would learn.

I'm curious as to how a new league would change the officiating? When we go to other areas, I notice it's more physical and less is called than in NTX - so, I'm trying to figure out how that would change here with the same official pool.

I've only witnessed a couple games that were totally out of control from an officiating standpoint. One was an all Mexican crew that called every single touch by either team (we couldn't tell if they are used to overly physical play or if they thought they were teaching the kids - frustrating for the players/coaches, but we could eventually play within that structure over time). The other was a referee who just went nuts and yellow carded the entire opposition - that was just plain crazy, obviously had issues.

I think a league concentrating on development would be called skills. Should be mandatory for anyone serious about soccer up to age 12.

donotquestion wrote:

clueless wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all
options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

I like that idea, but they would have to start a seperate league starting at the academy level too. Because SDL - the chosen league for the academy level does not call the game close in fact the only calls being made by most refs are between games to friends/wifes/girlfriends. They allow the physical play and it is not being reigned in by most coaches/officials. It does take away the ability of the individual to use their skills if everytime they touch a ball they are getting pushed, elbowed, slide tackled and knocked down without any call being made most of the time.

So I think your idea of a separate league focusing on skills and development of all players in which the officials call the game by the rules of the game would be welcome by most. Or the current leagues could require that their officials start calling the games by the rule of the law, if they did the players would learn, the coaches would learn.

I'm curious as to how a new league would change the officiating? When we go to other areas, I notice it's more physical and less is called than in NTX - so, I'm trying to figure out how that would change here with the same official pool.

I've only witnessed a couple games that were totally out of control from an officiating standpoint. One was an all Mexican crew that called every single touch by either team (we couldn't tell if they are used to overly physical play or if they thought they were teaching the kids - frustrating for the players/coaches, but we could eventually play within that structure over time). The other was a referee who just went nuts and yellow carded the entire opposition - that was just plain crazy, obviously had issues.

I think a league concentrating on development would be called skills. Should be mandatory for anyone serious about soccer up to age 12.

Well the SDL is supposed to be that league, no scores kept, focus is supposed to be on developement, however we all know that everyone knows the scores, that is clear by the post on this forum. However the league lacks the one thing it is supposed to be about development, when the officiating is so awful, in two seasons I have seen 3 games called right, two by the same official, We might as well let the coaches call them or do like in the sandlot and let the kids call the fouls. We had a recent game where the ref was MIA and the coaches called the fouls and you know what the kids knew when there was a foul before it was called because they all stopped playing when it happened, almost everytime and they knew who throw-in it was. These 6 - 10 yr olds know more about soccer and the rules then most of the parents sitting on the sidelines watching do.

So when an ref is calling a game do you think the kids know when they commit a foul, ie: slide tackle from behind, pushing, elbowing and it is not called that they can get away with it?

Clueless I guess you are right about how to improve it when you have the same pool of officials, I guess the league could hold them accountable by monitoring their games and speak with them during halftime and at the end of the game providing them with feedback on the game they are calling.

Bottom line you teach the kids to play a physical but clean game when they are young you will have less serious injuries and more skilled games as they mature.

donotquestion wrote:

clueless wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all
options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

I like that idea, but they would have to start a seperate league starting at the academy level too. Because SDL - the chosen league for the academy level does not call the game close in fact the only calls being made by most refs are between games to friends/wifes/girlfriends. They allow the physical play and it is not being reigned in by most coaches/officials. It does take away the ability of the individual to use their skills if everytime they touch a ball they are getting pushed, elbowed, slide tackled and knocked down without any call being made most of the time.

So I think your idea of a separate league focusing on skills and development of all players in which the officials call the game by the rules of the game would be welcome by most. Or the current leagues could require that their officials start calling the games by the rule of the law, if they did the players would learn, the coaches would learn.

I'm curious as to how a new league would change the officiating? When we go to other areas, I notice it's more physical and less is called than in NTX - so, I'm trying to figure out how that would change here with the same official pool.

I've only witnessed a couple games that were totally out of control from an officiating standpoint. One was an all Mexican crew that called every single touch by either team (we couldn't tell if they are used to overly physical play or if they thought they were teaching the kids - frustrating for the players/coaches, but we could eventually play within that structure over time). The other was a referee who just went nuts and yellow carded the entire opposition - that was just plain crazy, obviously had issues.

I think a league concentrating on development would be called skills. Should be mandatory for anyone serious about soccer up to age 12.

Well the SDL is supposed to be that league, no scores kept, focus is supposed to be on developement, however we all know that everyone knows the scores, that is clear by the post on this forum. However the league lacks the one thing it is supposed to be about development, when the officiating is so awful, in two seasons I have seen 3 games called right, two by the same official, We might as well let the coaches call them or do like in the sandlot and let the kids call the fouls. We had a recent game where the ref was MIA and the coaches called the fouls and you know what the kids knew when there was a foul before it was called because they all stopped playing when it happened, almost everytime and they knew who throw-in it was. These 6 - 10 yr olds know more about soccer and the rules then most of the parents sitting on the sidelines watching do.

So when an ref is calling a game do you think the kids know when they commit a foul, ie: slide tackle from behind, pushing, elbowing and it is not called that they can get away with it?

Clueless I guess you are right about how to improve it when you have the same pool of officials, I guess the league could hold them accountable by monitoring their games and speak with them during halftime and at the end of the game providing them with feedback on the game they are calling.

Bottom line you teach the kids to play a physical but clean game when they are young you will have less serious injuries and more skilled games as they mature.

soccerrus2 wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

clueless wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all
options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

I like that idea, but they would have to start a seperate league starting at the academy level too. Because SDL - the chosen league for the academy level does not call the game close in fact the only calls being made by most refs are between games to friends/wifes/girlfriends. They allow the physical play and it is not being reigned in by most coaches/officials. It does take away the ability of the individual to use their skills if everytime they touch a ball they are getting pushed, elbowed, slide tackled and knocked down without any call being made most of the time.

So I think your idea of a separate league focusing on skills and development of all players in which the officials call the game by the rules of the game would be welcome by most. Or the current leagues could require that their officials start calling the games by the rule of the law, if they did the players would learn, the coaches would learn.

I'm curious as to how a new league would change the officiating? When we go to other areas, I notice it's more physical and less is called than in NTX - so, I'm trying to figure out how that would change here with the same official pool.

I've only witnessed a couple games that were totally out of control from an officiating standpoint. One was an all Mexican crew that called every single touch by either team (we couldn't tell if they are used to overly physical play or if they thought they were teaching the kids - frustrating for the players/coaches, but we could eventually play within that structure over time). The other was a referee who just went nuts and yellow carded the entire opposition - that was just plain crazy, obviously had issues.

I think a league concentrating on development would be called skills. Should be mandatory for anyone serious about soccer up to age 12.

Well the SDL is supposed to be that league, no scores kept, focus is supposed to be on developement, however we all know that everyone knows the scores, that is clear by the post on this forum. However the league lacks the one thing it is supposed to be about development, when the officiating is so awful, in two seasons I have seen 3 games called right, two by the same official, We might as well let the coaches call them or do like in the sandlot and let the kids call the fouls. We had a recent game where the ref was MIA and the coaches called the fouls and you know what the kids knew when there was a foul before it was called because they all stopped playing when it happened, almost everytime and they knew who throw-in it was. These 6 - 10 yr olds know more about soccer and the rules then most of the parents sitting on the sidelines watching do.

So when an ref is calling a game do you think the kids know when they commit a foul, ie: slide tackle from behind, pushing, elbowing and it is not called that they can get away with it?

Clueless I guess you are right about how to improve it when you have the same pool of officials, I guess the league could hold them accountable by monitoring their games and speak with them during halftime and at the end of the game providing them with feedback on the game they are calling.

Bottom line you teach the kids to play a physical but clean game when they are young you will have less serious injuries and more skilled games as they mature.

Do you seriously think that most of the experienced referees want to be involved in little SDL leagues? Just as your little bb's are learning skills..so do referees. LOTG should be applied in all games but you also take into consideration the level of play.

donotquestion wrote:

Actually Soccerrus2 I am not sure how little the SDL league is given they are the most expensive league at this age, tauts itself as the top league at this age level and almost every top club has multple teams playing at each age group.

So what you are saying is that because they are younger they should have the less experienced referees? The referees should learn on these kids? The problem with that statement is how the SDL markets itself as a developmental league and they state their officials call the game by and know the ROTG. These are adult referees and not teenagers. Also it is more important for the younger players to be taught the ROTG by actually calling the game by the ROTG. They are not doing this.

CLUB31 wrote:Oh my gosh, complaining about the refs in the SDL....Wow, I really don't like this comment for the most part....but you need to get a life or work on something a bit more important!

soccerrus2 wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

Actually Soccerrus2 I am not sure how little the SDL league is given they are the most expensive league at this age, tauts itself as the top league at this age level and almost every top club has multple teams playing at each age group.

So what you are saying is that because they are younger they should have the less experienced referees? The referees should learn on these kids? The problem with that statement is how the SDL markets itself as a developmental league and they state their officials call the game by and know the ROTG. These are adult referees and not teenagers. Also it is more important for the younger players to be taught the ROTG by actually calling the game by the ROTG. They are not doing this.

Little as in younger ages. Yes that is exactly what I am saying. The younger referees, in experience not age, need to work on their match management at the rec and SDL leagues before they even sniff High School, Classic, DA, Premier league, Dallas Cup, State Cup, Regionals, Nationals, College, MLS.

happyfeet wrote:

soccerrus2 wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

Actually Soccerrus2 I am not sure how little the SDL league is given they are the most expensive league at this age, tauts itself as the top league at this age level and almost every top club has multple teams playing at each age group.

So what you are saying is that because they are younger they should have the less experienced referees? The referees should learn on these kids? The problem with that statement is how the SDL markets itself as a developmental league and they state their officials call the game by and know the ROTG. These are adult referees and not teenagers. Also it is more important for the younger players to be taught the ROTG by actually calling the game by the ROTG. They are not doing this.

Little as in younger ages. Yes that is exactly what I am saying. The younger referees, in experience not age, need to work on their match management at the rec and SDL leagues before they even sniff High School, Classic, DA, Premier league, Dallas Cup, State Cup, Regionals, Nationals, College, MLS.

What he's also saying is that there aren't any experienced refs who want to do games with 6 to 9 year olds when they can be doing 19 year old's games.
And by the way, they're called Laws not Rules...as in LOTG.

CLUB31 wrote:Oh my gosh, complaining about the refs in the SDL....Wow, I really don't like this comment for the most part....but you need to get a life or work on something a bit more important!

happyfeet wrote:You have 30+ year olds doing SDL??

happyfeet wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

clueless wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all
options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

I like that idea, but they would have to start a seperate league starting at the academy level too. Because SDL - the chosen league for the academy level does not call the game close in fact the only calls being made by most refs are between games to friends/wifes/girlfriends. They allow the physical play and it is not being reigned in by most coaches/officials. It does take away the ability of the individual to use their skills if everytime they touch a ball they are getting pushed, elbowed, slide tackled and knocked down without any call being made most of the time.

So I think your idea of a separate league focusing on skills and development of all players in which the officials call the game by the rules of the game would be welcome by most. Or the current leagues could require that their officials start calling the games by the rule of the law, if they did the players would learn, the coaches would learn.

I'm curious as to how a new league would change the officiating? When we go to other areas, I notice it's more physical and less is called than in NTX - so, I'm trying to figure out how that would change here with the same official pool.

I've only witnessed a couple games that were totally out of control from an officiating standpoint. One was an all Mexican crew that called every single touch by either team (we couldn't tell if they are used to overly physical play or if they thought they were teaching the kids - frustrating for the players/coaches, but we could eventually play within that structure over time). The other was a referee who just went nuts and yellow carded the entire opposition - that was just plain crazy, obviously had issues.

I think a league concentrating on development would be called skills. Should be mandatory for anyone serious about soccer up to age 12.

Well the SDL is supposed to be that league, no scores kept, focus is supposed to be on developement, however we all know that everyone knows the scores, that is clear by the post on this forum. However the league lacks the one thing it is supposed to be about development, when the officiating is so awful, in two seasons I have seen 3 games called right, two by the same official, We might as well let the coaches call them or do like in the sandlot and let the kids call the fouls. We had a recent game where the ref was MIA and the coaches called the fouls and you know what the kids knew when there was a foul before it was called because they all stopped playing when it happened, almost everytime and they knew who throw-in it was. These 6 - 10 yr olds know more about soccer and the rules then most of the parents sitting on the sidelines watching do.

So when an ref is calling a game do you think the kids know when they commit a foul, ie: slide tackle from behind, pushing, elbowing and it is not called that they can get away with it?

Clueless I guess you are right about how to improve it when you have the same pool of officials, I guess the league could hold them accountable by monitoring their games and speak with them during halftime and at the end of the game providing them with feedback on the game they are calling.

Bottom line you teach the kids to play a physical but clean game when they are young you will have less serious injuries and more skilled games as they mature.

One, how in the world would you know if a game is called "right"? You're that good? If so, put on the yellow uniform and get out there and help. Two, the CL has one of the most comprehensive assessment programs in the country. They already do what you suggest...every single weekend.

donotquestion wrote:

happyfeet wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

clueless wrote:

donotquestion wrote:

drsoccer wrote:I'm looking at it as the DA clubs vs indies. I think the non-academy clubs' only leverage is to create their own league, it can be within CCSAI or not, but staying in a league where the rules have been bent to enhance the larger clubs is not in their interest. They can present their new league as a different developmental option. Maybe require their refs to call tighter games to allow more skill. I watched 3 non ntx DC games today, saw very very little physical play like we do here in ntx. A jersey hold got a yellow, a push was a foul. Neither would have received a glance from our refs. The teams could actually play the game. Maybe the alt. league would attempt to market itself in this manner? the ayses guy is always saying they prefer skill over the current style, so maybe thats an option. The current system continues to feed resources and recognition to the DA teams, so if the idies want to gain/maintain any relevance they do need to look at all
options. If the clubs/new league prove they can develop seperate of the goliaths then they will be able to pull the kids who currently play for a 2nd or 3rd team for a big club. just a thought

I like that idea, but they would have to start a seperate league starting at the academy level too. Because SDL - the chosen league for the academy level does not call the game close in fact the only calls being made by most refs are between games to friends/wifes/girlfriends. They allow the physical play and it is not being reigned in by most coaches/officials. It does take away the ability of the individual to use their skills if everytime they touch a ball they are getting pushed, elbowed, slide tackled and knocked down without any call being made most of the time.

So I think your idea of a separate league focusing on skills and development of all players in which the officials call the game by the rules of the game would be welcome by most. Or the current leagues could require that their officials start calling the games by the rule of the law, if they did the players would learn, the coaches would learn.

I'm curious as to how a new league would change the officiating? When we go to other areas, I notice it's more physical and less is called than in NTX - so, I'm trying to figure out how that would change here with the same official pool.

I've only witnessed a couple games that were totally out of control from an officiating standpoint. One was an all Mexican crew that called every single touch by either team (we couldn't tell if they are used to overly physical play or if they thought they were teaching the kids - frustrating for the players/coaches, but we could eventually play within that structure over time). The other was a referee who just went nuts and yellow carded the entire opposition - that was just plain crazy, obviously had issues.

I think a league concentrating on development would be called skills. Should be mandatory for anyone serious about soccer up to age 12.

Well the SDL is supposed to be that league, no scores kept, focus is supposed to be on developement, however we all know that everyone knows the scores, that is clear by the post on this forum. However the league lacks the one thing it is supposed to be about development, when the officiating is so awful, in two seasons I have seen 3 games called right, two by the same official, We might as well let the coaches call them or do like in the sandlot and let the kids call the fouls. We had a recent game where the ref was MIA and the coaches called the fouls and you know what the kids knew when there was a foul before it was called because they all stopped playing when it happened, almost everytime and they knew who throw-in it was. These 6 - 10 yr olds know more about soccer and the rules then most of the parents sitting on the sidelines watching do.

So when an ref is calling a game do you think the kids know when they commit a foul, ie: slide tackle from behind, pushing, elbowing and it is not called that they can get away with it?

Clueless I guess you are right about how to improve it when you have the same pool of officials, I guess the league could hold them accountable by monitoring their games and speak with them during halftime and at the end of the game providing them with feedback on the game they are calling.

Bottom line you teach the kids to play a physical but clean game when they are young you will have less serious injuries and more skilled games as they mature.

One, how in the world would you know if a game is called "right"? You're that good? If so, put on the yellow uniform and get out there and help. Two, the CL has one of the most comprehensive assessment programs in the country. They already do what you suggest...every single weekend.

Happyfeet I agree with almost all your post and from what you say you do for classic you know your stuff.

How do I know, I have been involved in the sport for 30 + years. I am not one of these parents that grew up playing football and now act like I know everything about soccer. I grew up playing and know the following: that when a player slide tackles from behind it is a foul, sometimes a yellow card. When two players both slide tackle the opposing player from behind, it is a foul, question which one, both?
When an elbow is thrown in the opposing players face with intent it is a straight red. I know that pushing an opposing player down is a foul. I know when a player comes in studs up to the knee it is often a red sometimes a yellow depending on official, but it is a foul. I have seen all of the above happen in games with no foul called, not no card, no foul, most happened right in front of the official.

So I am glad that the classic does what I suggested, I do not know anything about the Classic league therefore I cannot comment on it. I only know what I see in the SDL>

whyme wrote:Maybe you have your expectations backward? You are thinking the experienced ref is the best, but look at the other side of that: who's just taken their ref classes and have the nuances fresh in their minds? Who's excited to be there and motivated to do a good job? Who most likely still plays the game? Who is most likely fit enough to run with the teams to be able to see the plays?

Maybe the assumption that experience is always best is what's getting the leagues the "same old guys who make bad calls?"