Ranking girls middle school club teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose M & D for 8 grade and beyond. Honestly from MoCo, we would allow for 1.5 hours and often it took less depending on the time of day, but not always.

The coaches were transparent and fair, and interested in teaching each individual girl how to improve (at the 8th grade level the girls all had a solid interest in the game) highlighting specific areas for each girl to work on, and overall improving the girls field sense.
When it came to recruiting the coaches were realistic, honest and very helpful, and helped get DD on coaches' radars. DD ended up at an Ivy, which was her second choice of schools.

We looked at other teams and talked to coaches and leadership before making our choice and thought about the sacrifice for DD and the rest of the family.
We did not choose MC Midnight, although it would have been much easier and more convenient, because the coaches and the leadership kept contradicting each other and themselves.

A good summary. We went the other way -- MC Midnight. The club experience was as terrible as PP predicted, but our DD was also recruited for her 2nd choice school and loves it. I'm not disputing or dismissing PP's post at all; just noting that this decision might not be as consequential as parents often think.

what school did she end up at? did MC help her with recruiting or were you on your own? How was she able to get recruited? Congrats to your daughter!

In DD's case what helped was that she played in a tournament with her MC team and was seen by college coach who liked what she saw. I'm sure both her MC and school coaches said good things about her as well, but what really made the difference was that she had strong grades and teacher recommendations, as well as a leadership record in a non-athletic activity. She would not have had those qualifications if she'd played on a team that required driving 1.5 hours to and from practice. Of course, there's more than 1 way to skin that cat.

[Anonymous]

Prior MC Midnight family here.
From our viewpoint, this is a highly priced rec team experience. There is inconsistent coaching, with different coaches for different tournaments (as well as multiple different coaches for the same tournament) and a lack of meaningful communication. There are inappropriate conversations with parents where one person in the organization criticizes and undermines coaches and other players.
We could tolerate the disorganization and lack of follow through, but it was odd for adults in MC to be talking about other coaches/leaders and criticizing other players to parents and that was the final straw.
We went to another club, and it has made a big difference. DD is happier and the coaches and leadership are grown ups who behave as role models.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prior MC Midnight family here.
From our viewpoint, this is a highly priced rec team experience. There is inconsistent coaching, with different coaches for different tournaments (as well as multiple different coaches for the same tournament) and a lack of meaningful communication. There are inappropriate conversations with parents where one person in the organization criticizes and undermines coaches and other players.
We could tolerate the disorganization and lack of follow through, but it was odd for adults in MC to be talking about other coaches/leaders and criticizing other players to parents and that was the final straw.
We went to another club, and it has made a big difference. DD is happier and the coaches and leadership are grown ups who behave as role models.

Curious where you went? Did you go to Howard County as well?

[Anonymous]

Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose M & D for 8 grade and beyond. Honestly from MoCo, we would allow for 1.5 hours and often it took less depending on the time of day, but not always.

The coaches were transparent and fair, and interested in teaching each individual girl how to improve (at the 8th grade level the girls all had a solid interest in the game) highlighting specific areas for each girl to work on, and overall improving the girls field sense.
When it came to recruiting the coaches were realistic, honest and very helpful, and helped get DD on coaches' radars. DD ended up at an Ivy, which was her second choice of schools.

We looked at other teams and talked to coaches and leadership before making our choice and thought about the sacrifice for DD and the rest of the family.
We did not choose MC Midnight, although it would have been much easier and more convenient, because the coaches and the leadership kept contradicting each other and themselves.

A good summary. We went the other way -- MC Midnight. The club experience was as terrible as PP predicted, but our DD was also recruited for her 2nd choice school and loves it. I'm not disputing or dismissing PP's post at all; just noting that this decision might not be as consequential as parents often think.

what school did she end up at? did MC help her with recruiting or were you on your own? How was she able to get recruited? Congrats to your daughter!

In DD's case what helped was that she played in a tournament with her MC team and was seen by college coach who liked what she saw. I'm sure both her MC and school coaches said good things about her as well, but what really made the difference was that she had strong grades and teacher recommendations, as well as a leadership record in a non-athletic activity. She would not have had those qualifications if she'd played on a team that required driving 1.5 hours to and from practice. Of course, there's more than 1 way to skin that cat.

So she's playing D3 then? I think that's an important distinction to make here.

[Anonymous]

My DD went to a Baltimore Club for several reasons.

1. She made the team. Several of her MC teammates tried out but didn’t make it. In fact at M&D, Heross and Skywalkers, it is virtually impossible to make one of those teams from MC. The other Baltimore teams just aren’t worth the drive. So let’s be honest, 99% of MC players after 7th grade don’t have the skills to compete.

2. MC breeds a horrible attitude. Owners disrespecting coaches, parents trashing other players, horrible coaching which translates to a terrible product on the field. Why spend the money and put in the effort for a terrible team that loses. The 2020 team is an exception due to the coach, the younger year teams are way below average. Go elsewhere if you can

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone who is sharing their experiences....those of us with younger children really appreciate it....if you don't know that better options exist you will think that the disfunction is normal....thank you again for sharing!

[Anonymous]

Is 3D a good Club? The MS Teams aren't very competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is 3D a good Club? The MS Teams aren't very competitive.

Not really

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is 3D a good Club? The MS Teams aren't very competitive.

Not really

But they are relatively new. Do they have the potential to get better? How is their organization? Good coaches?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose M & D for 8 grade and beyond. Honestly from MoCo, we would allow for 1.5 hours and often it took less depending on the time of day, but not always.

The coaches were transparent and fair, and interested in teaching each individual girl how to improve (at the 8th grade level the girls all had a solid interest in the game) highlighting specific areas for each girl to work on, and overall improving the girls field sense.
When it came to recruiting the coaches were realistic, honest and very helpful, and helped get DD on coaches' radars. DD ended up at an Ivy, which was her second choice of schools.

We looked at other teams and talked to coaches and leadership before making our choice and thought about the sacrifice for DD and the rest of the family.
We did not choose MC Midnight, although it would have been much easier and more convenient, because the coaches and the leadership kept contradicting each other and themselves.

A good summary. We went the other way -- MC Midnight. The club experience was as terrible as PP predicted, but our DD was also recruited for her 2nd choice school and loves it. I'm not disputing or dismissing PP's post at all; just noting that this decision might not be as consequential as parents often think.

what school did she end up at? did MC help her with recruiting or were you on your own? How was she able to get recruited? Congrats to your daughter!

In DD's case what helped was that she played in a tournament with her MC team and was seen by college coach who liked what she saw. I'm sure both her MC and school coaches said good things about her as well, but what really made the difference was that she had strong grades and teacher recommendations, as well as a leadership record in a non-athletic activity. She would not have had those qualifications if she'd played on a team that required driving 1.5 hours to and from practice. Of course, there's more than 1 way to skin that cat.

So she's playing D3 then? I think that's an important distinction to make here.

Absolutely. She wanted D3 and so did we. Lacrosse is not her whole life -- and we didn't need the $.

[Anonymous]

Where does Skywalkers practice (generally); are Hero’s and M&D typically a little closer to MOCO for practice? Anyone go there for MS and come back closer to home for Capital in HS? Would love to hear typical practice locations for all three if anyone knows. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where does Skywalkers practice (generally); are Hero’s and M&D typically a little closer to MOCO for practice? Anyone go there for MS and come back closer to home for Capital in HS? Would love to hear typical practice locations for all three if anyone knows. Thanks!

I would love to know as well. I checked the websites and got some information but of course that is just for Fall. What happens in the Spring?

[Anonymous]

The chances of your daughter making Skywalkers, M@D or Hero’s is very slim, so don’t worry about it

[Anonymous]

Skywalkers practices in Lutherville or Baltimore City at one of the Baltimore private schools. Hero’s practices in Howard County. M&D usually practices around McDonogh during the school year and in Howard County in the summer.
Most in Baltimore think Heroes and M&D much better run than Skywalkers, where coaches are known to be screamers and the club has high turnover among players.