VYS Soccer - better or worse?

[Anonymous]

As per today's newsletter from VYS regarding this year's tryouts: "We had a talent pool of 1,100 players to choose from, which makes VYS one of the most competitive programs in the area."

[Anonymous]

Supposedly there were 100 girls trying out for U9 this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As per today's newsletter from VYS regarding this year's tryouts: "We had a talent pool of 1,100 players to choose from, which makes VYS one of the most competitive programs in the area."

smh, clueless.

[Anonymous]

Thoughts on the silver team? Is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thoughts on the silver team? Is it worth it?

Tough call. I've seen players who were on Silver at U9 and U10 end up playing in VPL, good EDP teams (outside VYS) and other solid teams. Maybe they got good coaching, maybe they were late bloomers, or maybe they were assigned to the wrong team at tryouts. Or all three.

By U13, a lot of House players are claiming spots on the White teams, so I'm not sure how many of the U11/U12 Silver kids are sticking with it.

Thanks. This is for U9. We are going to discuss and let DC decide.

[Anonymous]

It looks like they had enough players for U9 girls they are adding a 5th team. DD got invited to the "gold" team.

We're on the fence, but I'm glad they had enough girls to expand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It looks like they had enough players for U9 girls they are adding a 5th team. DD got invited to the "gold" team.

We're on the fence, but I'm glad they had enough girls to expand.

Ugh.... just because you have bodies doesn't mean you should add teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It looks like they had enough players for U9 girls they are adding a 5th team. DD got invited to the "gold" team.

We're on the fence, but I'm glad they had enough girls to expand.

Ugh.... just because you have bodies doesn't mean you should add teams

Come on now, we all know what it is.... #MONEYGRAB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It looks like they had enough players for U9 girls they are adding a 5th team. DD got invited to the "gold" team.

We're on the fence, but I'm glad they had enough girls to expand.

Ugh.... just because you have bodies doesn't mean you should add teams

Come on now, we all know what it is.... #MONEYGRAB

PP here. Yeah, this is my wife's take as well.

On the flip side, DD is athletic, but lazy. Both my spouse and I are very fit, so DD has good genes, but she's used to sitting around watching TV too much. My spouse and I work a lot, so organized sports will be a good way for her to get exercise. I like the focus on fitness aspect.

The main thing, though, will be the practice with better coaching and with other somewhat-committed girls. Right now house is exactly what you think it is for 8 year old girls: cartwheels, picking daisies, arguing over spots in line, etc.

[Anonymous]

which would you rather have, staying in rec with friends or losing 9-0 every single weekend to superior teams whose players actually belong in a travel league

[Anonymous]

I’m going to be honest. I played ODP and in college, have coached VYS house for years, and watched all three vys tryouts.

There are about a dozen girls who are head and shoulders above the others. Of those, I predict 1/3 will regress to the mean in the coming years based on either lack of size or athleticism.

After that, it’s all over the place. I coach one of the most technically talented players in VYS at this young age. She can dribble through other teams at will, but disappears for half a game at a time.

Maybe the travel teams will stay like they are season to season, but I expect to see a lot of movement year to year.

My only decision is when to start the process. I’m really tempted to coach house one more year and save the money.

[Anonymous]

To clarify the above, my point was it’s too early to know which 8 year old girls “actually belong on a travel team” for about 70% of the girls.

[Anonymous]

how did VYS tryouts go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:which would you rather have, staying in rec with friends or losing 9-0 every single weekend to superior teams whose players actually belong in a travel league

Thought I would come back to this thread. I'm the PP who wound up putting my DD on VYS U9 Gold. They are 5 games in, so about halfway through the fall season.

What a great experience! Other than a few minor niggles (better parking at Jones Branch?) I'm not sure what else I could ask for.

- They did wind up putting Gold in ODSL, which I think was a good decision.

- Games have generally been very well balanced. There have been a couple of 8-0 or 6-3 games this season, but VYS has been on the winning side of those. They are 3-1-1.

- The coaching and practice seems well run, organized, dedicated (they play rain or shine), and I like what the coach emphasizes WRT player development.

- Attendance is good, and they run a small bench, which means the girls get tons of playing time.


I don't know how VYS house has been this season, but this was absolutely the right decision for our DD. I suspect VYS is pleased from an Academy perspective, as they get increased revenue and a larger pool of girls to funnel into next year.

I think the big question will be what happens next season. Can they sustain 5 teams at U10 (I'm guessing not, but maybe)? Some girls will leave - Move out of the area, leave for other sports, leave for other clubs, etc. On the flip side, they will probably get some additional house players who try out again next year and make it.

I think the other question will be how much player movement between teams VYS pushes. As I suspected during tryouts, team placement was not a perfect exercise (and how can it be?), and there are a few girls on gold and silver that will likely move straight up to black or red at some point. The more aggressively they promote / relegate players, the more competitive their top teams become, but you could also get into a situation where gold and silver are no longer competitive with other teams.

I'm sure others have seen all of this play out in the past. How is VYS going for your DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:which would you rather have, staying in rec with friends or losing 9-0 every single weekend to superior teams whose players actually belong in a travel league

Thought I would come back to this thread. I'm the PP who wound up putting my DD on VYS U9 Gold. They are 5 games in, so about halfway through the fall season.

What a great experience! Other than a few minor niggles (better parking at Jones Branch?) I'm not sure what else I could ask for.

- They did wind up putting Gold in ODSL, which I think was a good decision.

- Games have generally been very well balanced. There have been a couple of 8-0 or 6-3 games this season, but VYS has been on the winning side of those. They are 3-1-1.

- The coaching and practice seems well run, organized, dedicated (they play rain or shine), and I like what the coach emphasizes WRT player development.

- Attendance is good, and they run a small bench, which means the girls get tons of playing time.


I don't know how VYS house has been this season, but this was absolutely the right decision for our DD. I suspect VYS is pleased from an Academy perspective, as they get increased revenue and a larger pool of girls to funnel into next year.

I think the big question will be what happens next season. Can they sustain 5 teams at U10 (I'm guessing not, but maybe)? Some girls will leave - Move out of the area, leave for other sports, leave for other clubs, etc. On the flip side, they will probably get some additional house players who try out again next year and make it.

I think the other question will be how much player movement between teams VYS pushes. As I suspected during tryouts, team placement was not a perfect exercise (and how can it be?), and there are a few girls on gold and silver that will likely move straight up to black or red at some point. The more aggressively they promote / relegate players, the more competitive their top teams become, but you could also get into a situation where gold and silver are no longer competitive with other teams.

I'm sure others have seen all of this play out in the past. How is VYS going for your DC?

I heard there are a couple of superstars on the Gold team - so glad it's been a positive experience.

My DS is on U11 Silver with VYS and it's been a good experience as well. Despite being on the lowest team, he is loving the experience and learning a lot.