Field hockey clubs feedback

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that most of Gloria’s coaches are former Wolves players says a lot about the club team. Those former wolves graduated from their respective colleges as field hockey athletes and came back to help Gloria build and strengthen her club team. I have seen her former players now Wolves coaches pour so much love and effort into coaching. Also, the Wolves clinics that occur on Saturday’s are filled with amazing current Wolves players who truly are teaching this younger generation the most about field hockey. I can feel the genuine encouragement and passion these kids have when coaching the younger generation in field hockey. It definitely stems from the coaching they receive while being on the Wolves.

If you are a very high level, favored player you will have a completely different experience playing at any of these clubs. If you are outside the inner circle you wear the uniform and practice with the favored players but you won’t get much playing time. It’s all about winning and branding. Every parent should know this going in but the clubs do a great job of marketing. They are businesses after all. Rosters should be smaller but it isn’t financially viable and there aren’t enough coaches, fields or indoor facilities.

I agree people should know better players will play more. This is just common sense. The parents complaining about their kids playing time likely are on the wrong team for their skill.

However, I think some coaches do more to develop the “bubble” kids than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that most of Gloria’s coaches are former Wolves players says a lot about the club team. Those former wolves graduated from their respective colleges as field hockey athletes and came back to help Gloria build and strengthen her club team. I have seen her former players now Wolves coaches pour so much love and effort into coaching. Also, the Wolves clinics that occur on Saturday’s are filled with amazing current Wolves players who truly are teaching this younger generation the most about field hockey. I can feel the genuine encouragement and passion these kids have when coaching the younger generation in field hockey. It definitely stems from the coaching they receive while being on the Wolves.

If you are a very high level, favored player you will have a completely different experience playing at any of these clubs. If you are outside the inner circle you wear the uniform and practice with the favored players but you won’t get much playing time. It’s all about winning and branding. Every parent should know this going in but the clubs do a great job of marketing. They are businesses after all. Rosters should be smaller but it isn’t financially viable and there aren’t enough coaches, fields or indoor facilities.

I agree people should know better players will play more. This is just common sense. The parents complaining about their kids playing time likely are on the wrong team for their skill.

However, I think some coaches do more to develop the “bubble” kids than others.

Shouldn’t the coach decide who is on the team? The coach is the one who is supposed to be evaluating skill levels. If a parent shells out thousands of dollars there is an expectation that their child will get some playing time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that most of Gloria’s coaches are former Wolves players says a lot about the club team. Those former wolves graduated from their respective colleges as field hockey athletes and came back to help Gloria build and strengthen her club team. I have seen her former players now Wolves coaches pour so much love and effort into coaching. Also, the Wolves clinics that occur on Saturday’s are filled with amazing current Wolves players who truly are teaching this younger generation the most about field hockey. I can feel the genuine encouragement and passion these kids have when coaching the younger generation in field hockey. It definitely stems from the coaching they receive while being on the Wolves.

If you are a very high level, favored player you will have a completely different experience playing at any of these clubs. If you are outside the inner circle you wear the uniform and practice with the favored players but you won’t get much playing time. It’s all about winning and branding. Every parent should know this going in but the clubs do a great job of marketing. They are businesses after all. Rosters should be smaller but it isn’t financially viable and there aren’t enough coaches, fields or indoor facilities.

I agree people should know better players will play more. This is just common sense. The parents complaining about their kids playing time likely are on the wrong team for their skill.

However, I think some coaches do more to develop the “bubble” kids than others.

Shouldn’t the coach decide who is on the team? The coach is the one who is supposed to be evaluating skill levels. If a parent shells out thousands of dollars there is an expectation that their child will get some playing time.

It is not realistic for all players on a team to be equally skilled. Especially when you get to outdoor. A kid not as skilled needs to practice extra, put in extra effort and hope to catch up. Some coaches will give all players the same high level of coaching. A less skilled kid will benefit from this type of coach and will catch up. A less skilled kid will not catch up if the coach only focuses on the top players and continue to build their list of skills. Some clubs have all players in an age group practice the same skills. It’s an opportunity for them all to improve at the skill. Some clubs break the age group up by skill level and those who are high skilled continue to be taught new skills while the others fall further behind because they aren’t adding to their list of skills. All players should be working on their skills outside of practice.

When you get into travel sports, you shouldn’t expect equal playing time. If you don’t think your kid gets enough playing time then you are with the wrong club. It doesn’t mean the club is bad, it just means it’s not the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Welma coaches for NCS and definitely favors her high school players who also play for Next Level. I’m not sure if there is a NCS player not on her top team regardless of whether they actually belong there or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that most of Gloria’s coaches are former Wolves players says a lot about the club team. Those former wolves graduated from their respective colleges as field hockey athletes and came back to help Gloria build and strengthen her club team. I have seen her former players now Wolves coaches pour so much love and effort into coaching. Also, the Wolves clinics that occur on Saturday’s are filled with amazing current Wolves players who truly are teaching this younger generation the most about field hockey. I can feel the genuine encouragement and passion these kids have when coaching the younger generation in field hockey. It definitely stems from the coaching they receive while being on the Wolves.

If you are a very high level, favored player you will have a completely different experience playing at any of these clubs. If you are outside the inner circle you wear the uniform and practice with the favored players but you won’t get much playing time. It’s all about winning and branding. Every parent should know this going in but the clubs do a great job of marketing. They are businesses after all. Rosters should be smaller but it isn’t financially viable and there aren’t enough coaches, fields or indoor facilities.

I agree people should know better players will play more. This is just common sense. The parents complaining about their kids playing time likely are on the wrong team for their skill.

However, I think some coaches do more to develop the “bubble” kids than others.

LBH, sometimes skill is irrelevant if your kid is not favored. A kid who performs well by any metric, plays at a high level, many accolades, is being recruited . . . comes to practice, practices hard, does everything asked, parents don't question playing time (despite being pissed and wanting to), pays everyhting on time, etc etc. and then gets a lesser position or team placement.

Let's stop pretending that it's always the parents who are not understanding of their kid's true abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that most of Gloria’s coaches are former Wolves players says a lot about the club team. Those former wolves graduated from their respective colleges as field hockey athletes and came back to help Gloria build and strengthen her club team. I have seen her former players now Wolves coaches pour so much love and effort into coaching. Also, the Wolves clinics that occur on Saturday’s are filled with amazing current Wolves players who truly are teaching this younger generation the most about field hockey. I can feel the genuine encouragement and passion these kids have when coaching the younger generation in field hockey. It definitely stems from the coaching they receive while being on the Wolves.

If you are a very high level, favored player you will have a completely different experience playing at any of these clubs. If you are outside the inner circle you wear the uniform and practice with the favored players but you won’t get much playing time. It’s all about winning and branding. Every parent should know this going in but the clubs do a great job of marketing. They are businesses after all. Rosters should be smaller but it isn’t financially viable and there aren’t enough coaches, fields or indoor facilities.

I agree people should know better players will play more. This is just common sense. The parents complaining about their kids playing time likely are on the wrong team for their skill.

However, I think some coaches do more to develop the “bubble” kids than others.

LBH, sometimes skill is irrelevant if your kid is not favored. A kid who performs well by any metric, plays at a high level, many accolades, is being recruited . . . comes to practice, practices hard, does everything asked, parents don't question playing time (despite being pissed and wanting to), pays everyhting on time, etc etc. and then gets a lesser position or team placement.

Let's stop pretending that it's always the parents who are not understanding of their kid's true abilities.

This. I have seen kids who are less skilled get more playing time because coach is BFFs with their parents. It is tough for DD to see this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that most of Gloria’s coaches are former Wolves players says a lot about the club team. Those former wolves graduated from their respective colleges as field hockey athletes and came back to help Gloria build and strengthen her club team. I have seen her former players now Wolves coaches pour so much love and effort into coaching. Also, the Wolves clinics that occur on Saturday’s are filled with amazing current Wolves players who truly are teaching this younger generation the most about field hockey. I can feel the genuine encouragement and passion these kids have when coaching the younger generation in field hockey. It definitely stems from the coaching they receive while being on the Wolves.

If you are a very high level, favored player you will have a completely different experience playing at any of these clubs. If you are outside the inner circle you wear the uniform and practice with the favored players but you won’t get much playing time. It’s all about winning and branding. Every parent should know this going in but the clubs do a great job of marketing. They are businesses after all. Rosters should be smaller but it isn’t financially viable and there aren’t enough coaches, fields or indoor facilities.

I agree people should know better players will play more. This is just common sense. The parents complaining about their kids playing time likely are on the wrong team for their skill.

However, I think some coaches do more to develop the “bubble” kids than others.

LBH, sometimes skill is irrelevant if your kid is not favored. A kid who performs well by any metric, plays at a high level, many accolades, is being recruited . . . comes to practice, practices hard, does everything asked, parents don't question playing time (despite being pissed and wanting to), pays everyhting on time, etc etc. and then gets a lesser position or team placement.

Let's stop pretending that it's always the parents who are not understanding of their kid's true abilities.

This. I have seen kids who are less skilled get more playing time because coach is BFFs with their parents. It is tough for DD to see this.

More than tough. . . . it's demoralizing. And wrong. But happens a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

What team?

Metro

There are two teams in the DMV I would never recommend. This is one of them.

What’s the other team? Looking to move my U14 DD from a club not listed on this thread to another club and want to make sure we are looking at the right places

Multiple posters have already said it, Husel.

And Washington Wolves

I disagree. And so do multiple other people on this thread.

If you get the opportunity to see first hand, go watch the Washington Wolves u16/u19 teams play at this years Sunshine Showcase in January and make your judgment. She will take 18-20 players (max roster is 20!). Watch the games and her coaching. You will see 11-12 players get all the playing time. Rest will get 0-8 min per game of that and mostly not in their primary position so many look out of place because they are. Players are conditioned by her to treat them as sub par players and avoid passing to them so they basically might as well not be on the field. She will provide little coaching direction even during breaks/half time. Again this is not the case for the younger teams as much because those coaches are more inclusive. This aspect can’t speak directly but others have stated (FH is a small world) she is known for the same lack of coaching, limited communication, preferential treatment and several players get 0 playing time pitting player against player on and off the field at her high school team and it has caused consternation with parents for several years. High school team wins because of speed and grit of lacrosse players and a few strong FH players/goalie. Go watch her at these major tournaments with the older age group to see for yourself. Nexus, clinics all a show for the DMV to get more business or get her in crowd players into top nexus ranking for selection.

If you want to talk about preferring players please take a look at next level. I’ve heard from several current players on the “lower” teams complain about how the club owner is always coaching her top teams. Even people how who’ve been with next level since the days of the Bethesda indoor facility have left because next level prefers players from other clubs. They took in so many Metro club girls and prior to that they took in all the SouthEast Storm players since that club disintegrated. A good friend of mine had a daughter who played for Next level since the club started and moved to KOA because of the favoritism.

Truth!

Wolves is no different. Gloria has brought in players from Warhawks, Husel in the older age groups to win and sidelined players who have been there for ages. She also brings in guest players from places like Princeton FHC at major tournaments and side lines her Wolves players. It’s not just Next Level. She has also loss lots of players to Next Level, Freedom because of her coaching preferences

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

What team?

Metro

There are two teams in the DMV I would never recommend. This is one of them.

What’s the other team? Looking to move my U14 DD from a club not listed on this thread to another club and want to make sure we are looking at the right places

Multiple posters have already said it, Husel.

And Washington Wolves

I disagree. And so do multiple other people on this thread.

If you get the opportunity to see first hand, go watch the Washington Wolves u16/u19 teams play at this years Sunshine Showcase in January and make your judgment. She will take 18-20 players (max roster is 20!). Watch the games and her coaching. You will see 11-12 players get all the playing time. Rest will get 0-8 min per game of that and mostly not in their primary position so many look out of place because they are. Players are conditioned by her to treat them as sub par players and avoid passing to them so they basically might as well not be on the field. She will provide little coaching direction even during breaks/half time. Again this is not the case for the younger teams as much because those coaches are more inclusive. This aspect can’t speak directly but others have stated (FH is a small world) she is known for the same lack of coaching, limited communication, preferential treatment and several players get 0 playing time pitting player against player on and off the field at her high school team and it has caused consternation with parents for several years. High school team wins because of speed and grit of lacrosse players and a few strong FH players/goalie. Go watch her at these major tournaments with the older age group to see for yourself. Nexus, clinics all a show for the DMV to get more business or get her in crowd players into top nexus ranking for selection.

If you want to talk about preferring players please take a look at next level. I’ve heard from several current players on the “lower” teams complain about how the club owner is always coaching her top teams. Even people how who’ve been with next level since the days of the Bethesda indoor facility have left because next level prefers players from other clubs. They took in so many Metro club girls and prior to that they took in all the SouthEast Storm players since that club disintegrated. A good friend of mine had a daughter who played for Next level since the club started and moved to KOA because of the favoritism.

Truth!

Wolves is no different. Gloria has brought in players from Warhawks, Husel in the older age groups to win and sidelined players who have been there for ages. She also brings in guest players from places like Princeton FHC at major tournaments and side lines her Wolves players. It’s not just Next Level. She has also loss lots of players to Next Level, Freedom because of her coaching preferences

Every club brings in guest players, including Husel and Warhawks. DD has guest played for 4 different clubs - including Wolves. I was concerned DD wouldn’t play much as a guest player but everyone played a good amount. Wolves has also gained players from other clubs.

Players move clubs. It’s normal. Not every club/player is a fit. Just because one person has a bad experience doesn’t mean everyone does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gloria has brought in players from Warhawks, Husel in the older age groups to win and sidelined players who have been there for ages. She also brings in guest players from places like Princeton FHC at major tournaments and side lines her Wolves players. It’s not just Next Level. She has also loss lots of players to Next Level, Freedom because of her coaching preferences

“Gloria brings in players”
Those kids left their clubs (for whatever reasons) and joined Wolves.

“She has also loss (sic) lots of players”
Those kids joined a different club (for whatever reasons) and left Wolves.

The bias is ridiculous. As others have said, plenty of kids move clubs. For all sorts of reasons.
No players have been sidelined because of new additions. The strength of a club is found in the kids and kids leaving and joining is part of the norm for youth sports.

[Anonymous]

NP. Current Wolves parent in the upper age group. I read this post fully and IMO there are truths to both the positive and critical posts about the Wolves. I can easily name what a PP poster called who the core players are versus the sidelined players are in the upper age group. IMO here are the top three positives and negatives about the Wolves.

Positives: 1) Excellent u12/u14 coaches that have been brought in 2) Superb goalie coaches 3) Strong recruiting advise
Negatives: 1) Inconsistent and/or ineffective (different learning styles) coaching for older age group during practices/tournaments 2) Limited skill development for less skilled upper aged players due to limited playing opportunities and skill practice differentiation 3) Coaching philosophy stated versus executed are a mismatch sometimes

Possible areas to improve: 1) Skills differentiation and playing opportunities for highly skilled players versus developing players 2) Effective practice time focusing on skills (repetition), strategy (field IQ, watching games for movement and positioning) 3) Strength and conditioning integration

I agree with other posters there isn’t a perfect club out there. Everywhere has their positives and negatives. Do your homework before deciding on a club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Current Wolves parent in the upper age group. I read this post fully and IMO there are truths to both the positive and critical posts about the Wolves. I can easily name what a PP poster called who the core players are versus the sidelined players are in the upper age group. IMO here are the top three positives and negatives about the Wolves.

Positives: 1) Excellent u12/u14 coaches that have been brought in 2) Superb goalie coaches 3) Strong recruiting advise
Negatives: 1) Inconsistent and/or ineffective (different learning styles) coaching for older age group during practices/tournaments 2) Limited skill development for less skilled upper aged players due to limited playing opportunities and skill practice differentiation 3) Coaching philosophy stated versus executed are a mismatch sometimes

Possible areas to improve: 1) Skills differentiation and playing opportunities for highly skilled players versus developing players 2) Effective practice time focusing on skills (repetition), strategy (field IQ, watching games for movement and positioning) 3) Strength and conditioning integration

I agree with other posters there isn’t a perfect club out there. Everywhere has their positives and negatives. Do your homework before deciding on a club.

Current Wolves parent. My main beef with this club is that some of the core players are not necessarily better than the sidelined players. This is what is frustrating to me.

[Anonymous]

Same at Husel. Favorites galore and the owner is cra-cra.

[Anonymous]

One thing I have learned in club sports is that not many people think they are part of the “core group” but everyone is part of the “core group” to someone else.

I never thought my DD was part of the group at her club until another parent commented on it. Likewise, I always thought of this one family as part of the group and was surprised to find out they didn’t think they were.

Not all coach/player personalities are a match. DD has clicked with some coaches and not others. Find a coach your kid clicks with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I have learned in club sports is that not many people think they are part of the “core group” but everyone is part of the “core group” to someone else.

I never thought my DD was part of the group at her club until another parent commented on it. Likewise, I always thought of this one family as part of the group and was surprised to find out they didn’t think they were.

Not all coach/player personalities are a match. DD has clicked with some coaches and not others. Find a coach your kid clicks with.

Core group = group of players getting favored treatment and most of the time on the field whether it was deserved

Why should the coach/player personality match be factored into this ???