scholarship player at an elite club/academy level

[Anonymous]

my son (U9) was placed on the weaker team since he joined the club last fall but he was playing forward. he got some injuries by the end of last season that impacted his performance. he was put to defense during the winter and now the spring season starting, and it continues to be that way. he wants to get back to the forward position and go to the stronger team because he simply has beat each one of them and scored against the stronger team while leading the weaker team. he is fast and aggressive and good with shooting, and he is one of the top players. i have talked to the coach. he said playing defense in the white team will do my son good so he can learn to survey the field. but the white team is so weak that it simply makes my son unmotivated to play his best.

is this a rule that once you take the scholarship you have to do something for the club such as babysitting the weak team?

also it seems the coach wants to put the strongest player, my son, in the back, and put the weakest in the front. does this make sense?

they haven't got any new players in since we joined, and it seems the weak team is going to stay as it is. i don't know how long we need to put up with this, but to leave the club and rescind the scholarship seems to be unwise. it's really hard to decide what to do.

anyone has done this could give any suggestions? 

[Anonymous]

It kind of sounds like there is a reason to the coaches thoughts. It is all about development and increasing the players soccer IQ.

Not sure about the scholarship portion of this question but i assume if you are unhappy go to tryouts with other teams. Once the season is over you have no loyalty to your current team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my son (U9) was placed on the weaker team since he joined the club last fall but he was playing forward. he got some injuries by the end of last season that impacted his performance. he was put to defense during the winter and now the spring season starting, and it continues to be that way. he wants to get back to the forward position and go to the stronger team because he simply has beat each one of them and scored against the stronger team while leading the weaker team. he is fast and aggressive and good with shooting, and he is one of the top players. i have talked to the coach. he said playing defense in the white team will do my son good so he can learn to survey the field. but the white team is so weak that it simply makes my son unmotivated to play his best.

is this a rule that once you take the scholarship you have to do something for the club such as babysitting the weak team?

also it seems the coach wants to put the strongest player, my son, in the back, and put the weakest in the front. does this make sense?

they haven't got any new players in since we joined, and it seems the weak team is going to stay as it is. i don't know how long we need to put up with this, but to leave the club and rescind the scholarship seems to be unwise. it's really hard to decide what to do.

anyone has done this could give any suggestions? 

Players at U9 should be be rotating all over the field, and no any scholarship shouldn't tie you to a specific position.

[Anonymous]

he doesn't mind rotating, except now it seems like he's permanently on the weaker team in defense. it's almost been five months, and to a 9-year-old it is like eternity. he has become better and better during these 5 months because he wanted to get out of the weaker team and his position, but it doesn't seem to lead to any changes. while in the past, he was quite sensitive to my son's progress.

i just don't know if this is because he is on scholarship. wouldn't the club want the player they pay for to play at the stronger team and in the most effective position? it just doesn't make sense to me.

the real problem is that he doesn't see a way out. if he makes efforts, his teammates cannot possess the ball and they loses. if he is discouraged and doesn't work extra hard, they loses. after working so hard for almost five months, this past week he finally became unmotivated, and it is just hard to see. and this weak team is likely to stay weak for a long time, so he will always have to stay on this team? we seriously ask ourselves, should we stay or should we leave.

but is this the same with other clubs for the scholarship players?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:he doesn't mind rotating, except now it seems like he's permanently on the weaker team in defense. it's almost been five months, and to a 9-year-old it is like eternity. he has become better and better during these 5 months because he wanted to get out of the weaker team and his position, but it doesn't seem to lead to any changes. while in the past, he was quite sensitive to my son's progress.

i just don't know if this is because he is on scholarship. wouldn't the club want the player they pay for to play at the stronger team and in the most effective position? it just doesn't make sense to me.

the real problem is that he doesn't see a way out. if he makes efforts, his teammates cannot possess the ball and they loses. if he is discouraged and doesn't work extra hard, they loses. after working so hard for almost five months, this past week he finally became unmotivated, and it is just hard to see. and this weak team is likely to stay weak for a long time, so he will always have to stay on this team? we seriously ask ourselves, should we stay or should we leave.

but is this the same with other clubs for the scholarship players?

You seem like a terrible helicopter parent. Maybe try tennis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:he doesn't mind rotating, except now it seems like he's permanently on the weaker team in defense. it's almost been five months, and to a 9-year-old it is like eternity. he has become better and better during these 5 months because he wanted to get out of the weaker team and his position, but it doesn't seem to lead to any changes. while in the past, he was quite sensitive to my son's progress.

i just don't know if this is because he is on scholarship. wouldn't the club want the player they pay for to play at the stronger team and in the most effective position? it just doesn't make sense to me.

the real problem is that he doesn't see a way out. if he makes efforts, his teammates cannot possess the ball and they loses. if he is discouraged and doesn't work extra hard, they loses. after working so hard for almost five months, this past week he finally became unmotivated, and it is just hard to see. and this weak team is likely to stay weak for a long time, so he will always have to stay on this team? we seriously ask ourselves, should we stay or should we leave.

but is this the same with other clubs for the scholarship players?

Not knowing your club/coach, on the surface this seems less of a scholarship issue are more of a coaching trying to win at all costs issues, which is a problem in and of itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:he doesn't mind rotating, except now it seems like he's permanently on the weaker team in defense. it's almost been five months, and to a 9-year-old it is like eternity. he has become better and better during these 5 months because he wanted to get out of the weaker team and his position, but it doesn't seem to lead to any changes. while in the past, he was quite sensitive to my son's progress.

i just don't know if this is because he is on scholarship. wouldn't the club want the player they pay for to play at the stronger team and in the most effective position? it just doesn't make sense to me.

the real problem is that he doesn't see a way out. if he makes efforts, his teammates cannot possess the ball and they loses. if he is discouraged and doesn't work extra hard, they loses. after working so hard for almost five months, this past week he finally became unmotivated, and it is just hard to see. and this weak team is likely to stay weak for a long time, so he will always have to stay on this team? we seriously ask ourselves, should we stay or should we leave.

but is this the same with other clubs for the scholarship players?

You seem like a terrible helicopter parent. Maybe try tennis?

don't think you understand the pressure and sacrifice of playing at this level, especially at this young age.

just hope someone who has gone through something similar with us could share some real insights.

[Anonymous]

Also many clubs don't rotate mid season. If your kid got an offer for a team, that's there team for this soccer year/season

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:he doesn't mind rotating, except now it seems like he's permanently on the weaker team in defense. it's almost been five months, and to a 9-year-old it is like eternity. he has become better and better during these 5 months because he wanted to get out of the weaker team and his position, but it doesn't seem to lead to any changes. while in the past, he was quite sensitive to my son's progress.

i just don't know if this is because he is on scholarship. wouldn't the club want the player they pay for to play at the stronger team and in the most effective position? it just doesn't make sense to me.

the real problem is that he doesn't see a way out. if he makes efforts, his teammates cannot possess the ball and they loses. if he is discouraged and doesn't work extra hard, they loses. after working so hard for almost five months, this past week he finally became unmotivated, and it is just hard to see. and this weak team is likely to stay weak for a long time, so he will always have to stay on this team? we seriously ask ourselves, should we stay or should we leave.

but is this the same with other clubs for the scholarship players?

You seem like a terrible helicopter parent. Maybe try tennis?

don't think you understand the pressure and sacrifice of playing at this level, especially at this young age.

just hope someone who has gone through something similar with us could share some real insights.

We're talking U9 here. Pressure and sacrifice shouldn't be in the equation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:he doesn't mind rotating, except now it seems like he's permanently on the weaker team in defense. it's almost been five months, and to a 9-year-old it is like eternity. he has become better and better during these 5 months because he wanted to get out of the weaker team and his position, but it doesn't seem to lead to any changes. while in the past, he was quite sensitive to my son's progress.

i just don't know if this is because he is on scholarship. wouldn't the club want the player they pay for to play at the stronger team and in the most effective position? it just doesn't make sense to me.

the real problem is that he doesn't see a way out. if he makes efforts, his teammates cannot possess the ball and they loses. if he is discouraged and doesn't work extra hard, they loses. after working so hard for almost five months, this past week he finally became unmotivated, and it is just hard to see. and this weak team is likely to stay weak for a long time, so he will always have to stay on this team? we seriously ask ourselves, should we stay or should we leave.

but is this the same with other clubs for the scholarship players?

You seem like a terrible helicopter parent. Maybe try tennis?

don't think you understand the pressure and sacrifice of playing at this level, especially at this young age.

just hope someone who has gone through something similar with us could share some real insights.

Your DS is on the second team. So he’s not at “this level.” It sounds like the club wants to develop your DS, making him into a more well rounded player. I mean I moved our kid to a different club that will play him in a variety of positions. I was told by a coach that specializing in a position doesn’t really happen until U13. That’s a good thing esp at u9 to get that experience.

If your DS or u are fixated only on winning or doing things that is fun for your DS, your DS will never make it at the higher levels.

[Anonymous]

Many clubs do not make roster changes mid-season, but almost all clubs are about to start (or have started) tryouts for that age group for next year. Try out and see where your son falls. In the meantime, ask for guest playing opportunities with the higher team.

[Anonymous]

Nothing to do with scholarship. And there’s nothing wrong playing defense. You cannot expect to just play the position you want all the time. It sounds like your and your son want the glory of goal scoring while looking down on defensive positions.

Coaches put the strongest player on the team
In the back. Forward is where coach hide the weaker players especially at U9.

Competitive soccer maybe not be it for you if you only want to play certain position certain team.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like he’s super weak mentally.

[Anonymous]

I'm seems that your coach told you the reason your son js playing there, to help develop his ability to survey the field.

No club is trying to stack their second time. I realize that you might think your son is ready to move up, but they may not see it that way. Ask what things he needs to work on. And if you still disagree, you can always take him to try out somewhere else. There are a ton of clubs in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:he doesn't mind rotating, except now it seems like he's permanently on the weaker team in defense. it's almost been five months, and to a 9-year-old it is like eternity. he has become better and better during these 5 months because he wanted to get out of the weaker team and his position, but it doesn't seem to lead to any changes. while in the past, he was quite sensitive to my son's progress.

i just don't know if this is because he is on scholarship. wouldn't the club want the player they pay for to play at the stronger team and in the most effective position? it just doesn't make sense to me.

the real problem is that he doesn't see a way out. if he makes efforts, his teammates cannot possess the ball and they loses. if he is discouraged and doesn't work extra hard, they loses. after working so hard for almost five months, this past week he finally became unmotivated, and it is just hard to see. and this weak team is likely to stay weak for a long time, so he will always have to stay on this team? we seriously ask ourselves, should we stay or should we leave.

but is this the same with other clubs for the scholarship players?

You seem like a terrible helicopter parent. Maybe try tennis?

don't think you understand the pressure and sacrifice of playing at this level, especially at this young age.

just hope someone who has gone through something similar with us could share some real insights.

Your DS is on the second team. So he’s not at “this level.” It sounds like the club wants to develop your DS, making him into a more well rounded player. I mean I moved our kid to a different club that will play him in a variety of positions. I was told by a coach that specializing in a position doesn’t really happen until U13. That’s a good thing esp at u9 to get that experience.

If your DS or u are fixated only on winning or doing things that is fun for your DS, your DS will never make it at the higher levels.

I agree. Kids aren't looking at the big picture so you need to help him. Unless his goal is to be the best U9 forward and then switch to a different sport next year, he needs to trust the coach and the process.