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That's cool, I had absolutely no idea! So while I may have suggested in other comments that I didn't love European FAs fiddling with the offside rule and VAR, I

by smcl 3y ago

That's cool, I had absolutely no idea! So while I may have suggested in other comments that I didn't love European FAs fiddling with the offside rule and VAR, I do appreciate a bit of innovation and creativity and it sounds like the US is willing to experiment which is great to see. I happily retract my earlier confident assertion about how points work in groups/leagues :) On another note, I've really enjoyed seeing the game over there going from strength to strength, I hope you're enjoying it too and continue to stay involved at some level!

dylan604 3y ago
Just to tack on more as I've knocked some cobwebs loose, the UIL also did their penalty shoot outs similar to hockey where the ball was put in play some 20 yards out and the attacker allowed to dribble the ball and the keeper was allowed to challenge. In the early days of the MLS, they did this as well. When MLS did away with that non-sense, the UIL followed as well. US Soccer (official FIFA member) was apparently so concerned that soccer would not be accepted that they were willing to experiment with rules to make things more "exciting". UIL did things because Texas is just so entrenched with Friday Night Lights football, that things had to be brought into alignment with their understanding (tongue planted firmly in cheek). After all, it is using their field! Also, the organization of officials in UIL sports (Texas Association of Sports Officials - TASO) is kind of weird. Once you become an official of one sport, you can easily become an official of another sport with no experience necessary. Naturally, a lot of the throwball referees crossed over to football officiating in the early days. As the UIL game garnered more respect, better officials started to make their way, but the rules are still some mishmash hybrid gene spliced 100% GMO'd version.
- smcl 3y ago
  Ahhh I see, so some of the experiments might have not even been deliberate in the end. Either way that's an interesting bit of history, I'm glad to have learned about it! I'm about to re-enter the game aged 37 years old (not played in ~1.5 yrs) this weekend with trials for a little local very-very minor team here. No idea how it'll go but I'm curious to see if my legs can carry me for one more season :D
  - dylan604 3y ago
    it was never the legs that failed, but it was always the gut/diaphragm. as a defender, i'd make sure that the run we're about to make when that ball comes over the top was done at my pace using all of the dark arts i could muster. good luck!

by smcl 3y ago

dylan604 3y ago

Just to tack on more as I've knocked some cobwebs loose, the UIL also did their penalty shoot outs similar to hockey where the ball was put in play some 20 yards out and the attacker allowed to dribble the ball and the keeper was allowed to challenge. In the early days of the MLS, they did this as well. When MLS did away with that non-sense, the UIL followed as well. US Soccer (official FIFA member) was apparently so concerned that soccer would not be accepted that they were willing to experiment with rules to make things more "exciting". UIL did things because Texas is just so entrenched with Friday Night Lights football, that things had to be brought into alignment with their understanding (tongue planted firmly in cheek). After all, it is using their field! Also, the organization of officials in UIL sports (Texas Association of Sports Officials - TASO) is kind of weird. Once you become an official of one sport, you can easily become an official of another sport with no experience necessary. Naturally, a lot of the throwball referees crossed over to football officiating in the early days. As the UIL game garnered more respect, better officials started to make their way, but the rules are still some mishmash hybrid gene spliced 100% GMO'd version.

smcl 3y ago
Ahhh I see, so some of the experiments might have not even been deliberate in the end. Either way that's an interesting bit of history, I'm glad to have learned about it! I'm about to re-enter the game aged 37 years old (not played in ~1.5 yrs) this weekend with trials for a little local very-very minor team here. No idea how it'll go but I'm curious to see if my legs can carry me for one more season :D
- dylan604 3y ago
  it was never the legs that failed, but it was always the gut/diaphragm. as a defender, i'd make sure that the run we're about to make when that ball comes over the top was done at my pace using all of the dark arts i could muster. good luck!