NASL  NEWSLETTER

September 11th, 2003
 

1. Upcoming Soccer Calendar - new dates added.
2. US Youth Soccer New Coaches Connection
3. September is Youth Soccer Month
4. Bob Jones Girl's Soccer Team Pancake Breakfast
5. USA Women's National Team World Cup TV Schedule
6. Vital information for all NASL team managers and coaches.
7. Free Help for Coaches at NASL
8. How to Remove Your Name From this E-mail List.

• UAB Nike Classic for women - September 12th and 13th
  Friday 5pm Samford v. Georgia Southern
  7pm UAB v. South Alabama
  Sunday 12pm South Alabama v. Samford
  2pm UAB v. Georgia Southern
• Birmingham Southern Fall Classic - September 12th and 13th
  Friday 3pm BSC (W) v. Winthrop  5pm UAB (M) v. Marshall
  7pm BSC (M) v. Army
  Sunday 12pm UAB (M) v. Army   2pm BSC (M) v. Marshall
  5:30pm BSC (W) v. Tenn Tech
• 2004 USSF Referee Re-certification Clinic and Tests  have been scheduled for 09/13/03 and 10/04/03 at First Christian Church on Whitesburg. Specific times will be identified in an upcoming e-mail, but the class session will probably run from 9:00 - 1:00. Grade 5, 6 & 7 refs will need to coordinate PT session with instructors. For planning purposes, please send me an e-mail letting me know on which date you'd like to attend. I'll then forward the list to the USSF Instructors. Alternate dates are also being considered, but have not been finalized. NOTE: The only refs who don't have to recert for 2004 are the ones who took the course for the first time last month. Mike Costello Mike.Costello@Knology.net
• AYSA - Initial fall computer registration disk is due in the AYSA office postmarked by September 15th, 2003 and must include:
  · A correctly prepared and readable diskette.
  · If diskette is not submitted then a roster or copy of the registration form containing required information for all players and coaches. A $1.00 entry fee is required for data entry of players/coaches from rosters and/or player registration forms.
  All discrepancies between the registration diskette and the Registration form must be explained.
• World Cup - USA Women's National Team vs. Sweden - Sunday, Sept. 21 - 11:30 a.m. CT (live on ABC)
• Birmingham Area USSF Referee Re-Certification Clinic - September 21st at UAB Humanities Building, Room #105 at 1pm. Contact David Adams at SocrRefAL@aol.com or 205-542-1164, 205-527-2849, 205-823-6600
• Deadline to enter the Kicks Invitational Tournament is September 22nd.
• World Cup - USA Women's National Team vs. Nigeria - Thursday, Sept. 25 - 6:30 p.m. CT (live on ESPN2)
• Deadline for teams entering the 2003 Chevy Governor’s Cup is September 26th, 2003 2003 Governor's Cup Entry Form
  U-10 - $250,  U-11/12 - $300,  U13 & older - $350
• World Cup - USA Women's National Team vs. North Korea - Sunday, Sept. 28 - 2:30 p.m. CT (live on ABC)
• Deadline for teams entering the 2003 Snickers Cup is October 3rd. The cost is $400 per team.
  2003 Division I Snickers State Cup Entry Form
  2003 Division I Snickers State Cup Rules
• Roster Freeze Date for Governors Cup is October 3rd, 2003
• ASA Board meeting will be Sunday, October 5th, in Birmingham at 3:00 PM.
• ODP District Training Boys - October 6th - Kiwanis Field
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• Deadline for teams entering the Division II State Championship is October 8th - The cost is $350 per team
  2003 Division II State Cup Entry Form
  2003 Division II State Cup Rules
• ODP District Training Girls - October 13th - Kiwanis Field
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm
• AYSA Final registration is due in the AYSA office postmarked by October 15th, 2003 and must include:· A correctly prepared and readable diskette, roster or copy of registration form containing required information for any player or coach registered after the submittal of your initial information.
• Kicks Invitational Tournament - October 17th - 19th, 2003
• Standings Close for Snickers Cup - October 19th, 2003
• Birmingham Area USSF Referee Re-Certification Clinic - October 19th at UAB Humanities Building, Room #105 at 1pm. Contact David Adams at  SocrRefAL@aol.com or 205-542-1164, 205-527-2849, 205-823-6600
• Roster Freeze Date for Snickers and Division II Cup is October 22nd, 2003. If changes in roster, all paperwork and money is due in office by this date.
• Fall State League Division I Play Ends - October 26th, 2003
• Governor's Cup - Montgomery - October 25th and 26th, 2003
• Snicker's Cup State Tournament - Huntsville - November 1st and 2nd, 2003
• Fall State League Division II Play Ends - November 2nd, 2003
• ODP District Training Boys - November 3rd - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• Alabama Division II State Cup Tournament - Huntsville - November 8th and 9th, 2003
• Gulf South Conference Tournament - November 8th & 9th on John Hunt Field #1.
• ODP District Tryouts - November 10-13th and 17-20th, 2003
• Adult State Cup - Mobile - November 15-16, 2003
• Birmingham Area USSF Referee Re-Certification Clinic - November 16th at UAB Humanities Building, Room #105 at 1pm. Contact David Adams at SocrRefAL@aol.com or 205-542-1164, 205-527-2849, 205-823-6600
• NIRSA Sports Club National Championship - Nov 20-22, 2003 Tuscaloosa
• ODP District Training Girls - November 24th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Boys - December 1st - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Girls - December 8th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm
• ODP State Tryouts for Boys - December 6th and 7th, 2003
• ODP State Tryouts for Girls - December 13th and 14th, 2003 
• ODP District Training Boys - January 5th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Girls - January 12th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm
• Mandatory Referee Clinic - January 9, 10 and 11, 2004 for a mandatory clinic for State referees, instructors and assessors.
• Annual NSCAA Convention will be held January 14-18, 2004, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.  Download a registration form here: http://nscaa.com/docs/2004prereg.pdf 
• SportsBlast in Birmingham, Alabama will host SuperClubs' 2004 Indoor Soccer Regional Championship on January 24th and 25th, 2004.
• ODP District Training Boys - February 2nd - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Girls - February 9th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Boys - March 1st - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Girls - March 8th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Boys - April 5th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Girls - April 12th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Boys - May 3rd - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Boys - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Boys 7-9pm
• ODP District Training Girls - May 10th - Kiwanis Field, Huntsville
  '90 and '91 Girls - 4-6pm AND '87, '88 and '89 Girls 7-9pm

         http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/mediacenter/N/61874_E.html
 

Sign-Up for the New Coaches Connection
US Youth Soccer connects coaches nationwide

US Youth Soccer adds another opportunity for youth soccer educators with the addition of the Coaches Connection. The latest tool for soccer educators took off with a fury at the inaugural Directors of Coaching/Directors of Referee Instruction Symposium this weekend in Dallas, Texas.

The Coaches Connection provides members with a link to the US Youth Soccer Coaching Education Network: the National Director of Coaching Education and staff, plus 55 State Association Directors of Coaching Education and their staff, as well as guest lecturers from around the world!

A one-year membership is twenty-five dollars and includes a subscription to Success In Soccer magazine, a copy of the Official US Youth Soccer Coaching Manual, US Youth Soccer’s Kwik Kicks monthly e-newsletter, official Coaches Connection T-shirt from adidas, discounts on: official adidas apparel, special Coaches Connection clinics and events, coaching aids from Success In Soccer as well as other US Youth Soccer merchandise.

Tom Goodman, US Youth Soccer director of coaching education discussed the benefits of the Coaches Connection this weekend and the symposium attendees from across the country wasted no time in signing-up.

"Thanks for a terrific weekend," said Don Gemmell, director of coaching MSYSA. "I thought weekend went very well, and is a great start to bring both parties closer to a mutually beneficial relationship. I will pass along the " Coaches Connection" to everyone I can!"

“It’s all about connectivity and the ability to communicate with educators from across the country,” stated Goodman about the new product. “This allows educators to stay current with discussions on such hot topics as small-sided games; recreation vs. competitive soccer; ethics and morals in sport and parent education to name a few.”

Sign-up for the Coaches Connection by clicking here.

About Success In Soccer Magazine - Success in Soccer (SIS) is the offspring of fussballtraining, a magazine about effective soccer training, which has been published by the German Soccer Federation since 1983. SIS provides the latest information on techniques and tactics from Germany and around the world, and provides critical training support for soccer players at all levels—from youth leagues all the way up to professional teams. With proper education, coaches can help their players develop the skills and instincts necessary to play an attractive, attacking style.

About US Youth Soccer – US Youth Soccer – The Game for ALL Kids! is the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.


 

 
Did you know that more children are participating in organized soccer than peewee football, youth basketball or Little League Baseball? The celebrating of Youth Soccer Month creates an opportunity to tell the world about the great soccer programs and players, coaches and volunteers in your area.

Click Here to see President Bush's letter recognizing the month-long celebration of Youth Soccer Month.

National Youth Soccer Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of playing Youth Soccer in America. The goals of Youth Soccer Month are:

• Emphasize soccer as the number one youth participation sport in America and a leading contributor to the healthy lifestyle of millions of American families.
• Bring kids and families of all ages and all abilities together for fun, friendship and fitness
• Highlight the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs.
• Our message is communicated through the celebration of soccer in a variety of ways throughout the country by soccer players and fans of all ages and ethnic groups, the general public, state and federal governments, coaches, referees, administrators, parents.....anyone and everyone who enjoys the game of soccer!
   
• Learn more about how you can celebrate Youth Soccer Month by downloading the 2003 promotion guide.

Interest in the sport of soccer is at its highest level ever in the United States, with more than 19 million children ages five-19, participating regularly. In fact, more children are participating in organized soccer than peewee football, youth basketball or Little League baseball. We encourage all who love soccer in America to celebrate National Youth Soccer Month and let us know how you choose to celebrate.....we might even feature your story or event on http://www.youthsoccermonth.org!

Please click on the respective link if you would like additional information on Youth Soccer or the President's Council on Physical Fitness.

Want to play youth soccer in your area, but don't know how to register? US Youth Soccer offers recreational and competitive soccer programs for boys and girls ages five - 19. US Youth Soccer also offers programs for children and teens with disabilities and economically disadvantaged kids. You can register to play youth soccer through your state association. By calling your state association, you will be directed to a club and league near you to contact for registration information. Select your state and begin the process by clicking here.

For more information or questions about Youth Soccer Month, click here.

The 2003 Bob Jones Girl's Soccer Championship team is sponsoring a pancake breakfast on Saturday, September 27th, from 7:30-10:00AM at the Applebee's on Hughes Road in Madison. Proceeds will help pay for the championship rings the team has earned. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 10. For tickets or more info contact Ken Hudson at 461-1415 or see any of the 2003 Varsity Girl's Players.
Come out and support Madison and Bob Jones' First State Champions!

Thanks!


Ken Hudson J
Bob Jones Girl's Soccer

Phone: (256) 842-6665
Email: kenneth.hudson@redstone.army.mil 

 

"MARK THAT CALENDAR" [WNT vs. Group A - FIFA WWC USA 2003]

• USA vs. Sweden - Sunday, Sept. 21 - 11:30 a.m. CT (live on ABC)
• USA vs. Nigeria - Thursday, Sept. 25 - 6:30 p.m. CT (live on ESPN2)
• USA vs. North Korea - Sunday, Sept. 28 - 2:30 p.m. CT (live on ABC)

A stern reminder about an upcoming U.S. Soccer-related event, whether you plan to check it out live and in person, on the "telly" or that wacky world wide web.

It's #1 vs. #5 in arguably the best game of the opening weekend of the FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003. The USA, who are 0-1-2 against the Swedes in their last three matches, will have their hands full with established scorer Hanna Ljunberg and company, who have improved enough to be included in the same breath with traditional European powers like Norway and Germany. Stuck in a difficult Group A, April and the gang will need a strong start to boost their confidence in the next two matches. The road to a third world title starts in the nation's capital at historic RFK Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m. (ET).

Next up is Nigeria (ranked #23), who caught the U.S. off-guard in a similar opening round match in '99. The Super Falcons scored in the fifth minute to stun the sold-out Soldier Field crowd, but it was only a matter of time before the potent U.S. attack got going and poured in seven unanswered goals for a 7-1 result. Don't expect it to be that lopsided this year, as Nigeria still embodies perhaps the most athletic and physical team in the field. The battle begins on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.The USA's final Group A match finds them playing yet another '99 opening round foe. And like Nigeria, it's a team that nobody wants to play. While Korea DPR (or North Korea to most; ranked #25) struggled to make any kind of impact four years ago, now they're the defending Asian champions and have defeated China not once, not twice, but three consecutive times. If the U.S. comes into this game with the pressure of needing three points, added to the politically-charged environment that already surrounds this match-up, expect this contest to have all the drama and pressure of a Women's World Cup final. It all unfolds at what will surely be a sold-out Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3:45 p.m. (ET).

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/editorial/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=42877

From Craig Hardwick - NASL Field Scheduler:

To All Managers and Coaches:
       I have been advised that we cannot expect referee support for our games unless there are corner flags in place for each and every game.
      I cannot tell you how difficult this would be from a league organization standpoint. The NASL cannot guarantee that flags are in place. We have no way to lock up access to our fields. In the past, when the league has provided corner flags they have been stolen or removed within hours. Therefore the NASL's view is that it is the responsibility of each home team to provide corner flags for each home game. This is the only prudent option available.

      Based on the AYSA interpretation of this rule the following applies:

       According to the AYSA Rules and Regulations, Alabama teams are playing using the FIFA LOTG as modified herein. Please note the following from AYSA:

3:04:06 Conditions of Grounds
1. The home club will be responsible for the condition of the grounds, the proper field markings, and proper equipment. Nets and approved corner flags are required.

I have been informed that several fields in Huntsville do not have corner flags. Please note that AYSA says corner flags are required and the LOTG (Laws of the Game) state that corner flags are COMPULSORY (Webster defines that as MANDATORY, ENFORCED). If proper corner flags are not in place, you are not to referee the game. This may also be the case in other cities.
Goals must be anchored (counter weighting DOES count as anchoring).
Although FIFA says nets MAY be attached, AYSA states that nets are REQUIRED.

Here is the important thing for you as a team official.
      You must have in your possession a set of corner flags for your game. The home team is responsible for the proper equipment. You must put out the corner flags before the game and I suggest that you take them back up after the game. (Unless you want to donate them to the next team that is playing) This appears to be a requirement for all games. I have spoken with Pete at Pete’s soccer shop. He currently has 8 sets of flags that are available for purchase. These cost about $40.00 a set. I am also aware that most of the clubs likely have some ownership of corner flags. Wherever you get them, the referee’s have been advised not to work your game if they are not in place. It is your responsibility to secure a set of corner flags and have them available at your next game if you are the home team. I know that the immediacy of this requirement is a hardship. I asked for some time of implementation. I was advised by Bill Walker as follows:

“As far as implementation time, I suspect this has been in the AYSA rules for years. (That's a supposition on my part). I know it has been a FIFA requirement for ages. So, for those teams, they need to be up to spec ASAP.”

So there you have it. (And by the way, this rule should apply wherever you play. I would copy this email and carry it with me to all games. Your host teams out of town should also comply).

Find some corner flags and carry them with you to all your home games.  No Flags, No Play!

      As a manager, I would also have a means of anchoring the goals such as rebar and a hammer to anchor them.  Sandbags laid across the back bar to counter-balance the goals are also acceptable as an alternative form of "anchoring" the goals. When the city moves the goals for mowing they often are replaced without being re-anchored. It is the home team's responsibility to be sure that goals are anchored.

 
Craig Hardwick

      Since January I have been moving thousands of drills, tips, articles and exercises from my old website at DecaturSports.com to the NASL website in an effort to make the NASL website the largest repository of help for soccer coaches on the internet.  The DecaturSports.com website was one of only two website recommended by NSCAA for youth coaches at their annual convention. Since the DecaturSports.com website covered many sports I felt it was important to place this wealth of soccer material on the NASL website which is soccer only.
      There are articles on virtually every topic that ever interested soccer coaches and for coaches from newly drafted dads and moms to USSF "A" Licensed coaches.  Recently added were on-line videos of all the Coerver moves and the Gary Rue's Exercises of the Day.  This is a year long project for me and I still have many, many  more to post so let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to see and I'll get it posted first.
      Stop by http://www.nasl.com/drills.htm and look around and I think you will agree that it is the finest selection of soccer coaching material on the internet.  Ken dsports@hiwaay.net  

NASL NEWSLETTER:

       You may sign up for the NASL e-mail list and also provide changes (including removing your name from the list) to your current e-mail address and phone numbers by using this form at  http://www.nasl.com/Email.htm This is our means of keeping the local soccer community up-to-date on events and items of interest.  If you have something to contribute please e-mail me at dsports@hiwaay.net
All of the above information and more is on-line at http://www.nasl.com

Thanks for being involved in soccer in Alabama. 

Ken Gamble - NASL Secretary
"Next Goal Wins!"

REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS

     This low-tech emailing list is maintained for the benefit of coaches, referees, and parents involved in youth soccer in Alabama. List maintenance is semi-automatic. If you are no longer in Alabama or wish to be removed from this list for any reason, simply send an e-mail to dsports@hiwaay.net with "Delete", "Remove", "Exclude", "Unsubscribe", "Stop!", No More!, "Cease and Desist!", or something similar in the subject line. Regional dialects, colloquialisms, and various misspellings (e.g., Cut it out!, Delist, Unlist, Disenfranchise, Quit me, Unsuscribe [sic], Unsuscripe [sic], Describe, and Unscribe) are understood.
     "Drop Dead, Pond Scum" works also, although emails with profanity (e.g, Go to He!!) will be filtered out and automatically discarded so that the youth players who volunteer in the NASL office won't see them. Other requests, particularly those that include the word me (e.g., Drop me, Terminate me, Cut me or worse, Cut me off, Take me off, Purge me, Reject me, Take me down, Expunge me, Take me out, and Kill me) are cause for concern but are generally implemented figuratively rather than literally.
     Tense, gender, and grammar (e.g., Please removed us/we/him/her.) are irrelevant. Some requests (e.g., Enscribe and Obscribe) confuse us and may result in additional contact. Manners (e.g., Please, Sorry, and Thank you, anyway.) are optional.
     Explanations (e.g., I visited Huntsville once on the way to the Calaveras Frog Jumping Contest and loved looking at the space museum, but I have never lived in Northern Alabama.) are always interesting and are appreciated.
     Sporting metaphors (e.g., I don't want to play on your team.) help soften the blow. Denials (e.g., There is no one here who plays soccer. or We hate that game.) mean we entered someone's email address incorrectly. We're used to but politely disagree with gender stereotyping (e.g, Real men play pointy football. and Soccer is a man's game, not a game for skirts). Questions (e.g., How did you get my email address?) generally can't be answered because nobody in the NASL office knows the answers to them.
     Your email address and all other alias email addresses that you include in the body of your request will automatically be added to NASL's Exclude List. This will permanently stop delivery of all types of future NASL announcements, including those for upcoming tryouts, coaching/refereeing courses, refereeing opportunities for league and tournament games, and birthday parties. You can also quit yourself from NASL's e-mail page at http://www.nasl.com/Email.htm

NOTE: The wonderful removal instructions listed above were adapted with permission from Michael Lindeburg at San Andreas Youth Soccer Organization, http://www.sayso.org