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Post by barbedad20 on Jan 12, 2008 17:11:33 GMT -6
With all the early talk about the early Div I Match ups (District 3-2 playing District 7-2, and 7-3 playing 10-1) and even the second place team out of district 6 having a seemingly easier path than the district champion out of District 6 would you lose a game on purpose to get an easier playoff path???
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Post by soccerrouge on Jan 12, 2008 17:24:54 GMT -6
Wow barbedad20, that's a real sticky one there. Definitely going to have to think about this one prior to clicking a survey choice. The heart says, always play to win. Let's face it, I'm not working on a goal of just getting deep in the playoffs, I'm working on a goal to win it all - which means sooner or later you have to beat them all (or those considered the best - 1st round, 2nd round, whatever round, it doesn't make a difference). I feel you will get some varying answers on this one.
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Post by copakid14 on Jan 12, 2008 19:11:57 GMT -6
I don't think this question is difficult at all. Knowing the delicate psyche and emotional rollercoaster that is girls soccer, I couldn't tell my team to lose on purpose. By doing so you are essentially saying, I'm not sure if we can beat team xyz. If you do advance and meet team xyz later in the bracket, how can you expect your team to have confidence when you deliberately tried to avoid them?
I would use this circumstance to motivate my team. We want to win this district game to earn the right to send highly touted team xyz home in the first round. Your confidence and enthusiasm will carry over to your team and they will respond and play their hearts out for you. What you teach these girls as a coach will carry far beyond the soccer field. You meet challenges and obstacles head on in life and on the field. The team that holds the championship trophy will have no fear, no regrets, and a belief in themselves that no one could stop them. The team that loses on purpose will be the team that is satisfied with making it to the quarters and going home.
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Post by barbedad20 on Jan 12, 2008 19:26:02 GMT -6
Well said Copa, well said.
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Post by reddevil on Jan 12, 2008 19:30:02 GMT -6
You play to win every game and hope that LHSAA eventually takes soccer seriously.
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Post by my2centsplus on Jan 12, 2008 20:56:29 GMT -6
I am not saying I would lose, but it would be a lot easier to face 1 tough team deep in the brackets than having every game a battle all the way to the finals.
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Post by im4christ on Jan 12, 2008 21:53:28 GMT -6
I agree 100% with Copa.
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Post by burtvincent on Jan 12, 2008 21:58:16 GMT -6
Good question Barbedad. Not only are the teams you face differnet when you finish first or second but also the home games. Normally your reward for winning district is to get a home game against a wildcard team and then have to travel in the late rounds when the competition is better and the home field means a lot more.. I would like to see district champs get the choice of first game at home or on the road.
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Post by soccerrouge on Jan 12, 2008 22:15:13 GMT -6
I don't think this question is difficult at all. Knowing the delicate psyche and emotional rollercoaster that is girls soccer, I couldn't tell my team to lose on purpose. By doing so you are essentially saying, I'm not sure if we can beat team xyz. If you do advance and meet team xyz later in the bracket, how can you expect your team to have confidence when you deliberately tried to avoid them? I would use this circumstance to motivate my team. We want to win this district game to earn the right to send highly touted team xyz home in the first round. Your confidence and enthusiasm will carry over to your team and they will respond and play their hearts out for you. What you teach these girls as a coach will carry far beyond the soccer field. You meet challenges and obstacles head on in life and on the field. The team that holds the championship trophy will have no fear, no regrets, and a belief in themselves that no one could stop them. The team that loses on purpose will be the team that is satisfied with making it to the quarters and going home. copakid14, very very well said.
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Post by wyandotte on Jan 13, 2008 7:34:14 GMT -6
Copakid14 great comments. Having been associated with a team that met the eventual state champions in the first round of the playoffs was deflating to a team predicted to go far. The lessons learned by the remaining team was to become better players individually and learn to work as a team. The team is looking like the lesson sunk deep into their souls. I say, "play to win" no matter the course.
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