Field hockey clubs feedback

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The competition is much stronger at U19 and more college coaches attend those games at team showcases than U16. The better club players that are Freshman or Sophomores will get more looks playing up at U19. Just my opinion as I’ve personally seen attendance at big showcases (Winter Escape, Shooting Star, etc) over the years starting at U14 through U19. The college coaches line the fields at U19 and much less so for the younger age groups.

This is not my experience, for the strong clubs the college coaches (especially DI) are at u16.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The competition is much stronger at U19 and more college coaches attend those games at team showcases than U16. The better club players that are Freshman or Sophomores will get more looks playing up at U19. Just my opinion as I’ve personally seen attendance at big showcases (Winter Escape, Shooting Star, etc) over the years starting at U14 through U19. The college coaches line the fields at U19 and much less so for the younger age groups.

I see more coaches at u16. It does matter the level of club and the competition. If you are playing a WC team there will be lots of coaches and it’s a chance to be seen even though the coaches might not be there for you.

[Anonymous]

Agreed about playing against the WC Eagles U16 but that is the exception. If you contact a D1 coach, they may come see your DD at any age level if they are interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The competition is much stronger at U19 and more college coaches attend those games at team showcases than U16. The better club players that are Freshman or Sophomores will get more looks playing up at U19. Just my opinion as I’ve personally seen attendance at big showcases (Winter Escape, Shooting Star, etc) over the years starting at U14 through U19. The college coaches line the fields at U19 and much less so for the younger age groups.

I see more coaches at u16. It does matter the level of club and the competition. If you are playing a WC team there will be lots of coaches and it’s a chance to be seen even though the coaches might not be there for you.

This. Certain clubs have more allure than others and coaches often line the fields to see teams from these clubs play. Many on this thread will have a different opinion on which clubs have that allure, but check out USAFH club rankings for a list of those clubs. Those clubs are usually in the top 10 for all age groups

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:husel moms drink the kool-aid of the cra cra coach.

That’s funny if it’s true.

[Anonymous]

I thought this discussion forum is for DC/Northern Virginia area. Why is anybody bringing up the WC Eagles club. They are located in Pennsylvania over 3 1/2 hours drive away. It’s not like anybody in this area can practice/play with them. Lets keep the discussion to the more local clubs (i.e. Metro, husel, Freedom, next level, Hammers, Mustangs, Rampage, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought this discussion forum is for DC/Northern Virginia area. Why is anybody bringing up the WC Eagles club. They are located in Pennsylvania over 3 1/2 hours drive away. It’s not like anybody in this area can practice/play with them. Lets keep the discussion to the more local clubs (i.e. Metro, husel, Freedom, next level, Hammers, Mustangs, Rampage, etc.)

The conversation turned to being seen and what age group gets seen the most by recruiters. Sharing that a team that plays against the top teams in the country is more likely to be seen by recruiters is certainly something a new field hockey parent should know. Some clubs shy away from playing the best clubs and some don’t. It speaks to the level of play of the club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The competition is much stronger at U19 and more college coaches attend those games at team showcases than U16. The better club players that are Freshman or Sophomores will get more looks playing up at U19. Just my opinion as I’ve personally seen attendance at big showcases (Winter Escape, Shooting Star, etc) over the years starting at U14 through U19. The college coaches line the fields at U19 and much less so for the younger age groups.

I see more coaches at u16. It does matter the level of club and the competition. If you are playing a WC team there will be lots of coaches and it’s a chance to be seen even though the coaches might not be there for you.

This. Certain clubs have more allure than others and coaches often line the fields to see teams from these clubs play. Many on this thread will have a different opinion on which clubs have that allure, but check out USAFH club rankings for a list of those clubs. Those clubs are usually in the top 10 for all age groups

I would not go strictly by USAFH club rankings. The fact is, attending more events means more points. It’s marketing for USAFH to put something like this out and make clubs feel they need to attend USAFH events to make the list of top teams. Anyone who knows field hockey knows the top couple teams in the country. And they are not always listed in the top 10. And some teams listed are only there because they go to all the events.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The competition is much stronger at U19 and more college coaches attend those games at team showcases than U16. The better club players that are Freshman or Sophomores will get more looks playing up at U19. Just my opinion as I’ve personally seen attendance at big showcases (Winter Escape, Shooting Star, etc) over the years starting at U14 through U19. The college coaches line the fields at U19 and much less so for the younger age groups.

I see more coaches at u16. It does matter the level of club and the competition. If you are playing a WC team there will be lots of coaches and it’s a chance to be seen even though the coaches might not be there for you.

This. Certain clubs have more allure than others and coaches often line the fields to see teams from these clubs play. Many on this thread will have a different opinion on which clubs have that allure, but check out USAFH club rankings for a list of those clubs. Those clubs are usually in the top 10 for all age groups

I would not go strictly by USAFH club rankings. The fact is, attending more events means more points. It’s marketing for USAFH to put something like this out and make clubs feel they need to attend USAFH events to make the list of top teams. Anyone who knows field hockey knows the top couple teams in the country. And they are not always listed in the top 10. And some teams listed are only there because they go to all the events.

This is how we understand it as well. Referring to WC Eagles, for example, they are not the top by USAFH ranking necessarily and they really should be. They don't go to USAFH Festival, for example, and that likely hurts them. THey do Shooting Stars instead. But, go to any game where WC is playing at any tournament, and there are dozens of scouts. And they place a TON of college players (including a ton at D1) every single year.

I love when we play any of the WC teams (though we usually lose) b/c I know my kid is going to be seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought this discussion forum is for DC/Northern Virginia area. Why is anybody bringing up the WC Eagles club. They are located in Pennsylvania over 3 1/2 hours drive away. It’s not like anybody in this area can practice/play with them. Lets keep the discussion to the more local clubs (i.e. Metro, husel, Freedom, next level, Hammers, Mustangs, Rampage, etc.)

The conversation turned to being seen and what age group gets seen the most by recruiters. Sharing that a team that plays against the top teams in the country is more likely to be seen by recruiters is certainly something a new field hockey parent should know. Some clubs shy away from playing the best clubs and some don’t. It speaks to the level of play of the club.

Clubs can’t control what pool they are put in at showcase tournaments such as Shooting Stars, Festival or Winter Escape so to “shy away” from playing the best clubs is a very inaccurate statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought this discussion forum is for DC/Northern Virginia area. Why is anybody bringing up the WC Eagles club. They are located in Pennsylvania over 3 1/2 hours drive away. It’s not like anybody in this area can practice/play with them. Lets keep the discussion to the more local clubs (i.e. Metro, husel, Freedom, next level, Hammers, Mustangs, Rampage, etc.)

The conversation turned to being seen and what age group gets seen the most by recruiters. Sharing that a team that plays against the top teams in the country is more likely to be seen by recruiters is certainly something a new field hockey parent should know. Some clubs shy away from playing the best clubs and some don’t. It speaks to the level of play of the club.

Clubs can’t control what pool they are put in at showcase tournaments such as Shooting Stars, Festival or Winter Escape so to “shy away” from playing the best clubs is a very inaccurate statement.

Maybe not entirely, but they can rank their team to increase the chances of playing in the top pools at these tournaments. Some clubs likely rank their team lower to increase their chances of playing in a lower pool and winning the pool so they can brag and say they won at X tournament.

WC hosts tournaments every weekend, which is the easiest way to challenge your team. Your team just needs to be willing to make the drive. The competition is usually stronger on Saturday vice Sunday. A club can also try to get a spot in the JPIL/JPOL elite division to increase their chances of playing top teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The competition is much stronger at U19 and more college coaches attend those games at team showcases than U16. The better club players that are Freshman or Sophomores will get more looks playing up at U19. Just my opinion as I’ve personally seen attendance at big showcases (Winter Escape, Shooting Star, etc) over the years starting at U14 through U19. The college coaches line the fields at U19 and much less so for the younger age groups.

I see more coaches at u16. It does matter the level of club and the competition. If you are playing a WC team there will be lots of coaches and it’s a chance to be seen even though the coaches might not be there for you.

This. Certain clubs have more allure than others and coaches often line the fields to see teams from these clubs play. Many on this thread will have a different opinion on which clubs have that allure, but check out USAFH club rankings for a list of those clubs. Those clubs are usually in the top 10 for all age groups

I would not go strictly by USAFH club rankings. The fact is, attending more events means more points. It’s marketing for USAFH to put something like this out and make clubs feel they need to attend USAFH events to make the list of top teams. Anyone who knows field hockey knows the top couple teams in the country. And they are not always listed in the top 10. And some teams listed are only there because they go to all the events.

Totally agree, the USAFH rankings aren't the best. uSAFH has an events inof Thanksgiving in Florida, most clubs send their teams to the Tournament in Richmond VA where there are a lot more college coaches (ie the WC Eagles dont go to Florida they goto Richmond). If your local club is going to Florida instead of Richmond they are chasing easier points for club rankings vs a tournament that is better to be seen for recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought this discussion forum is for DC/Northern Virginia area. Why is anybody bringing up the WC Eagles club. They are located in Pennsylvania over 3 1/2 hours drive away. It’s not like anybody in this area can practice/play with them. Lets keep the discussion to the more local clubs (i.e. Metro, husel, Freedom, next level, Hammers, Mustangs, Rampage, etc.)

The conversation turned to being seen and what age group gets seen the most by recruiters. Sharing that a team that plays against the top teams in the country is more likely to be seen by recruiters is certainly something a new field hockey parent should know. Some clubs shy away from playing the best clubs and some don’t. It speaks to the level of play of the club.

Clubs can’t control what pool they are put in at showcase tournaments such as Shooting Stars, Festival or Winter Escape so to “shy away” from playing the best clubs is a very inaccurate statement.

Maybe not entirely, but they can rank their team to increase the chances of playing in the top pools at these tournaments. Some clubs likely rank their team lower to increase their chances of playing in a lower pool and winning the pool so they can brag and say they won at X tournament.

WC hosts tournaments every weekend, which is the easiest way to challenge your team. Your team just needs to be willing to make the drive. The competition is usually stronger on Saturday vice Sunday. A club can also try to get a spot in the JPIL/JPOL elite division to increase their chances of playing top teams.

You are talking about the winter indoor tournaments at the WC Eagles training center in Pennsylvania. Everybody else is talking about outdoor showcases where the college coaches actually recruit from. Indoor and Outdoor are not the same and therefore should be considered separately. Feel free to start an indoor conversation thread to talk about the WC Eagles and anybody who wants to travel far every weekend to play there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought this discussion forum is for DC/Northern Virginia area. Why is anybody bringing up the WC Eagles club. They are located in Pennsylvania over 3 1/2 hours drive away. It’s not like anybody in this area can practice/play with them. Lets keep the discussion to the more local clubs (i.e. Metro, husel, Freedom, next level, Hammers, Mustangs, Rampage, etc.)

The conversation turned to being seen and what age group gets seen the most by recruiters. Sharing that a team that plays against the top teams in the country is more likely to be seen by recruiters is certainly something a new field hockey parent should know. Some clubs shy away from playing the best clubs and some don’t. It speaks to the level of play of the club.

Clubs can’t control what pool they are put in at showcase tournaments such as Shooting Stars, Festival or Winter Escape so to “shy away” from playing the best clubs is a very inaccurate statement.

Maybe not entirely, but they can rank their team to increase the chances of playing in the top pools at these tournaments. Some clubs likely rank their team lower to increase their chances of playing in a lower pool and winning the pool so they can brag and say they won at X tournament.

WC hosts tournaments every weekend, which is the easiest way to challenge your team. Your team just needs to be willing to make the drive. The competition is usually stronger on Saturday vice Sunday. A club can also try to get a spot in the JPIL/JPOL elite division to increase their chances of playing top teams.

You are talking about the winter indoor tournaments at the WC Eagles training center in Pennsylvania. Everybody else is talking about outdoor showcases where the college coaches actually recruit from. Indoor and Outdoor are not the same and therefore should be considered separately. Feel free to start an indoor conversation thread to talk about the WC Eagles and anybody who wants to travel far every weekend to play there.

This topic is field hockey clubs feedback, to my knowledge all good clubs have indoor and outdoor, so it makes no sense to talk about them separately. WC is the top team indoor and outdoor and they draw recruiters at to all major tournaments, indoor and outdoor. Recruiters line the court/field at the major tournaments to watch their top couple of teams. So if you want to be seen, playing them increases the chances of that happening. My first paragraph is inclusive of indoor and outdoor, but obviously there are more national level tournaments outdoor. Any player wanting to get seen by a recruiter is likely playing indoor and outdoor. Indoor is a different game, but it makes your outdoor game better because of the speed of the game and stick skills required. Also, in my second paragraph, I listed JPOL as an option. JPOL stands for Junior Premier OUTDOOR League. I'm providing information about clubs and recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone here speak to the less competitive area teams like Xtrme, Mustangs and Jackals? How is the coaching? How is the playing time?