[Reality_Al]

I'm starting this thread because of a number of reasons. First, I believe there is a fundamental diff between HS Girls Soccer and HS Boys and other youth Soccer activities. Second, I think the aggressiveness-of-play mentality for the HS girls is having a greater impact than we coaches know. Hey, wait! This isn't some venting room. I truly want reactions and opinions and some true facts.
Here's the story that started this: The game began as most do, with a kick-off. It was a home game, and we had heard that this team was just about as good as we were. "First ten" was our rally cry, meaning that the first ten minutes would probably determine the better team, so we had better win the ball, and attack as soon as possible.
Normal so far, but then their shot into the box forced the keeper to parry away. Four attackers followed, and the ball was off our defenders and their attackers, and the Keeper was on the ground. She reached out a hand, and put it atop the ball. I relaxed and looked for a whistle. NONE.They kicked it out of the Gk's hand, and back toward the goal. The keeper jumped to her feet and moved to the ball. Actually, she sat on it and put her hands between her legs. An attacker's kick on the ball sent the GK back to the ground, off the ball. The ball shot out towards the end of the box. It's was then a foot race to clear between the GK and our sweeper, as well as various attackers. The GK slid to the ball, scooped low, and instead of cradling she attempted to rise and turn to see the field. The sweeper was running full out behind to clear, and now realized that the GK had the ball and was starting to rise and turn. She attempted to leap over the GK. NO WAY! Her knee smashes directly into the turned face of the Keeper, cracking her lower teeth, breaking off her upper, and turning her head almost 180 degrees. She's going out!!! The GK bit her tongue, and it began to bleed. The GK hits the ground hard, and rollls. Now, she is spitting, moaning and gurgling; gasping for air and grasping for her dislodged tooth. The sweeper somersaults and is on the ground. Now, with her head in her hands, she is too afraid to look to see what happened. AND THE REF FINALLY BLOWS A WHISTLE!!!
Comments start here. What do you think? The story goes on, but I pause to hear your opinions, questions and feelings.

[empennage]

Sounds like a drop ball to me.

[LomaB8]

Unfortunate chain of events, but no I don't think the ref should call a tighter game for the girls HS soccer than the boys. The whistle should have gone when the keeper sat on the ball. Then I would argue she had control rather than when she had just placed her hand on the ball. That would warrant a caution for the opposing team player for charging the keeper. But I thought that was a universal rule.

Having played through HS with shitty refs who would say inane things like "play nice girls I don't like to see girls playing physical" I'd rather play with a ref who called the game as its supposed to be played.

Over the years I've seen several players with mouthguards including our latest keeper. Now I know why.

I hope your keeper has dental coverage and wish her a speedy recovery.

[TOTC]

I would hope, given the high prevalence of knee injuries amongst female athletes, that yellow cards fly all over the place for studs-up tackles and challenges from behind.

[Freestyle2000]

I too hope that the goalkeeper recovers and is okay.

That being said, there is nothing I hate more than the attitude that referee's should officiate girls/womens soccer with kid gloves. The beauty of soccer is that, unlike say lacrosse, it's the same sport for men and women, and no adjustments need to be made.

RS

[Reality_Al]

After the ref blows the whistle, he waves me onto the field. The Keeper is truly dazed. We have to call 911, and they dispatch an ambulence. After 15 minutes, they have her secured to the board with the neck and shoulders immobilized. Lights on, they dispatch to the hospital. The rest of the team is in total shock and has only one desire... to get off the field, and out of here as soon as possible. What would you do to motivate them at that time?

After the game, I go to the hospital with the sweeper and another Fullback. Doctor says " a mild concussion, but there is some spinal-neck injury with numbness in the hands." After two days in the hospital and IV steroids to reduce and prevent spinal column swelling, she's released!


Time to get motivated for the next game with the back-up Frosh GK. To be continued...

[Richie]

I did not respond to this earlier because it seemed like an officiating question, and not a coaching question.

"First, I believe there is a fundamental diff between HS Girls Soccer and HS Boys"

Well, I know the speed of play of the mens game is much faster then the womens game. I also know the mens game is much more physical then the womens game.

So is there another difference that I can't think of off hand?

Richie

[faizalenu]

The fact here is that there was a "technical offense" missed (Dangerous Play, when the keeper had hand on ball).

Whistle should have blown and possibly a card (depends on how bad it was).

That would stop this kind of garbage. This has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with BOYS or GIRLS!!

[uniteo]

Now your second choice interests me...first, I can comment on youth and college soccer, but haven't seen enough HS soccer to comment.

I also can't stand the refs who want girls to "play like girls." This isn't women's lacrosse.

On the other hand, I feel that refs are far too hesitant to give out cards in girls' games. As if a less aggressive tone to the game makes it okay to tackle from behind, foul on a breakaway, etc...
If a girls commits a cardable offense, card her.

[GreatGonzo]

Actually, I believe that if the keeper only has one hand on the ball, he/she doesn't have control of it per FIFA rules, so it's not a dangerous play. I remember a game between Arsenal and someone else (can't remember who), but essentially the keeper made a save on the line, had one hand on it, and got his second hand on it moments before a forward came charging in and blasted it out of his hands into the goal. But because the keeper got his second hand on it, it wasn't a goal.

But then again, I'm not a ref and I'll leave that up for the refs.

I think that refs should ref boys and girls equally. I think that there's the mentality that we don't mind guys getting hurt in sports as much as do for girls, thus people want refs to "protect the women". That's just my general impression. Also, overly aggressive girls tend to be more of an anomaly, whereas for some HS, overly aggressive guys tends to be the norm.

I'm really sorry for the keeper. Having suffered / caused a number of injuries from colliding with keepers, I know how dangerous it can be. I hope she has a speedy recovery.