Field hockey clubs feedback

[Anonymous]

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

I would say Xtreme is on the rise, but I can’t answer any of your other questions.

Mustangs has some coaches that are highly skilled players but they haven’t been able to translate this to successful game time coaching from what I understand. Everyone gets to play, but time is limited in larger tournaments for the less skilled. They also have some administrative issues. If they can work these things out, they have potential.

I know someone who left Jackles a few years back because the coach was yelling at them too much.

[Anonymous]

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

Do not believe this. The favored Husel player parents - maybe.
The non-favored, not so much. But many are afraid to do anything for fear of how it will affect recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Do not believe this. The favored Husel player parents - maybe.
The non-favored, not so much. But many are afraid to do anything for fear of how it will affect recruiting.

I hope you don’t try to encourage others to join Husel. I had a Husel mom do that to me. No thanks. I had already done my homework.

[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.)

Rampage folded early this year. The Club had been mismanaged since the owner had stepped down a few years ago. The terrible coaches favored their mediocre high school players. The club had a couple of D1 commits but at showcase tournaments had to get guest players to score goals because their D1 mids and forwards were ineffective. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Do not believe this. The favored Husel player parents - maybe.
The non-favored, not so much. But many are afraid to do anything for fear of how it will affect recruiting.

Yes. Husel coach/owner has tried to sabotage players who have left the club by calling their future college coaches to complain about them. This is dangerous and despicable behavior. Even if you leave on good terms there will probably be some repercussion. Better to stay and tough it out! Sorry husel players and parents - you can get in but you can’t get out. And unless your DD plays at Fairfax, don’t expect to be a favorite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You are both wrong about this. The top 5-6, esp in the rankings that came out last week, are the top 5-6. True, it doesn't put WC at #1, when they obviously are, so the order is off, but Freedom, WC, Spirt, AGH, Windy City, and Texas Pride are the top, no question. And most of them go to Richmond not FLA over Thanksgiving and still take the top rankings, because they win their RCCs and go to NCCs for the most part. That's where all the points are. The local DC teams do not come close to competing with any of these, and that's fine. There are some strong players around here and a couple of strong coaches, but the only one close by that truly competes at the top level is Freedom, and that U19 team probably really does stack up against WC. Now that so many graduated or left with the merger, they may not compete at quite the same level, but it is a deep roster and very strong. It really is at the top. So yes, those rankings are in fact correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You are both wrong about this. The top 5-6, esp in the rankings that came out last week, are the top 5-6. True, it doesn't put WC at #1, when they obviously are, so the order is off, but Freedom, WC, Spirt, AGH, Windy City, and Texas Pride are the top, no question. And most of them go to Richmond not FLA over Thanksgiving and still take the top rankings, because they win their RCCs and go to NCCs for the most part. That's where all the points are. The local DC teams do not come close to competing with any of these, and that's fine. There are some strong players around here and a couple of strong coaches, but the only one close by that truly competes at the top level is Freedom, and that U19 team probably really does stack up against WC. Now that so many graduated or left with the merger, they may not compete at quite the same level, but it is a deep roster and very strong. It really is at the top. So yes, those rankings are in fact correct.

Agree. Also agree with a PP that playing well against one of these strong clubs in national tournaments allows favorable exposure with coaches that may not be otherwise possible with most local clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You are both wrong about this. The top 5-6, esp in the rankings that came out last week, are the top 5-6. True, it doesn't put WC at #1, when they obviously are, so the order is off, but Freedom, WC, Spirt, AGH, Windy City, and Texas Pride are the top, no question. And most of them go to Richmond not FLA over Thanksgiving and still take the top rankings, because they win their RCCs and go to NCCs for the most part. That's where all the points are. The local DC teams do not come close to competing with any of these, and that's fine. There are some strong players around here and a couple of strong coaches, but the only one close by that truly competes at the top level is Freedom, and that U19 team probably really does stack up against WC. Now that so many graduated or left with the merger, they may not compete at quite the same level, but it is a deep roster and very strong. It really is at the top. So yes, those rankings are in fact correct.

Forgot Warhawks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You are both wrong about this. The top 5-6, esp in the rankings that came out last week, are the top 5-6. True, it doesn't put WC at #1, when they obviously are, so the order is off, but Freedom, WC, Spirt, AGH, Windy City, and Texas Pride are the top, no question. And most of them go to Richmond not FLA over Thanksgiving and still take the top rankings, because they win their RCCs and go to NCCs for the most part. That's where all the points are. The local DC teams do not come close to competing with any of these, and that's fine. There are some strong players around here and a couple of strong coaches, but the only one close by that truly competes at the top level is Freedom, and that U19 team probably really does stack up against WC. Now that so many graduated or left with the merger, they may not compete at quite the same level, but it is a deep roster and very strong. It really is at the top. So yes, those rankings are in fact correct.

I disagree. It’s more than just the top 10 people around here will be looking at. And the list is based on points obtained over the last couple of years. For example, the list has Husel u14 as #11, behind only Warhawks in this area. I’ve seen them play enough to disagree with this ranking. But a person new to field hockey might not understand the points system and blindly follow them thinking they must be the best option for them because the club is successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You are both wrong about this. The top 5-6, esp in the rankings that came out last week, are the top 5-6. True, it doesn't put WC at #1, when they obviously are, so the order is off, but Freedom, WC, Spirt, AGH, Windy City, and Texas Pride are the top, no question. And most of them go to Richmond not FLA over Thanksgiving and still take the top rankings, because they win their RCCs and go to NCCs for the most part. That's where all the points are. The local DC teams do not come close to competing with any of these, and that's fine. There are some strong players around here and a couple of strong coaches, but the only one close by that truly competes at the top level is Freedom, and that U19 team probably really does stack up against WC. Now that so many graduated or left with the merger, they may not compete at quite the same level, but it is a deep roster and very strong. It really is at the top. So yes, those rankings are in fact correct.

I disagree. It’s more than just the top 10 people around here will be looking at. And the list is based on points obtained over the last couple of years. For example, the list has Husel u14 as #11, behind only Warhawks in this area. I’ve seen them play enough to disagree with this ranking. But a person new to field hockey might not understand the points system and blindly follow them thinking they must be the best option for them because the club is successful.

Husel picks up their points by going to the Florida tournament over Thanksgiving. The big players arent at that Tournament (Eagles, Freedom, Texas Pride) so it’s easier to place and earn points. It’s a way to boost their standing, but isn’t the best for the players because many more college coaches are at the tournament in Richmond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You are both wrong about this. The top 5-6, esp in the rankings that came out last week, are the top 5-6. True, it doesn't put WC at #1, when they obviously are, so the order is off, but Freedom, WC, Spirt, AGH, Windy City, and Texas Pride are the top, no question. And most of them go to Richmond not FLA over Thanksgiving and still take the top rankings, because they win their RCCs and go to NCCs for the most part. That's where all the points are. The local DC teams do not come close to competing with any of these, and that's fine. There are some strong players around here and a couple of strong coaches, but the only one close by that truly competes at the top level is Freedom, and that U19 team probably really does stack up against WC. Now that so many graduated or left with the merger, they may not compete at quite the same level, but it is a deep roster and very strong. It really is at the top. So yes, those rankings are in fact correct.

I disagree. It’s more than just the top 10 people around here will be looking at. And the list is based on points obtained over the last couple of years. For example, the list has Husel u14 as #11, behind only Warhawks in this area. I’ve seen them play enough to disagree with this ranking. But a person new to field hockey might not understand the points system and blindly follow them thinking they must be the best option for them because the club is successful.

Husel picks up their points by going to the Florida tournament over Thanksgiving. The big players arent at that Tournament (Eagles, Freedom, Texas Pride) so it’s easier to place and earn points. It’s a way to boost their standing, but isn’t the best for the players because many more college coaches are at the tournament in Richmond.

I am the PP above and agree that yes, I forgot Warhawks. They are in fact the only other team in the area that could remotely rival Freedom, though, like Freedom, they are pretty far out there, so hard to even call them a DC area team. Husel is a scam. The PP above is right that they only rank the way they do because they go to the USA event over Thanksgiving while the competitive teams go to Richmond. They heavily promoted a local 2023 player who I was constantly confounded by, as I didn't see the talent. Went D1, didn't see the field. I just cannot figure that club out, but it does not look good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 high school juniors who were favorites at husel were made to play U16 instead of U19 while a husel coach’s DD (a freshman) played U19. They left and went to next level who then also made them play U16. Talk about recruitment sabotage…..

How is playing U16 recruitment sabotage? According to what I’ve been reading on here, college coaches are at the showcase tournaments to watch the U16 players and not the U19 players. I’m confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 high school juniors who were favorites at husel were made to play U16 instead of U19 while a husel coach’s DD (a freshman) played U19. They left and went to next level who then also made them play U16. Talk about recruitment sabotage…..

How is playing U16 recruitment sabotage? According to what I’ve been reading on here, college coaches are at the showcase tournaments to watch the U16 players and not the U19 players. I’m confused.

She may be referring to leaving Husel and the Husel coach sabotaging the players chances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 high school juniors who were favorites at husel were made to play U16 instead of U19 while a husel coach’s DD (a freshman) played U19. They left and went to next level who then also made them play U16. Talk about recruitment sabotage…..

How is playing U16 recruitment sabotage? According to what I’ve been reading on here, college coaches are at the showcase tournaments to watch the U16 players and not the U19 players. I’m confused.

She may be referring to leaving Husel and the Husel coach sabotaging the players chances.

Or the Husel coach getting in touch with the Next Level coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 high school juniors who were favorites at husel were made to play U16 instead of U19 while a husel coach’s DD (a freshman) played U19. They left and went to next level who then also made them play U16. Talk about recruitment sabotage…..

How is playing U16 recruitment sabotage? According to what I’ve been reading on here, college coaches are at the showcase tournaments to watch the U16 players and not the U19 players. I’m confused.

She may be referring to leaving Husel and the Husel coach sabotaging the players chances.

Or the Husel coach getting in touch with the Next Level coach?

Im pretty sure all the other coaches know about the Husel coach…

The coaches know each other. They deal with them and hear the stories.