I'm writing in COACH MODE now...please forgive me I was coaching a Boys U18 game last week. At one point, one of my forwards was 1 v 1 with a defender. This particular forward has relatively good success with faking a move to one side and then nutmegging his opponent. He went for this move and it looked like it was going to send him in alone on the goalie. The defenders legs were wide open...but the ball got caught in his oversized basketball shorts and was easily controlled by the defender. I know it sounds nearly impossible...you're going to have to take my word on this. The bottom of the crotch on these shorts were between his thigh and knee. When the ball hit there it sort of just stopped for a moment and dropped right to his feet. Is there any limitations to shorts. For example, to be considered soccer shorts is the length supposed to be no lower than the knee. If not, I'm recommending all my defenders to get these basketball shorts in the team color. Scott
Sounds like a league issue to me. The laws are very unspecific and rightly so. I don't think we all want to be out there with rulers measuring hem lines. It sounds more like a fashion thing than an attempt at cheating to me. Sort of reminiscent of the whole shirts must have sleeves idiocy we had to deal with last year. But you are certainly within your rights to outfit your team in such shorts if you wish. Would you also be upset if the defender's "thunder thighs" had stopped the ball? Maybe your guy shouldn't have been trying the nutmeg.
My first thought is, "OUCH!". Doubtful that this is a tactic and certainly not one I would teach to any player who plans on having a family in the future. One of the frequent humourous moments in watching U-littles play is when the ball goes through the 'keeper's hands only to be stopped by the goalkeeper's "skirt" - the oversized jersey that hangs down to his/her ankles.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I have never seen a good soccer player wearing long shorts. Rarely, if ever have I ever seen shorts extend beyond the knee cap. I myself, along with my club and high school teamates never let our shorts go lower than just above the knee cap. This approximate lenght allows for much more freedom of movement, which is essential in the sport. If the guy had shorts that long, then the forward should have smoked him, however the meg is one of my favorite moves as well, and who doesn't love making another player look foolish using it?
Sounds somewhat like a poor execution on the 'meg. Last time I checked, the best way to 'meg a guy is btw his feet, not btw his thighs. If your forward had kept the ball on the ground, he might have been dancing with the corner flag while b-ball boy was picking up his oversized draws...
I hate basketball. My Godson was the best player in his age group in eastern pa. and he gave it up for basketball. At 6'1" Donovan's speed and Mathis touch he was festined to be great. He is going to a major D1 basketball school tho-