Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So let me ask the question a different way. Assume my kids are technically proficient and will continue to improve through supplemental training and individual practice. Who are the leading clubs for teaching team concepts, spacing and field awareness for young players in U9-12 range. I have seen almost all top teams in the area over the last 18 months but don’t want to jump to conclusions based on a specific team’s performance on the day that I saw them.

I would say Alexandria BY FAR for this age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So let me ask the question a different way. Assume my kids are technically proficient and will continue to improve through supplemental training and individual practice. Who are the leading clubs for teaching team concepts, spacing and field awareness for young players in U9-12 range. I have seen almost all top teams in the area over the last 18 months but don’t want to jump to conclusions based on a specific team’s performance on the day that I saw them.

I would say Alexandria BY FAR for this age group.

100%

If your kids are willing (and you have the means) to do supplemental technical training on days they don't have team practice, there is no better place to be in the DMV from U9-U12 than Alexandria. Added bonus their futsal program is great too.

[Anonymous]

Let your kids develop technically and just worry about getting them as many touches on the ball as possible until they're 12. A technically gifted player can be taught team concepts and the passing game will come more naturally to a player that is comfortable on the ball. The most important thing in the early years is their development as an individual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let your kids develop technically and just worry about getting them as many touches on the ball as possible until they're 12. A technically gifted player can be taught team concepts and the passing game will come more naturally to a player that is comfortable on the ball. The most important thing in the early years is their development as an individual.

This is kinda a U.S. thing. There is no reason both can't be taught at the same time. We don't stop reading books to our kids simply because they are now learning to walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So let me ask the question a different way. Assume my kids are technically proficient and will continue to improve through supplemental training and individual practice. Who are the leading clubs for teaching team concepts, spacing and field awareness for young players in U9-12 range. I have seen almost all top teams in the area over the last 18 months but don’t want to jump to conclusions based on a specific team’s performance on the day that I saw them.

I would say Alexandria BY FAR for this age group.

The U12 DA coach at McLean is very good at teaching team concepts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let your kids develop technically and just worry about getting them as many touches on the ball as possible until they're 12. A technically gifted player can be taught team concepts and the passing game will come more naturally to a player that is comfortable on the ball. The most important thing in the early years is their development as an individual.

This is kinda a U.S. thing. There is no reason both can't be taught at the same time. We don't stop reading books to our kids simply because they are now learning to walk.

I totally agree with you, now could you please point us in the direction of the club where there's a perfect balance for this? Or are you just here to make analogies? Your fortune cookie wisdom helps no one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let your kids develop technically and just worry about getting them as many touches on the ball as possible until they're 12. A technically gifted player can be taught team concepts and the passing game will come more naturally to a player that is comfortable on the ball. The most important thing in the early years is their development as an individual.

This is kinda a U.S. thing. There is no reason both can't be taught at the same time. We don't stop reading books to our kids simply because they are now learning to walk.

I totally agree with you, now could you please point us in the direction of the club where there's a perfect balance for this? Or are you just here to make analogies? Your fortune cookie wisdom helps no one.

I'll spell it out for you then.

1.Find a good coach who teaches good possession soccer first.
2. Find good supplemental technical training or youtube videos that your kid can follow along to.

Clubs that coach good possession are:
Alexandria
BRYC
FCB
FCV
McLean

I've seen some good possession out of some Arlington teams, some Loudoun teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let your kids develop technically and just worry about getting them as many touches on the ball as possible until they're 12. A technically gifted player can be taught team concepts and the passing game will come more naturally to a player that is comfortable on the ball. The most important thing in the early years is their development as an individual.

This is kinda a U.S. thing. There is no reason both can't be taught at the same time. We don't stop reading books to our kids simply because they are now learning to walk.

And this comment is exactly why our USMNT players can't get past anyone in 1v1 situations when we play against the big boys of the international game. The ability to use a gambeta to get past your man is invaluable.

[Anonymous]

Atrocious passing may also be to blame for the USMNT problems.

At the kid level (up to U13), you can find tons of technically gifted and speedy forwards but hardly any players able to control the midfield...

[Anonymous]

There's just so many problems with the USMNT, and they are all intertwined, as well as reflection of our fractured youth system. How do you feel about the concept of verticality. I feel as if a huge disconnect from the "possession heavy" crowd is that they don't realize that possesssion for possession's sake is worthless. I see so many older teams who play nothing but horizontal and backwards passes, never getting any penetration and being dominated by teams that know how to operate an organized high press. I feel that at times our coaches can be too dogmatic in their philosophy, and our players don't learn multiple ways to break down a defense or diversify their attack. We also lack the patience as a collective. Even if you have the perfect storm of philosophy, resources, and playing talent, a truly proactive process that will create players who can compete at the highest level internationally, would take years or maybe even a decade at least. People just don't get that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's just so many problems with the USMNT, and they are all intertwined, as well as reflection of our fractured youth system. How do you feel about the concept of verticality. I feel as if a huge disconnect from the "possession heavy" crowd is that they don't realize that possesssion for possession's sake is worthless. I see so many older teams who play nothing but horizontal and backwards passes, never getting any penetration and being dominated by teams that know how to operate an organized high press. I feel that at times our coaches can be too dogmatic in their philosophy, and our players don't learn multiple ways to break down a defense or diversify their attack. We also lack the patience as a collective. Even if you have the perfect storm of philosophy, resources, and playing talent, a truly proactive process that will create players who can compete at the highest level internationally, would take years or maybe even a decade at least. People just don't get that.

That’s the way it’s being taught then and not all coaches with the same expertise/training across the Club/Academy.

It builds as players progress and when you see it done properly it’s magic. I haven’t seen any travel club in the area train with the proper drills, methodology. None of them. The penetrating attacks are missing —-that part and players knowing exactly where to shift and be is not there. That’s why a more athletic team can beat the possession ones—they aren’t quite there. If you watch it done properly you would change your mind. Of course, that takes time and US travel doesn’t afford patience in development. It wants to tout tournament and state cup wins at the young ages and that means dense/lacking IQ players for physical attributes.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:How do Gunston and LMVSC compare? We are in the area and looking.

What age group? Boy or girl?

Boy 09

For a U9? FPYC could be a good fit.

where do they usually practice? thinking about rush hour commute?

Usually practice at Draper Park, Stafford Park, or Oak Marr Rec Center, all of which are within a 5 mile radius of Fairfax City and close to 66. The prices will be affordable and the club is connected with UK Elite at the younger levels.

Please do yourself a favor and stuck with LMVSC or Alexandria or anywhere else besides FPYC for your 2009. Please. It's not even worth investigating. Trust me!!!!!

I am not familiar with them at the younger age groups.

Everything is worth investigating! If you hate something, great that you know and will never have to look back. But it’s how you educate yourself about what’s out there and what will and won’t work. And do your own research- unless posters here can be clear what their issue is with a club and then you can evaluate based on your DC and your needs.

[Anonymous]

I think American players could thrive if US soccer adopted something resembling Marcelo Bielsa's principles as top-down philosophy from youth all the way to the pro level. Possession with verticality, always looking to attack and penetrate the defense. A lot of people think he's crazy (and he most definitely is) but his methods have a 30+ year proven record of getting the most out of young, hungry players with something to prove. It would be a good way to combine the raw athleticism that we're famous for with a proactive, vertical quick passing game and intense pressure. At the very least, it would show our players that we can be protagonists and not have to back down from anyone.

[Anonymous]

There seems to be some bashing of CCL on these pages (not warranted imo) but what does it say to the state and level of VPL as another club leaves for CCL? Last year it was NVSC and now VA Rush. They seem to be growing their membership while VPL loses a solid club. In looking through their standings they appear to rank in 5/6th overall.

Again I understand that CCL is inferior to DA/ECNL but it's still a great next level of competition. Will VPL eventually fold? Maybe some of the Richmond teams in VPL should join CCL in order to create a North/South Division to limit the travel during the regular season that so many complain about and then have sort of tournament to determine champions etc.

[Anonymous]

Beyond the useless amount of travel, the main problems with the CCL are the huge gap between the team levels and the lack of commitment of some of the players and coaches. With the expansion of DA, the CCL seems like a no man's land between rec and travel, at least until U14...