ECNL playing minutes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

This is sort of true. The reality is your player really needs to talk with the coach to get an honest assessment and find out what shortcomings need to be addressed to gain more playing time. Depending on age of the child you may or may not need to be a part of the conversation.

But the first thing you need to accept is there IS a shortcoming that is keeping your player on the bench. You can do all the mental gymnastics that you want to make it "political", "coaches favorites", "team manager kid" etc but the result is the same. Don't accept answers like "work harder" Whatever the hell that even means.

You need actionable items. If decision making is to slow, then focus on stop over touching the ball and work on one/two touch passing. If decisions are fine but accuracy is lacking then your player needs to grind out working on technical skills. If work rate is mentioned then there is either a aggressiveness that is lacking or fitness is lacking.

But most things can be worked on if they are properly identified. Some things take more effort and time than others but it can only start with a sincere acceptance and a request for honest feedback. If you don't get that type of feedback then you should seek another club. If you do get that kind of unfiltered feedback then you have found the right place to be regardless of the current minute situation.

Thank you for the posting, a great reading material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

This is sort of true. The reality is your player really needs to talk with the coach to get an honest assessment and find out what shortcomings need to be addressed to gain more playing time. Depending on age of the child you may or may not need to be a part of the conversation.

But the first thing you need to accept is there IS a shortcoming that is keeping your player on the bench. You can do all the mental gymnastics that you want to make it "political", "coaches favorites", "team manager kid" etc but the result is the same. Don't accept answers like "work harder" Whatever the hell that even means.

You need actionable items. If decision making is to slow, then focus on stop over touching the ball and work on one/two touch passing. If decisions are fine but accuracy is lacking then your player needs to grind out working on technical skills. If work rate is mentioned then there is either a aggressiveness that is lacking or fitness is lacking.

But most things can be worked on if they are properly identified. Some things take more effort and time than others but it can only start with a sincere acceptance and a request for honest feedback. If you don't get that type of feedback then you should seek another club. If you do get that kind of unfiltered feedback then you have found the right place to be regardless of the current minute situation.

I hear what you're saying, but there's also a reality check needed for some of these parents. Their special kid might just not be that special, and more kids are just better. Despite them working hard on "fixing" their weaknesses. Remember, the "starters" are continuously working to improve their games as well. At some point, it could just be that they have different ceiling and is just a reality of life. This isn't to say they shouldn't work hard, or just give up, or anything along those lines, but a hard look at the reality of the situation is desperately needed. For some kids, working harder at their weakness just isn't enough to play at that level, and a more appropriate level is the better option. Again, doesn't make them a worse person or anything - just a better fit all around (playing time, development, fun, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

If the kid is playing 10-20 minutes in ECNL then there are probably other teams where the kid would start or contend to start. That sounds like a better situation to me. Also with these large rosters playing time decisions are forced to be made and some players lose out that may not be much different than some of the favored starters.

I watched a video of an ECNL game a few days back where I know a few players on the rosters. They did not play much but in my view are comparable in quality to several of the starters in that game. But what are you going to do - the coach is going to make decisions on some basis and will prefer some players to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

If the kid is playing 10-20 minutes in ECNL then there are probably other teams where the kid would start or contend to start. That sounds like a better situation to me. Also with these large rosters playing time decisions are forced to be made and some players lose out that may not be much different than some of the favored starters.

I watched a video of an ECNL game a few days back where I know a few players on the rosters. They did not play much but in my view are comparable in quality to several of the starters in that game. But what are you going to do - the coach is going to make decisions on some basis and will prefer some players to others.

Good point. Based on our own experience you shouldn’t wait long to act (move down or move out). You can hope that next season your kid would get better luck with coach picks but it won’t happen. My kid was a starter at U13 and was moved to non starter spot basically because coach wanted another kid to play the full game. The kid playing the full game is skilled but doesn’t make any difference in game, with or w/o this kid the team would have the same result. I am aware that some kids do make the difference but not all of them and yet coaches grant those kids with full game p time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

Arlington (boys - not sure about girls) gives all players 50% gametime in at least 90% of matches. I don't think they're the only club to do this either - it's not that hard to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

If the kid is playing 10-20 minutes in ECNL then there are probably other teams where the kid would start or contend to start. That sounds like a better situation to me. Also with these large rosters playing time decisions are forced to be made and some players lose out that may not be much different than some of the favored starters.

I watched a video of an ECNL game a few days back where I know a few players on the rosters. They did not play much but in my view are comparable in quality to several of the starters in that game. But what are you going to do - the coach is going to make decisions on some basis and will prefer some players to others.

Good point. Based on our own experience you shouldn’t wait long to act (move down or move out). You can hope that next season your kid would get better luck with coach picks but it won’t happen. My kid was a starter at U13 and was moved to non starter spot basically because coach wanted another kid to play the full game. The kid playing the full game is skilled but doesn’t make any difference in game, with or w/o this kid the team would have the same result. I am aware that some kids do make the difference but not all of them and yet coaches grant those kids with full game p time.

Or stick it out. Our kid went from being a player who barely played 15 total minutes of games at U13 to being a starter playing the entire game by U17. Kids change a lot over these years, both from puberty and the work - or lack thereof - they put into soccer. Kids who left the team to find a a”better” opportunity rarely found it. Now maybe it wouldn’t have worked if they stayed at their original team, but in my experience the grass is not always greener.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

Playing time should be earned, not just given because you showed up. If your kid doesn't get the level of playing time you hope for, I would suggest you do look elsewhere (either level down, or another club), and I don't mean that to come across harshly. Development occurs at practice and outside/additional training, not during official matches.

Playing time is earned when you pay the fees. If the kid is not good enough to play more than ten minutes a game then the club should not have taken your money - and having taken your money the kid should be given more minutes.

And while development certainly occurs outside matches, it absolutely occurs in matches as well and match minutes are a very important part of development.

However I agree that you should look elsewhere if the club treats your kid this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

Arlington (boys - not sure about girls) gives all players 50% gametime in at least 90% of matches. I don't think they're the only club to do this either - it's not that hard to do.

This is not the case on the Arlington girls side. The 6 subs are playing anywhere on average from a 20minute per half to 10minute per half. I have seen players sit out entire half as well in tight game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

If the kid is playing 10-20 minutes in ECNL then there are probably other teams where the kid would start or contend to start. That sounds like a better situation to me. Also with these large rosters playing time decisions are forced to be made and some players lose out that may not be much different than some of the favored starters.

I watched a video of an ECNL game a few days back where I know a few players on the rosters. They did not play much but in my view are comparable in quality to several of the starters in that game. But what are you going to do - the coach is going to make decisions on some basis and will prefer some players to others.

Good point. Based on our own experience you shouldn’t wait long to act (move down or move out). You can hope that next season your kid would get better luck with coach picks but it won’t happen. My kid was a starter at U13 and was moved to non starter spot basically because coach wanted another kid to play the full game. The kid playing the full game is skilled but doesn’t make any difference in game, with or w/o this kid the team would have the same result. I am aware that some kids do make the difference but not all of them and yet coaches grant those kids with full game p time.

Or stick it out. Our kid went from being a player who barely played 15 total minutes of games at U13 to being a starter playing the entire game by U17. Kids change a lot over these years, both from puberty and the work - or lack thereof - they put into soccer. Kids who left the team to find a a”better” opportunity rarely found it. Now maybe it wouldn’t have worked if they stayed at their original team, but in my experience the grass is not always greener.

Disagree, this is our 4th year in ECNL, in four years I haven’t seen that a nonstarter or fringe player become a starter player and get the full game. Actually the fringe player are regressing development speaking. It is probably the “club” that handles things as if they were in a pro league. No interest on individual player success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

This is sort of true. The reality is your player really needs to talk with the coach to get an honest assessment and find out what shortcomings need to be addressed to gain more playing time. Depending on age of the child you may or may not need to be a part of the conversation.

But the first thing you need to accept is there IS a shortcoming that is keeping your player on the bench. You can do all the mental gymnastics that you want to make it "political", "coaches favorites", "team manager kid" etc but the result is the same. Don't accept answers like "work harder" Whatever the hell that even means.

You need actionable items. If decision making is to slow, then focus on stop over touching the ball and work on one/two touch passing. If decisions are fine but accuracy is lacking then your player needs to grind out working on technical skills. If work rate is mentioned then there is either a aggressiveness that is lacking or fitness is lacking.

But most things can be worked on if they are properly identified. Some things take more effort and time than others but it can only start with a sincere acceptance and a request for honest feedback. If you don't get that type of feedback then you should seek another club. If you do get that kind of unfiltered feedback then you have found the right place to be regardless of the current minute situation.

I hear what you're saying, but there's also a reality check needed for some of these parents. Their special kid might just not be that special, and more kids are just better. Despite them working hard on "fixing" their weaknesses. Remember, the "starters" are continuously working to improve their games as well. At some point, it could just be that they have different ceiling and is just a reality of life. This isn't to say they shouldn't work hard, or just give up, or anything along those lines, but a hard look at the reality of the situation is desperately needed. For some kids, working harder at their weakness just isn't enough to play at that level, and a more appropriate level is the better option. Again, doesn't make them a worse person or anything - just a better fit all around (playing time, development, fun, etc.).

If a kid is 13/14 years old there is plenty of time to fix shortcomings. And regardless of whether or not they move the kid up the roster on the current team the improvement may be enough to land a starting spot somewhere else.

Not all the stars stay the stars and not all the subs stay the subs. Yes, realistically it is hard hill to climb, but harder for those in denial about where their kid is really at.

[Anonymous]

Most youth players are going to lose confidence and regress if they are basically sidelined and not playing in games. I don't think the get all your development through training really works in practice.

Even in professional ranks you don't see young players just not playing assuming team cares at all about the player. If playing time is not there on the first team there are loans, reserve teams etc..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

Playing time should be earned, not just given because you showed up. If your kid doesn't get the level of playing time you hope for, I would suggest you do look elsewhere (either level down, or another club), and I don't mean that to come across harshly. Development occurs at practice and outside/additional training, not during official matches.

Playing time is earned when you pay the fees. If the kid is not good enough to play more than ten minutes a game then the club should not have taken your money - and having taken your money the kid should be given more minutes.

And while development certainly occurs outside matches, it absolutely occurs in matches as well and match minutes are a very important part of development.

However I agree that you should look elsewhere if the club treats your kid this way.

Absolutely true for Rec programs, and lower level travel. Not true for ECNL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

Playing time should be earned, not just given because you showed up. If your kid doesn't get the level of playing time you hope for, I would suggest you do look elsewhere (either level down, or another club), and I don't mean that to come across harshly. Development occurs at practice and outside/additional training, not during official matches.

Playing time is earned when you pay the fees. If the kid is not good enough to play more than ten minutes a game then the club should not have taken your money - and having taken your money the kid should be given more minutes.

And while development certainly occurs outside matches, it absolutely occurs in matches as well and match minutes are a very important part of development.

However I agree that you should look elsewhere if the club treats your kid this way.

Absolutely true for Rec programs, and lower level travel. Not true for ECNL.

It's absolutely true for any level up to and including EPL. If you're getting no minutes you go somewhere you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do all 18 players get on the field every game? Do some players only play a couple minutes? What is the distribution on your team of playing time?

U14 ECNL - Yes, all 18 that are rostered get on the field. But minutes do vary each game. The team is a bottom feeder so I don't think it matters much. The problem is the team doesn't have enough competent players to be competitive, they are lazy AF in practice and the coaching decisions are questionable which leads to inconsistency on direction and on the field. The team does not have many players with a high soccer IQ either. But my kid is continuing is continuing to develop so it's all good for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Which club ensures 50% of playing time?
My kids got very little time (10 to 20 minutes total max) per game after long hours drive for away games, very frustrated.
I would like to know the club name and try out the club.

If your kid is only playing 10-20 minutes total at U13-14, moving clubs is likely not the answer. Your kid either needs to work harder and try to improve their game and thus earn more playing time, or your kid needs to be willing to move down to the second team. Other clubs’ top teams are not holding spots open for fringe players.

If the kid is playing 10-20 minutes in ECNL then there are probably other teams where the kid would start or contend to start. That sounds like a better situation to me. Also with these large rosters playing time decisions are forced to be made and some players lose out that may not be much different than some of the favored starters.

I watched a video of an ECNL game a few days back where I know a few players on the rosters. They did not play much but in my view are comparable in quality to several of the starters in that game. But what are you going to do - the coach is going to make decisions on some basis and will prefer some players to others.

Good point. Based on our own experience you shouldn’t wait long to act (move down or move out). You can hope that next season your kid would get better luck with coach picks but it won’t happen. My kid was a starter at U13 and was moved to non starter spot basically because coach wanted another kid to play the full game. The kid playing the full game is skilled but doesn’t make any difference in game, with or w/o this kid the team would have the same result. I am aware that some kids do make the difference but not all of them and yet coaches grant those kids with full game p time.

Or stick it out. Our kid went from being a player who barely played 15 total minutes of games at U13 to being a starter playing the entire game by U17. Kids change a lot over these years, both from puberty and the work - or lack thereof - they put into soccer. Kids who left the team to find a a”better” opportunity rarely found it. Now maybe it wouldn’t have worked if they stayed at their original team, but in my experience the grass is not always greener.

Disagree, this is our 4th year in ECNL, in four years I haven’t seen that a nonstarter or fringe player become a starter player and get the full game. Actually the fringe player are regressing development speaking. It is probably the “club” that handles things as if they were in a pro league. No interest on individual player success.

This. The coach has already made a decision about your kid's level of skill and it will take a lot to convince them that they are wrong. In the meantime, you have the kids already starting and the outsiders attending tryouts to pass. At that age, kid is better off somewhere they will get playing time.