This whole conversation reminds me of this commercial I see all the time by Spectrum Mobile. Two guys playing golf and one guy is using a golf video for training. His friend said to tell his computer trainer that he just shot a 12 on the last hole. To which the computer trained friend says "whose counting?". Then the friend says " EVERYBODY! That's the whole point of golf!".
I know we have to contend with refs., guest players, etc., but the ultimate judge is the scoreboard. I've never been disappointed as a parent watching my kid take a picture with her team and their trophy. Not saying it's everything in any way, but everyone I know that speaks honestly would say the same.
These girls work hard DEVELOPING EVERY WEEK OF THE YEAR! I originally wanted to commend The Surf, because they swallowed a goal that could have been avoided. As a parent, this would upset me and nearly every parent I know would be peaved. Those Surf girls were crying after. They may have built some development, but so may have the other team who used pressure and brut force to steal the ball and score against their "DEVELOPMENT" in a semi final game.
There were a lot of missed passes and missed deep balls to the forward players, but that is not bad strategy to win in any way. Those misses will soon become connections as the offense learns to show and find and the defense gets more precise to connect. That is development!
Kind of regretting mentioning them, because some take a compliment to one team as an opening to insult the teams that made it to the finals. I don't know if it's sore losers, excuses, or just hate on teams that win a lot? I know there is contention in here.
I am curious though which 2011 teams exuded development well at The Surf Cup? I go by the scoreboard myself like the golf friend and I am happy we don't have to rely on judges opinions on scoring. Dealing with refs is hard enough!
Every team has different players and strategies. As far as the shot from the kick off, I bet it worked before. It puts a lot of teams on their heels from the get go including the goalie and these are young goalies. If anything, small fields, no headers, and 9 v 9 create this environment for fast, aggressive athletic girls. Possession is great, but they also need to develop runs, anticipation, trapping, and one touch passes/shooting. Some of these girls are developing big legs and can score from the mid line now. I saw a couple games opened up with goals from 20 feet outside the goal box.