Harsh Reality for your Beloved Soccer Player

[Anonymous]

Harsh realities for NOVA soccer coaches:

US Soccer (the actual organization as well as the system, up to and including MLS) is sh!t. You’re both a product of and producer of said sh!t. Talk about Europe all you want, but when the US beats Belgium and Croatia, I might listen.

Your posts make some good points (for example, about Iniesta and Silva), but the idea that a player who plays fast (not holding the ball) at U12 won’t make it is a sad commentary on the sh!t US Soccer system and mentality mentioned above.

Finally, even if all of that isn’t harsh enough, keep in mind that it’s all those kids who won’t make D1 that let you prance around pretending to be a soccer coach. Fewer kids mean fewer coaches, and so then you’d have to find another way to make your beer money and/or stay connected to this game.

Everyone hits the end of the road at some point or another. Everyone. There’s a lot to be learned on the journey. Take your sad sack “expertise” and f*ck off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical NOVA coach--if your kid isn't learning from me it's because they can't not because I can't. Reminds me of the NOVA coach who about 5/6 years ago told me, "I had Andi at U12 and she was nothing special." Full ride at Stanford and top pick in NWSL draft later--nothing special.

Coach here- don’t group all in the same category. There are a lot of crap coaches here in NOVA. Just because your team wins a lot doesn’t mean your coach is good and vice versa. I’m sorry some asshole told you that your kid was nothing special and I’m glad it worked out for her. I’m sure your kid was pretty technical at U12 if she’s in the NWSL now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical NOVA coach--if your kid isn't learning from me it's because they can't not because I can't. Reminds me of the NOVA coach who about 5/6 years ago told me, "I had Andi at U12 and she was nothing special." Full ride at Stanford and top pick in NWSL draft later--nothing special.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOVA coach again, I agree 100%. D2 and D3 is a great option and I would say most ECNL players could easily get on at a D2 or D3 college if they would like. For those schools it’s all about finding the right fit and coach. If your player wants to play at the collegiate level, D2 and D3 are great options and even sometimes the level is just as good as D1 in some respects. I didn’t mention D2/D3 because that’s all parents seems to care about as well as clubs because it “gives them clout”

Thanks coach for sharing your opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harsh realities for NOVA soccer coaches:

US Soccer (the actual organization as well as the system, up to and including MLS) is sh!t. You’re both a product of and producer of said sh!t. Talk about Europe all you want, but when the US beats Belgium and Croatia, I might listen.

Your posts make some good points (for example, about Iniesta and Silva), but the idea that a player who plays fast (not holding the ball) at U12 won’t make it is a sad commentary on the sh!t US Soccer system and mentality mentioned above.

Finally, even if all of that isn’t harsh enough, keep in mind that it’s all those kids who won’t make D1 that let you prance around pretending to be a soccer coach. Fewer kids mean fewer coaches, and so then you’d have to find another way to make your beer money and/or stay connected to this game.

Everyone hits the end of the road at some point or another. Everyone. There’s a lot to be learned on the journey. Take your sad sack “expertise” and f*ck off.

Coach here- not quite sure what you're getting at. Yeah I agree with you, the US system of development is garbage and trash. What can I do to change that? Nothing much from my own power. My comment about U12 was not fully explained into detail. If your player just looks to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible and has no ability to dribble and create then there is an issue.


Not to mention I don't make my living off of soccer coaching, I do it for fun and my passion for the game. I can go into a full essay about how much USSF is a piece of garbage compared to other federations, but there's nothing I can do to change it from my own individual influence. The landscape here is D1 College so as coaches it is our job to help kids reach that if that's what they desire.

[Anonymous]

Coach here again-

Just wanted to clarify. Obviously the parents in this area are something else but I do have to say there are a lot of crap coaches in the area and in general, the coach environment is extremely toxic which sucks because everyone should be on the same team. It's just the area to be honest, and it's stupid that a lot of coaches in this area think they are on their high horse coaching youth soccer. That's why it is extremely important that you find your kid the best fit coach, not the "best coach because of wins"

Yeah, coaches are assholes in this area and are extremely arrogant for no reason. Harsh reality of this area.

[Anonymous]

Former D1 player here. Do children only play soccer nowadays so they can eventually play D1? As a coach, is that the only reason you do your job? Are parents of 11 year olds really up your butt about college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former D1 player here. Do children only play soccer nowadays so they can eventually play D1? As a coach, is that the only reason you do your job? Are parents of 11 year olds really up your butt about college?

Coach here-


No this is not the only reason why. As I said earlier, if the kid desires to play at the colleigate level, it is our job to help. It's this area regarding D1 aspirations, incredibly stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former D1 player here. Do children only play soccer nowadays so they can eventually play D1? As a coach, is that the only reason you do your job? Are parents of 11 year olds really up your butt about college?

As a parent, no! There are many levels of soccer and some of the levels simply offer a more identifiable pathway to play in college if the player wishes to do so. Do you tell your child not to take AP Chem because you don't believe they will end up a chemist? Or do you expose them to the highest level they are capable of and let them decide?

[Anonymous]

Yeah 12 is way too young. For guys you have no idea what puberty and growth spurts will do to them. Fast, slow, talk, short - all still to come. And, even college/pro break is troublesome at 18. How many seniors on a college team look like the freshman?

With girls you have a good idea about physical size and speed by end of u16. Basically, the best players will often change from u9 to u12 and then again by u16. Although, a good many get technically a lot better in college as well as stronger due to actual physical training work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah 12 is way too young. For guys you have no idea what puberty and growth spurts will do to them. Fast, slow, talk, short - all still to come. And, even college/pro break is troublesome at 18. How many seniors on a college team look like the freshman?

With girls you have a good idea about physical size and speed by end of u16. Basically, the best players will often change from u9 to u12 and then again by u16. Although, a good many get technically a lot better in college as well as stronger due to actual physical training work.

Coach here- we are talking about technically where they are at at U12. Sure, you can't really guarantee them as a d1 candidate but for the most part where they are at technically is a big indicator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah 12 is way too young. For guys you have no idea what puberty and growth spurts will do to them. Fast, slow, talk, short - all still to come. And, even college/pro break is troublesome at 18. How many seniors on a college team look like the freshman?

With girls you have a good idea about physical size and speed by end of u16. Basically, the best players will often change from u9 to u12 and then again by u16. Although, a good many get technically a lot better in college as well as stronger due to actual physical training work.

Coach here- we are talking about technically where they are at at U12. Sure, you can't really guarantee them as a d1 candidate but for the most part where they are at technically is a big indicator.

Agree. By this age you can definitely tell technical ability and soccer IQ. These are pretty major hurdles. The athletics and growth are out of anyone's control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOVA Coach here. Here's what I have to say about all your ECNL dreams for your kid. Harsh reality is by U12 most can already make an assessment on whether your kid will be good enough for D1. This is not only from technical standpoint but from a Soccer IQ standpoint. If you watch your kid and your kid is losing the ball 50% of the time, can't beat players 1v1, can't dribble or looks to get rid of the ball quickly it's pretty much a wrap for your D1 hopes for your kid. Record your kid's stats whenever they touch the ball and you'll be shocked.

I bet you are a great coach.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you think that a kid who is fast, athletic and a good technical player, but isn't super aggressive can learn to be more aggressive or is the mental block unable to be overcome? What about in D3? DS is 13 and would like to play at the HS and college level (D3 is fine) but he doesn't have a high level of aggression on the field to drive the ball up. He's a great defender, can steal the ball and pass, but has a mental block on driving it up the field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former D1 player here. Do children only play soccer nowadays so they can eventually play D1? As a coach, is that the only reason you do your job? Are parents of 11 year olds really up your butt about college?

My son plays soccer so he can play for Liverpool.