Soccer - avoid Kids Pro Soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just finished taking soccer with Marcel. I wasn't thrilled with his coaching style--I don't think that he really relates to the kids at all or engages them--but he was really doing actual soccer skills, not just running around kicking the ball. Not sure about all the rants, etc, but I didn't think he was awful. Just don't want him completely trashed. He's been doing this for 20 years.

Quanity does not equal quality. Just because someone does something for a long time does not mean they do it well or do it right.

[Anonymous]

Coach John is AWESOME! Our son loves and - more importantly - listens to him, and has grown a lot over the course of several seasons, in terms of actual skills but also being able to follow directions, participate in a group, etc. Can't say enough good things...

[Anonymous]

Interesting. Marcel does classes at my kids' school and has never missed a single one. I have stayed for every session and have never seen him disrepectful to kids. My girls both liked him well enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coach John is AWESOME! Our son loves and - more importantly - listens to him, and has grown a lot over the course of several seasons, in terms of actual skills but also being able to follow directions, participate in a group, etc. Can't say enough good things...

Coach John is wonderful. Very patient and actually is teaching these young kids sports. He is not only in Georgetown but also is in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone above compare Kids Pro Soccer with the montgomery county recreation classes by Coach Doug?

[Anonymous]

I could not agree more about Kids Pro Soccer. We had a horrible experience with them as well -- cancelling the class we signed up for, failing to notify us, refusing to issue a refund, lying about everyting, and being verbally abusive and irrational on the phone. I cannot believe that they are still in business.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I really wish I would have read this before we signed our 4 year old up with Kids Pro Soccer. We signed him up for the 4-6 year old program (that promised 3 games) and, without notification to us, he was placed in a 2-3 year old program and hasn't played a single game. Marcel was 15 minutes late to every practice and no-showed for one claiming personal emergency (we didn't get notification until 15 minutes past the start time). When I contacted Kids Pro Soccer, I received a very rude response from Aga and was told that I should have contacted them earlier to advise that our son was in the wrong age group ---- isn't that their job?! Marcel called and left a threatening voicemail for me and said that if I didn't call him back, he would be prepared to discuss the issues "in front of ALL of the parents at the next practice". Needless to say, we have opted not to attend anymore sessions. If you are considering Kids Pro Soccer, I would strongly encourage you not to sign up and to check with your county's soccer association. The worst part is the impact it's had on our 4 year old. He LOVES soccer and was really disappointed when it didn't turn out to be a "real" practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any good soccer programs out there for the 3-5 set? Fun, running around, basic skills, kind instructors?

We have had a wonderful experience with Brit-Am; our experience with Darryl Gee was also good.

[Anonymous]

Jouons Soccer is also a good program, they do a lot of individual training but are going into the sector of groups. My daughter who goes to St. Johns is in that program. They are young and connect with the kids very well.

[Anonymous]

We've taken Kids Pro Soccer and actually had a good experience. I think that the program actually teaches soccer skills as opposed to the others which are kids running around with a soccer ball.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've taken Kids Pro Soccer and actually had a good experience. I think that the program actually teaches soccer skills as opposed to the others which are kids running around with a soccer ball.

what 'skills', other than dribbling (aka running around with a soccer ball), are they teaching 3/4/5 yo kids??? very curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I considered signing my son up for KidsPro, so thanks so much for the warning.

Any good soccer programs out there for the 3-5 set? Fun, running around, basic skills, kind instructors?

I don't know if they have any around you, but my 4 yo loves the Lil Kickers prgram. They have been great with him!

[Anonymous]

Darryl Gee was really good. Nice coaches and very age appropriate for 3-5 year olds.

[Anonymous]

Golden Boot in Nova is phenomenal. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Kids Pro Soccer was awful -- cancelled classes, bad communications, just not showing up, etc.

I have organized classes for the past 3 seasons with Darryl Gee and they are terrific. Very organized, very responsive, and great coaches -- esp. Coach Andrew and Coach Pablo.