Game #3 and Tournament Info

Tomorrow, we are playing Game #3.  This will be our last chance to prepare for tournament as a team, so be ready to learn and play!  

Tournament is only a week away, on Nov. 16-17, so read the information below if your child is participating.  

DESERT CUP TOURNAMENT

The Desert Cup Regional Tourney will be at the Scottsdale Soccer Complex: (8081 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255). I will email times as soon as I receive them (usually times are out by now but they may come mid-week). For now block out the entire day.  

The top 8 teams in each division advance to State which will be Sunday Dec. 8^th (block that date as well just in case).  But, as I stress to the kids, the tourney’s focus should not be winning and advancing to State, it’s all about reconnaissance for what we want to work on when practices resume in the spring. Advancing to State and winning trophies is just icing.

What to Bring – Part 1:

•             Ages 9+: Must be proof of age, including 8 yr olds playing in the 9-10 yr old division.

•             All players: Plenty of water.  Must wear jersey, black shorts, shin guards, and cleats

•             Shade structures if you have them.  Next weekend’s forecast: Morning games will be in the low 70’s with afternoon games mid 80’s. Partly cloudy. Perfect weather for soccer tourney! There is a 20% chance of precipitation Sunday. Regardless of weather, unless lightning, the tournament will be played. Show up regardless. 

When to Arrive: 30-45 minutes before 1st game.  

Keys to Success:

1.            Remember, even though this is a tournament, it is a recreational league.  It will be natural for everyone (players and parents) to be amped up a little. Do your best to keep things positive and the kids will have a great time regardless of wins and losses. 

Remember, Activstars coaches are not allowed to be on our team’s field during the tourney (instead we’re on other fields refereeing games as impartial refs) and us coaches while refereeing will occasionally miss calls. It happens in the World Cup Championship – we’re all human.  I promise the other referees do not hold any grudge against any teams when the games start. So be mindful how referees are treated because you don’t want a sub-conscious bias to develop. Hence…

Parents are strongly encouraged to find at the command tent Joe (ages 5-8), Jared (ages 9-10) or Jerzy (ages 11-15) if you have concerns or issues with how a game is called.  Go immediately. Do not wait until the game has ended.  There is no video replay regardless of what a cell phone records. Calls are not later overturned. Get a director to come observe the game immediately.

Refs have different styles of what they allow for physical play (soccer can be a physical sport).  You can lean into players with your body and arm, but you cannot shove or hit an opponent.   You can use your body to shield the ball but you cannot crash into another player.   On the larger fields, the linesmen with flags are NOT allowed to blow the whistle, as in professional soccer. The head ref on the field uses them as help when needed.  

2.            Avoid the 3rd game crash.  Sugary snacks during and between games and letting kids continue to play and practice between game can be a recipe for a lost last game.  Keep ironing kinks between games to 10 minutes. Keep the kids sitting in the shade cheering on our other teams.  Hour-by-hour schedule is below.

How the Tourney Works:

There are nine divisions at the tourney :

5-6 Silver and 5-6 Gold

7-8 Silver and 7-8 Gold

9-10 Silver and 9-10 Gold

11-12 Silver and 11-12 Gold

13-15

Each team will play 3 games against another team from its region (east or west region). A win is worth 6 pts, a tie worth 1 pt (it might be 3 pts – I forget) and 0 pts for a loss. Additional pts are earned for each goal up to a maximum of 3 extra pts.  The top four teams in each regional division advance to the Desert Cup State Tournament, which is Sunday, December 8^th at Scottsdale Soccer Complex. It is an additional $20 for the state tournament.

What to Bring – Part 2: Lawn chairs, blankets, canopy tents (it’s always enjoyable building a little city on fields in which our location has back-to-back games), plenty of water and snacks. Pack a cooler.  If you have tents, please share with families who don’t have one.  I’ve included everyone’s email in the class so you can coordinate food/beverages (all-age beverages only).

Generic Remind to All Parent Coaches: Keep the playing time equal for all players. The best way to develop players is at the tournament. When playing a doubleheader, sub fast and furious – every 3-5 minutes. Make bulk substitutions to keep the game flowing.  If low on subs, rotate forwards with defenders and midfielders with defenders instead of subbing them out.

Food: There will be a couple food trucks onsite with hotdogs, hamburgers, brats, etc. for sale.  

Lastly: If you need to reach me during the tournament, you can find me at the command tent on the 5-8 year old (north fields).

See you at the pitch!

-Coach Sean and Erin