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As I send out an email, I will add a copy of that email to this thread. That way, if you "lose" an email, you'll be able to review it and any other emails here!
October 9, 2009, @ 12:08 p.m.:
Good afternoon, everyone:
Please remember that our first-round tournament match kicks-off at 9:00 a.m., but that our players need to be present and ready to warm-up by 8:30 a.m. at Worthington Chrisitian High School (http://sites.google.com/site/heritagemiddleschoolboyssoccer/field-locations/worthington-christian).
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
October 6, 2009, @ 1:30 p.m.:
Good afternoon, everyone:
We earned a # 2 seed in the tournament...CONGRATULATIONS to our players!
I have attached a copy of the tournament bracket to this email. Here is a snap-shot of our match(es):
Saturday, October 10: Kick-off at 1:00 p.m. versus Worthington Christian (I think our guys will be VERY HAPPY to have a rematch with this team!!!) / arrive by 12:30 p.m.
Monday, October 12: Kick-off at 4:45 p.m. versus winner of UA Jones / Weaver (with a win on Saturday) / bus will be provided and will be treated like an "away" match
Tuesday, October 13: Kick-off at 4:45 p.m. versus winner of upper-portion of bracket (with a win on Monday) / bus will be proided and will be treated like an "away" match
All matches are scheduled to be played at Worthington Christian High School (i.e., the same location as last night's match)
I have updated all the information within the team's Web site, so please use that as a source if you forget any of this information.
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
October 5, 2009, @ 9:52 a.m.:
Hi, everyone:
I also just received word that our post-season part can be held on Monday, October 26, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the commons at Heritage. However, I have not had anyone step-up as a lead to coordinate this. If anything, it could be something very simple with different people bringing a variety of dishes / stuff (a nice pot-luck). Please let me know if you could take charge of this event, which is mainly about the players!
Thanks!
Coach Jones
October 5, 2009, @ 9:42 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
I just received word that we will not, I repeat will not, be able to get a bus for Saturday's, October 10th, tournament match. In turn, transportation will be individually done, similar to what we did for UA Jones. If anyone from the A Team needs a ride, please talk to your teammates and coordinate a car pool(s).
With a win this Saturday, we would have a match on Monday, October 12. With a win on Monday, we would play in the championship match on Tuesday, October 13. Bus transportation will be made available for those two matches, as needed. We will handle those matches as we would a typical "Away" match by having the A Team players remain after school to catch the bus. This would require each player bringing / having some type of meal / snack.
Otherwise, I will be submitting our record / results late this evening for seeding within the tournament. We should receive word of placement within the tournament either tomorrow or Wednesday. As soon as I receive any information, I will forward it accordingly as well as add it to our team's Web site.
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
October 1, 2009, @ 4:48 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
I wanted to take a moment and inform everyone as to my rationale during our A Team's match when a ball went out of bounds in front of the stands and one of our players was retrieving the ball for UA Jones. At the point, I was trying to get our player's attention to simply drop the ball or leave it for the other team to collect and bring back to the pitch. While I and a couple of the players were trying to get this done, the referee on the parents' side of the field made a statement about sportsmanship and that we should go ahead and bring the ball in for the other team. Let me first explain my rationale for not wanting our player to collect the ball:
During one of our matches earlier in the season, one of our players collected a ball and threw it to the other team's player. The other team quickly took the throw in prior to our player returning to the pitch. In other words, the other team took advantage of our "sportsmanship", which resulted in us being down a man on the pitch. In those cases, the referee should have delayed the throw-in to allow our player to get into position and mark his man, but that did not happen. In turn, the other team gained an advantage as a result of our non-required help. In turn, I have asked the men to not collect balls for the other team. At the same time, if the other team collects a ball for us, I expect our players to wait and allow them to return to the pitch. This, in my perspective, is an example of sportsmanship.
After the first match, I had a brief discussion with the referee. This included my rationale and example for informing one of my players to not collect a ball for the other team's throw-in. He did apologize for the poor performance of the prior referee, who as he stated, should have delayed played.
Ultimately, though, our players did demonstrate sportsmanship and fair play. If you think about the entire match, not one time did a player for UA Jones collect a ball for us, with the exception of when they thought it was their throw-in. Teaching sportsmanship, though, is my responsibility over the referee's, which I continue to work with our young men to maximize those results. I hope you agree that we, as a team, demonstrate sportsmanship and fair play on and off the pitch!
Thanks!
Coach Jones
September 29, 2009, @ 7:11 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
There was a little confusion this past Saturday as to who was scheduled to be ball chasers (10 guys said they were, but only 8 had signed up...hmmmmm), so here is a friendly reminder:
Today, September 29 (arrive at Darby stadium by 5:30 p.m.): Anthony Jones, Alex Campos, Tyler Porter, Kyle Fallon, Cameron Orth, Zach Cowen, Josh Alecusan
Thursday, October 1 (arrive at Darby stadium by 5:30 p.m.): Max Weese, Kyle Fallon, Sam Lagana, Josh Alecusan, Austin Salyers, Anthony Jones, Alex Campos, Chris Wobser
Thanks!
Coach Jones
September 15, 2009, @ 8:44 p.m.:
Hi, everyone:
I told all of the players during training earlier today, but I am giving the guys a "day off". In turn, there will be no training / events for Wednesday, September 16. This is based on a few variables, but mostly based on the overall teams' efforts and working together.
Events going forward as as scheduled.
Thursday's attire, BTW, is Panther Pride or team jersey.
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
September 15, 2009, @ 7:43 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
This Thursday's match for the A Team at Columbus Academy will kick-off around 4:45 - 5:00 p.m., because Academy does not have a girls team this year. The start time is supposed to be at 5:00 p.m., but they said they might start as early as 4:45 p.m. if possible. The B Team players will have training with Coach Hall at the practice field.
This Saturday's match for the A Team at Grandview will kick-off around 10:15 a.m. or after the girls match is finished. All players must arrive by 9:30 a.m. at Grandview. We will not be riding the bus with the girls, because it does not make sense to have our guys arrive at the middle school by 7:30 a.m. for a 10:15 a.m. kick-off, which worked out great for our guys last year. The field is within a mile of where we played UA Jones and is not far from Hilliard, so let's allow them (and us as parents) the additional 1 1/2 hours of sleep! So, if anyone needs a ride this Saturday, please get with your teammates for a little carpoolin'!
Finally, please remember that it is your responsibility, as parents, to be at the school when the bus arrives / returns from away matches. There were two players that had to wait for someone to pick them up (one for about five minutes and the other for about 15 minutes), which resulted in me having to wait for them. As I stated in the parents' meeting, I will extend one warning per player. If a repeat occurs, then that player will not be placed on the roster for any / all remaining away matches that require a bus. Ultimately, the process of picking up our players is the parents' responsibility, but lack of this could result in your son missing a couple matches.
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
September 10, 2009, @ 4:56 p.m.:
Good evening, everyone:
As an FYI, Friday, September 11th's training will run from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., which means it will end 30 minutes earlier than what is listed on the calendar. I will be updating the calendar later this evening, but please know that all the men were told about this change.
Thanks!
Coach Jones
September 10, 2009, @ 12:10 a.m.:
Hi, everyone:
What a great match! The 2nd half was certainly not our best performance, but we'll get that worked out over the next couple days of training...I promise!!!
I know a few parents were wondering why the thought-to-be goal that would have been our 2nd goal was called off. The Laws of soccer are pretty clear on this item, which is based on possession / control of the ball by a keeper. This is primarily within Law XII - 3.E: Fouls and Misconduct. The keeper gains possession of the ball when he controls it, even with only one hand. In other words, the keeper can use the ground as a part of him to secure the ball and make it his possession because he has control of the ball. It would be similar to a keeper diving on top of a ball and simply wrapping his arms around the ball. The ball, at that point, is not really in his grasp, but the keeper has gained control of the ball, so he has possession of the ball while using the ground. During this evening's match, the keeper for UA Jones had both his hands on the top of the ball and was pressing it against the ground (he had control of the ball) when one of our players gently toe-touched the ball out of his possession and then we kicked it into the net. In reality, we committed a foul by
playing the ball while in the possession of the keeper, which stopped everything after that from counting...which was having the ball in their net. In reality, though, the play could have, and actually should have, resulted in a yellow card / caution or red card / ejection by the referee against our player for that foul. Had it happened to our keeper, I certainly would have asked the referee for clarification for not booking the player that committed the foul, because the Law is clear that it "MUST be punished by a caution or ejection". In other words, this is an example of why players, fans, and often coaches shouldn't question the referees!!! The referees often make split-second decisions based on the intent and severity of the play, which in this case there was intent to play the ball but clearly no level of severity that could have been or that was dangerous. Otherwise, I added a few additional thoughts about this evening's match on the home page of our team's Web site under "Coach Jones' Corner". Please be certain to take a look at that, especially for a learning opportunity for most parents about the difference between the center of the pitch and the middle of the pitch...I think it's really good reading material, but that's coming from me, who has spent a few too many hours over a few too many years on soccer!!! hahaha! Finally, I would like to thank, once again, all the parents for being such incredible fans at our matches! Rarely do I hear anyone questioning the officials, and I have not once heard anything from our fans that would put down the other team's players. It is an honor working with your sons, while it is also an honor being a part of a program that is so incredibly respectable and knows how to show its appreciation for some great middle school soccer! THANK YOU and keep cheering for our young men!
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
September 7, 2009, @ 2:33 p.m.:
Good afternoon, everyone:
I just received word from Darby that our team will be announced between the JVA and Varsity matches on Saturday, September 26. The JVA is scheduled to kick-off at noon, which means we will be introduced sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on that day. We will wear our jerseys (both A and B teams / everyone should be there). All of the players will get in free, but family members will have to pay...digital pictures would be excellent and could be shared via our Web site. I also know that a few guys will already be there because they are scheduled to be ball chasers for both matches. To take advantage of this time, I am making the following changes to our schedule for Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26:
Friday, September 25: No training, no matches, no nothing. It's a day off for our teams, but I'm really just shifting this event to something different the very next day.
Saturday, September 26: Everyone arrive by noon to watch Darby's JVA team play. I am a firm believer that watching soccer offers learning opportunities about soccer. So, I am shifting the training from Friday to a required attendance for the JVA match that starts at noon. After that match, then, we'll be invited onto the track for a rather quick introduction. After that, players can either stay for the Varsity match or leave. Ultimately, I want our players to see what play is like at a pace that some may get to play next year (JVA). For the guys that stay and watch Varsity...all the more power to them!
Please let me know if you have a family conflict on the 26th, because I want to get everyone there for the JVA match as well as the introduction of our teams!
Happy Labor Day!
Coach Jones
September 6, 2009, @ 5:06 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
If anyone has taken any pictures during our soccer matches, please send me some of those files. I will create a new page to the team's Web site and add those accordingly.
If anyone does not want his or her son to be in a picture that would be added to our Web site, please let me know. I will ensure that any such picture(s) would not be added to the new pages.
Thanks!
Coach Jones
September 5, 2009, @ 6:13 p.m.:
Hi, everyone:
A couple people have asked, so that tells me that either some of the guys weren't listening at the end of training or they haven't told their parents. All of the players, even those on the B Team that will be training on Tuesday and Wednesday (they represent Heritage boys soccer!!!), should dress up both days. This was decided by the captains.
Have a great holiday weekend!
Coach Jones
September 5, 2009, @ 10:04 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
Here are some friendly reminders about our upcoming events on Tuesday and Wednesday:
Tuesday, September 8:
A Team: Home match against Worthington Christian. Must be at the field by 5:15 p.m. with kick-off approximately at 6:00 p.m. (after the girl's match). Ryan Leeka and Max Weese will be rostered for both halves.
B Team: Training with Coach Hall from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the practice field.
Wednesday, September 9:
A Team: Away match at UA Jones. There will not be a bus provided for our team because of the late kick-off time (with a 7:15 p.m. kick-off, the match may not end until 8:30 p.m. or so, with the guys not getting back to the school until nearly 9:00 p.m. No bus means that players will go directly home with their families). If anyone needs a ride, please speak with other players who live in your neighborhood or area for some carpooling. Again, this is the only Away match outside Hilliard that there will be no bus for the team. Must be at Jones field by 6:30 p.m. with kick-off approximately at 7:15 p.m. (after the girl's match). Ryan Leeka and Max Weese will be rostered for both halves.
B Team: Training with Coach Hall from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the practice field.
Otherwise, I know some of the A Team players are talking about staying after school on Tuesday and going to Dairy Queen. Please remember that they will not be able to go back into the school and wait until our match, while Dairy Queen usually does not allow groups of players to hang-out for more than about 30 minutes (If you knew some of the previous horror stories, you would more-than-likely agree with that choice). Ultimately, there is a three hour difference between the final bell and the time they have to be at our field. If they are going to stay, I would recommend they plan on getting back to the field and watching the entire girl's match...which having them cheer for the girl's team wouldn't be a bad idea!!!
Have a great holiday weekend!
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
September 2, 2009, @ 10:36 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
I just received word that the A Team player from Memorial who was injured during Monday's match and was taken away by ambulance is doing well! He returned to school today without a neck brace, but has one week of no athletics. In turn, we'll be able to see him on the field when we get to play Memorial again later in the season.
It's always great to share good news!
Coach Jones
September 2, 2009, @ 9:21 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
At the beginning of training yesterday, I announced two players were receiving a "promotion" or roster change:
Ryan Leeka is being moved from only B to B / A. Ryan will continue to play both halves of all B matches and will be included on the rosters for the remaining A matches. Ryan's hard work, attitude, support of teammates, and willingness to go beyond expectations made this an easy decision for Coach Hall and me to make.
Anthony Jones is being moved from A / B to only A. Anthony will continue to play both halves of all A matches, but will not be included on the rosters for the remaining B matches. Anthony's attitude, positive encouragement of teammates, motivation both internally and externally, and hard work on the field made this an easy decision for Coach Hall and me to make.
Immediately after those announcements, though, I informed all the young men there are a hand-full of players that have been demonstrating less-than-desired efforts during training sessions, have been prone to complain, are frequently displaying poor sportsmanship that does not build team unity (e.g., criticizing teammates during training), and / or are not demonstrating soccer and athletic skills that are consistent with their efforts prior to the announcement of rosters about 1 1/2 weeks ago. As I informed all the players, their placement on a certain roster does not guarantee that they will remain in that slot. If any adjustments are needed (the first may come by the end of this week), Coach Hall and I will be speaking to that player(s), on an individual and private basis, that would realize a change. While I did not individually and privately inform any players that they are being considered for this change, I did tell them that they should think about their own efforts and contributions, particularly over the past 1 1/2 weeks, as well as think about how many times their names have been called out during training sessions for one thing or another or another or another. In other words, Coach Hall and I both agree that the limited few players should know who they are simply based on these factors.
Have a great day!
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
August 31, 2009, @ 9:24 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
There are two Darby matches that we need to try to get filled with ball chasers. One has a conflict with A players, but B players could certainly get this covered?!? The other is open due to a change in our schedule from the initial list to the current one. Here are the details and needs:
Thursday, September 17: B players are available and do not have a match that date. We need at least 4, but up to 8 would be best. Arrive by 4:50 with JVA kick-off at 5:00 p.m. and Varsity at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 29: All players are available. We need at least 4, but up to 8 would be best. Arrive by 5:20 with JVA kick-off at 5:30 p.m. and Varsity at 7:30 p.m.
I'll be adding this to the team's Web site, but please email me as quickly as you can over the next couple days and let's see if we can't get these two dates filled! Remember, the young men get in for free and are "compensated" with a free hot dog and drink between the matches.
Thanks!
GO PANTHERS!
Coach Jones
August 24, 2009, @ 7:39 a.m. (sent only to those scheduled to be ball boys on August 24):
Good morning, gentlemen:
As an FYI, which I just posted to the team's Web site:
The guys that have ball boy responsibilities will be able to leave training at 4:15 p.m. on that day. This will allow them, if desired, a few extra minutes to go home and quickly get cleaned up after training and prior to going to the stadium. Please be at the stadium no later than 5:20 so that you are "in place" prior to kick-off.
Have a great morning, and I'll see you this afternoon!
Coach Jones
August 23, 2009, @ 10:19 a.m. (sent only to those scheduled to be ball boys on August 24):
Good morning, gentlemen:
This is a friendly reminder that you have ball boy responsibilities for tomorrow evening's Darby JVA and Varsity soccer matches. The JVA is currently scheduled to kick-off at 5:30, with Varsity at 7:00 (that seems rather quick / early to me, but we'll see how it goes). For your own organization and as an FYI, our (Heritage) training will end by 4:30. Also, when you arrive at Darby's stadium, simply inform the person taking money to get in that you are one of the evening's ball boys. This will get you in for free, so please do not pay to get in! I will also be at the stadium prior to the 5:30 kick-off and will give you some instructions for the evening.
Also, please don't forget that Tuesday morning is your first day of school. I would recommend that you get plenty (extra, if possible) of sleep tonight, just in case the Varsity match does not end until 9:30 or so. See you tomorrow! Coach Jones
August 21, 2009, @ 10:01 a.m.:
Good morning, all:
Please find the attached schedule, which has also been updated on the electronic calendar within our team's Web site.
Otherwise, I'll see everyone by 3:00 p.m., except for those on vacation or that have already told me they may be 30 minutes late. All A Team and A/B and B/A players should be dressed for a scrimmage (i.e., if your son brought home a light blue jersey, he is playing in the scrimmage this afternoon), while all B Team players will have training with Coach Hall in either green space or over on Memorial's practice field (same drop-off location). Coach Jones
August 20, 2009, @ 11:58 a.m.:
Hi, everyone:
Just wanted to let you know that I had a couple quick replies, so the ball boy list is filled.
Thanks! Coach Jones
August 20, 2009, @ 8:59 a.m.:
Good morning, everyone:
1. We need 2 more ball boys for the Darby JVA and Varsity matches on Thursday, October 1. If your son can do this, please send me an email. I will reply accordingly and update the homepage of our team's Web site. Also, thanks to the young men who will be covering the August 24 and September 26 matches!!!
2. I'll see everyone this evening at 6:00 p.m. next to the practice field. If it is raining, let's meet in the south entrance to Darby High School (around the corner from the practice field that faces Heritage Middle School). If the building is open, we can go into the common areas. If not, we'll just gather there in the entrance area that is covered...we'll let the guys go at it in the rain (unless there is more lightening / thunder as with last night). 3. Coach Hall and I will inform all the young men which team they will be placed on this evening at the end of the parents' meeting. I will also hand out jerseys at that time (if I can get those from Mr. Martin later this morning). 4. Training time for tomorrow, Friday, August 21, is being changed to 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Coach Fout with Darby informed me last night that his JVB team has a newly added match that will take place next Wednesday. So, the scrimmage that we were going to have (A Team scrimmage while B Team practices) on the 25th has been cancelled and we will have a full-roster training session on that date. A make-up for the scrimmage can only be done tomorrow afternoon between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.. So, we'll be going with an earlier time period. If your son cannot make this revised time for a scrimmage or training (aside from the three young men who are on vacation), please send me an email as soon as possible. If he can make it, then you do not need to reply, whereas I'll hope everyone can make this new time. This will help me figure out who will be available to play and allow me to compile a player roster with positions. Have a great day, and I'll see you this evening! Coach Jones August 19, 2009, @ 4:53 p.m.:
Hi, everyone:
While trying to rely on radar and the most current weather tracking for the next couple hours, too many severe clouds are appearing throughout our area that include lightening strikes. In turn, I am cancelling training for this evening.
As a reminder, tomorrow evening will be training from 6:00 p.m. for one one run by Coach Hall, while I meet with the parents. Parents, please bring the $55 participation fee, if you did not pay this at the school during PAW days (checks made payable to Hilliard City Schools). Thanks! Coach Jones |