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Joined: Sep 2003
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Goal
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Goal
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 450 |
Brazil, Argentina, Spain, vs. England, Germany, Italy
Who wins? What style is best?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429
hat-trick
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hat-trick
Joined: Feb 2006
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I think this debate boils down to style of play as opposed to gender. Soccer snobs often sniff at "direct" play as if its some sort of sign of barbarism.
Yet I've seen very skillful players playing very attractive soccer that happens to be very attacking oriented. A lot of quick 1 touch / 2 touch passing....movement off the ball, combination play, etc. I love that!!!!
Have also see traditional "possession without purpose" teams who build their attacks....yet never pull the trigger to attack. Far more comfortable playing in the middle third of the field, unwilling to take a chance on playing the ball forward to a player making a great run in tight space, they hold and play back. Yaawwwn.....oops.
I think the writer of the article was saying.....that too often in American soccer and I guess specifically American womans soccer, the style of play is geared mostly towards, big, strong, fast, athletic players....and the style of play that supports this....playing from back to front. Big backs knocking the ball long to big/fast forwards.
What happened to creative midfield play? To me....thats the critical (and missing) element. If the ball is played in the air instead of on the ground.....you aren't likely to find attractive soccer, male or female.
So all this time is spent in small sided play with kids when they're young.....and the ultimate destination in American women's soccer (UNC Chapel Hill) just blasts the ball long to their forwards. Why waste 4 players in a 4-4-2?
I think this is the authors point. Not gender....but lack of midfield play.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429
hat-trick
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hat-trick
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429 |
Quote:
Brazil, Argentina, Spain, vs. England, Germany, Italy
Who wins? What style is best?
Bingo.
I'd rather watch Brazil, Argentina, Spain...and most times I'd bet on them (figuratively speaking). I wouldn't necessarily put the Germans in Group B tho. I enjoy watching them play far more than the Italians or English.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,256 Likes: 2
Coach
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Coach
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,256 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
In my experience, boys are definetely more "Alpha male" oriented than girls are. But that isn't a soccer issue so much as its a "social" one. And while I'm sure it flows thru somewhat to soccer...I can't say that I agree with the general statement that boy soccer players are more individualistic and girl players are more team oriented.
I've seen plenty of very, very good posseession oriented boys teams....and plenty of very good 1 v 1 girl players who enjoy that aspect of the game and love to step up with the game on the line and the ball at their instep.
Actually, saw it last night at our indoor game.
No argument there; I've seen the same. Training and conditioning can also go a long way toward changing natural tendencies that are, as you say, more social issues that spill over somewhat into soccer.
One thing I've noticed from watching a number of different teams of both genders--and again, this is far from universal, but just a tendency in this direction--at that moment of decision-making immediately after receiving the ball, male players seem more likely to look for the open space to dribble or shoot first, and the option to pass second if the first isn't available. Female players seem more likely to look up for the passing option first, and the option to dribble or shoot second.
Of course, I could be imagining it. 
I've got good news and bad news...
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,659
world cup
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world cup
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,659 |
The irony in all of this is that my 15-year old daughter was watching (and specifically referring to) Big Daddy's U-15 son when she made the comment!
Coach Chass's "generalizations" are pretty much on the money.
Daddy, there are not enough confident 1v1 girls players out there......and the indoor game you were watching last night was not a competitive match so I can't put too much stock in those remarks.
Kids play sports because they find it fun. Eliminate the fun and soon you eliminate the kid.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429
hat-trick
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hat-trick
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429 |
"Aly" will go forward on anyone, indoor or outdoor. She may not be successful...but she believes she will be and if given the opportunity, will do so.
Hurst....lots of coaches fuss that he holds the ball too long. And at times he does. But I've seen him create a lot of things for teammates that alll start off of the dribble.
I've seen kids hold the ball too long simply shielding or laterally dribbling. But to me if a player has space to explode forward thats a great chance to take space and pull defenders in.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,147
brace
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brace
Joined: Feb 2005
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something i saw in a scrimmage last night.
boys will play a drop when needed.for what ever the reason is.
i have seen girls that will play a drop as a first option.something i have seen that drives me nuts is a team has the ball at the top of the box and needing to pull the trigger on a shot and a few drops later the ball is played all the way back to their goalie.
i think it is a confidence thing with some girls taking players on 1v1.i think big daddy mentioned it in his post, boys want to be the big dog so they like taking on players.
Last edited by Hard Headed; 12/19/08 12:48 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,659
world cup
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world cup
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,659 |
Actually she was commenting on his creativity and his willingness to share the ball. She paid him the ultimate compliment: She said "He plays like a girl". 
Kids play sports because they find it fun. Eliminate the fun and soon you eliminate the kid.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429
hat-trick
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hat-trick
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429 |
Quote:
Actually she was commenting on his creativity and his willingness to share the ball. She paid him the ultimate compliment:
She said "He plays like a girl".
HAHAHAHA!!!
I'll tell him you said that!!!! "Lil Daddy....Mr Hurst thinks you play like a girl!!!!" I tell him he's a girly man all the time. Real alpha men play pointy football.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429
hat-trick
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hat-trick
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,429 |
Quote:
something i saw in a scrimmage last night.
boys will play a drop when needed.for what ever the reason is.
i have seen girls that will play a drop as a first option.something i have seen that drives me nuts is a team has the ball at the top of the box and needing to pull the trigger on a shot and a few drops later the ball is played all the way back to their goalie.
i think it is a confidence thing with some girls taking players on 1v1.i think big daddy mentioned it in his post, boys want to be the big dog so they like taking on players.
Are you telling me that on your oldest daughters CESA team there aren't a handful of that type of player? There may not be 15 of them.....but your daughter is!!!! And I can't believe she doesn't have a handful of partners in crime.
CESA as a Club......has that alpha male thing going on. Its woven into the club personality.
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