Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do teams usually reach out to families with regards to the rosters and next steps after tryouts and team placement have been completed?

I would like to know this too!

In our club, it's typically been over the summer (late June/July) when summer training schedule is posted, uniforms need to be ordered and team fees need to be collected. You can also ask the team manager.

In that case how/when does one volunteer to become a team manager or tournament cord. or any of the other parent volunteer responsibilities? Is that also in the late june/july time frame?

That depends on the club. I was the manager for our team this past year. I added the new players to TeamSnap in the early part of June, and almost immediately asked to see if one of the parents (old or new) wanted to manage the uniform ordering process for the team. At that point there was communication with the coach and our summer schedule was entered into teamsnap.

If you are joining an established team, it is likely (but not certain) that the team will have an existing manager who will likely be reaching out to you soon. An email to that person (or the coach if they dont reach out soon) letting them know that you are interested in volunteering is always well received. I can't imagine turning down anyone who wants to help!

Thanks for the info. This is for a U9 team so I don't believe there is an existing manager just yet. I guess I'll wait until mid June or so to hear back...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question about U11 kid (10-year old).

What would you do/think is better of these two options? :

A) Very strong training, consistent program. Coaches fantastic, development path strong. Current players weak-average, only a few strong ones. Probably could train up though.
B) Very strong players/competitive. Training good-nowhere near as good as A), coaches will vary over the years.

At this age is it more important to continue to work with a highly knowledgabel coaching staff with better training or a group of strong players where training ok, but not fantastic?

I know there is a development theory where league/competition doesn't matter until after U12, but this is about kids on the team and at practice. Another theory I've heard, confidence grows when you get to be team leader and take on more respsonibility.

Going back and forth. In first scenario, player is highly valued/wanted strongly by coaching staff. Second scenario, one of many good players.

Another factor, parent intensity probably much more in B). I really hate that environment, but would do my best to avoid--drop off, leave practice, sit farther away at games. A) does not allow sidelines to coach and very strict about parent behavior.

I am torn. I'd love to hear thoughts and what you would do in this situation.

I would pick Team A for that age in a heartbeat, but I'm curious about how a team can have great coaches and training and a great development path yet mostly weak to average players? Why aren't there more top players flocking there if the training is so good? In any case, while it is ideal to have strong competition in practice plus the positives Team A seems to offer, it is more important that a kid that age do a lot of individual work at home. If he is talented and continues to improve in a good environment, there will be plenty of more competitive options down the road.

I think sometimes there are just glitches in age groups. I'm the PP, and while I believe the club overall is strong, my kid's age group is just weak. I think it may be stronger this coming year, as they've released some players and picked up some new ones, but at any given time in this club across a gender, I feel like there have been 2-3 really strong teams, a handful of 'decent' teams, and one or two that just don't compete at the same level in their league. That can change over time, but it's tough to keep/attract strong players when a team is last in its league, never wins tournaments, etc. Also, the coaching hasn't always been strong for this age group - it just happens to be so for the coming year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do teams usually reach out to families with regards to the rosters and next steps after tryouts and team placement have been completed?

I would like to know this too!

In our club, it's typically been over the summer (late June/July) when summer training schedule is posted, uniforms need to be ordered and team fees need to be collected. You can also ask the team manager.

In that case how/when does one volunteer to become a team manager or tournament cord. or any of the other parent volunteer responsibilities? Is that also in the late june/july time frame?

That depends on the club. I was the manager for our team this past year. I added the new players to TeamSnap in the early part of June, and almost immediately asked to see if one of the parents (old or new) wanted to manage the uniform ordering process for the team. At that point there was communication with the coach and our summer schedule was entered into teamsnap.

If you are joining an established team, it is likely (but not certain) that the team will have an existing manager who will likely be reaching out to you soon. An email to that person (or the coach if they dont reach out soon) letting them know that you are interested in volunteering is always well received. I can't imagine turning down anyone who wants to help!

Thanks for the info. This is for a U9 team so I don't believe there is an existing manager just yet. I guess I'll wait until mid June or so to hear back...

Haha - be careful if you ask...you may end up being team manager!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question about U11 kid (10-year old).

What would you do/think is better of these two options? :

A) Very strong training, consistent program. Coaches fantastic, development path strong. Current players weak-average, only a few strong ones. Probably could train up though.
B) Very strong players/competitive. Training good-nowhere near as good as A), coaches will vary over the years.

At this age is it more important to continue to work with a highly knowledgabel coaching staff with better training or a group of strong players where training ok, but not fantastic?

I know there is a development theory where league/competition doesn't matter until after U12, but this is about kids on the team and at practice. Another theory I've heard, confidence grows when you get to be team leader and take on more respsonibility.

Going back and forth. In first scenario, player is highly valued/wanted strongly by coaching staff. Second scenario, one of many good players.

Another factor, parent intensity probably much more in B). I really hate that environment, but would do my best to avoid--drop off, leave practice, sit farther away at games. A) does not allow sidelines to coach and very strict about parent behavior.

I am torn. I'd love to hear thoughts and what you would do in this situation.

I would pick Team A for that age in a heartbeat, but I'm curious about how a team can have great coaches and training and a great development path yet mostly weak to average players? Why aren't there more top players flocking there if the training is so good? In any case, while it is ideal to have strong competition in practice plus the positives Team A seems to offer, it is more important that a kid that age do a lot of individual work at home. If he is talented and continues to improve in a good environment, there will be plenty of more competitive options down the road.

I think sometimes there are just glitches in age groups. I'm the PP, and while I believe the club overall is strong, my kid's age group is just weak. I think it may be stronger this coming year, as they've released some players and picked up some new ones, but at any given time in this club across a gender, I feel like there have been 2-3 really strong teams, a handful of 'decent' teams, and one or two that just don't compete at the same level in their league. That can change over time, but it's tough to keep/attract strong players when a team is last in its league, never wins tournaments, etc. Also, the coaching hasn't always been strong for this age group - it just happens to be so for the coming year.

Confused. I am the initial poster with the A) and B) options. Which pp are you/ the one that just went through this ?

This is true for my situation too. For whatever reason ,this age group just did not attract a strong group. I think because they are young kids, most just went where their classmates went--the county club, etc. Older age groups, exact opposite, they were able to attract some top talent from many different places--kids more concerned about training than friends. So, hopefully, they can begin to attract kids as they get older in this age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do teams usually reach out to families with regards to the rosters and next steps after tryouts and team placement have been completed?

I would like to know this too!

In our club, it's typically been over the summer (late June/July) when summer training schedule is posted, uniforms need to be ordered and team fees need to be collected. You can also ask the team manager.

In that case how/when does one volunteer to become a team manager or tournament cord. or any of the other parent volunteer responsibilities? Is that also in the late june/july time frame?

That depends on the club. I was the manager for our team this past year. I added the new players to TeamSnap in the early part of June, and almost immediately asked to see if one of the parents (old or new) wanted to manage the uniform ordering process for the team. At that point there was communication with the coach and our summer schedule was entered into teamsnap.

If you are joining an established team, it is likely (but not certain) that the team will have an existing manager who will likely be reaching out to you soon. An email to that person (or the coach if they dont reach out soon) letting them know that you are interested in volunteering is always well received. I can't imagine turning down anyone who wants to help!

Thanks for the info. This is for a U9 team so I don't believe there is an existing manager just yet. I guess I'll wait until mid June or so to hear back...

Haha - be careful if you ask...you may end up being team manager!!

I'm actually considering being the team manager. Do you think its too much work or too time consuming? I actually enjoy going to practices and games and thought maybe since I'm involved anyways I might was well help out the team.

It would be great to hear from people who were/are team managers and see what they think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do teams usually reach out to families with regards to the rosters and next steps after tryouts and team placement have been completed?

I would like to know this too!

In our club, it's typically been over the summer (late June/July) when summer training schedule is posted, uniforms need to be ordered and team fees need to be collected. You can also ask the team manager.

In that case how/when does one volunteer to become a team manager or tournament cord. or any of the other parent volunteer responsibilities? Is that also in the late june/july time frame?

That depends on the club. I was the manager for our team this past year. I added the new players to TeamSnap in the early part of June, and almost immediately asked to see if one of the parents (old or new) wanted to manage the uniform ordering process for the team. At that point there was communication with the coach and our summer schedule was entered into teamsnap.

If you are joining an established team, it is likely (but not certain) that the team will have an existing manager who will likely be reaching out to you soon. An email to that person (or the coach if they dont reach out soon) letting them know that you are interested in volunteering is always well received. I can't imagine turning down anyone who wants to help!

Thanks for the info. This is for a U9 team so I don't believe there is an existing manager just yet. I guess I'll wait until mid June or so to hear back...

Haha - be careful if you ask...you may end up being team manager!!

I'm actually considering being the team manager. Do you think its too much work or too time consuming? I actually enjoy going to practices and games and thought maybe since I'm involved anyways I might was well help out the team.

It would be great to hear from people who were/are team managers and see what they think?

I was a travel soccer team manager for 5 years.
Pros: you get to know the players, parents, coaches, and club staff well; you have advance access to info on schedules/rosters, coaching/club changes, etc.; most parents are appreciative of your efforts.
Cons: you become a sounding board for everyone's complaints (how many and what kind of complaints depends on your club and your coach); you may end up being in the collections business when parents are slow to pay team fees (club fees are pd directly to club, but fees for tournaments, winter play, socials, etc go through the teams in our club); if your kid plays a lot, some people may assume it's b/c you're team manager (whether this is true or not and regardless of how good your kid actually is); you sometimes have to act as the heavy and shut down or redirect bad parent behavior; and it can be a big time commitment (you need to be prepared to be present at all games and tournaments which can mean missing your other kids' events sometimes). Some coaches are more organized than others about tournament rosters, scheduling, etc., so your success as a manager often lays in their hands.

At the end of the day, I'm happy I did it. I think volunteering is important, and I like supporting my kids' activities. I'm also happy that I don't do it anymore. As the kids got older and the so-called "stakes" got higher, the parent behavior got crazier. Some coaches were better than others at managing parent expectations and minimizing drama.

[Anonymous]

PP here - one more thing about being a team manager....my advice - which I tried very hard to follow and think it served me well - is never, ever abuse your access to information by sharing it with other parents regardless of how tempting it may be. Team managers often know who is going to be rostered/moved up or down/cut/added, etc, which families have financial issues or are going through a divorce, which kids have medical issues (visible and not visible), etc. Maintain strict confidentiality on these things so you maintain the trust of the coaching staff and your fellow parents. The hardest part was hearing gossip that I knew was blatantly false and not being able to refute or dismiss it. Some years were more drama-filled than others, so I tried to steer clear of the troublemakers, or say something benign like "roster changes haven't been announced yet." Sounds obvious, I know, but still important to keep in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

what are you talking about? My kids asks me to play with them at their siblings game. how about you get back in your “cool” bubble fart box seating and zip it closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

Oh please, shut up. Dad's play catch with the other kids during baseball games. Dads throw the football around with their other kids during practice and at halftime. A parent screwing around with a ball on the sideline is not embarrassing or uncommon.

If you cant juggle yourself it's ok, im sure the dad will teach you how if you ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

Oh please, shut up. Dad's play catch with the other kids during baseball games. Dads throw the football around with their other kids during practice and at halftime. A parent screwing around with a ball on the sideline is not embarrassing or uncommon.

If you cant juggle yourself it's ok, im sure the dad will teach you how if you ask.

This is a dad all by himself, not playing with his kids. We are all supposed to be wowed. And, yes, I can juggle very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

Oh please, shut up. Dad's play catch with the other kids during baseball games. Dads throw the football around with their other kids during practice and at halftime. A parent screwing around with a ball on the sideline is not embarrassing or uncommon.

If you cant juggle yourself it's ok, im sure the dad will teach you how if you ask.

This is a dad all by himself, not playing with his kids. We are all supposed to be wowed. And, yes, I can juggle very well.

Oh, I get it, your wife was looking at him the way she used to look at you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

Oh please, shut up. Dad's play catch with the other kids during baseball games. Dads throw the football around with their other kids during practice and at halftime. A parent screwing around with a ball on the sideline is not embarrassing or uncommon.

If you cant juggle yourself it's ok, im sure the dad will teach you how if you ask.

This is a dad all by himself, not playing with his kids. We are all supposed to be wowed. And, yes, I can juggle very well.

Maybe it allows him to keep himself occupied with positive things, maybe some basic fitness (may not have time at home, may want to keep up juggling) instead of having to engage with a bunch of toxic, preachy, judging parents. clearly you're distracted by him, either jealous or attracted, or what is it that it bothers you so much? "it's weird", ok stepford wife...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

Oh please, shut up. Dad's play catch with the other kids during baseball games. Dads throw the football around with their other kids during practice and at halftime. A parent screwing around with a ball on the sideline is not embarrassing or uncommon.

If you cant juggle yourself it's ok, im sure the dad will teach you how if you ask.

This is a dad all by himself, not playing with his kids. We are all supposed to be wowed. And, yes, I can juggle very well.

If this is how you are my guess is he does it to avoid talking with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i love playing soccer and kicking/juggling a ball around during trainings on the side line. i didnt realize “playing” soccer while at a soccer field was so intimidating,disdained or whayever wtf is wrong with you judgy a-holes?

It’s weird. College is over and your kid is embarrassed you are doing this. Please stop.

Oh please, shut up. Dad's play catch with the other kids during baseball games. Dads throw the football around with their other kids during practice and at halftime. A parent screwing around with a ball on the sideline is not embarrassing or uncommon.

If you cant juggle yourself it's ok, im sure the dad will teach you how if you ask.

This is a dad all by himself, not playing with his kids. We are all supposed to be wowed. And, yes, I can juggle very well.

If this is how you are my guess is he does it to avoid talking with you.

He’s too busy talking to the coaches all of the time to have time for anyone else. I think it’s his prancing and soccer gear that drive me nuts..and he’s right up on the field (and coaches’ buttholes). But, it looks like a few of you could be him.