Quote:

High Flyer - How can you accuse this boys team of sandbagging when they didnt win the tournament?



I've spent way too much time on this thread, but as half of these posts appear to be by the AYSO 722 crowd (either the originator or people that registered in the last couple days to specifically to post in this thread), I'll try to put this in terms / language that make sense to you.

AYSO tournaments can be chartered as "open" - i.e. "we take all comers" - or "closed" - i.e. only available to currently rostered recreational teams. SCYSA tournaments are often a blend of these two - and can have various sub-levels within it. In the simplest of terms, think of the AYSO term "open tournament" to equate to "academy" and "select" in USYSA tournaments. Whether a team is new or established, "select is select" and "stacked is stacked" whether you're winning or not. When Select teams play in a bracket that is deemed to be for rec teams, people are going to get upset - period. It's a "no win" situation even if you get to take home trophies.

Let's say AYSO puts on their end of season tournament. One of the clubs in this state takes their best kids from their own recreational league, organizes them into a team, and puts them in your recreational tournament. I emphasize - not placed in an open bracket, but rather in the non-select (what you call "balanced") bracket. They end up finishing 2nd, but during this run to the final match-up they pound one of the weaker teams that didn't even score during the entire tournament 8-0. Not only would you be less than impressed that the "stacked" team didn't finish first, but I would venture to guess that the coach/parents of the rec team that got pounded by the select team would be a bit peeved that it was even in their bracket.

That is my take on the "sand-bagging", "disrespectful" and "disgraceful" comments that HyFlyer made. There is an unwritten rule that you don't beat anybody in SCYSA rec soccer by that kind of margin. Some clubs even put their own coaches on notice that they can be suspended for doing such. The AYSO ACT team put in more than half of the goals scored during the tournament against this weaker team in just that one game. That is extremely demoralizing for a group of kids that are just learning how to play. Perhaps HyFlyer is the coach of that team and is having to deal with the repercussions, perhaps not - but you guys jump on him/her because they are not impressed by you and point out things you need to know and understand to be a part of this community.

This thread was started by someone new on the board patting themselves on their back about tournament victories. I'm sorry, but I don't accept the argument that it was for the purpose of congratulating thier kids as the U10 kids are not even on this forum. It was boastful - simple as that. Far too often, adults seem to make a mess out of a kid's game when they get involved. It's not about winning, it's about playing - and playing against the appropriate opponents. Winning should never come before fun and development at this age. (Got to be careful... I feel like I'm starting to climb up on my soap box, and at my age my heart may not take that ) That's why many here are more impressed with Luna-Chicks 0-3 record versus a 3-0 record. We all know what that means long term so long as the coach keeps it fun for the girls.

I am done with this subject. I thought I was yesterday, but I thought I'd take one last stab at trying to help the AYSO crowd understand where some people are coming from. Pick apart what I've said.... Just maybe some of this will sink in. Since AYSO has claimed this thread as their's and demanded the last post, continue as you will....

Thanks for listening.

[edited to add...] So Soccerluvr reveals themself as ACT now. It was pretty transparent, but certainly nice to know I can still read between the lines.

Last edited by Obadiah 15; 04/03/08 07:29 PM.