U11 - Moving up during season?

[Anonymous]

My son started playing soccer late (compared to others). He's played two years as of this fall and made the lowest tier travel team last spring during tryouts. However, during the summer (and fall so far) he's progressed so much he's easily the #1 defender and #1 forward on his team. He's guest played a couple times on the tier team one higher and the coach loves him. On that team he's a top three defender.

We are new to travel soccer so we're not sure if it's possible, but my son really wants to move up to the next tier. He knows a couple kids on that team and he's certainly able to play on their level. But, since the teams were selected last spring when he wasn't as good (as he is now) what are the chances he gets moved up? I can't see him playing through spring with the team he's on now. It's very dysfunctional which I don't want to get into. Is the only chance for him to move up is if someone leaves that team?

Appreciate the insight.

[Anonymous]

DS, also a u11, plays for a large club in the area. There has been lots of movement this year, and I expect more to happen over the winter break. Our coaches are constantly evaluating. Pay attention to how big the roster is on the team he is looking to move to. Most clubs I think try and cap it at 14 for 9v9.

[Anonymous]

OP, it really depends on the club, but I urge you to have some perspective as your child is 10 years old. If the kid wasn’t as great in the spring, it could mean he could potentially not be as good next spring. If he’s definitely good enough to move on to the next tier and they have space, then yes, it could happen. But we don’t know what club you’re talking about or if there’s any spots available, so really, there’s no way we can answer this. But again the kid is 10. He needs to learn to have some patience and earn his spot.

[Anonymous]

There has to be room to move him up. Usually happens in November. I'd start asking the coaches about it to see if even an option. If there is room most kids can move.

[Anonymous]

Don’t sweat the team, focus on him improving. If he dominates, they will move him up.

[Anonymous]

Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

[Anonymous]

Take this from a parent of multiple defenders much older than yours.

I do agree that it depends on the club. Our large club did not move much during the year, only at tryouts.

A coach will place any kid in a striker position and multiple positions can score. Great striker does not give him a pass to move up.

Most coaches don't care about "the best defender". They want kids who can overall outplay others. Now if your son were the best midfielder, this would be a different story. Modern coaches at this age want technical kids who can defend.

Focus on his technical training, footskills, ball control and comfort level with speed of dribbling. When he is able to out play your attacking centermid (even if he continues to be a defender) then you will have an argument to move up.

Otherwise they will move up the team #10 or fast winger and you will stay on that team forever or leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

I think these are two different issues that may or may not have one solution. Talk to the coach of the higher team and say:
1) My kid learns so much more on your team
2) Is hungry for more
3) What do you think it would take for my son to join your team permanently?

Even if they say no, there's no space, ask if your son can practice with the top team 1Xweek. That should help both give him challenge or lay the groundwork for the next season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

Most defenders do play the entire game and are not subbed. Again have some perspective. Your kid is not some superstar because he played the whole game as a Center back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

I think these are two different issues that may or may not have one solution. Talk to the coach of the higher team and say:
1) My kid learns so much more on your team
2) Is hungry for more
3) What do you think it would take for my son to join your team permanently?

Even if they say no, there's no space, ask if your son can practice with the top team 1Xweek. That should help both give him challenge or lay the groundwork for the next season.

Agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

Most defenders do play the entire game and are not subbed. Again have some perspective. Your kid is not some superstar because he played the whole game as a Center back.

What is with the negative attitude? The guy is just asking about his kid and how to move up. He never said his kid was a super star. But, if he's guest playing up and isn't a sub he's got to be decent or better than other kids on that level. Most guest players are subs, they don't start the entire game regardless of position. And I don't read anything the OP posted as if he is showing off. No need to be so negative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

I think these are two different issues that may or may not have one solution. Talk to the coach of the higher team and say:
1) My kid learns so much more on your team
2) Is hungry for more
3) What do you think it would take for my son to join your team permanently?

Even if they say no, there's no space, ask if your son can practice with the top team 1Xweek. That should help both give him challenge or lay the groundwork for the next season.

My kid already asked me if he could train with the other team. My concern is how would it impact his current team? Would the coach get upset? I don't want to cause drama between coaches or teams. Again, new to travel soccer so unsure how this work.

Appreciate the constructive feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

I think these are two different issues that may or may not have one solution. Talk to the coach of the higher team and say:
1) My kid learns so much more on your team
2) Is hungry for more
3) What do you think it would take for my son to join your team permanently?

Even if they say no, there's no space, ask if your son can practice with the top team 1Xweek. That should help both give him challenge or lay the groundwork for the next season.

My kid already asked me if he could train with the other team. My concern is how would it impact his current team? Would the coach get upset? I don't want to cause drama between coaches or teams. Again, new to travel soccer so unsure how this work.

Appreciate the constructive feedback.

Do they practice at the same time? The coaches should communicate with each other and with you. A good coach will work with you to give opportunities to their players, others can be petty about it. My youngest had a coach last year who said no when the coach a level up asked for guest players on a day when our girls didn’t have a game. She said they “weren’t ready” which was total BS. We’ve also had coaches who welcomed players from other teams who wanted to work hard and sought extra training. IME, coaches who are older and have raised their own kids have a better perspective on stuff like this than younger coaches who aren’t parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes no harm in asking; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. IME, the kids who are clearly too good for the team their on get asked to guest play and practice with the higher level team. They don’t want to lose those kids to another club. They still continued to play on the lower level team though (again, IME). This is PPA.

OP here. That is what we've seen. My kid has been asked to guest play with the higher team several times including a tournament. And when he plays with them he starts and plays the entire game. He's not a sub which surprises me. I have spoken to the coach and he has all praise for him, but soccer is the one sport I never played and travel soccer is new to me. Wasn't sure if there was protocol in terms of this.

In regards to him waiting, the issue is his current team is not making him better. 90 minute practices and he's standing still for literally 60 minutes of it. Barely any touches on the ball. It's frustrating to watch and he's getting frustrated. I don't want to get into the issues with the current team, needless to say it's not a good dynamic and parents have been complaining behind the scenes.

Thanks for all feedback.

I think these are two different issues that may or may not have one solution. Talk to the coach of the higher team and say:
1) My kid learns so much more on your team
2) Is hungry for more
3) What do you think it would take for my son to join your team permanently?

Even if they say no, there's no space, ask if your son can practice with the top team 1Xweek. That should help both give him challenge or lay the groundwork for the next season.

My kid already asked me if he could train with the other team. My concern is how would it impact his current team? Would the coach get upset? I don't want to cause drama between coaches or teams. Again, new to travel soccer so unsure how this work.

Appreciate the constructive feedback.

My experience is that its fine. If they train a different day, no one really notices or cares. If they do notice, everyone says, "yeah, Larlo is training for the gold team on tuesdays, I hope we don't lose him." and then back to business. If anything, it lights a fire under those who maybe need some motivation or competition. But I've never seen it backfire to be negative. Everyone wins!