Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having now reached the stage of going to college ID clinics, many of the same complaints about beginning level tryouts still hold true at the college sessions. There are still players showing up who have no place being there, the players who think that they have to be a ball hog to impress, and even those players who show up in bright socks or shorts in order to catch the coach's eyes. And the format of the tryouts are very similar - the individual dribbling moving to passing drills to small-sided scrimmages and then finishing with a large-sided game.

And while you occasionally see the ball hog moving up to the higher field, generally the same things that will get your kid noticed by smart coaches at the younger ages, are the things that actually impress the college coaches - eg, as noted above, the ability to possess under pressure, to communicate with your teammates, high work rate, etc.

How does a parent know whether or not their kid should try out for travel? Wouldn't want to be one of the ones who has no place being there, but all I have to go off of is other rec players and some skills clinics sponsored by the clubs. Kid (U10) is definitely dominant in rec, but not refined.

If your kid has some soccer skills and a desire to play soccer and travel then go to some tryouts and don't worry about it.

If you can try out for one large club and a smaller one. Where do you live...people can give you a few clubs names.

Rockville

[Anonymous]

19:42 - this isn't true at all clubs. We're in ASA and it was a LOT easier to get in as a girl than as a boy. Literally twice as many boys showed up to tryouts last year as girls. Frankly, the low turnout was the only reason we got in, and I still question the decision sometimes. But we did it because my daughter wanted more soccer than rec could give her. The coaching has been good and she's improved a lot, but it's still pretty clear that she's nowhere near the level of the better kids in ASA. (that said, the "best kids" tend to have earlier birthdays and have 2 more seasons of soccer under their belts because they went to K a year earlier.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:42 - this isn't true at all clubs. We're in ASA and it was a LOT easier to get in as a girl than as a boy. Literally twice as many boys showed up to tryouts last year as girls. Frankly, the low turnout was the only reason we got in, and I still question the decision sometimes. But we did it because my daughter wanted more soccer than rec could give her. The coaching has been good and she's improved a lot, but it's still pretty clear that she's nowhere near the level of the better kids in ASA. (that said, the "best kids" tend to have earlier birthdays and have 2 more seasons of soccer under their belts because they went to K a year earlier.)

True. I heard every single girl that came out to U9 Arlington tryouts last year made one of the 6 teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:42 - this isn't true at all clubs. We're in ASA and it was a LOT easier to get in as a girl than as a boy. Literally twice as many boys showed up to tryouts last year as girls. Frankly, the low turnout was the only reason we got in, and I still question the decision sometimes. But we did it because my daughter wanted more soccer than rec could give her. The coaching has been good and she's improved a lot, but it's still pretty clear that she's nowhere near the level of the better kids in ASA. (that said, the "best kids" tend to have earlier birthdays and have 2 more seasons of soccer under their belts because they went to K a year earlier.)

Did you consider their ADP program? I've heard really good things about the Development program which is a step in between rec and travel. They play only local games. They have one practice with a parent coach and one with the travel coaches. I watched one of the Developmental practices with the travel coaches and I thought it was better than what my kids actually get in the travel program. The kids we know that play in that league and come back to play indoor rec soccer are progressing better than many lot of the travel players. It's also something to think about for the U9 Fall birthdays that will only be in 2nd grade their first year of travel. I heard a lot of 2nd graders are having trouble with the demand of travel-- which is another not-so-wonderful thing about moving the calendar away from school year. You now have 7-year olds playing U9 in the Fall and many just aren't ready for that yet.

I know parents think they have to get their kid in at the earliest possible age or they will be frozen out later. It's just not true. In fact, new kids (even ADP kids) when they tryout later get a chance to be on one of the tryout fields with the upper teams---unlike a kid that was put on Silver or gold or black initially. The mid-lower teams also really open up around U12. There are a lot of vacancies to fill.

It can't be said enough---you want to keep your kid from thinking of soccer as drudgery. They should guide you as to how much structure they are ready for. There are many, MANY years ahead and you don't lose out if you don't jump on the train at 7. There are plenty of other ways to gain the skill which don't have to be an official travel program. Americans think the pinnacle of soccer is around U14/U15. This is not the case in any other Country in the World.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If not happpy with Arlington / McLean / VYS, this is right in Falls Church and VERY easy to make:

http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921

We have been very happy with Premier AC. It is easier to make but the coaching is excellent and it is all around a positive environment. Our child made a bigger club but would have been in the middle talent-wise and we chose PAC instead. Very good team, nice kids, great experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having now reached the stage of going to college ID clinics, many of the same complaints about beginning level tryouts still hold true at the college sessions. There are still players showing up who have no place being there, the players who think that they have to be a ball hog to impress, and even those players who show up in bright socks or shorts in order to catch the coach's eyes. And the format of the tryouts are very similar - the individual dribbling moving to passing drills to small-sided scrimmages and then finishing with a large-sided game.

And while you occasionally see the ball hog moving up to the higher field, generally the same things that will get your kid noticed by smart coaches at the younger ages, are the things that actually impress the college coaches - eg, as noted above, the ability to possess under pressure, to communicate with your teammates, high work rate, etc.

How does a parent know whether or not their kid should try out for travel? Wouldn't want to be one of the ones who has no place being there, but all I have to go off of is other rec players and some skills clinics sponsored by the clubs. Kid (U10) is definitely dominant in rec, but not refined.

If your kid has some soccer skills and a desire to play soccer and travel then go to some tryouts and don't worry about it.

If you can try out for one large club and a smaller one. Where do you live...people can give you a few clubs names.

Rockville

Bethesda
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org

Potomac
http://www.potomacsoccer.org

PPA
https://www.ppateam.com

MSI
http://www.msisoccer.org....

two others in DC, but that's a drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:19:42 - this isn't true at all clubs. We're in ASA and it was a LOT easier to get in as a girl than as a boy. Literally twice as many boys showed up to tryouts last year as girls. Frankly, the low turnout was the only reason we got in, and I still question the decision sometimes. But we did it because my daughter wanted more soccer than rec could give her. The coaching has been good and she's improved a lot, but it's still pretty clear that she's nowhere near the level of the better kids in ASA. (that said, the "best kids" tend to have earlier birthdays and have 2 more seasons of soccer under their belts because they went to K a year earlier.)

True. I heard every single girl that came out to U9 Arlington tryouts last year made one of the 6 teams.

Every club had low U9 tryout #s due to birth year switch. Was an easy year to sneak on, we did too. Probably 70 girls and 120 boys last year in Arlington. Won't be like that this year from what I am hearing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If not happpy with Arlington / McLean / VYS, this is right in Falls Church and VERY easy to make:

http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921

We have been very happy with Premier AC. It is easier to make but the coaching is excellent and it is all around a positive environment. Our child made a bigger club but would have been in the middle talent-wise and we chose PAC instead. Very good team, nice kids, great experience

Thanks for this -- it seems as though this club flies under the radar for those who aren't that familiar with the whole NoVa travel scene. May I ask: does the training ever seem like too much? I'm referring to the twice/week plus weekend futsal schedule and the training throughout the summer, when, I believe, most clubs take a break. Or is it acceptable for players to miss some of these trainings now and then? Thanks for any additional information. WE're seriously considering this club but DC has mandatory rehearsals as well as performances that are hard to predict. Again, thanks

[Anonymous]

re MoCo soccer - MSI Classic & Travel for U12 and under are usually on county fields, and practices are earlier (think 5pm-7:30pm as your range). Some travel teams will get one practice on grass, and one on turf - but some do two on grass. U13+ will usually be 2 practices on turf, and can have lights and can go later (think 6pm-9:30pm as your range). Travel teams have more budget, so they can pay for the turf fields.

There are just not enough fields for as many kids who want to play soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, etc

Bethesda and MD Rush are typically by team, and a team can practice regularly anywhere from Silver Spring to Germantown. Potomac usually goes from Bethesda to Gaithersburg. MS Academy is in Rockviille-Gaithersburg corridor. Coaches and managers usually can tell you what days/locations they hold practices. It's a hunt and peck thing, contacting each team for your age group, finding out where and when they are, and then finding out if your player is a fit...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:19:42 - this isn't true at all clubs. We're in ASA and it was a LOT easier to get in as a girl than as a boy. Literally twice as many boys showed up to tryouts last year as girls. Frankly, the low turnout was the only reason we got in, and I still question the decision sometimes. But we did it because my daughter wanted more soccer than rec could give her. The coaching has been good and she's improved a lot, but it's still pretty clear that she's nowhere near the level of the better kids in ASA. (that said, the "best kids" tend to have earlier birthdays and have 2 more seasons of soccer under their belts because they went to K a year earlier.)

True. I heard every single girl that came out to U9 Arlington tryouts last year made one of the 6 teams.

Every club had low U9 tryout #s due to birth year switch. Was an easy year to sneak on, we did too. Probably 70 girls and 120 boys last year in Arlington. Won't be like that this year from what I am hearing.

I think they will still be lower in years past because a lot of people I know do not plan to take their Fall 2009 current first graders to tryout because they think 2nd grade is too young to start travel soccer. I am not in Arlington, btw. Shifting birth down for travel--l with multiple tournaments (every holiday weekend), 3 practices per week, travel distance to games they feel is too much for a 2nd grader. 3rd and 4th graders used to represent U9---not 2nd and 3rd graders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If not happpy with Arlington / McLean / VYS, this is right in Falls Church and VERY easy to make:

http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921

We have been very happy with Premier AC. It is easier to make but the coaching is excellent and it is all around a positive environment. Our child made a bigger club but would have been in the middle talent-wise and we chose PAC instead. Very good team, nice kids, great experience

Thanks for this -- it seems as though this club flies under the radar for those who aren't that familiar with the whole NoVa travel scene. May I ask: does the training ever seem like too much? I'm referring to the twice/week plus weekend futsal schedule and the training throughout the summer, when, I believe, most clubs take a break. Or is it acceptable for players to miss some of these trainings now and then? Thanks for any additional information. WE're seriously considering this club but DC has mandatory rehearsals as well as performances that are hard to predict. Again, thanks

We've played some really great PAC teams and found the parents 'normal'--which can't be underestimated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If not happpy with Arlington / McLean / VYS, this is right in Falls Church and VERY easy to make:

http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921

We have been very happy with Premier AC. It is easier to make but the coaching is excellent and it is all around a positive environment. Our child made a bigger club but would have been in the middle talent-wise and we chose PAC instead. Very good team, nice kids, great experience

Thanks for this -- it seems as though this club flies under the radar for those who aren't that familiar with the whole NoVa travel scene. May I ask: does the training ever seem like too much? I'm referring to the twice/week plus weekend futsal schedule and the training throughout the summer, when, I believe, most clubs take a break. Or is it acceptable for players to miss some of these trainings now and then? Thanks for any additional information. WE're seriously considering this club but DC has mandatory rehearsals as well as performances that are hard to predict. Again, thanks

We've played some really great PAC teams and found the parents 'normal'--which can't be underestimated!

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If not happpy with Arlington / McLean / VYS, this is right in Falls Church and VERY easy to make:

http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921

We have been very happy with Premier AC. It is easier to make but the coaching is excellent and it is all around a positive environment. Our child made a bigger club but would have been in the middle talent-wise and we chose PAC instead. Very good team, nice kids, great experience

Thanks for this -- it seems as though this club flies under the radar for those who aren't that familiar with the whole NoVa travel scene. May I ask: does the training ever seem like too much? I'm referring to the twice/week plus weekend futsal schedule and the training throughout the summer, when, I believe, most clubs take a break. Or is it acceptable for players to miss some of these trainings now and then? Thanks for any additional information. WE're seriously considering this club but DC has mandatory rehearsals as well as performances that are hard to predict. Again, thanks

It is the same time commitment as the other clubs we looked at. Generally, two times per week with an additional practice during the season. So three a week right now, plus games. I do think there is a different attitude, though, that probably comes from being a smaller club. Again, the coaches are fantastic in our experience. "Too much" depends on the kid! It isn't for mine but for others it is and the don't always return.

Re: summers, I love summer practice. I think the club is very flexible about family vacations and other commitments since they don't take a break. During the season, though, you are expected to make practices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If not happpy with Arlington / McLean / VYS, this is right in Falls Church and VERY easy to make:

http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921

We have been very happy with Premier AC. It is easier to make but the coaching is excellent and it is all around a positive environment. Our child made a bigger club but would have been in the middle talent-wise and we chose PAC instead. Very good team, nice kids, great experience

Thanks for this -- it seems as though this club flies under the radar for those who aren't that familiar with the whole NoVa travel scene. May I ask: does the training ever seem like too much? I'm referring to the twice/week plus weekend futsal schedule and the training throughout the summer, when, I believe, most clubs take a break. Or is it acceptable for players to miss some of these trainings now and then? Thanks for any additional information. WE're seriously considering this club but DC has mandatory rehearsals as well as performances that are hard to predict. Again, thanks

It's laid-back. Summer practices rarely have more than three-quarters of each team. Winter practices are often canceled. One way to think of it -- they always have the field, and if the weather's good and you're not on vacation, there you go.

In-season, of course, you'll want to make it to practice unless you have a serious conflict. The Saturday footskills sessions are good, but they're actually kind of rare (only in-season when your team has no game on Saturday), and again, it's not the end of the world if you miss it.

So, no, we haven't burned out.

At the early ages, the games can be frustrating because (A) they take a lot of players who wouldn't make travel teams at big clubs and (B) they take "development over winning" to occasionally ludicrous extremes. But players improve rapidly, and it's a great environment.

There are pros and cons of a small club. They're not as well-organized as big clubs. They can get pushed off their main practice field (Luther Jackson) by Thomas Jefferson's lacrosse team (seriously, finish your dadgum field redevelopment) and pushed over to Shrevewood Elementary which has grass but is bumpier than a teenager's face. But the coaches are terrific, the parents are (as others mentioned) relatively sane, and the players all love the game. You'd think the latter would be a given, but so many big clubs have a bunch of athletic kids who play soccer because it's what they think they're supposed to do, and they get the instant gratification of dominating at U7 and U8. Those players wash out by U12, while PAC players are still enjoying the game and improving.

[Anonymous]

Tryout schedule for SYA:

http://syasports.org/travel-program-soccer/11603-2/