 |
Heartland Soccer Association
Celebrates 45 Years of Soccer!
9161 W 133rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: 913-888-8768
Heartland Soccer Association is recognized as one of the largest soccer leagues and tournament hosts in the country. We offer recreational to premier divisions, ages U8 through U19.
|
Soccer is a game that rewards patience. Keeping the ball for an extended string of passes, switching the ball from left to right (and back again) and recycling possession are crucial. Read this guide to building out of the back:
|
This Month in History: June |
On 20 June 1976, Czechoslovakia won the first major international tournament to be decided by a penalty shootout, beating West Germany in the European Championship Final.
Although there were only four teams--and four matches--in the tournament that year, it was hotly contested, with all four matches going to extra time. In the opening game, the Czechs got goals in the 114th and 118th minutes to defeat the Netherlands 3-1, while West Germany, the defending champions, matched them with goals in the 115th and 119th minutes to down Yugoslavia 4-2 (the Netherlands then won the third place match over Yugoslavia 3-2 with a score in the 107th minute).
The Final was played before a crowd of 30,790 at the Crvena Zvezda Stadium in Belgrade. There, Czechoslovakia jumped to a 2-0 lead with strikes from Ján Švehlík (8') and Karol Dobiaš (25'), but West Germany halved the margin three minutes later with a goal from Dieter Müller--it was his fourth goal of the tournament, making him the top scorer. The Germans then found a late equalizer through forward Bernd Hölzenbein (89') to send the match into extra time.
Unlike their previous matches, however, neither team could generate an extra-time goal and the contest went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three kicks and the Czechs made their fourth, but on West Germany's fourth attempt, midfielder Uli Hoeness sent the ball over the bar to give Czechoslovakia a 4-3 edge.
Czech midfielder Antonín Panenka (pictured, right) then stepped up to the spot. As keeper Sepp Maier dove to his left, Panenka chipped the ball right down the middle to secure the title. It was their first and only major trophy, though they went on to win gold at the Olympics in 1980.
|
Here’s what you can expect from the high-quality replacement windows of Renewal by Andersen®. Visit www.RenewalbyAndersen.com for more information!
|
|
|
|
Register for the fall season!
Thank you everyone for a wonderful spring season. Once again, Heartland Soccer continues to grow as we welcomed in more than 1291 teams this season. It was so fun to get to know all of the incredible players, coaches and referees that make up this organization. While our greatest accomplishments are the way we continue to bring the game of soccer to our community, we are so proud of the hard work of our staff, coaches, referees and volunteers.
As you head into this summer, it’s important to remember that there is no offseason when it comes to learning and growing – both as an athlete and as an individual.
We would love to see all of you back in the fall as we welcome all divisions for both recreational and premier play, ages U9-U19 Girls and Boys. Registration closes at noon on July 7th and no late registrations will be accepted. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team!
|
Snacks to Fuel and Re-Fuel Your Body
Being an athlete is practically a part time job. Think of the time you spend riding, running, lifting, doing drills, stretching, driving to and from the gym, taking extra showers and all the extra things that come along with training. Accomplishing this makes a person super busy and constantly on the go. It also requires having fuel on hand at all times to have energy for all the hard work-out sessions while on the go.
Enter the gym bag. Think of this piece of equipment not only as a way to carry all your gear but as a cooler, lunch sack and portable pantry as well. To determine what fuel to stash in your gym bag, it's important to consider the following factors: training duration, intensity, temperature, travel time, performance goals and body composition goals.
Suggestions for Your Gym Bag:
Pick snacks that are easy, portable and mess free. Choose ones with the right protein, carbohydrate, fiber and nutrients for your needs.
Quick carbohydrates like bananas, chews, gels, fruit pouches and sport drinks are essential for fueling energy needs when intense training lasts more an hour.
Whole foods should be brought along whenever possible to fuel the in-between of working out, commuting and working.
Recovery is a big part of a successful workout, so make sure to bring along a powder or pre-mixed protein blend.
Electrolytes are essential for gym workouts where you sweat more due to warm, dry air. Bring a tablet, pill or drink that is low-calorie with potassium, sodium and magnesium.
Investing in portable cups, containers, utensils and ice packs will go a long way in keeping your fuel fresh and easy to eat on the go.
Gym Bag Fuel Options:
-Bananas or other whole fruit
-Protein bars
-Hard boiled eggs
-Gummy sports chews
-Overnight oats, grab a pre-made container or make your own jar
-Single serve cottage cheese or Greek yogurts
-Trail mix or fruit bites
-Crackers and hummus
-Homemade sandwiches—try hummus and avocados or almond butter and honey.
Performing your best depends on a well-fueled and nourished body. Instead of leaving your nutrition to chance, be prepared by stashing a few extra snacks in your gym bag. Always keep a non-perishable option for carbohydrate and protein packed to pull out when you need an energy boost or quick recovery option. When your workouts are longer or when you'll be away from your kitchen for long periods of time, bring a whole food mini-meal along. Making room in your gym bag or backpack for some nutritious fuel will go a long way to achieving your fitness goals.
HCA Midwest Health is the official healthcare provider for Heartland Soccer Association and we work with parents and coaches to keep athletes safe and on the field of play year round, learn more about our services at www.hcamidwest.com
|
|
|
|
The Referee Corner:
Dissent – So you will know it when you see it!
The match was a highly competitive girl’s match. The halftime score was 1-1. Early in the second half a player on the white team won possession of the ball. The blue team defender made contact (shoulder to back). The player on the white team maintained possession so the blue team defender made contact again, this time with a little more force. The tactic worked and the blue team defender won possession of the ball. The white team player, now on defense, attempted the same tactic (shoulder to back). However, her contact was much harder, and it knocked the blue team player down to the ground. The Referee was close to the play and had been instructing the players to play fair (remember, soccer is a contact sport). When the blue player went down, a fan shouted out to the Referee to call it both ways. Play was stopped and the fan was asked to leave because of their dissent.
Dissent is defined as an audible or visible disagreement with the Referee's decision which reflects negatively on the official's fairness or competency. Dissent is disruptive to the players and the game and destructive to game control, if not in the short term, then in its long-range effect on the game.
Can the Referee dismiss fans or caution a player/players for complaining (dissenting) after a decision has gone against them or when they disagree with the Referee? Yes, this can happen. There are conditions that need to be considered for complaints to become dissent. Simply disagreeing with the Referee is not an offense – it’s all in how you do it. I looked on the Internet, and the site “Ask a Soccer Referee provided the following information:
“Dissent decisions are based on the “3Ps” – Personal, Public, and Provocative.
•If what is said (verbally or otherwise) is directed at an official, it’s personal (the difference between “you are wrong” where the “you” is an official versus “I don’t agree with that call”).
•If what is said (verbally or otherwise) is done loudly enough that it can be heard/seen by a large number of persons on or off the field, it is public (the difference between standing 10 feet away and shouting at the top of your lungs for the entire field to hear “I don’t agree with that call” versus walking by the referee and saying in a low enough voice that “you are wrong on that call.”
•If what is said (verbally or otherwise) includes generally recognizable unacceptable language, it is provocative (the difference between saying “I f…ing don’t agree with that f…ing call” or giving a one finger salute versus “Sir, the reason for that last decision was impenetrably obtuse and bespeaks a cognitive level lower than winter temperatures in Siberia”).
Any one of these Ps, if at the extreme end, can be enough to warrant a caution. Anything that even at a moderate level combines 2 or all 3 of these Ps can be enough to warrant a caution. Any of these Ps at even a below moderate level could, if engaged in by two or more players simultaneously from less than 4-5 feet away from an official, be the basis for a caution.
So, it’s all a balancing judgment – how much “3 P” behavior do we have and at what level? The underlying standard for making the decision is whether not cautioning for dissent makes more likely a continuation, heightening, repetition, or spreading of the behavior.”
The critical part is the last sentence. What is the impact on the match if the Referee does not deal with the dissent immediately?
Another example: After the Referee blows his whistle for what he sees as a tripping call, the player who was called for the foul and who is near the Referee laughs loudly and mockingly at the Referee. He claps his hands as a show of disrespect to the call. Is this dissent? Should the player be cautioned? If the Referee does not deal with the situation now, what is likely to happen later in the match?
Players are getting more vocal on the pitch. Fans are doing the same. Being a Referee and having to apply the Laws of the Game is not easy. Yes, the officials will make mistakes. Just like fouls being committed by the players. The challenge is to continue to respect the game and when you don’t to not be surprised if you receive a caution for dissent.
The good news is that most cautions that are issued at Heartland are for Reckless play, not dissent. Now that you understand the 3 P’s (Personal, Public and Provocative) we can make the beautiful game better for everyone.
Thanks for your commitment to our game and supporting our Referees during the Spring season. We will continue to work to get even more effective with our officiating every week and look forward to seeing you back in the Fall.
|
The Referee Blog
Building, Developing and Retaining the Referee Pool. Spring season summary …
Building: Since July 2021 the Kansas State Referee Committee has conducted 27 Entry Level Clinics in the Kansas City area. 744 new Referees were certified (182 of these Referees were 12 years old at the time of their certification). This number of new Referees is similar to pre-pandemic numbers. As of today, we are on target with the first step in managing the Referee Pool. This is good news.
Developing: Referees, like soccer players, need game experience to develop and improve their decision- making skills. The Kansas State Youth Soccer Association (KSYSA) has funded the Referee Mentor program to accelerate Referee skills development to provide the best soccer experience for all members of the Kansas soccer community. The Mentors help the Referees focus on those basic skills that contribute to the job of effective officiating (appearance, hustle, application of the Laws in game situations and correct restarts).
Do you ever wonder about what goes through the mind of a young Referee when they take the field for their first few games? They are nervous. The primary reason – they don’t want to make a mistake. The reality is that they will make some mistakes because no one has ever called a perfect match even at the highest levels. Making mistakes in a part of the learning process and getting better.
During a recent mentoring session, I had two Referees (both 13 years old and both players) who were doing their very first centers. When I talked to them at halftime both said the experience was as totally terrifying as they were thinking it would be. Both admitted they should have maybe called a couple more fouls, but they were ready to take the field for the second half. Surprise…. They did call more fouls in their second half. This is the development process.
Retaining: I want you to imagine how different the development process might have gone, in this case, if the coaches and the fans piled complaints on these new Referees in their first half of officiating. We don’t have to imagine because this happens too frequently. Some Referees don’t let it bother them – they just go on the field and try and do the job they have been trained to do. Others say they will never go into the middle again because it is just too hard with all the decisions they have to make. They don’t want the pressure of getting yelled at. And others just walk away and never come back. If they tell their friends about their bad experience, it is possible these friends will decide to not become Referees. Coaches and fans can be the key to retaining – and all you have to do is to be the adult!
Let’s end on a positive note. I took a 13 year-old Referee to a field so he could watch his friend do his first middle. On the way to the match, this young Referee told me his goal was to someday become a National Referee and work at the highest levels. He is in his first full year of officiating. He started like most other first-time Referees. He was behind play, walking and missing fouls. He kept asking how he could improve and is now recognized by the Field Marshals as an “effective” performer on the field. Coaches and fans compliment his hustle and decision-making. And he wants to get even better and is working hard to make this happen. If you are lucky enough to get him as a part of the officiating team doing your match, know that you had an important part of making him the Referee that he is today. You gave him space to learn and to develop.
|
|
|
Heartland Referee Meetings
Referees of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to attend Heartland's monthly referee meetings! Join us to learn tips and tricks for ARs and Referees, fun games, vital information, and fabulous prizes! Parents are always welcome.
|
|
|
Get certified to be a referee!
As our local soccer community grows, the need for new and experienced referees continues. Join America's Largest Soccer League. More details on referee meeting schedules, training and education can be found on the
|
|
When did you all start reffing?
Our family got certified to referee in March 2022. We were able to attend the same certification class which was really cool to experience that together.
What made you decide to get certified to referee?
All four of our kids play (or did play) soccer as children and teenagers. We wanted to give back to the soccer community and this is a great way to do that.
What is your favorite part about reffing?
Tim: I like being part of the game as the referee, helping the players understand the game, learn the laws so they can play a physical, fun, and fair game.
Karin: I love getting to see different teams at different levels, working to get better each game.
Alex: I enjoy the different levels of soccer and watching how skills develop throughout the age levels.
Hayley: I get to see different levels of soccer as a referee.
Alayna: I get to enjoy soccer from a new aspect of the field
What is a life lesson you feel you have learned from reffing?
Tim: Perspective matters: it is always easy to judge when you don’t see things the same way.
Karin: It is easy to watch and critique from the outside; the viewpoint is different when you are in the hot seat.
Alex: It is important to make confident decisions in the heat of the moment while being able to back up my reasoning.
Hayley: You can only do so much in a short time, you can’t be perfect all the time.
Alayna: It is okay to make mistakes even as the referee.
What level of referee do you aspire to be?
Tim: I am currently a grassroots referee and a referee for MSHSAA and would love to ref at the college level.
Karin: I love being a grassroots referee! I love supporting kids in our community doing something they love.
Alex: I am currently a grassroots referee and a referee for MSHSAA, and aspire to be an MLS referee.
Hayley: For now, I want to be a grassroots referee but want to eventually get to high school/college and maybe even MLS someday.
Alayna: For now, I just want to be a grassroots referee but it might change in the future
Do any of you play soccer or have you played soccer?
Tim: I play in an indoor men’s league.
Karin: I never played soccer but wish now that I had.
Alex: I played for Sporting Blue Valley and varsity for my high school.
Hayley: I currently play soccer; I play for Legends and I just finished my first year of high school soccer.
Alayna: I currently play soccer and I play for KCSG.
If so, How long have you played soccer?
Tim: 2 years
Alex: 7 years
Hayley: 6 years and counting
Alayna: 6 years (still playing)
What else do you enjoy to doing when not reffing?
Tim: I enjoy working out and spending time with my family. Most of my time is spent helping my kids reach their soccer dreams.
Karin: We spend most of our weeknights and weekends at soccer practice, games, or reffing. I enjoy running and walking as well as reading when I am not reffing.
Alex: I enjoy working out and kick the ball around at the fields whenever I can.
Hayley: I play soccer year-round right now, both club and high school. I enjoy reading, designing, learning new languages and videogames.
Alayna: I just got done with running track. When I’m not at soccer or reffing I like to run, play outside, play on the trampoline, and sit outside and relax.
What is your favorite sports team (s)?
Tim: Sporting KC and St. Louis Blues
Karin: I have been an Oakland Athletics fan since I was two years old. My dad used to take me to see them play the Royals every year. In recent years, Tim and I travel around the United States to see the A’s play in different stadiums. Last year we traveled to Texas to see the A’s play the Astros and the Rangers.
Alex: Real Madrid
Hayley: Sporting KC and Barcelona
Alayna: I have always been a team USA fan and I have grown up watching them. I also like to watch the KC Current.
|
|
|
US Soccer Coaching Courses
Coming this Summer
Kansas Youth Soccer Coaching Education Department is offering multiple coaching courses this winter for soccer coaches to get more education to better their players on the field. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to expand your soccer knowledge during the off season and be a better coach come the Spring season.
To see what coaching courses are coming up please CLICK HERE.
Questions on Coaching Education please contact Kansas Youth Soccer Director of Coaching Paul
|
|
|
AB May
Academy Sports and Outdoors
AC Print
Barley's Kitchen and Tap
BFAME KC Entertainment
Burger Shed
Capelli Sport
Chick-fil-A 7500 W 135th St
Chick-Fil-A 15919 W 87th St Pkwy
City Thrift
Commercial Capital
Dick's Sporting Goods
Drs. Hawks, Besler, Rogers & Stoppel
Easton Roofing
Fajita Pete's
Fearless & Capable
GameChanger
Goodcents
Grimaldi's
Hasty Awards
|
|
HCA Midwest Health
Hy-Vee
Jimmy John's
KC Current
Kansas City Comets
K.C. Hopps
Krusich Dental
Land of Paws
Levine Advertising
McShane & Brady Law
Menorah Medical Center
Molle Automotive Group
Museum at Prairiefire
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Papa John's
PinStripes
Pittcraft Printing
Raising Cane's
Rob Ellerman and
Reece Nichols Real Estate
|
|
Renewal by Andersen
Research Medical Center
Salty Iguana
Security Bank
Soccer Master
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City II
Starting Point Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
State Farm-Harlan Parker
The Merchant Fitness
The Rub Bar-B-Que
Tick Tock Escape Rooms KC
Trace (Alpine Replay, Inc.)
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
TW Sportswear + Print, Ship & Signs
Urban Air
Xfinity
Yokohama
Zaxby's
|
|
|
Heartland Soccer Association is seeking action photo shots of kids of all ages and abilities playing soccer in Heartland League Games or Tournaments. Submitted photos may be included in Heartland Tournament, League and other promotional materials as well as social media posts.
Instructions for submitting photos:
All submitted photo files must be .jpg format, must be a minimum of 1,200 x 1,600 pixels, and no larger than 2 MB in size. Submitting a photo doesn't guarantee that it will be used.
By submitting a photo for consideration for use in Heartland Soccer Association promotional materials, you agree that:
1. You are the sole author of the photograph and control all rights for its use. The photograph is original. You have the rights to grant usage of the photograph as stated below. There has been no prior sale, publication or transfer of rights to the photograph. The photograph shall not contain any libelous or scandalous matter. To the best of your knowledge, the photograph's creation, publication and use shall not infringe any copyright, right of privacy or right of publicity, or infringe or violate any right of any third party.
2. You grant to Heartland Soccer Association all rights to use the photograph in any and all forms of media, including but not limited to electronic, digital media and print.
3. You allow Heartland Soccer Association the right to edit, revise, adapt and crop the photo as necessary.
|
|
|
|
|
THE FIFA WORLD CUP IS COMING! #KC2026
Sign the petition and show the world that Kansas City deserves to be a host city for the WORLD CUP!!!
Sign the Petition
Donate
Volunteer
Kansas City - In The Heart of It All
#KC2026 #United2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
