Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ our A team got all of this. Now in the 2nd year, the 2nd team can routinely beat them in practice scrimmages. It is the 'prima donna' effect. The A team was used to being lauded for a year and 1/2 and being treated 'special' by the parents and the coaches. The other kids had the benefit of practicing against them and possess the grit to want to beat the crap out of them because they are goddamn sick of hearing how 'special' they are. The A kids were complete brats to all the other kids in the age group. Some wouldn't even talk to the lower team players. It is fun to now watch them all turn on each other and start screaming at teammates when they lose to the lower team. No unity amongst the masses.

Nobody is doing a kid any favors by anointing him/her at U8/9. Always better to go up, then down. Gives them something to work for.

I don't like A or B label, but practice scrimmages don't mean much. I am sure some kids in B team are actually better than most of kids in A team though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ our A team got all of this. Now in the 2nd year, the 2nd team can routinely beat them in practice scrimmages. It is the 'prima donna' effect. The A team was used to being lauded for a year and 1/2 and being treated 'special' by the parents and the coaches. The other kids had the benefit of practicing against them and possess the grit to want to beat the crap out of them because they are goddamn sick of hearing how 'special' they are. The A kids were complete brats to all the other kids in the age group. Some wouldn't even talk to the lower team players. It is fun to now watch them all turn on each other and start screaming at teammates when they lose to the lower team. No unity amongst the masses.

Nobody is doing a kid any favors by anointing him/her at U8/9. Always better to go up, then down. Gives them something to work for.

I don't like A or B label, but practice scrimmages don't mean much. I am sure some kids in B team are actually better than most of kids in A team though.

I've always wondered, if the A and B team are in the same tournament division, but different brackets, and both end up in the championship - would the coaches ever let the B team win? or would they engineer the game for the A team to win? At our tournament last year, both our A and B teams were in the same division, but our B team didn't make the finals.

[Anonymous]

I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ our A team got all of this. Now in the 2nd year, the 2nd team can routinely beat them in practice scrimmages. It is the 'prima donna' effect. The A team was used to being lauded for a year and 1/2 and being treated 'special' by the parents and the coaches. The other kids had the benefit of practicing against them and possess the grit to want to beat the crap out of them because they are goddamn sick of hearing how 'special' they are. The A kids were complete brats to all the other kids in the age group. Some wouldn't even talk to the lower team players. It is fun to now watch them all turn on each other and start screaming at teammates when they lose to the lower team. No unity amongst the masses.

Nobody is doing a kid any favors by anointing him/her at U8/9. Always better to go up, then down. Gives them something to work for.

I don't like A or B label, but practice scrimmages don't mean much. I am sure some kids in B team are actually better than most of kids in A team though.

I've always wondered, if the A and B team are in the same tournament division, but different brackets, and both end up in the championship - would the coaches ever let the B team win? or would they engineer the game for the A team to win? At our tournament last year, both our A and B teams were in the same division, but our B team didn't make the finals.

No. I have seen this scenario play out a few times and each time the games were coached straight up and the players on both sides played to win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Yet it's so difficult to find extra training that's truly valuable. Individualized skill development activities typically do nothing to improve visual perception and decision making, which are critically important, not to mention athleticism. I'm not the money grab guy, but it's just more #MONEYGRAB and especially young players would be better off getting a good night's rest or practicing a different sport than attending the endless extra training sessions.

Don't get me wrong: I do wish the right kind of extra training was widely available, but it ain't.

# M O N E Y G R A B

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Yet it's so difficult to find extra training that's truly valuable. Individualized skill development activities typically do nothing to improve visual perception and decision making, which are critically important, not to mention athleticism. I'm not the money grab guy, but it's just more #MONEYGRAB and especially young players would be better off getting a good night's rest or practicing a different sport than attending the endless extra training sessions.

Don't get me wrong: I do wish the right kind of extra training was widely available, but it ain't.

# M O N E Y G R A B

There's plenty of quality extra training worth the money out there. You just need to find it. At young ages if the parents aren't grinding most likely the kid isn't either. My kid loves soccer and he loves training. I constantly am talking with parents/friends from other clubs asking for ideas on quality training and we often create our own small groups and approach coaches/trainers that we like and see if they are willing to train the kids in the off season or whenever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Apples and oranges, Dude. Not comparable at all to these Clubs with way too many teams---70 8-year olds where there isn't a clear picture like band with 10 chairs. It's much more subjective as well.

If you had 75 clarinet players and the Band Director did not have time to listen to all of them---that would be a better comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Apples and oranges, Dude. Not comparable at all to these Clubs with way too many teams---70 8-year olds where there isn't a clear picture like band with 10 chairs. It's much more subjective as well.

If you had 75 clarinet players and the Band Director did not have time to listen to all of them---that would be a better comparison.

try '110-150' clarinet players if we are talking about your average soccer tryout at any big club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ our A team got all of this. Now in the 2nd year, the 2nd team can routinely beat them in practice scrimmages. It is the 'prima donna' effect. The A team was used to being lauded for a year and 1/2 and being treated 'special' by the parents and the coaches. The other kids had the benefit of practicing against them and possess the grit to want to beat the crap out of them because they are goddamn sick of hearing how 'special' they are. The A kids were complete brats to all the other kids in the age group. Some wouldn't even talk to the lower team players. It is fun to now watch them all turn on each other and start screaming at teammates when they lose to the lower team. No unity amongst the masses.

Nobody is doing a kid any favors by anointing him/her at U8/9. Always better to go up, then down. Gives them something to work for.

I don't like A or B label, but practice scrimmages don't mean much. I am sure some kids in B team are actually better than most of kids in A team though.

I've always wondered, if the A and B team are in the same tournament division, but different brackets, and both end up in the championship - would the coaches ever let the B team win? or would they engineer the game for the A team to win? At our tournament last year, both our A and B teams were in the same division, but our B team didn't make the finals.

No. I have seen this scenario play out a few times and each time the games were coached straight up and the players on both sides played to win.

I coached two teams academy style a few years back and the tournament put them both in the same division. They met in the semi finals of our very first tournament. The parents were wondering which team I was going to coach. I coached my son's team which happened to be the "A" team. I would never "throw it" or "engineer" anything. The rosters were set for the "A" team to be stronger and both teams played their hardest. The "A" team won pretty decisively, which is what should have happened. The parents of the "B" team were upset. They thought that this would continue to happen for every tournament. I had to explain that both teams rarely get put in the same division.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Yet it's so difficult to find extra training that's truly valuable. Individualized skill development activities typically do nothing to improve visual perception and decision making, which are critically important, not to mention athleticism. I'm not the money grab guy, but it's just more #MONEYGRAB and especially young players would be better off getting a good night's rest or practicing a different sport than attending the endless extra training sessions.

Don't get me wrong: I do wish the right kind of extra training was widely available, but it ain't.

# M O N E Y G R A B

Right, individual skill development has no use in soccer. I mean it is so easy to scan the field for that breakout pass when your footwork is so bad that you can’t pick your head up. Footwork and technical development! Who needs it, my kid is fast and that’s all that matters!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Yet it's so difficult to find extra training that's truly valuable. Individualized skill development activities typically do nothing to improve visual perception and decision making, which are critically important, not to mention athleticism. I'm not the money grab guy, but it's just more #MONEYGRAB and especially young players would be better off getting a good night's rest or practicing a different sport than attending the endless extra training sessions.

Don't get me wrong: I do wish the right kind of extra training was widely available, but it ain't.

# M O N E Y G R A B

There's plenty of quality extra training worth the money out there. You just need to find it. At young ages if the parents aren't grinding most likely the kid isn't either. My kid loves soccer and he loves training. I constantly am talking with parents/friends from other clubs asking for ideas on quality training and we often create our own small groups and approach coaches/trainers that we like and see if they are willing to train the kids in the off season or whenever.

Completely agree with everything you've written. Almost every top player we know is the child of someone who is knowledgeable about soccer (either because they played at a high level, or do what PP does and constantly look around for/talk to others (including perfect strangers) about the best training) and very ambitious on their kid's behalf. Occasionally someone other than a parent, like a relative, coach, or teammate's parent, plays this role for the child. The ambitious parent may or may not care about A vs. B team, but they either seek out the best outside training or work with their kid at home for hours every week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Yet it's so difficult to find extra training that's truly valuable. Individualized skill development activities typically do nothing to improve visual perception and decision making, which are critically important, not to mention athleticism. I'm not the money grab guy, but it's just more #MONEYGRAB and especially young players would be better off getting a good night's rest or practicing a different sport than attending the endless extra training sessions.

Don't get me wrong: I do wish the right kind of extra training was widely available, but it ain't.

# M O N E Y G R A B

There's plenty of quality extra training worth the money out there. You just need to find it. At young ages if the parents aren't grinding most likely the kid isn't either. My kid loves soccer and he loves training. I constantly am talking with parents/friends from other clubs asking for ideas on quality training and we often create our own small groups and approach coaches/trainers that we like and see if they are willing to train the kids in the off season or whenever.

Completely agree with everything you've written. Almost every top player we know is the child of someone who is knowledgeable about soccer (either because they played at a high level, or do what PP does and constantly look around for/talk to others (including perfect strangers) about the best training) and very ambitious on their kid's behalf. Occasionally someone other than a parent, like a relative, coach, or teammate's parent, plays this role for the child. The ambitious parent may or may not care about A vs. B team, but they either seek out the best outside training or work with their kid at home for hours every week.

Very true. There are a lot of resources out there. You just need to find out, from coach, friends, or even strangers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have actually heard parents say "the only reason _____ is better is because they get him extra training." This is complained about as if it is somehow unfair to their kid.

If your kid was in band this is how you would sound:
"You know, the only reason Suzy is first clarinet is because she practices 5 nights a week instead of the required 3. It is so political that the only kids who get invited to do the extra band stuff like playing in the pit for the school musical ALWAYS goes to the top two chairs. It is so unfair those opportunities are not given to the 9th or 10th chair."

Yet it's so difficult to find extra training that's truly valuable. Individualized skill development activities typically do nothing to improve visual perception and decision making, which are critically important, not to mention athleticism. I'm not the money grab guy, but it's just more #MONEYGRAB and especially young players would be better off getting a good night's rest or practicing a different sport than attending the endless extra training sessions.

Don't get me wrong: I do wish the right kind of extra training was widely available, but it ain't.

# M O N E Y G R A B

There's plenty of quality extra training worth the money out there. You just need to find it. At young ages if the parents aren't grinding most likely the kid isn't either. My kid loves soccer and he loves training. I constantly am talking with parents/friends from other clubs asking for ideas on quality training and we often create our own small groups and approach coaches/trainers that we like and see if they are willing to train the kids in the off season or whenever.

If you have a minute, could you describe what that "quality extra training" looks like? What do the players do at these sessions? I apologize that I'm such a cynic but I can't count how often clubs and coaches and trainers promise that sort of thing and then offer up unopposed drills and other utter wastes of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ our A team got all of this. Now in the 2nd year, the 2nd team can routinely beat them in practice scrimmages. It is the 'prima donna' effect. The A team was used to being lauded for a year and 1/2 and being treated 'special' by the parents and the coaches. The other kids had the benefit of practicing against them and possess the grit to want to beat the crap out of them because they are goddamn sick of hearing how 'special' they are. The A kids were complete brats to all the other kids in the age group. Some wouldn't even talk to the lower team players. It is fun to now watch them all turn on each other and start screaming at teammates when they lose to the lower team. No unity amongst the masses.

Nobody is doing a kid any favors by anointing him/her at U8/9. Always better to go up, then down. Gives them something to work for.

I don't like A or B label, but practice scrimmages don't mean much. I am sure some kids in B team are actually better than most of kids in A team though.

I've always wondered, if the A and B team are in the same tournament division, but different brackets, and both end up in the championship - would the coaches ever let the B team win? or would they engineer the game for the A team to win? At our tournament last year, both our A and B teams were in the same division, but our B team didn't make the finals.

No. I have seen this scenario play out a few times and each time the games were coached straight up and the players on both sides played to win.

I coached two teams academy style a few years back and the tournament put them both in the same division. They met in the semi finals of our very first tournament. The parents were wondering which team I was going to coach. I coached my son's team which happened to be the "A" team. I would never "throw it" or "engineer" anything. The rosters were set for the "A" team to be stronger and both teams played their hardest. The "A" team won pretty decisively, which is what should have happened. The parents of the "B" team were upset. They thought that this would continue to happen for every tournament. I had to explain that both teams rarely get put in the same division.

If your A and B team is anything like ours, B team would never win that tournament even if they are in the same divisions, since B team's top players are "borrowed" by the A team - so that A team can win the tournament, even if the B team had a fighting chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ our A team got all of this. Now in the 2nd year, the 2nd team can routinely beat them in practice scrimmages. It is the 'prima donna' effect. The A team was used to being lauded for a year and 1/2 and being treated 'special' by the parents and the coaches. The other kids had the benefit of practicing against them and possess the grit to want to beat the crap out of them because they are goddamn sick of hearing how 'special' they are. The A kids were complete brats to all the other kids in the age group. Some wouldn't even talk to the lower team players. It is fun to now watch them all turn on each other and start screaming at teammates when they lose to the lower team. No unity amongst the masses.

Nobody is doing a kid any favors by anointing him/her at U8/9. Always better to go up, then down. Gives them something to work for.

I don't like A or B label, but practice scrimmages don't mean much. I am sure some kids in B team are actually better than most of kids in A team though.

I've always wondered, if the A and B team are in the same tournament division, but different brackets, and both end up in the championship - would the coaches ever let the B team win? or would they engineer the game for the A team to win? At our tournament last year, both our A and B teams were in the same division, but our B team didn't make the finals.

No. I have seen this scenario play out a few times and each time the games were coached straight up and the players on both sides played to win.

I coached two teams academy style a few years back and the tournament put them both in the same division. They met in the semi finals of our very first tournament. The parents were wondering which team I was going to coach. I coached my son's team which happened to be the "A" team. I would never "throw it" or "engineer" anything. The rosters were set for the "A" team to be stronger and both teams played their hardest. The "A" team won pretty decisively, which is what should have happened. The parents of the "B" team were upset. They thought that this would continue to happen for every tournament. I had to explain that both teams rarely get put in the same division.

If your A and B team is anything like ours, B team would never win that tournament even if they are in the same divisions, since B team's top players are "borrowed" by the A team - so that A team can win the tournament, even if the B team had a fighting chance.

When I coached, both "A" and "B" teams trained together. I didn't run around calling them "A" and "B" kids. We trained together but broke out based on ability often when we worked in smaller groups...think 4v1 rondos or something. I used "club pass" often to move kids between the "A" and "B" games based what I felt the kids needed. For example, if an "A" kid was struggling, I'd roster him on the B team that week. maybe the next two weeks to hopefully build some confidence. If a "B" kid was kicking butt that week, I move him up that week to see if he could do it in the "A" game. For tournaments, the "A" team was the 10-11 kid that I thought formed the strongest team that weekend. I hope no one thought I was "stealing" kids from the "B" team. That's a weird way to look at things. But yes, I used Club pass quite a bit...which is just guest playing kids between teams of the same club during NCSL league play.