Frustrating club/travel experience on second team

[Anonymous]

This is my DD's first year on a travel soccer team. She did very well in tryouts last spring and was on the cusp of first and second teams. As it is her first year, the club put her on the second team. It has been a very frustrating experience - whereas in the past, she was an aggressive striker and top scorer on her team, on this team she fades into the background and does not get much playing time. The team is not nearly as good as we anticipated and the coaching is lackluster at best - there are repeated issues on the team with performance and scoring, but nothing is done to address them and the same (coaches favorite) players get all the playing time, despite repeated mistakes and the team's very bad losing record.

I am absolutely not saying my kid is some sort of all star who is being overlooked, but I do think her playing has lowered to the level of the team and that she could be growing a lot more with more robust coaching and more competition. The bottom line is that this team is just not a good fit for her. The club itself has some positives, but is a bit disorganized and not great with communication.

So what to do? She will try out for multiple clubs this spring, including for the top team at her current club, but is it worth reaching out to the top team coach now and seeing if she can attend some of their practices over the winter? I did ask her current coach to put me in touch with the top team coach, but (shocking) that has not happened.

Again, this team is just not a good fit and I am struggling to figure out what's next.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is my DD's first year on a travel soccer team. She did very well in tryouts last spring and was on the cusp of first and second teams. As it is her first year, the club put her on the second team. It has been a very frustrating experience - whereas in the past, she was an aggressive striker and top scorer on her team, on this team she fades into the background and does not get much playing time. The team is not nearly as good as we anticipated and the coaching is lackluster at best - there are repeated issues on the team with performance and scoring, but nothing is done to address them and the same (coaches favorite) players get all the playing time, despite repeated mistakes and the team's very bad losing record.

I am absolutely not saying my kid is some sort of all star who is being overlooked, but I do think her playing has lowered to the level of the team and that she could be growing a lot more with more robust coaching and more competition. The bottom line is that this team is just not a good fit for her. The club itself has some positives, but is a bit disorganized and not great with communication.

So what to do? She will try out for multiple clubs this spring, including for the top team at her current club, but is it worth reaching out to the top team coach now and seeing if she can attend some of their practices over the winter? I did ask her current coach to put me in touch with the top team coach, but (shocking) that has not happened.

Again, this team is just not a good fit and I am struggling to figure out what's next.

In the same situation. We are now looking for a switch mid year. It's frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my DD's first year on a travel soccer team. She did very well in tryouts last spring and was on the cusp of first and second teams. As it is her first year, the club put her on the second team. It has been a very frustrating experience - whereas in the past, she was an aggressive striker and top scorer on her team, on this team she fades into the background and does not get much playing time. The team is not nearly as good as we anticipated and the coaching is lackluster at best - there are repeated issues on the team with performance and scoring, but nothing is done to address them and the same (coaches favorite) players get all the playing time, despite repeated mistakes and the team's very bad losing record.

I am absolutely not saying my kid is some sort of all star who is being overlooked, but I do think her playing has lowered to the level of the team and that she could be growing a lot more with more robust coaching and more competition. The bottom line is that this team is just not a good fit for her. The club itself has some positives, but is a bit disorganized and not great with communication.

So what to do? She will try out for multiple clubs this spring, including for the top team at her current club, but is it worth reaching out to the top team coach now and seeing if she can attend some of their practices over the winter? I did ask her current coach to put me in touch with the top team coach, but (shocking) that has not happened.

Again, this team is just not a good fit and I am struggling to figure out what's next.

In the same situation. We are now looking for a switch mid year. It's frustrating.

OP here. Can I ask which club? (We are with PPA and it’s been really underwhelming)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is my DD's first year on a travel soccer team. She did very well in tryouts last spring and was on the cusp of first and second teams. As it is her first year, the club put her on the second team. It has been a very frustrating experience - whereas in the past, she was an aggressive striker and top scorer on her team, on this team she fades into the background and does not get much playing time. The team is not nearly as good as we anticipated and the coaching is lackluster at best - there are repeated issues on the team with performance and scoring, but nothing is done to address them and the same (coaches favorite) players get all the playing time, despite repeated mistakes and the team's very bad losing record.

I am absolutely not saying my kid is some sort of all star who is being overlooked, but I do think her playing has lowered to the level of the team and that she could be growing a lot more with more robust coaching and more competition. The bottom line is that this team is just not a good fit for her. The club itself has some positives, but is a bit disorganized and not great with communication.

So what to do? She will try out for multiple clubs this spring, including for the top team at her current club, but is it worth reaching out to the top team coach now and seeing if she can attend some of their practices over the winter? I did ask her current coach to put me in touch with the top team coach, but (shocking) that has not happened.

Again, this team is just not a good fit and I am struggling to figure out what's next.

Don’t wait for tryouts. Practice with other teams and their first teams now and get feedback from the coaches as to where your kid would be placed should you join their club. The actual tryouts should just be a formality.

[Anonymous]

Yes. This can happen with second teams with a big drop off in talent. My ds was here and ultimately had to leave the club although he gave it a couple years. I have also seen player performance drop with weaker players. We left and went to a top team that plays at a higher level than the first team where we were which has helped my ds grow tremendously.

I would ask to practice with first team, also practice with privates and try out with other clubs during winter. Of your dd doesn't move up in May, go elsewhere because the secondary team won't change next year.

[Anonymous]

Get out ASAP, b/c once you are slotted on a 2nd team, you are destined to stay there unless you REALLY stand out, and it doesn't sound like your DD is destined to stand out if it's a bad team fit and she isn't getting PT.

[Anonymous]

First find another club- this team is obviously a terrible fit. Second, be honest with yourself about your kid's ability. Where they really cusp or is that something they tell everyone who gets second team? Do they every get called up to guest for the first team? When they play, do they hold their own technically and athletically with the competition? If the answer to those questions is no, I'd think about a smaller club where they can make the top team and get more attention from the coach rather than a lower team at a big club that warehouses dues payers

[Anonymous]

What age group?

In my experience, kid(s) who are standing out on 2nd team would generally get invited to practice or guest with the top team. If you kid isn't a super star on 2nd and about the same level as many other players on that team, chances are there are a lot of thing for her to work on. Maybe a more honest convo with her coach to see what she needs to work on. Than thinking of switching club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What age group?

In my experience, kid(s) who are standing out on 2nd team would generally get invited to practice or guest with the top team. If you kid isn't a super star on 2nd and about the same level as many other players on that team, chances are there are a lot of thing for her to work on. Maybe a more honest convo with her coach to see what she needs to work on. Than thinking of switching club.

It's hard to improve without playing time. If OP's kid is young, run far away from coaches not playing the whole roster. If OP's kid is older, then they need a team that will play them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What age group?

In my experience, kid(s) who are standing out on 2nd team would generally get invited to practice or guest with the top team. If you kid isn't a super star on 2nd and about the same level as many other players on that team, chances are there are a lot of thing for her to work on. Maybe a more honest convo with her coach to see what she needs to work on. Than thinking of switching club.

It's hard to improve without playing time. If OP's kid is young, run far away from coaches not playing the whole roster. If OP's kid is older, then they need a team that will play them

The bolded above is essentially 100% incorrect, and is the prevalent thought of many uneducated soccer parents in this area. You improve through practice, you improve through outside training, and you improve through individual time (running, ball-work, shooting, etc on your own). This is where 99% of the improvement comes from (and I would argue that formal soccer practices is the least impactful one of the three on development). Games are not for improvement - they are to apply what you've learned in a "real-life" setting. If you're not getting those opportunities to do so, I agree that you should at least consider moving to a situation where you will get those opportunities. Parents need to be realistic, however, on why their darling isn't getting the opportunity. Politics/Favorites, or skills aren't at that level? Be honest, get an independent evaluation, and then determine the proper next steps (lower team, new club, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What age group?

In my experience, kid(s) who are standing out on 2nd team would generally get invited to practice or guest with the top team. If you kid isn't a super star on 2nd and about the same level as many other players on that team, chances are there are a lot of thing for her to work on. Maybe a more honest convo with her coach to see what she needs to work on. Than thinking of switching club.

It's hard to improve without playing time. If OP's kid is young, run far away from coaches not playing the whole roster. If OP's kid is older, then they need a team that will play them

The bolded above is essentially 100% incorrect, and is the prevalent thought of many uneducated soccer parents in this area. You improve through practice, you improve through outside training, and you improve through individual time (running, ball-work, shooting, etc on your own). This is where 99% of the improvement comes from (and I would argue that formal soccer practices is the least impactful one of the three on development). Games are not for improvement - they are to apply what you've learned in a "real-life" setting. If you're not getting those opportunities to do so, I agree that you should at least consider moving to a situation where you will get those opportunities. Parents need to be realistic, however, on why their darling isn't getting the opportunity. Politics/Favorites, or skills aren't at that level? Be honest, get an independent evaluation, and then determine the proper next steps (lower team, new club, etc.).

That's the party line from a club that rosters more kids than they're allowed to dress on game day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What age group?

In my experience, kid(s) who are standing out on 2nd team would generally get invited to practice or guest with the top team. If you kid isn't a super star on 2nd and about the same level as many other players on that team, chances are there are a lot of thing for her to work on. Maybe a more honest convo with her coach to see what she needs to work on. Than thinking of switching club.

It's hard to improve without playing time. If OP's kid is young, run far away from coaches not playing the whole roster. If OP's kid is older, then they need a team that will play them

The bolded above is essentially 100% incorrect, and is the prevalent thought of many uneducated soccer parents in this area. You improve through practice, you improve through outside training, and you improve through individual time (running, ball-work, shooting, etc on your own). This is where 99% of the improvement comes from (and I would argue that formal soccer practices is the least impactful one of the three on development). Games are not for improvement - they are to apply what you've learned in a "real-life" setting. If you're not getting those opportunities to do so, I agree that you should at least consider moving to a situation where you will get those opportunities. Parents need to be realistic, however, on why their darling isn't getting the opportunity. Politics/Favorites, or skills aren't at that level? Be honest, get an independent evaluation, and then determine the proper next steps (lower team, new club, etc.).

That's the party line from a club that rosters more kids than they're allowed to dress on game day.

Those clubs are enabled by unrealistic parents with too much disposable income on their hands who think their little darling in the next Alex. Not saying the clubs don't bear a least some responsibility, but the bulk lies on the family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What age group?

In my experience, kid(s) who are standing out on 2nd team would generally get invited to practice or guest with the top team. If you kid isn't a super star on 2nd and about the same level as many other players on that team, chances are there are a lot of thing for her to work on. Maybe a more honest convo with her coach to see what she needs to work on. Than thinking of switching club.

It's hard to improve without playing time. If OP's kid is young, run far away from coaches not playing the whole roster. If OP's kid is older, then they need a team that will play them

The bolded above is essentially 100% incorrect, and is the prevalent thought of many uneducated soccer parents in this area. You improve through practice, you improve through outside training, and you improve through individual time (running, ball-work, shooting, etc on your own). This is where 99% of the improvement comes from (and I would argue that formal soccer practices is the least impactful one of the three on development). Games are not for improvement - they are to apply what you've learned in a "real-life" setting. If you're not getting those opportunities to do so, I agree that you should at least consider moving to a situation where you will get those opportunities. Parents need to be realistic, however, on why their darling isn't getting the opportunity. Politics/Favorites, or skills aren't at that level? Be honest, get an independent evaluation, and then determine the proper next steps (lower team, new club, etc.).

That's the party line from a club that rosters more kids than they're allowed to dress on game day.

Nope. That's facts.

Take the kid putting in the quality training work 5/6 days a week compared to the kid showing up to subpar team practice maybe 2, 3X's a week.
The 30 to 40 minutes of game time hardly touching the ball on Saturday isn't where development takes place.

[Anonymous]

OP again.

I appreciate the feedback. It is not a good fit, and I am trying to be open-eyed about skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get out ASAP, b/c once you are slotted on a 2nd team, you are destined to stay there unless you REALLY stand out, and it doesn't sound like your DD is destined to stand out if it's a bad team fit and she isn't getting PT.

Also, I have enrolled my kid into 2 skills clinics and they wanted to know which team she was on in order to put her into the right skill group. (Makes sense to some degree...) So, having a second team label could also impact outside training. We arrived at Futstars training, and we were automatically placed in a lower skill group and it had a newer/ less experienced coach lead the sessions. While the 1st team kids had a much better coach and were getting a lot more out of training. But yes, your kid should be challenged a lot at practice, there is where a lot of growth and development will happen. With our 2nd team games/ team, there is significantly less dedication, intensity and participation by the players and families. And if the won't bring your kid up because it will upset some other families, then it might take 2 years when rosters expand. Id try out other team practices now.