U9 soccer 2020-21 (Arlington, VA)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, ASA travel in general isn't very good at developing players. For some reason, even at the very young age groups where standings are not tracked (at least in CCL), they are focused on winning games instead of player development. That said, you might get a coach that is the exception.

This sounds like you're singling out ASA, maybe because that's your own personal experience, but that pretty much describes all the local clubs. They preach development, but winning sells to parents of new recruits so that is first priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, ASA travel in general isn't very good at developing players. For some reason, even at the very young age groups where standings are not tracked (at least in CCL), they are focused on winning games instead of player development. That said, you might get a coach that is the exception.

This sounds like you're singling out ASA, maybe because that's your own personal experience, but that pretty much describes all the local clubs. They preach development, but winning sells to parents of new recruits so that is first priority.

Most (probably all) want to win but there is material variation among local clubs in their commitment to developing kids who don't jump off the page as athletic thoroughbreds. There is also club culture, driven by parents. There are clubs with parents and kids who are really focused on soccer. They aren't throwing footballs on a soccer field during halftime or talking about the Redskins game during their kids' games on fall Sundays. There's nothing wrong with that, but you better believe the vibe will be different across teams and clubs when you have such substantial differences among parents. Now that does not necessarily mean you will also see a commitment to development. Soccer-obsessed parents and families can be just as impatient as others and look to recruit pure athletes over kids who are more technical. But as a general proposition, more knowledgeable and soccer-focused clubs will be a little more understanding about the need for technical expertise and positional play than parents who just view the sport as another trophy-grabbing or resume-enhancing exercise for their kid. And the coaches know their parent base pretty well, and their selection in fact tells you a lot about what the club leadership thinks should appeal to parents. But of course your broader point is correct about pay-to-play culture more generally in the US. I see more differences but also concede the macro point.