End of season blues

[Anonymous]

I know this probably been covered but I really dislike this time in the soccer season when players disengage either because they’ve elected to move to a new club or they are upset about placement for the coming year. On every team DS has played on, the end of May sees kids with one foot out the door and team commitment and cohesiveness suffers. Some years it’s been my son with the foot out the door including this year so I’m not blaming players. I really wish ID sessions and tryouts were moved to June. Instead they get earlier and earlier. DS is determined to finish out the season strong but this weekend’s tournament will be painful as half his team isn’t returning.

[Anonymous]

Some coaches like to bench the starters who are leaving.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Tryouts should be held closer to the end of the season. The only way that would change is if the state organization would mandate that change.

But I don't think the state bodies have that power?

Last year we decided to switch clubs and one Coach gave her a lot more time on the pine.

[Anonymous]

Focusing on your kid and not the drama and politics makes it easier for you

[Anonymous]

I am really glad my child’s season ended on the early side this year. The team isn’t doing a tournament this weekend and DC is just going to guest play in a game or two for the second team which still has a few games. It will be a fun, lower pressure way to finish out their time with this club. I can tell our child has 1 foot out the door from the little bit of practice I have observed. They have also been going to a few practices with the new club and they seem to be putting in a lot more effort at those sessions based on how tired they’ve been after practice. DC is just completely over their current team, which has a few players who think they’re a lot better than they are while yelling out criticisms to DC. Meanwhile, DC played the entire game in their last two games even after telling the coach they were leaving, while these other players spent quite a bit of time on the bench. Most of the kids are nice, but it’s crazy how a couple teammates can just make a situation really toxic. DC is looking forward to a fresh start even though likely be less. It will be a good challenge for them to try to earn a starting spot.

[Anonymous]

There is no good time to leave, it truly sucks. The ID's will be in January before we know it.

[Anonymous]

We are in MLSNext and my attitude has always been hyper focused on my kid. He had a great year and regardless of what his team would look like next year, he is excited to continue to improve and/or learn to adapt to whatever that team is.

As a parent, I am the one having the blues because I am soooo done with the season. 😆 It’s a lot of games and I’m surprised these players are still going strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am really glad my child’s season ended on the early side this year. The team isn’t doing a tournament this weekend and DC is just going to guest play in a game or two for the second team which still has a few games. It will be a fun, lower pressure way to finish out their time with this club. I can tell our child has 1 foot out the door from the little bit of practice I have observed. They have also been going to a few practices with the new club and they seem to be putting in a lot more effort at those sessions based on how tired they’ve been after practice. DC is just completely over their current team, which has a few players who think they’re a lot better than they are while yelling out criticisms to DC. Meanwhile, DC played the entire game in their last two games even after telling the coach they were leaving, while these other players spent quite a bit of time on the bench. Most of the kids are nice, but it’s crazy how a couple teammates can just make a situation really toxic. DC is looking forward to a fresh start even though likely be less. It will be a good challenge for them to try to earn a starting spot.

Isn't this really about what the spring like looks at your club. In HS its radically different from club to club in VA what is happening in the spring at the club level. At one club it was a complete waste of time to show up for the HS aged all team practice for like 8 girls. This is 4 teams potentially 50+ players and 8-12 show up two times a week for practice because HS soccer has been blessed the priority. At another club most of the girls still played HS, but because there was a larger group not playing HS and showing to training ready to get busy, this forced the HS playing girls to actually show to practice in fear of losing ground. Does this lead to more overuse injuries possibly but the team is dramtically better than the first example.

[Anonymous]

Yeah it's the worst. I wish the season either ended sooner or tryouts were later. The dynamics are just ugly between those who are leaving, new kids playing guest, etc. We are skipping the tournament this weekend because my son is leaving the team and I dont want to waste a weekend of him sitting on the bench.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am really glad my child’s season ended on the early side this year. The team isn’t doing a tournament this weekend and DC is just going to guest play in a game or two for the second team which still has a few games. It will be a fun, lower pressure way to finish out their time with this club. I can tell our child has 1 foot out the door from the little bit of practice I have observed. They have also been going to a few practices with the new club and they seem to be putting in a lot more effort at those sessions based on how tired they’ve been after practice. DC is just completely over their current team, which has a few players who think they’re a lot better than they are while yelling out criticisms to DC. Meanwhile, DC played the entire game in their last two games even after telling the coach they were leaving, while these other players spent quite a bit of time on the bench. Most of the kids are nice, but it’s crazy how a couple teammates can just make a situation really toxic. DC is looking forward to a fresh start even though likely be less. It will be a good challenge for them to try to earn a starting spot.

Isn't this really about what the spring like looks at your club. In HS its radically different from club to club in VA what is happening in the spring at the club level. At one club it was a complete waste of time to show up for the HS aged all team practice for like 8 girls. This is 4 teams potentially 50+ players and 8-12 show up two times a week for practice because HS soccer has been blessed the priority. At another club most of the girls still played HS, but because there was a larger group not playing HS and showing to training ready to get busy, this forced the HS playing girls to actually show to practice in fear of losing ground. Does this lead to more overuse injuries possibly but the team is dramtically better than the first example.

Are both the HS and club coaches ok with playing both at the same time since it would mean missing practice and possibly some games? I ask because DS plays HS in MD where the season is fall but now he is joining a VA club team. He assumed he would have to give up HS. His old varsity coach wouldn’t allow the players to miss practice or games for any reason aside from an injury or family emergency but since most MD clubs do nothing all fall until Nov that was not an issue. If he continues to play HS he will have a new varsity coach so I suggested he ask both the new varsity and new club coach their policies but he is adamant it won’t work. I’d like to see him play HS for the social aspect.

[Anonymous]

I wish the state could mandate tryouts are (for instance) this week and next. I know outside of NOVA school districts finish earlier, but the last two weeks of May seems fair to everyone.
Of course, the ECNL and (I assume) GA and MLS Next clubs can go in March, which is ridiculous. We've been joking that it will be November within five years. Problem is, that might actually not be unlikely....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah it's the worst. I wish the season either ended sooner or tryouts were later. The dynamics are just ugly between those who are leaving, new kids playing guest, etc. We are skipping the tournament this weekend because my son is leaving the team and I dont want to waste a weekend of him sitting on the bench.

Nothing but crummy tournaments this Memorial Day weekend smh 🤦‍♂️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some coaches like to bench the starters who are leaving.

That is justified. My coach does the opposite in a desperate attempt to keep their $$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some coaches like to bench the starters who are leaving.

Cost them some games too and my respect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Focusing on your kid and not the drama and politics makes it easier for you

Exactly. We are leaving and have known for at least 1.5 - 2 months. It has not impacted our commitment to the team and the coach has actually continued to start my son and actually support him.

This is an integrity and ego issue, not a club issue. Take ownership and set an example.