Harsh Reality for your Beloved Soccer Player

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coach here (OP)

Geez this thread took off. My response to some of the comments.

1. If you are in ECNL, of course you have a D1 chance. ECNL teams usually are the best select of the club. Usually these are the most athletic/technical/intelligent players (hopefully). I never said ECNL player to D1 is rare. My main point was by U12 if your player isn't at the appropriate technical level it's going to be difficult.

2. There are a lot of freak athletes, you'd be surprised how many there are across the nation.

3. I agree with the anecdotes about academics. However, if your player would like a career in soccer (coaching, admin, etc)in the future, playing college ball gives them a lot of connections and credible resume

No there aren't that many athletic freaks to fill 25% of D1 rosters. They are definitely above average, on the whole, but not years in advance of others. You are thinking of kids who hit their growth spurts early. Many of these at the u12 age you are thinking of (for girls) actually stop growing sooner than the delayed growth kids. Kids who enter menarche sooner (and therefore have an earlier growth spurt) end up smaller than average by the time the group is fully mature.

Coaches who size up kids at 11 with respect to their ability to make a D1 roster (or national/pro team) are part of the problem in this country, not part of the solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I have two kids playing soccer in college right now with scholarships, one in D1, and I can tell you no local coaches thought anything of either of them at U12--they were still playing on their club's B team with the better coach at that age. They didn't even get selected for district ODP at U12. I noticed a difference, and sure, maybe a different coach could have picked them out, but none of the ones who saw them thought they were anything special so I have my reservations about your theory. Maybe you are the one coach who would have seen their potential at that age.

As a parent with a couple kids playing soccer in college whose been through the whole youth soccer cycle--if your kid is playing soccer for a scholarship and not for the love of the game you're wasting their time and yours. If your reasons are financial put the thousands you spend on elite soccer each season into a college fund and you'll be much better off. I know multiple players who chose to play club soccer in college or dropped off the team after the first year because when they got there they realized they just didn't love it that much.

College soccer here is miserable. Terrible coaching with too many games crammed into too short of a season. At the end of the season half the team is nursing overuse injuries if they're lucky enough to escape actual injuries. If they got good coaching as a youth player and really understand the game and how to play it--college soccer will probably make them dumber not smarter. With a handful of exceptions it's pretty much high school soccer at a faster pace. They ones that realized they didn't want it that bad and chose to play club or do something else are the lucky ones. Please don't push your kids into that unless they are so passionate they can survive four years of that without losing their passion. The vast majority of seniors I have talked to don't want to ever touch a ball again after they graduate. Hopefully after some time away from the game they'll come back around to it, but if you're pushing your kid to play college soccer that's the reality of what you're pushing them into.

This is helpful, thanks. My DC is under extraordinary peer pressure to accept one of several D1 offers but is strongly leaning towards a D3 school. I'm all for it for a number of reasons but also fear that for a high-level, dedicated player, the D3 experience won't be fun at all because of the "high school soccer" aspect you reference...

[NOVASoccerCoach]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have two kids playing soccer in college right now with scholarships, one in D1, and I can tell you no local coaches thought anything of either of them at U12--they were still playing on their club's B team with the better coach at that age. They didn't even get selected for district ODP at U12. I noticed a difference, and sure, maybe a different coach could have picked them out, but none of the ones who saw them thought they were anything special so I have my reservations about your theory. Maybe you are the one coach who would have seen their potential at that age.

As a parent with a couple kids playing soccer in college whose been through the whole youth soccer cycle--if your kid is playing soccer for a scholarship and not for the love of the game you're wasting their time and yours. If your reasons are financial put the thousands you spend on elite soccer each season into a college fund and you'll be much better off. I know multiple players who chose to play club soccer in college or dropped off the team after the first year because when they got there they realized they just didn't love it that much.

College soccer here is miserable. Terrible coaching with too many games crammed into too short of a season. At the end of the season half the team is nursing overuse injuries if they're lucky enough to escape actual injuries. If they got good coaching as a youth player and really understand the game and how to play it--college soccer will probably make them dumber not smarter. With a handful of exceptions it's pretty much high school soccer at a faster pace. They ones that realized they didn't want it that bad and chose to play club or do something else are the lucky ones. Please don't push your kids into that unless they are so passionate they can survive four years of that without losing their passion. The vast majority of seniors I have talked to don't want to ever touch a ball again after they graduate. Hopefully after some time away from the game they'll come back around to it, but if you're pushing your kid to play college soccer that's the reality of what you're pushing them into.

This is helpful, thanks. My DC is under extraordinary peer pressure to accept one of several D1 offers but is strongly leaning towards a D3 school. I'm all for it for a number of reasons but also fear that for a high-level, dedicated player, the D3 experience won't be fun at all because of the "high school soccer" aspect you reference...

Coach here. I actually know quite a bit of D3 players who ended up not liking it at all due to those reasons and dropped/transferred schools. If there is a D1 school he/she feels most comfortable about, I would ask to think about it strongly. How dedicated is your DC to the sport, are they willing to start training even more? If not college soccer may not be for them

[NOVASoccerCoach]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here (OP)

Geez this thread took off. My response to some of the comments.

1. If you are in ECNL, of course you have a D1 chance. ECNL teams usually are the best select of the club. Usually these are the most athletic/technical/intelligent players (hopefully). I never said ECNL player to D1 is rare. My main point was by U12 if your player isn't at the appropriate technical level it's going to be difficult.

2. There are a lot of freak athletes, you'd be surprised how many there are across the nation.

3. I agree with the anecdotes about academics. However, if your player would like a career in soccer (coaching, admin, etc)in the future, playing college ball gives them a lot of connections and credible resume

No there aren't that many athletic freaks to fill 25% of D1 rosters. They are definitely above average, on the whole, but not years in advance of others. You are thinking of kids who hit their growth spurts early. Many of these at the u12 age you are thinking of (for girls) actually stop growing sooner than the delayed growth kids. Kids who enter menarche sooner (and therefore have an earlier growth spurt) end up smaller than average by the time the group is fully mature.

Coaches who size up kids at 11 with respect to their ability to make a D1 roster (or national/pro team) are part of the problem in this country, not part of the solution.

Again, read the other responses. You can rule out a kid who is not technically sound and not athletic at U12.

[Anonymous]

Do not choose a school due to advice u get on a soccer forum. Period

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here (OP)

Geez this thread took off. My response to some of the comments.

1. If you are in ECNL, of course you have a D1 chance. ECNL teams usually are the best select of the club. Usually these are the most athletic/technical/intelligent players (hopefully). I never said ECNL player to D1 is rare. My main point was by U12 if your player isn't at the appropriate technical level it's going to be difficult.

2. There are a lot of freak athletes, you'd be surprised how many there are across the nation.

3. I agree with the anecdotes about academics. However, if your player would like a career in soccer (coaching, admin, etc)in the future, playing college ball gives them a lot of connections and credible resume

No there aren't that many athletic freaks to fill 25% of D1 rosters. They are definitely above average, on the whole, but not years in advance of others. You are thinking of kids who hit their growth spurts early. Many of these at the u12 age you are thinking of (for girls) actually stop growing sooner than the delayed growth kids. Kids who enter menarche sooner (and therefore have an earlier growth spurt) end up smaller than average by the time the group is fully mature.

Coaches who size up kids at 11 with respect to their ability to make a D1 roster (or national/pro team) are part of the problem in this country, not part of the solution.

The coach is talking about technical ability at U12, not size. At U13 ECNL and DA rosters are filled with early growers who are done growing at 12/13. They are living their glory days right now because the delayed growth players that make it will end up bigger, faster and stronger and will take their spots by graduation and beyond. However, if those late growers also lack skill at this age they probably won't make it playing to their growth spurt. Or will not have the experience with the ECNL or DA level speed of play to compete at the top level in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have two kids playing soccer in college right now with scholarships, one in D1, and I can tell you no local coaches thought anything of either of them at U12--they were still playing on their club's B team with the better coach at that age. They didn't even get selected for district ODP at U12. I noticed a difference, and sure, maybe a different coach could have picked them out, but none of the ones who saw them thought they were anything special so I have my reservations about your theory. Maybe you are the one coach who would have seen their potential at that age.

As a parent with a couple kids playing soccer in college whose been through the whole youth soccer cycle--if your kid is playing soccer for a scholarship and not for the love of the game you're wasting their time and yours. If your reasons are financial put the thousands you spend on elite soccer each season into a college fund and you'll be much better off. I know multiple players who chose to play club soccer in college or dropped off the team after the first year because when they got there they realized they just didn't love it that much.

College soccer here is miserable. Terrible coaching with too many games crammed into too short of a season. At the end of the season half the team is nursing overuse injuries if they're lucky enough to escape actual injuries. If they got good coaching as a youth player and really understand the game and how to play it--college soccer will probably make them dumber not smarter. With a handful of exceptions it's pretty much high school soccer at a faster pace. They ones that realized they didn't want it that bad and chose to play club or do something else are the lucky ones. Please don't push your kids into that unless they are so passionate they can survive four years of that without losing their passion. The vast majority of seniors I have talked to don't want to ever touch a ball again after they graduate. Hopefully after some time away from the game they'll come back around to it, but if you're pushing your kid to play college soccer that's the reality of what you're pushing them into.

This is helpful, thanks. My DC is under extraordinary peer pressure to accept one of several D1 offers but is strongly leaning towards a D3 school. I'm all for it for a number of reasons but also fear that for a high-level, dedicated player, the D3 experience won't be fun at all because of the "high school soccer" aspect you reference...

D1 does not mean better coaching or better quality soccer IMO. Some of the best programs in the country for development are D3 and some are not far from DMV. Your odds might even be better of finding a good program in D3 than in D1. Now if we could just figure out a way to tell the good programs from the bad ones before actually going to the school to play.

https://ericasuter.com/does-every-athlete-need-to-go-to-a-division-1-school/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here (OP)

Geez this thread took off. My response to some of the comments.

1. If you are in ECNL, of course you have a D1 chance. ECNL teams usually are the best select of the club. Usually these are the most athletic/technical/intelligent players (hopefully). I never said ECNL player to D1 is rare. My main point was by U12 if your player isn't at the appropriate technical level it's going to be difficult.

2. There are a lot of freak athletes, you'd be surprised how many there are across the nation.

3. I agree with the anecdotes about academics. However, if your player would like a career in soccer (coaching, admin, etc)in the future, playing college ball gives them a lot of connections and credible resume

No there aren't that many athletic freaks to fill 25% of D1 rosters. They are definitely above average, on the whole, but not years in advance of others. You are thinking of kids who hit their growth spurts early. Many of these at the u12 age you are thinking of (for girls) actually stop growing sooner than the delayed growth kids. Kids who enter menarche sooner (and therefore have an earlier growth spurt) end up smaller than average by the time the group is fully mature.

Coaches who size up kids at 11 with respect to their ability to make a D1 roster (or national/pro team) are part of the problem in this country, not part of the solution.

The coach is talking about technical ability at U12, not size. At U13 ECNL and DA rosters are filled with early growers who are done growing at 12/13. They are living their glory days right now because the delayed growth players that make it will end up bigger, faster and stronger and will take their spots by graduation and beyond. However, if those late growers also lack skill at this age they probably won't make it playing to their growth spurt. Or will not have the experience with the ECNL or DA level speed of play to compete at the top level in college.

Technical ability is easily gained from 12-18. Alex Morgan is an example of that; anyone can increase their technical abilities by practicing at home every day, religiously.

Again, based on experience, there is very little correlation between 9-11 yo ability and 19 yo ability. Many of the 9-11 stars burn out, and many "uncoordinated" 9-11's shine after they have fully matured.

The fact that someone is attempting to make final determinations on a 10 or 11 year old kid is the problem here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here (OP)

Geez this thread took off. My response to some of the comments.

1. If you are in ECNL, of course you have a D1 chance. ECNL teams usually are the best select of the club. Usually these are the most athletic/technical/intelligent players (hopefully). I never said ECNL player to D1 is rare. My main point was by U12 if your player isn't at the appropriate technical level it's going to be difficult.

2. There are a lot of freak athletes, you'd be surprised how many there are across the nation.

3. I agree with the anecdotes about academics. However, if your player would like a career in soccer (coaching, admin, etc)in the future, playing college ball gives them a lot of connections and credible resume

No there aren't that many athletic freaks to fill 25% of D1 rosters. They are definitely above average, on the whole, but not years in advance of others. You are thinking of kids who hit their growth spurts early. Many of these at the u12 age you are thinking of (for girls) actually stop growing sooner than the delayed growth kids. Kids who enter menarche sooner (and therefore have an earlier growth spurt) end up smaller than average by the time the group is fully mature.

Coaches who size up kids at 11 with respect to their ability to make a D1 roster (or national/pro team) are part of the problem in this country, not part of the solution.

The coach is talking about technical ability at U12, not size. At U13 ECNL and DA rosters are filled with early growers who are done growing at 12/13. They are living their glory days right now because the delayed growth players that make it will end up bigger, faster and stronger and will take their spots by graduation and beyond. However, if those late growers also lack skill at this age they probably won't make it playing to their growth spurt. Or will not have the experience with the ECNL or DA level speed of play to compete at the top level in college.

Technical ability is easily gained from 12-18. Alex Morgan is an example of that; anyone can increase their technical abilities by practicing at home every day, religiously.

Again, based on experience, there is very little correlation between 9-11 yo ability and 19 yo ability. Many of the 9-11 stars burn out, and many "uncoordinated" 9-11's shine after they have fully matured.

The fact that someone is attempting to make final determinations on a 10 or 11 year old kid is the problem here.

Using Alex Morgan as an example of what is easily done is a tough sell. There will always be outliers. What you are describing can be done but its a tough road. The reality is that by 12 years old the players that have been chosen are training 4 times a week plus and playing versus the best competitors up and down the East Coast. Go and watch a couple of ECNL or DA games or practices and you will see what you are competing against. Can it be done? Sure. But each year there is further separation. That is just the reality of sports.

[Anonymous]

Really disagree. Have watched a lot of gda and ecnl soccer. Not that special. Level is pretty disappointing. If u have a boy you need to get in a funded da club. That is the only good soccer option. Have your girl pretend to be a boy for as long as possible and get her in a funded mls DA club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here (OP)

Geez this thread took off. My response to some of the comments.

1. If you are in ECNL, of course you have a D1 chance. ECNL teams usually are the best select of the club. Usually these are the most athletic/technical/intelligent players (hopefully). I never said ECNL player to D1 is rare. My main point was by U12 if your player isn't at the appropriate technical level it's going to be difficult.

2. There are a lot of freak athletes, you'd be surprised how many there are across the nation.

3. I agree with the anecdotes about academics. However, if your player would like a career in soccer (coaching, admin, etc)in the future, playing college ball gives them a lot of connections and credible resume

No there aren't that many athletic freaks to fill 25% of D1 rosters. They are definitely above average, on the whole, but not years in advance of others. You are thinking of kids who hit their growth spurts early. Many of these at the u12 age you are thinking of (for girls) actually stop growing sooner than the delayed growth kids. Kids who enter menarche sooner (and therefore have an earlier growth spurt) end up smaller than average by the time the group is fully mature.

Coaches who size up kids at 11 with respect to their ability to make a D1 roster (or national/pro team) are part of the problem in this country, not part of the solution.

The coach is talking about technical ability at U12, not size. At U13 ECNL and DA rosters are filled with early growers who are done growing at 12/13. They are living their glory days right now because the delayed growth players that make it will end up bigger, faster and stronger and will take their spots by graduation and beyond. However, if those late growers also lack skill at this age they probably won't make it playing to their growth spurt. Or will not have the experience with the ECNL or DA level speed of play to compete at the top level in college.

Technical ability is easily gained from 12-18. Alex Morgan is an example of that; anyone can increase their technical abilities by practicing at home every day, religiously.

Again, based on experience, there is very little correlation between 9-11 yo ability and 19 yo ability. Many of the 9-11 stars burn out, and many "uncoordinated" 9-11's shine after they have fully matured.

The fact that someone is attempting to make final determinations on a 10 or 11 year old kid is the problem here.

Using Alex Morgan as an example of what is easily done is a tough sell. There will always be outliers. What you are describing can be done but its a tough road. The reality is that by 12 years old the players that have been chosen are training 4 times a week plus and playing versus the best competitors up and down the East Coast. Go and watch a couple of ECNL or DA games or practices and you will see what you are competing against. Can it be done? Sure. But each year there is further separation. That is just the reality of sports.

It wasn't a point to say that becoming Alex Morgan was easy; no one said getting to the national team level was easy.

We were talking about D1 women's soccer. Have you seen a game lately, even from the better teams? There aren't many technical wizards, even at that level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here (OP)

Geez this thread took off. My response to some of the comments.

1. If you are in ECNL, of course you have a D1 chance. ECNL teams usually are the best select of the club. Usually these are the most athletic/technical/intelligent players (hopefully). I never said ECNL player to D1 is rare. My main point was by U12 if your player isn't at the appropriate technical level it's going to be difficult.

2. There are a lot of freak athletes, you'd be surprised how many there are across the nation.

3. I agree with the anecdotes about academics. However, if your player would like a career in soccer (coaching, admin, etc)in the future, playing college ball gives them a lot of connections and credible resume

No there aren't that many athletic freaks to fill 25% of D1 rosters. They are definitely above average, on the whole, but not years in advance of others. You are thinking of kids who hit their growth spurts early. Many of these at the u12 age you are thinking of (for girls) actually stop growing sooner than the delayed growth kids. Kids who enter menarche sooner (and therefore have an earlier growth spurt) end up smaller than average by the time the group is fully mature.

Coaches who size up kids at 11 with respect to their ability to make a D1 roster (or national/pro team) are part of the problem in this country, not part of the solution.

The coach is talking about technical ability at U12, not size. At U13 ECNL and DA rosters are filled with early growers who are done growing at 12/13. They are living their glory days right now because the delayed growth players that make it will end up bigger, faster and stronger and will take their spots by graduation and beyond. However, if those late growers also lack skill at this age they probably won't make it playing to their growth spurt. Or will not have the experience with the ECNL or DA level speed of play to compete at the top level in college.

Technical ability is easily gained from 12-18. Alex Morgan is an example of that; anyone can increase their technical abilities by practicing at home every day, religiously.

Again, based on experience, there is very little correlation between 9-11 yo ability and 19 yo ability. Many of the 9-11 stars burn out, and many "uncoordinated" 9-11's shine after they have fully matured.

The fact that someone is attempting to make final determinations on a 10 or 11 year old kid is the problem here.

Using Alex Morgan as an example of what is easily done is a tough sell. There will always be outliers. What you are describing can be done but its a tough road. The reality is that by 12 years old the players that have been chosen are training 4 times a week plus and playing versus the best competitors up and down the East Coast. Go and watch a couple of ECNL or DA games or practices and you will see what you are competing against. Can it be done? Sure. But each year there is further separation. That is just the reality of sports.

It wasn't a point to say that becoming Alex Morgan was easy; no one said getting to the national team level was easy.

We were talking about D1 women's soccer. Have you seen a game lately, even from the better teams? There aren't many technical wizards, even at that level.

Well then, stick with Rec soccer. Save your money and keep us posted on the D1 offers that roll in for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Typical canned response. Same thing every single time. Go play rec. Your kid sucks. Your player got cut. Youth soccer is messed up big time and no canned responses will change it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical canned response. Same thing every single time. Go play rec. Your kid sucks. Your player got cut. Youth soccer is messed up big time and no canned responses will change it.

Not a canned response. No need to argue with the parent that thinks D1 soccer players, even from the top teams, are not skilled. That poster has no need to read any more posts on this forum. Should either be set with their player or not interested in college soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical canned response. Same thing every single time. Go play rec. Your kid sucks. Your player got cut. Youth soccer is messed up big time and no canned responses will change it.

Nobody said your kids sucks. PP actually said "Technical ability is easily gained from 12-18." Easily gained. Then go kick the soccer ball and juggle in the back yard with Mia or do Rec to gain the D1 skills needed. Done.