Travel-Type Soccer Teams - DC Area

[Anonymous]

That is part of it, but also Bethesda doesn't always match its reputation.. Some of the coaches are great, but some are just ok.

[Anonymous]

Reality, but why? Do they not want to hurt parents feelings that have kissed up to coaches in prior year? Do they guarantee that once you're on a team you don't get moved? Why? What is it that makes it hard for a player not be able to get in? Are the players really good but just can't win games as a team? Hope for the future? They don't want to break the friendship between player A & B? Why? What's the points of having tryouts if you are not really looking to add to what you already have? Why can't they get in?

No, players do move around. And players who aren't doing well are moved down, which sometimes effectively gets rid of them because they don't like the results. A player who doesn't put in the effort should not expect to stay. And of course some teams have lots of skilled players but just can't get it together as a team. It's not always easy to solve that problem.

That said, there are plenty of clubs around here happy to toss out current players to chase after the shiny new kid. Sounds like there's a market for it, which is fine. Clearly there's more than one possible philosophy re how to develop your skills of your players and the strength of your club.

No one is saying to toss anyone for the shiny new kid but not being able to make a spot for one player also does not make much sense. Especially if he was to come in and deserve a spot on a top team. Based on what you said there is most likely space for 1 or 2 new players if those being moved down and eventually leaving are no longer taking a roster spot.

I think, ultimately, that it is probably best to move around from time to time. Most clubs get stale after a while and kids benefit from exposure to a variety of coaches and kids.

Per one of the previous poster's points: Often once a shiny new kid arrives the coach will often go out of his/her way to please the kid and his/her parents so as to try and keep them at the club. The problem is that they usually do that to the detriment of the kids who are pretty good, but have stuck around being the loyal suckers. Kids have spurts of advancement at different times, so while they might be pretty good now, they can be the shiny new kid in a year or two. But sticking around in a club where your kids doesn't feel appreciated is unlikely to lead to this.

And to top it off, the shiny new kid likely has a parent who is constantly looking out for the next best thing and won't stick around if they feel the club or the team doesn't match up. So, for a short-term gain, the coach has poisoned the well and it goes on and on. Though many of these clubs claim that they are in the "development" business, they are really in the recruitment business. It is much harder to develop players over the longterm than to accept or try to attract players who are already good.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know about Washington Soccer Club or Capital FC?

[Anonymous]

Per one of the previous poster's points: Often once a shiny new kid arrives the coach will often go out of his/her way to please the kid and his/her parents so as to try and keep them at the club. The problem is that they usually do that to the detriment of the kids who are pretty good, but have stuck around being the loyal suckers. Kids have spurts of advancement at different times, so while they might be pretty good now, they can be the shiny new kid in a year or two. But sticking around in a club where your kids doesn't feel appreciated is unlikely to lead to this.

And to top it off, the shiny new kid likely has a parent who is constantly looking out for the next best thing and won't stick around if they feel the club or the team doesn't match up. So, for a short-term gain, the coach has poisoned the well and it goes on and on. Though many of these clubs claim that they are in the "development" business, they are really in the recruitment business. It is much harder to develop players over the longterm than to accept or try to attract players who are already good.

This narrative… so true and should be understood by all. Also one of the fatal flaws in the argument for “wish our kids didnt play games and tournaments”. Kind of hard to recruit new talent pool if you cant demonstrate application under pressure. New talent is also a part of what helps drive everyone to be better.

In the end though, clubs and coaches want the notoriety that comes with talent and application

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Per one of the previous poster's points: Often once a shiny new kid arrives the coach will often go out of his/her way to please the kid and his/her parents so as to try and keep them at the club. The problem is that they usually do that to the detriment of the kids who are pretty good, but have stuck around being the loyal suckers. Kids have spurts of advancement at different times, so while they might be pretty good now, they can be the shiny new kid in a year or two. But sticking around in a club where your kids doesn't feel appreciated is unlikely to lead to this.

And to top it off, the shiny new kid likely has a parent who is constantly looking out for the next best thing and won't stick around if they feel the club or the team doesn't match up. So, for a short-term gain, the coach has poisoned the well and it goes on and on. Though many of these clubs claim that they are in the "development" business, they are really in the recruitment business. It is much harder to develop players over the longterm than to accept or try to attract players who are already good.

This narrative… so true and should be understood by all. Also one of the fatal flaws in the argument for “wish our kids didnt play games and tournaments”. Kind of hard to recruit new talent pool if you cant demonstrate application under pressure. New talent is also a part of what helps drive everyone to be better.

In the end though, clubs and coaches want the notoriety that comes with talent and application

This is why you NEVER pledge loyalty to a Club. You can think they have your child's best interest at heart. You can think that other parent was just 'disgruntled', etc. Just wait....

I've seen so many of these A team parents eat crow down the line. They always think it's because a kid/parent is just upset that they are on a lower team.

THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS YOUR CHILD'S INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT. If they aren't getting what they need, you need to do something about it.

You always need to be carrying an option in your back pocket every spring. "Never say never" aptly applies. A kid can be told directly to their face that they are they will be placed on a certain team and then when results come out, weird shit happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Per one of the previous poster's points: Often once a shiny new kid arrives the coach will often go out of his/her way to please the kid and his/her parents so as to try and keep them at the club. The problem is that they usually do that to the detriment of the kids who are pretty good, but have stuck around being the loyal suckers. Kids have spurts of advancement at different times, so while they might be pretty good now, they can be the shiny new kid in a year or two. But sticking around in a club where your kids doesn't feel appreciated is unlikely to lead to this.

And to top it off, the shiny new kid likely has a parent who is constantly looking out for the next best thing and won't stick around if they feel the club or the team doesn't match up. So, for a short-term gain, the coach has poisoned the well and it goes on and on. Though many of these clubs claim that they are in the "development" business, they are really in the recruitment business. It is much harder to develop players over the longterm than to accept or try to attract players who are already good.

This narrative… so true and should be understood by all. Also one of the fatal flaws in the argument for “wish our kids didnt play games and tournaments”. Kind of hard to recruit new talent pool if you cant demonstrate application under pressure. New talent is also a part of what helps drive everyone to be better.

In the end though, clubs and coaches want the notoriety that comes with talent and application

New talent pool recruitment is unnecessary if they are developing from when kids enter the program. Iceland baby, Iceland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stoddert is the biggest travel program in DC, and most of the kids live in NW. Practice locations are across the city, mostly in NW but not necessarily close to where you are. It can be hard to break into Stoddert boys' travel after U9/U10, but it's worth a try.

There are a number of smaller clubs now, including PPA. Might want to look into those as alternatives. Not sure of exactly the commitment you're looking for, but I've heard that PPA is much more flexible regarding the number of practices attended, etc.

Why would they be hard to make after U10? Looking at CCL standings at U12 top team is ok, second not so much and NCSL team is D6. Are you saying that because teams are maxed out? I'm sure if they are not, any talented player should be able to make it.

That's the reality. Few new kids get in.

Reality, but why? Do they not want to hurt parents feelings that have kissed up to coaches in prior year? Do they guarantee that once you're on a team you don't get moved? Why? What is it that makes it hard for a player not be able to get in? Are the players really good but just can't win games as a team? Hope for the future? They don't want to break the friendship between player A & B? Why? What's the points of having tryouts if you are not really looking to add to what you already have? Why can't they get in?

No, players do move around. And players who aren't doing well are moved down, which sometimes effectively gets rid of them because they don't like the results. A player who doesn't put in the effort should not expect to stay. And of course some teams have lots of skilled players but just can't get it together as a team. It's not always easy to solve that problem.

That said, there are plenty of clubs around here happy to toss out current players to chase after the shiny new kid. Sounds like there's a market for it, which is fine. Clearly there's more than one possible philosophy re how to develop your skills of your players and the strength of your club.

No one is saying to toss anyone for the shiny new kid but not being able to make a spot for one player also does not make much sense. Especially if he was to come in and deserve a spot on a top team. Based on what you said there is most likely space for 1 or 2 new players if those being moved down and eventually leaving are no longer taking a roster spot.

I don’t understand how anyone can say a new kid “deserves” a spot on a top team. The top team should be the kids who not only have great current skills, but also have demonstrated the work ethic, commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm to continue developing so that their skills are at the top end of their peer group at the end of the year, too. It’s a big disappointment getting that awesome skilled player only to find out that he and his parents think he is so special already that he doesn’t have to put the effort in and should get the most playing time and be fawned over. If a kid with fantastic skills is leaving their current club, you have to question the other side of the story. It makes sense to me to spend a year on the B team to prove the long-term character traits that matter.

[Anonymous]

I hear your argument, but can’t agree.

Your provided case is specific to one particular type of player. Shiny is not always arrogant and lazy. Many good players move for other reasons and deserve a fair chance.

Every year brings new opportunities and challenges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had heard the same thing. I think that there are a number of kids with Bethesda who would love to move to Stoddert in DC, but seems like you need an in to get noticed at the tryouts because they are inundated at those sessions and most kids who are there stay put.

Any thoughts on Washington Soccer Club or Capital FC?

Why would kids playing for Bethesda want to move to Stoddert? Just to be closer to practice fields?

Perhaps because coaching at Bethesda is wildly inconsistent. Perhaps because some families get tired of paying the same fees but receiving far less for them than peers even within the same age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had heard the same thing. I think that there are a number of kids with Bethesda who would love to move to Stoddert in DC, but seems like you need an in to get noticed at the tryouts because they are inundated at those sessions and most kids who are there stay put.

Any thoughts on Washington Soccer Club or Capital FC?

Why would kids playing for Bethesda want to move to Stoddert? Just to be closer to practice fields?

Perhaps because coaching at Bethesda is wildly inconsistent. Perhaps because some families get tired of paying the same fees but receiving far less for them than peers even within the same age group.

And, if they are like other big Clubs, they get their asses chafed when they find out a lower team player is getting opportunities or training elsewhere. Really?!?!! You give the upper team four times as many opportunities and then you want everyone else not on that team to stay loyal and not train anywhere else? They should be happy with getting less and pledge undying loyalty? Blow me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had heard the same thing. I think that there are a number of kids with Bethesda who would love to move to Stoddert in DC, but seems like you need an in to get noticed at the tryouts because they are inundated at those sessions and most kids who are there stay put.

Any thoughts on Washington Soccer Club or Capital FC?

Why would kids playing for Bethesda want to move to Stoddert? Just to be closer to practice fields?

Perhaps because coaching at Bethesda is wildly inconsistent. Perhaps because some families get tired of paying the same fees but receiving far less for them than peers even within the same age group.

Absolutely true. Bethesda has way too many teams and the kids on the lower teams (bulk of them) end up paying fees to provide the upper teams with more practices and better practice facilities. Add to that a healthy dose of politics/ass kissing, a large number of coaches who could care less about coaching and a corporate culture infused with a sense of superiority and you end up with a toxic club. Can't tell you how many people have left Bethesda in the last two years both from "top" teams and those right below. Maybe they will figure it out one day, but I have my doubts. Unfortunately, it seems that most clubs in the area end up repeating the same mistakes.

[Anonymous]

Do the Bethesda haters have boys or girls? We've been happy with our son's training at Bethesda so far.

[Anonymous]

how old is your son?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how old is your son?

10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is part of it, but also Bethesda doesn't always match its reputation.. Some of the coaches are great, but some are just ok.

Wait are you saying Stoddert is a better program vs Bethesda? Stoddert Travel is considered a joke. It is not talked about or mentioned as a serious club in this area. Ask people who know about soccer in this area and the words used to describe Stoddert is unprofessional. The kids do not develop. Ask around and visit other clubs in the area especially in Va. You will see the difference. Why do you think there are so many small clubs thriving in DC? It is because stoddert is so bad. I heard they had to go into the 70s on call backs for some age groups to field three teams- ie many people(1 out of every 2) were offered spots but turned them down. If Stoddert did not have the rec side I do not know if they would be around.