2005-2006 Div I

[soccerpunk]

who are the teams to contend for the state championship? the usual suspects or will there be a surprise? who are the top teams in south la. and are there any in north la. that will make some noise?

[observer]

i think Lafayette High has to be the early favorite. They lost 0 starters. Mount Carmel, Fontainbleu and Mandeville all have major holes left by graduation although these teams always seem to have players waiting in the wings.

[soccer4]

I just heard Acadiana has implemented a new requirement, you have to be at the 1st practice or you will not be playing for the entire season. Are they not learning from last years experience? I know Lafayette High will not be doing this and it didn't seem to hurt us last year. I think Acadiana has the talent to be state champs this year but not if they have the same problems between the staff and the girls interested in playing college soccer.

[PumasFC]

Why do these coaches never seem to learn from one year to the next. Every year the same inane comments are made by someone. " I won't take a Melissa Gary, Kody Breaux, if they don't make the first practice in October. Yeah right!
There is a least one tournament every year that does not fit into the LHSAA schedule that High Level Club Teams attend to get the college hopefuls seen nationally by College Coaches. Would you rather skip this opportunity to play with your HS team, who will surely have hundreds of those same college coaches following every night, or go to Dallas, Raleigh, San Diego, or wherever else these tournaments are being held. Give me a break! Those players will be welcomed even if they don't come in until mid Dec., because the important games don't start much before then anyway - which would be District Games.
As far as the Div ! Girls in BR after Baton Rouge High, St Joes, and St. Amant will represent the second tier, with the rest jumbled together. Dutchtown will be in a rebuilding mode so whether they can compete statewide will have to be seen.

[observer]

I have seen the list of requirements and the key is they apply to all players including premier players, band memebers, cheerleaders, etc. The problem last year was a direct result of the effort and attitude of some of the premier players who reported late. Why coaches get hammered for trying to run the soccer program like every other high school sport is amazing. This year at least, no one will be able to say they didn't understand the results of not reporting on 10-31. And yes, Acadiana intends to not take players who don't report on 10-31.

[coachray40]

Ordinarily I would dismiss this topic, but I feel compelled to comment because I think the situation is just plain wrong. I think that not letting the premier players participate (or any other athlete for that matter) if they are unable to report by a certain day is assinine. It forces these young people(who are looking to adults and coaches as mentors) to make an unnecessary "popularity choice" to fan some coaches ego. Thats just lame. Acadiana will once again set itself up for controversy and to underachieve throughout the season because it chooses to play this frivolous game of "EGOWAR". I am sure the "attitude and effort of the premier girls who reported late" last year wasnt helped any by the confrontational and contentious situation that awaited them when they arrived.

A couple of questions, and a comment:

Q1) If any aforementioned student athlete is injured or sick, and physically cannot report on the date in question, will they be barred from participation? and is that fair?

Q2) Will the girls soccer coach at Acadiana be just as inclined to RELEASE any 2 sport players when tryouts start for spring HS sports like softball and track, or for the spring premierseason---especially when that will be in the thick of district and playoff play?--after all, shouldnt these spring sports coaches get the same "fair treatment" as what the girls soccer coach DEMANDS?

Q3) Does all of this really matter? Cant we just lighten up on these young people and allow them to have the best chance they can get to succeed--isnt that the point? Are we helping these young people by not letting them participate--NO. Oh yes I am sure we will hear the arguement about "commitment and team building" that can only be established by giving up everything for the cause. I didnt know we as coaches were in the business of building martyrs--I always thought we should be more inclined to teach them passion-for the game, for life, for the friendships that they will take with them from these experiences for the rest of their lives.


Comment-

I will have 6 players who will be playing premier this fall, 2 band members, an ROTC participant and about 10 football players(sorry, I coach boys, but I dont see where sex is relative). We will start on day 1 with the kids that we have available to us and go from there. The rest will show up once thay have finished their obligations to other activities, be received with open arms, without prejudice, and EARN their spots on their respective team. We wont have controversy, and we will have a great year, regardless of our record.

P.S.--we had the same situation with our girls at St Amant a few years ago. It divided the team, the community, excluded a lot of good players, and kept our team from doing as well as it could (sounds like the Acadiana situation from last year). Nobody wins here--especially not the kids. Ditch the silly rule, and let them play.

[PumasFC]

coachray40 id a much better job of commenting on what observer had to say than I did. Fumble fingers and an addled brain don't always make for good responses. If Woodlawn were to have implemented trhis same policy last year, they would have lost out on a volleyball player, and flag team member and a cheerleader. Maybe not great losses to a powerhouse but to a school that only dresses out 16-18 players this would have really put them down players. High School should be the 'Golden Years' to experience as many different activities as possible. Why lock a young person into one sport, when they should be able enjoy the entire spectrum of what High School should be about. Thank you Coachray40 for say this a much more on the subject much better.

[observer]

Just a couple of quick answers then i will leave this no-win topic forever. Sick and injured players were not addressed by the letter but I assume they will report on 10-31 and participate when healthy. The letter specifically exempted volleyball ( the only girls sport active at that time ) from reporting until their season is over. AHS has always allowed players to try out for other school sports ( track and soccer ) within reason ( not on game days ) and I believe the LHSAA rules would prohibit premier tryouts during the HS season.

[coachray40]

observer said:

I have seen the list of requirements and the key is they apply to all players including premier players, band memebers, cheerleaders, etc.

Ok just so I am clear--the rule applies to everyone, yet doesnt pertain to volleyball, or incapacitated, or spring sports overlaps. Ok--so that leaves................just PREMIER SOCCER PLAYERS!

I noticed that I asked 3 questions, but an answer to #3 (the one that I think matters most) was left out.

"You know the interesting thing about the little white speck on the top of Chicken %$&#? Its chicken %$&#
too." -- Quote from the actor playing Harleys dad in the movie "Pure Country"
Call this years rule different than last years(but of course its been made more clear )-- its still the same thing.

The rule gets even less credibility by it own wording and hypocracy.

[applesandpears]

As we are so often reminded on this message board, that high school is of no import to the "serious player". Those wishing to get signed in college are focused on the venue (premiership soccer) that will give them the best shot at a college signing. High school is a side bar. Just something they do for the pride of school.

So, should a high school coach automatically place these premiership players in a starting position, as soon as they are able to report to practice or should there be a period of time, where these players will have to step down, as an expected consequence of neglecting practice? Granted, these are premiership players and they have dedication, but is that dedication to premiership? Should not the girls or boys who are there for every practice, from beginning to end entitled to some preference, at least for a time, over those who chose another activity over the high school sport?

I just think that coaches who employ some ethics, where dedication is concerned, are getting a bad rap, if they do not immediately start premiership players as soon as they are available. If in the the absence of the "select players" the coach has to play his best eleven, should he play those players who gave the time and effort, or consider only those who have ability, regardless of the time and effort put in?

Make no mistake! I don't think any coach out there would neglect to play this quality of player for the whole high school season, but I do think there should period where the absent players should expect to get less playing time.
I do not think this is too unreasonable for a coach to expect. I am sure that most coaches have an attendance policy. That policy should be respected as well as expected. How much resentment and descention are created, when absent players are simply allowed to automatically walk on to starting positions? If someone is in the position of coach, assuming there are no premiership players, would you allow a starter, to miss practice after practice, without consequence? No he/she wouldn't! So why shouldn't a "select player" suffer, at least some consequence for choosing select over high school? If I were a coach and assuming that I had select players, and assuming they are completely dedicated once they are able to participate: I would at least reduce their playing time according to the time they were absent from high school training.

[coachray40]

Great post A and P--I think you are spot on with your assessment, and rational folks like ourselves would look at your model and realize that it is a great compromise that will solve all of the issues. AS I Said-

coachray40 said:

Comment-

I will have 6 players who will be playing premier this fall, 2 band members, an ROTC participant and about 10 football players(sorry, I coach boys, but I dont see where sex is relative). We will start on day 1 with the kids that we have available to us and go from there. The rest will show up once thay have finished their obligations to other activities, be received with open arms, without prejudice, and EARN their spots on their respective team. We wont have controversy, and we will have a great year, regardless of our record.

Your first objective as a high school coach--especially in a public school--is to get all of your soccer athletes to participate. I see nothing wrong with allowing the kids who have ANY other obligation come in late and then work to earn their slot. I think it is safe to say that these premier players WANT to play HS, and are working hard all year to become a better soccer player--regardless of what team they are to play for. Can we say that about the "regular" player? Maybe..maybe not. These kids dont AUTOMATICALLY earn a spot to play because they showed up on the first day. This smacks of meddlesome parents who are willing to exert pressure on the coach, and sell their souls to the devil to get their little darlin a chance to play. This happens regardless of the consequences for the TEAM, yet they hide behind the TEAM concept as their rationale.

Let me ask the detractors a question--You are a business owner, and you have a spot to fill in upper management. Your two choices are an employee who has been with your company for 10 years, or a person from the outside that is eminently more experienced and qualified, and will give you better returns? Some of you non business owners will take the PC approach and tout your loyalty, but those of you who have been there know that you want the best person for the job. Its not personal--its just business. Same holds true for the team.

I'll hook you up with another scenario (a real one this time). I have senior this season who has been on the team since he got to St Amant. The player has not actively participated in off season workouts, hasnt played club ball for the last 3 years (something that I virtually insist on) and isnt the hardest worker. He's adequate, but his committment level is fair at best. Ordinarily I dont like to cut players, as I think we can get a return on any player who wants to play, and we havent had overwhelminhg #'s in the past. This year, we will have a monster freshman class--approximately 15. Some of these kids have been actively playing since they were 5, will make every workout this summer and play club ball this fall. We might exceed out target number of players (36--thats all we have gear for, and all we can effectively acommodate)-so unfortunately we will be forced to have a cut. Who would you cut--the kid that has been there the longest, but offers you nothing, isnt as committed, cant play JV, and wont see the field AT ALL on varsity, or a freshman who hasnt been there til now, who will show up, and work hard once we get him in, and who can play jv, club and develop over time?

In both case it all depends on what your mission and goals are. If you want to feel good about the folks who are there the longest, glad hand the pushy parents who wont let little darlin earn it on her own (nice life lesson mom and dad), then sit in a circle, put flowers in you hair, sing kumbaya, and makes sure everybody plays equally(maybe we could even pass out cookies and coke and run through the tunnel at the end of the game too). If your mission is to build a regularly successful, competitive soccer program for HS ATHLETES, to mold young people into solid adults who are capable of understanding adversity and gaining a work ethic, and providing a positive environment for the reputation of the school, the community, and the student body, then make this clear to your parents and players before the season. Eliminate outside influence to the program, get your best people in when they come in and make them earn their spot, and stay consistent. That is true team building--everything for the good of the TEAM. Sounds like those who complain about the premier players have their own personal motives at the top of the list.

By the way--If I am forced to make the choice, I would be inclined to cut the senior and keep the freshman, as he will give the TEAM the most return.

[coachray40]

My intention was to put a scenario into the forum for discussion. I have gone back and modified my remarks to make them more clear. I dont want to have to cut anyone, and I made that perfectly clear. I tried to indicate that a choice MIGHT have to be made, and wanted to get some discussion as I thought it related it self to the topic.

As for the player, he knows I would like to see him do more--especially as a senior. I am brutally honest with my players, and I have always felt that a true man doesnt sugarcoat the way he feels about things. I will be the first to single them out for Praise or a tongue lashing if they deserve either, and I believe my players and their parents think I'm fair. If my team had a problem last year, it was a lack of senior leadership. I will not permit that to be a problem this season, so I will be pushing my seniors the hardest. They know that. Either way, if the player in question will make or break himself on his own, because he will grasp the team concept or move on. Hard work and dedication are the only pathways to success. He can either get on the boat and work like a senior, or he can take the easy way out and quit. Either way its up to him. On top of that, if he needs to read a post on a website to get motivated to acheive, then his problems are bigger than what I say here.

I had a senior last year--George Johnson-- who was told straight up when uniforms were given out last season that he wouldn't get one. He hadnt played or practiced soccer over the summer or in the fall, and I felt that what I perceived as his marginal level of committment didnt warrant him one. I also indicated to him that if he stayed with the team, and worked his butt off, he would be given a uni later once he proved himself. George showed a level of charisma mostly unknown for young men of his age by showing up at the very next practice and working his butt off for the rest of the year. I will always remember his effort, and his exact words: "I 'll do whatever it takes to be part of the team." He got his uniform, played a fair amount, and was awarded a varsity letter. His teammates fed off of his enthusiasm, and he was a contributor to us in his own way.

Either way for the player, it underlines my point that commitment to the concept of the TEAM--by everybody(players, coaches, and parents)--is foremost. It takes some tolerance, some character, some sacrifice and alot of hard work.

Thats the only kind of players I want.

[socanumber1fan]

CoachRay I agree with everything that you said. I dont understand why a player should be punished just because they want to actually take soccer to the next level, just because they want to make something of themselves and because of this they get punished by not being able to play. That is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. Once these players who make it into college with full paid scholarships or any kind of scholarship those same high school coaches will try and take credit for it, when all they did was to try and hold those players back. I think that everything that Acadiana High School coaches are doing is rediculous.

[PumasFC]

Player who do not report on time due to other committments, should not be left off of their High School teams, because some coach wants to prove a point. By the same token I have watched numerous "Premier" players walk on to the field and automatically be given a starting spot. This is totally unfair to those who have been working so hard in the early part of the champaign. That does not mean, as has been said main times in earlier posts that they should be NOT ALLOWED to partcipate at all. Make them ride the bench a little. I'm pretty sure they can't all be playing 80 minutes of every game (only 11 are on the field at one time and surely the team roster is bigger than that), so they probably won't "take their ball and go home".
I don't see where it is that difficult to slowly intergrate these players into the lineup. UNLESS you have meddlesome parents, as Coachray alluded to. Just ask the former Woodlawn or Bishop Sullivan (ST Michael's) coaches. Both were brought down by the same problem - meddlesome parents who's little girls didn't get the respect (glorification) that Mom & Dad thought they should.
On Another posting an Acadiana supporter felt that all those players should have made 1st team All District due to the fact that they won the district. I wonder how many games that same team would have won had they played without the 'Soon to be Banned- premier players'.
Come on Coaches & parents set your egos aside and let the players play the game, those that show up late may have to sit the bench or play a little less when they first get there, but in the end if you want the best teams in the playoffs you had better bring the best players you have available to you in the school

[reccos110]

I don't think Acadiana won district.

[daddyo]

I really think that the larger issue here is the fact that soccer is so far out of the normal realm for high school sports.

I understand what the Acadiana coaches are doing...they are just trying to bring soccer in line with the other school sports. Football coaches would die if kids didn't show up for the first 4 weeks of practice b/c they were playing for another team...especially if they were the star players.

On the other hand, I got into teaching and coaching because I love kids and I want to help them achieve their goals while becoming productive citizens and good people. How does it help them to have to choose between representing their HS (which most people would agree is the most...emotional attachment to a team that we have) and playing premier where they are actually getting a chance to take their own skills to a much higher level while having the possibility of getting a scholarship.

As far as I know, we had one college coach come out to watch one of our HS games last year and I think he was stuck with a flat While two of my premiere players went to NC before the season started and had no less than 300 college coaches watching at any given time.

Why can't we get to the heart of the problem and have LHSAA change the rules expanding the "Melissa Garey Rule" that allows players to report to ODP and National pool activites to include playing premier.

When HS starts, we practice virtually everyday except on game days 2 a week. My premiere players are generally only attending 2 or 3 practices a week in those early weeks of the HS season, surely they could practice with the HS teams at least some of those other days.
Perhaps only allowing them to practice for one team a day...I have no idea

But I do know this...If I am an Acadiana premier player with the serious chance of playing college ball...I am taking it and passing up HS.

If I am an Acadiana coach, I am rethinking my position based not on silly ideas about dedication to a team (lets face it, to be on a serious premier team you are showing extreme amounts of dedication to the sport and that in turns translates into real dedication to the majority of the teams you are playing on b/c you aren't just working your tale off all those hours so you can go out and get your butt kicked).

No...I am rethinking my position because it is unfair to those kids that are trying to take their game to the next level. Choosing is punishment...and aren't we doing this for the kids.