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What's "Offside" In Soccer?
"Junior A"?
What's that?
The "Junior A" division, coming this Fall (2005), will be the "graduation point" for all of our maturing "Junior B" players to move up to, and also to make room for all of our maturing "Pee-Wee" players who will be "graduating" to the "Junior B" level.
Aside from segmenting our age groupings a little better (as was our intent from the start), there will be a few things about the newly created "Junior A" division that will be different.
1) Field size will be slightly increased from the "Junior B" field size of 55 yds. (length) by 33 yds. (width), to a "Junior A" size of 60 yds (length) x 40 yds (width). This will be done for a number of reasons, among which are the increased size, speed and kicking ability of the players, the desire to attempt to further "step" players toward a full-size field as they mature, and... read point two.
2) The goal will be (with adequate enrollment) to field eight (including Keeper) players per team, with a roster maximum of 15. This is as opposed to the fielding of six players per team in the "Junior B" division. This will also allow players more playing time and coaches and referees less substitution headaches. Standard configuration in the "8-On-8" format is 3 forwards, 2 mid-fielders (halfbacks), 2 defenders (fullbacks), and a Keeper. Note however, that aside from a designated Keeper, coaches can arrange their personell in any combination they choose (for example: 2 Forw, 3 Mid, 2 Def / 4 Forw, 1 Mid, 2 Def / etc.)
3) With the exception of unlimited substitution, play at the "Junior A" level will follow all FIFA field rules, including and especially OFFSIDE.
To this point, we've played a sort of "stepped" system in the C.Y.S.L. which was designed to better teach positioning and to prevent what is commonly known as "Herdball". The system was "stepped" in that "Pee-Wee's" were never allowed to cross over the center line, either to the opponent's side of the field when on defense, or back over to their own side when on offense.
In the "Junior B" level, the rules were identical, with the exception of a roving "Center", who could go anywhere on the field that he/she chose.
In the "Junior A" level, all rules will be as they are in standard soccer field rules. The "Offside" rule in particular, can be a challenging rule to understand, but to keep it simple, it is designed to prevent "Cherry Picking." In other words, to prevent an offenseman from simply running to the goal of the opposing team and standing there waiting for a pass so that he/she can score.
In Hockey (a game taken from Soccer), a Forward is not allowed to cross the "Blue Line" before the puck does. This is considered an unfair advantage and is "Offside".
In soccer, there is no fixed line such as a "Blue Line", rather, there is an imaginary line that moves with the Defense.
Keep in mind that the proper name for a Defender in Soccer is a "Fullback". Therefore, this imaginary "Offside Line" is drawn at the point where the last "Fullback" is standing. The attacking Forward is not allowed to cross behind this imaginary line (toward the goal) without the ball. To do so would give the attacker an unfair advantage, would encourage "Cherry Picking" and is OFFSIDE.
This, of course, is an overly simplified explanation of the OFFSIDE rule, but it will help you get the idea. Also, you may have noticed that the word "offside" in some of the paragraphs is in capital letters, is blue and is underlined. If you click on the word, the link will take you to an OFFSIDE rule page on the "soccerparent.com" website. Pay particular attention to the animated graphic at the bottom of the page. It explains a lot without saying a word.
As with all sporting rules, there will of course be specifics and particulars involved in the calling of this penalty. Coaches are obligated to learn the nuances of the rule and know them. Regardless, all referee calls on it will be final. Parents, many of whom are unfamiliar with rules specific to soccer should also familiarize themselves with the rule(s), and should also refrain from impromtu attempts at referee instruction from the sidelines!
A non rule-related change: Due to the fact that by the time our players have reached this age group, they should have a better and more mature understanding of winning and losing, our policy will be to only award trophies to players of the League Champion team. The Head Coach of the champion team will also win possession of the championship "cup" for one season (name to be determined).
Lastly. The reason that the C.Y.S.L. program has been "stepped" from the beginning is to encourage the practice of proper positioning and to decrease the tendency of every player on the field to pursue the ball, causing "Herdball."
Removal of Centerline "Offside" restrictions will open up the game to the possibility of "regressing" into sloppy play and positioning. Coaches, please teach and encourage your players to remember what they have learned, and use this next step in skill level to further develop their knowledge of positioning and team play.
Looking forward to a great 2005 Fall Season, hope you are too!
Coach Steve
President
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1st Annual "Junior-A" All-Star Challenge!
Westland, MI
Date: June 17, 2006
Location: Hines Park - Merriman Hollow
Conditions: Very Sunny
Game Time Temp: 92 deg.
On a field that just six weeks earlier was quite literally under 3 FEET (that's right feet) of water, All-Star selections from 4 "Junior-A" division squads met for the first Annual C.Y.S.L. All-Star Challenge; pitting East against West. The results were not disappointing.
In the early going, the match shaped-up largely as a defensive battle, with at least 30 of the first 35 minutes remaining scoreless. The lone goal of the half was notched for the "East" squad, and came off the foot of Jessica M. of FBC's "Blaze", with assists credited to David B. of UBFC's "Hornets", and Josh L., also of FBC's "Blaze!"
Returning from the half with a 1 - 0 lead, the East struck early twice more, with both goals being scored by a combo of David B. of UBFC's "Hornets" (both goals), and FBC "Blaze" member - Jessica M., with both assists!
With the East opening up a commanding 3 - 0 lead, the crowd on both sides of allegiance began to grow quiet, and the second half seemed to grow long.
Never quitting, however, the West trickled back into the match with the first successful strike for it's side coming off of the foot of John G. of TC3's "Torpedoes," with an assist from Zach H. of PCN's "Hurricanes!"
The goal seemed to breathe new life into the West squad, and a barrage of shots from the West peppered Josh L. of FBC's "Blaze" - the East squad's second-half keeper.
Consistent and persistent, the West broke through again off of a body shot by Bridget K. of PCN's "Hurricanes" from a cross-goal feed by "Hurricane" team-mate Zach H.! Suddenly the score had arrived at East 3 - West 2!
Not to be outdone, the East squad roared back almost immediately, scoring off of a strong shot by Crystal F. of FBC's "Blaze", with the feed coming from Connor F. of "The Hornets!" The shot was initially stopped by West Keeper - Collin H. of PCN's "Hurricanes," but the strength of the shot burst through, and tallied the East's fourth of the afternoon!
Now well into the second half, things looked bleak for the West, trailing by two.
Collin H., however, had other ideas, trading places with "Hurricanes" and West squad team-mate Gabe O.
With Gabe now in goal, Collin wasted little time in scoring - unassisted - off of a long-high shot from outside the penalty box, beating East keeper Josh L., who had made many impressive saves earlier in the half.
A late match change in keepers was made by Coach Wright of the East squad, replacing FBC's Josh L. with "Hornets" keeper, Zach P. who had worked a shut-out first half.
Calling for substitutions minutes later, coaches were waved-off by the referee, and told that only 30 seconds remained in the match.
Quickly stealing the ball off of an East throw-in from deep in the West's end, the ball was passed quickly to mid-field where, once again Collin H. lofted an amazing shot from just inside the mid-field stripe, that cleared the outstretched hands of East keeper - Zach P., and snuck into the goal just under the cross bar!
15 seconds remaining - Score tied - East 4 - West 4!
Not surprisingly, regulation time ran out quickly after. With excitement and adrenaline pumping, both coaches and game officials agreed to a 5 minute overtime period! The additional period, however, played-out in the afternoon heat, and ended - appropriately - as regulation time had, with a draw.
Final Score of the first C.Y.S.L. "Junior A" All-Star Challenge - East 4 - West 4!!!!
Thank you to all the players, coaches and volunteers for a game and a season that we should not soon forget!
May God Bless all of you this Summer!
In Christ,
Coach Steve
Game Statistics and Summary
1st Half
Scoring
East - Jessica M. - Goal; David B. - Asst.
Keepers
East - Zach P. - 5 saves; 0 Goals Against
West - Andrew H. - 6 saves; 1 Goal Against
Corner Kicks
East - 3
West - 2
2nd Half
Scoring
East - David B. - Goal; Jessica M. - Asst.
East - David B. - Goal; Jessica M. - Asst.
West - Foul - Tripping - Andrew H.
West - John G. - Goal; Zach H. - Asst.
East - Foul - Improper Handling - Keeper - Josh L.
West - Bridgett K. - Goal - Zach H. - Asst.
East - Crystal F. - Goal - Connor F. - Asst.
West - Collin H. - Goal - Unassisted
East - Foul - Jessica M. - Tripping
West - Collin H. - Goal - Unassisted
Keepers
East - Josh L. - 8 Saves; 3 Goals Against
East - Zach P. - 3 Saves; 1 Goal Against
West - Collin H. - 5 Saves; 2 Goals Against
West - Gabe O. - 3 Saves; 1 Goal Against.
Corner Kicks
East - 2
West - 4
Added Time
Scoring
West - Foul - Jed C. - 2 touches on kick.
End.
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"King's Cup" Champions History
"Apertura" 2009-10 (Fall 2009) - "The Hornets" - (UBFC) - Ray Morro, Bob Howard
Spring 2009 - "The Blaze" - (FBSC) - Matthew Boyd, Duane Wardell
Fall 2008 - "The Blaze" - (FBSC) - Matthew Boyd, Duane Wardell
Spring 2008 - "The Hornets" - (UBFC) - Richard Wright, Alex Mendez, Steven Fritz
Fall 2007 - "The Hurricanes" - (PNSC) - Dan Berry, Evan Berry
Spring 2007 - "The Blaze" - (FBSC) - Matthew Boyd, Duane Wardell
Fall 2006 - "The Hurricanes" - (PNSC) - Doug Hewett, Phil Putney
Spring 2006 - "The Hurricanes" - (PNSC) - Doug Hewett, Phil Putney
Fall 2005 - "The Knights" - (DCS) - Bret Abdullah, Mark Cooper
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