Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts

[Anonymous]

^ parents don't "put their kids in" dummy...the kids tryout and beat the older kids by showing more ability and promise. they are obviously not making it based on size or birthday

[Anonymous]

Maryland Rush plays the gamut, but doesn't field teams in every division for every age group. It's a conglomeration of smaller clubs/individual teams that have federated over the years

Here's a breakdown of which teams play EDP, NCSL etc

http://www.marylandrush.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1202997

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ parents don't "put their kids in" dummy...the kids tryout and beat the older kids by showing more ability and promise. they are obviously not making it based on size or birthday

In clubs with many teams they can easily get on one of the lower ones. Then, the following year they get onto A team.

[Anonymous]

There isn't a whole lot of difference between a 2009 born in Jan-March and a 2008 born in Oct-Dec. I am not really impressed by playing up at that age as it is usually primarily exposure to the sport. The talent and ability comes into play later. If the kid is playing up at 12, 14, etc. that is something else entirely.

It is a well-known secret in our circle that exposure and name recognition is a lot at tryouts so getting on any one of the teams the year before bodes well for dropping down to the top team the following year. The question is--is it too much for your kid? Are 90 min practices 3X a week and loss of all holiday weekends, etc. a fit for your 2nd grader? There are so many opportunities to supplement a rec program through Club training, etc. You really do need to take into the account the burnout factor.

[Anonymous]

My DS started travel a year early, playing up and on the A team. He did fine, but burned out. Hung up his cleats after U10 and hasn't gone back on the field since. I would never have put him in that environment so young if I had known what it was going to do to him. He enjoys other sports still, so I know it's not playing in general that he doesn't like, he just doesn't want to play soccer.

When the U13 tryouts came around, I went around to a couple of the spring practices and talked with the coaches, explained what team he had come from and that he hadn't been playing for a couple of years. All of them wanted to see him, and said that with a summer camp he'd be totally fine.

He said not interested. I have finally gotten him to agree to think about a summer camp and playing for his MS if he wants to try out for it. But he won't go back to club, and I know it's because I put him there too soon

[Anonymous]

Exactly the opposite here. DD did pre-travel (tryout and lots of money required) at U7 and played up on a U9 A team during U8 (even more money), but was worth it. Played up for several more years and then dropped to natural age before going to 11-a-side. Still loves soccer, so it depends on the child and family I guess. Helps to have a great coach at U9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Exactly the opposite here. DD did pre-travel (tryout and lots of money required) at U7 and played up on a U9 A team during U8 (even more money), but was worth it. Played up for several more years and then dropped to natural age before going to 11-a-side. Still loves soccer, so it depends on the child and family I guess. Helps to have a great coach at U9.

Ditto for my kid. He cant get enough. He wants to go to every practice, scrimmage, extra training, winter indoor and summer camp and he is just at U9. I made him take a break this past winter to play some Basketball which he really enjoyed. To be honest I love watching him complete and enjoy trucking him around to practice and games. We have been bonding really well and he even asks me to play with him when he doesnt have practice (and I totally suck). Who knows he might burn out but going to enjoy this time while I have it. I am sure my coolness factor will wear off when he is older.

[Anonymous]

Kids drop in and out of rec soccer too. As the age increases the competition also increases(both in the sport and outside the sport). U9 - U10 vs U14 big difference.
Many years ago at my high school, we had a few all met players(football and basketball). They did not even start at the non big name schools they attended. It is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS started travel a year early, playing up and on the A team. He did fine, but burned out. Hung up his cleats after U10 and hasn't gone back on the field since. I would never have put him in that environment so young if I had known what it was going to do to him. He enjoys other sports still, so I know it's not playing in general that he doesn't like, he just doesn't want to play soccer.

When the U13 tryouts came around, I went around to a couple of the spring practices and talked with the coaches, explained what team he had come from and that he hadn't been playing for a couple of years. All of them wanted to see him, and said that with a summer camp he'd be totally fine.

He said not interested. I have finally gotten him to agree to think about a summer camp and playing for his MS if he wants to try out for it. But he won't go back to club, and I know it's because I put him there too soon

Don't blame yourself. There could be lots of other reasons. It may have been overly serious / stressful and he stopped enjoying it. That is a coach's fault. A coach creates that atmosphere. It could have been a team full of little a-holes who think they are going pro one day. Those kids could have been cruel to him. Many factors... Plus, he may play again one day on his own, but that decision must come from him.

[Anonymous]

Tonight was the first night of tryouts for Arlington U9s. Do they make all the kids go to all three days, or is there rolling notification? I understand there's a fourth day to determine which team kids are on - if it is clear a kid will be in the mix do they let anybody know early?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tonight was the first night of tryouts for Arlington U9s. Do they make all the kids go to all three days, or is there rolling notification? I understand there's a fourth day to determine which team kids are on - if it is clear a kid will be in the mix do they let anybody know early?

Not sure how anyone thinks it is clear their kid is in the mix after 1 day at Arlington.

No rolling offers.

Yes, all must go to all 3 days.

You won't know anything until list is posted on website. You then must accept offer by email.

You then must go to a 4th tryout ~ 10-14 days after 3rd.

You then wait for list published on website of which color team of the 6 teams.

You then pay money.

Long process and no one is told anything during process. If you are trying to coordinate with other tryouts (where they are rolling and give you 48 hrs to accept), best to find the club you honestly think is best fit and then focus on it. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Very helpful, thanks. Certainly not counting on my kid getting a spot. But, with another club in the mix, knowing, for example that they told the top 30 kids not to come back after day 1, and your kid NOT being one of those 30 is also very useful information to have.

[Anonymous]

The 24-48 hours timeline to accept is so tricky. DD is trying out at several places, but of course the place she really wants is the last tryout on the list. So we'd have to decline any other spot in order to pursue tryouts there, possibly ending up with nothing. Either that, or accept a spot, then back out later if she gets in where she really wants. Do people do that often, accept a spot and then back out? Is that burning a bridge or is it very common?

[Anonymous]

Anyone attend the Barcelona tryouts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 24-48 hours timeline to accept is so tricky. DD is trying out at several places, but of course the place she really wants is the last tryout on the list. So we'd have to decline any other spot in order to pursue tryouts there, possibly ending up with nothing. Either that, or accept a spot, then back out later if she gets in where she really wants. Do people do that often, accept a spot and then back out? Is that burning a bridge or is it very common?

We didn't accept and hedged our bets for a tryout that was a month away. It worked out. I think until you actually pay a deposit you are good. It happens a lot. If they are the type of place that is going to hold it against a little kid, then you are better off somewhere else anyways. It's a personal decision and has no reflection on the Club. People are just trying to find the best fit and environment for their kid.