Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With all this poaching going on : ) and with the birth year changes, I suspect many kids will be jumping clubs next year. Anyone willing to share which club they are leaving, what age/gender, where you are going next year, and why?

At a recent tournament I saw a prominent coach at one of the larger clubs hanging out with the opposition coaches watching all the games in the age group regardless of bracket. This was not scouting for their own games. This was all about looking for players.

This year, the gates are wide open and the opportunities for kids to get a fresh look have never been more pronounced. And it doesn't even matter the level of player your kid is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With all this poaching going on : ) and with the birth year changes, I suspect many kids will be jumping clubs next year. Anyone willing to share which club they are leaving, what age/gender, where you are going next year, and why?

At a recent tournament I saw a prominent coach at one of the larger clubs hanging out with the opposition coaches watching all the games in the age group regardless of bracket. This was not scouting for their own games. This was all about looking for players.

This year, the gates are wide open and the opportunities for kids to get a fresh look have never been more pronounced. And it doesn't even matter the level of player your kid is.

This has a lot to do with the formation of the Developmental Academies with Arlington, Loudon and McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With all this poaching going on : ) and with the birth year changes, I suspect many kids will be jumping clubs next year. Anyone willing to share which club they are leaving, what age/gender, where you are going next year, and why?

At a recent tournament I saw a prominent coach at one of the larger clubs hanging out with the opposition coaches watching all the games in the age group regardless of bracket. This was not scouting for their own games. This was all about looking for players.

This year, the gates are wide open and the opportunities for kids to get a fresh look have never been more pronounced. And it doesn't even matter the level of player your kid is.

This has a lot to do with the formation of the Developmental Academies with Arlington, Loudon and McLean.

I wanted to add that, truthfully, I am glad that they are doing this. I was discovered in a game and brought over to a team that was top in the Region for 6 years running. I really think most tryouts in the area are complete SHIT. Tryouts at our club suck. Big kids stuck in very tiny square at 10 with nobody watching them scrimmage. This shows very little of what a kid can do---especially when it's 2-3 hours top over 3 tryouts and there are 125 kids there. There are also some players that look good in practice and look like crap in a game. Some really competitive players play much more aggressively in a 'game' situation, some fold. Having the whole field to work also benefits others. Not to mention skill---I did attend one tryout where they actually did drills and 1v1, 2v2, juggling, etc. prior to scrimmaging, but most area tryouts are a joke. It's easy to see how they make mistakes identifying kids in that situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I guess explain the difference then so that I know it when I see it.

Conversational recruiting is like -- little Landon/Landon's parent is talking to their friend about how their club soccer is going, they don't like it, they're in a bad situation, don't feel challenged, think they're being overlooked, think they are great but need a better team to help showcase their greatness, etc and the friend/parent says "hey we really like our club and think you might want to take a look" and it evolves from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As to our U9 McLean Gold coach who went ballistic over a throw in. I was pissed. We are trying to teach the kids to respect referees and understand that everyone makes mistakes and you need to bounce back from a bad call, let it go, and refocus on the next play. That a-hole wouldn't let it go. That ref should have sent him off.

For some reason, the score of the Mclean Gold v Great Falls game wasn't posted on the website. I asked the site official and they said they weren't sure what they were going to do because, in all their years of running tournaments, they NEVER saw such a verbal attack on the 14 year old referee of that game by McLean.

Keep in mind that these games were in the lowest division of the tournament. These are clubs' 3rd and 4th teams maybe.

I am not sure why your last statement matters. These are 8 and 9-year olds. This type of behavior should not be happening. Their parents pay the same amount of $ for coaches and training. They are 8 and 9 many could be on the green team by 14. That's how it usually works.

NP here. I have a son on the Great Falls side of that game. That 14 year old ref had no idea what he was doing. They never should have put him out there without more training. We paid a lot of money to go to that tournament, and not so some inexperienced child could learn the ropes. If anyone yelled at that kid, they were only expressing what everyone else was thinking. It was bad call after bad call, and many more things not called out at all.

So attack the 14 kid? Take it up with the tournament. Adults screaming at a 14 year kid doing his best? Just because the tournament cost $60 a kid or whatever, you feel that validates ripping a 14 year old kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I guess explain the difference then so that I know it when I see it.

Conversational recruiting is like -- little Landon/Landon's parent is talking to their friend about how their club soccer is going, they don't like it, they're in a bad situation, don't feel challenged, think they're being overlooked, think they are great but need a better team to help showcase their greatness, etc and the friend/parent says "hey we really like our club and think you might want to take a look" and it evolves from there.

Ok, that sounds fine. Now, explain how FCV recruits so that we can see the difference. Remember, a PP said a "FCV parent" tried to get them to move to FCV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As to our U9 McLean Gold coach who went ballistic over a throw in. I was pissed. We are trying to teach the kids to respect referees and understand that everyone makes mistakes and you need to bounce back from a bad call, let it go, and refocus on the next play. That a-hole wouldn't let it go. That ref should have sent him off.

For some reason, the score of the Mclean Gold v Great Falls game wasn't posted on the website. I asked the site official and they said they weren't sure what they were going to do because, in all their years of running tournaments, they NEVER saw such a verbal attack on the 14 year old referee of that game by McLean.

Keep in mind that these games were in the lowest division of the tournament. These are clubs' 3rd and 4th teams maybe.

I am not sure why your last statement matters. These are 8 and 9-year olds. This type of behavior should not be happening. Their parents pay the same amount of $ for coaches and training. They are 8 and 9 many could be on the green team by 14. That's how it usually works.

NP here. I have a son on the Great Falls side of that game. That 14 year old ref had no idea what he was doing. They never should have put him out there without more training. We paid a lot of money to go to that tournament, and not so some inexperienced child could learn the ropes. If anyone yelled at that kid, they were only expressing what everyone else was thinking. It was bad call after bad call, and many more things not called out at all.

There is no excuse for ripping into a 14 year old kid over a U9 tournament. None. Your coach and parents should stay away from the games and kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I'll back off my comments about poaching a bit because it sounds like you are a coach because I just don't think a parent really thinks of it as "poaching" the way coaches do.

Sure, if you are a coach it sucks to spend time developing kids only to watch them walk. But then again, how many average kids walked from your teams over the years without a second thought? Only the 'good players" get poached is your thinking. Well, if you have turnover in your club it is worth your time to find out why, regardless of your opinion of the player.

Generally, players only leave for situations that are perceived to be better than the one they are in. So EVERY kid that has ever voluntarily left your team did so because they perceived the destination to be an improvement and selectively calling it "poaching" doesn't change that fact.

We are leaving our club because of shitty training and coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I guess explain the difference then so that I know it when I see it.

Conversational recruiting is like -- little Landon/Landon's parent is talking to their friend about how their club soccer is going, they don't like it, they're in a bad situation, don't feel challenged, think they're being overlooked, think they are great but need a better team to help showcase their greatness, etc and the friend/parent says "hey we really like our club and think you might want to take a look" and it evolves from there.

Ok, that sounds fine. Now, explain how FCV recruits so that we can see the difference. Remember, a PP said a "FCV parent" tried to get them to move to FCV.

When "FCV parent" was not previously friendly with said player/parent, and strikes up conversation solely for recruiting purposes, that's poaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As to our U9 McLean Gold coach who went ballistic over a throw in. I was pissed. We are trying to teach the kids to respect referees and understand that everyone makes mistakes and you need to bounce back from a bad call, let it go, and refocus on the next play. That a-hole wouldn't let it go. That ref should have sent him off.

For some reason, the score of the Mclean Gold v Great Falls game wasn't posted on the website. I asked the site official and they said they weren't sure what they were going to do because, in all their years of running tournaments, they NEVER saw such a verbal attack on the 14 year old referee of that game by McLean.

Keep in mind that these games were in the lowest division of the tournament. These are clubs' 3rd and 4th teams maybe.

I am not sure why your last statement matters. These are 8 and 9-year olds. This type of behavior should not be happening. Their parents pay the same amount of $ for coaches and training. They are 8 and 9 many could be on the green team by 14. That's how it usually works.

NP here. I have a son on the Great Falls side of that game. That 14 year old ref had no idea what he was doing. They never should have put him out there without more training. We paid a lot of money to go to that tournament, and not so some inexperienced child could learn the ropes. If anyone yelled at that kid, they were only expressing what everyone else was thinking. It was bad call after bad call, and many more things not called out at all.

So attack the 14 kid? Take it up with the tournament. Adults screaming at a 14 year kid doing his best? Just because the tournament cost $60 a kid or whatever, you feel that validates ripping a 14 year old kid?

Even though it's usually unwarranted, refs get yelled at. If he's out there, he needs to expect bad behavior will be directed at him at some point, and he should know he has permission to kick the coach off the field for it. In this case, it was hard to argue with the coach's frustration, but again, I didn't hear how bad the yelling was. As for blame, I blame the more experienced adult ref who was on the sidelines for not pulling him out and letting him just be a linesman for the remainder of the game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have information about PAC (Premier Athletic Club) in Falls Church for an 8th grade girl?

I have boys, not girls, but we have been really happy. The coaches are wonderful and our son has really grown there. It is a small club and at times feels a bit disorganized but I am happy to put up with that in favor of great coaching and an overall very positive experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I guess explain the difference then so that I know it when I see it.

Conversational recruiting is like -- little Landon/Landon's parent is talking to their friend about how their club soccer is going, they don't like it, they're in a bad situation, don't feel challenged, think they're being overlooked, think they are great but need a better team to help showcase their greatness, etc and the friend/parent says "hey we really like our club and think you might want to take a look" and it evolves from there.

Ok, that sounds fine. Now, explain how FCV recruits so that we can see the difference. Remember, a PP said a "FCV parent" tried to get them to move to FCV.

When "FCV parent" was not previously friendly with said player/parent, and strikes up conversation solely for recruiting purposes, that's poaching.

How so? Can the parent make ANY promises regarding the roster or placement? They are a parent! All they can really say is, "hey, your kid is pretty good, it would be nice to have her on our team." Wow, if you think that is poaching.

True "poaching" is actively recruiting a player to make a change midseason. Talking highly about your club, coach or team is not poaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I guess explain the difference then so that I know it when I see it.

Conversational recruiting is like -- little Landon/Landon's parent is talking to their friend about how their club soccer is going, they don't like it, they're in a bad situation, don't feel challenged, think they're being overlooked, think they are great but need a better team to help showcase their greatness, etc and the friend/parent says "hey we really like our club and think you might want to take a look" and it evolves from there.

Ok, that sounds fine. Now, explain how FCV recruits so that we can see the difference. Remember, a PP said a "FCV parent" tried to get them to move to FCV.

When "FCV parent" was not previously friendly with said player/parent, and strikes up conversation solely for recruiting purposes, that's poaching.

How so? Can the parent make ANY promises regarding the roster or placement? They are a parent! All they can really say is, "hey, your kid is pretty good, it would be nice to have her on our team." Wow, if you think that is poaching.

True "poaching" is actively recruiting a player to make a change midseason. Talking highly about your club, coach or team is not poaching.

OK FCV parent ... clearly I've offended you. You must be fairly new to travel soccer and very excited about your club. In the old days, when WAGS was the only game in town, parents in that exact same scenario caused their clubs to be brought into the WAGS R&D for recruiting violations ... crazy right? But yes, that is considered poaching in some circles.

Keep on keeping on ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I guess explain the difference then so that I know it when I see it.

Conversational recruiting is like -- little Landon/Landon's parent is talking to their friend about how their club soccer is going, they don't like it, they're in a bad situation, don't feel challenged, think they're being overlooked, think they are great but need a better team to help showcase their greatness, etc and the friend/parent says "hey we really like our club and think you might want to take a look" and it evolves from there.

Ok, that sounds fine. Now, explain how FCV recruits so that we can see the difference. Remember, a PP said a "FCV parent" tried to get them to move to FCV.

When "FCV parent" was not previously friendly with said player/parent, and strikes up conversation solely for recruiting purposes, that's poaching.

How so? Can the parent make ANY promises regarding the roster or placement? They are a parent! All they can really say is, "hey, your kid is pretty good, it would be nice to have her on our team." Wow, if you think that is poaching.

True "poaching" is actively recruiting a player to make a change midseason. Talking highly about your club, coach or team is not poaching.

OK FCV parent ... clearly I've offended you. You must be fairly new to travel soccer and very excited about your club. In the old days, when WAGS was the only game in town, parents in that exact same scenario caused their clubs to be brought into the WAGS R&D for recruiting violations ... crazy right? But yes, that is considered poaching in some circles.

Keep on keeping on ....

I have zero problem with this as a parent. I've been flattered and I know my child has been. He's been complimented and noticed for his level play more by outside coaches and opposing players than anyone in his own club.

If you aren't ready to leave just yet, you just respond 'thanks. we'll keep you in mind in the future'. No harm, no foul. The only ones upset in this scenario are the Clubs, but they don't have any loyalty to your kid no matter how much smoke they blow are currently blowing up your ass. A better player comes along in the future, your kid is on the bench or chopping block. It's the nature of the business. Notice 'business'. This is all about $$$. Let's not kid ourselves. We also know 'the grass is not always greener'. Go into it with your eyes open, do your research, talk to actual players and parents...you will quickly discover things really could be better--or they are at the very least only the same or worse.

The current recruiting rules in leagues benefit the Clubs, not the players. Our club talks a great deal about loyalty, but they bring in 9-year olds from other local clubs mid-season to train with our team and guarantee them a spot on the roster for the next year. 9-year olds .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's conversational recruiting that happens between players and their friends, or parents .... and then there's the outright poaching by FCV .... big difference

I guess explain the difference then so that I know it when I see it.

Conversational recruiting is like -- little Landon/Landon's parent is talking to their friend about how their club soccer is going, they don't like it, they're in a bad situation, don't feel challenged, think they're being overlooked, think they are great but need a better team to help showcase their greatness, etc and the friend/parent says "hey we really like our club and think you might want to take a look" and it evolves from there.

Ok, that sounds fine. Now, explain how FCV recruits so that we can see the difference. Remember, a PP said a "FCV parent" tried to get them to move to FCV.

When "FCV parent" was not previously friendly with said player/parent, and strikes up conversation solely for recruiting purposes, that's poaching.

How so? Can the parent make ANY promises regarding the roster or placement? They are a parent! All they can really say is, "hey, your kid is pretty good, it would be nice to have her on our team." Wow, if you think that is poaching.

True "poaching" is actively recruiting a player to make a change midseason. Talking highly about your club, coach or team is not poaching.

OK FCV parent ... clearly I've offended you. You must be fairly new to travel soccer and very excited about your club. In the old days, when WAGS was the only game in town, parents in that exact same scenario caused their clubs to be brought into the WAGS R&D for recruiting violations ... crazy right? But yes, that is considered poaching in some circles.

Keep on keeping on ....

Not an FCV parent but true poaching is literally actively encouraging kids to leave a team mid season. Most leagues have rules regarding "poaching". CCL having the strongest anti poaching rules in the area. But if you are claiming that FCV actively has kids leave their team mid season then you are correct, they are poaching. However, If all you've got is "parents" talking to other parents, well then throw a stone and it will hit a club that does that.

Seriously, parents are parents and have no say regarding players or roster spots.