Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Exactly ! The only things that matter at u9 should be getting touches on the ball and learning to love the game, no matter what "level" they are. That kind of behavior is going to make kids want to quit in the long run. Soccer is barely popular enough to get mls highlights on sportscenter and your going to go ballistic over u9 bad calls ? And then we wonder why most kids no longer care about soccer by the time they are in high school and would rather watch football and basketball

Exactly. During this McLean game, I heard one of the McLean players actually say 'Why can't we just have one normal game?" Think about that. A 9-year-old boy frustrated with his own adult coach's behavior. I would pull my kid from that team/club in a heartbeat.

If a kid is expressing that in a game that is a huge testament to the toxic sidelines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

(A coach here). Yes, we do talk -- we also see random tweets from various club tryouts that inadvertently include photos of your kids in the background .. lol. But seriously, most coaches know and don't care and would never 'screw over your kid' because of it. I certainly cannot speak for all coaches, but jesus, most of us are not vindictive a-holes.

[Anonymous]

Curious--are there DC families in these VA clubs or is everyone from VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

(A coach here). Yes, we do talk -- we also see random tweets from various club tryouts that inadvertently include photos of your kids in the background .. lol. But seriously, most coaches know and don't care and would never 'screw over your kid' because of it. I certainly cannot speak for all coaches, but jesus, most of us are not vindictive a-holes.

Ha-that's funny! Thanks for weighing in. And I'm glad to hear that. For us, we like the coaches and admin--but after two years my son is the one that has expressed a desire for a change. He's been to a lot of different camps and worked with outside coaches and players and likes a different style than he's getting at home club. He's expressed boredom with team practices and seen how other places really vary theirs.

Of course, as a parent, driving is my biggest concern. I am not going to deal with traffic. So we are one of those looking, but by no means set on leaving. It just makes sense if you are spending 2k+ to shop around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

(A coach here). Yes, we do talk -- we also see random tweets from various club tryouts that inadvertently include photos of your kids in the background .. lol. But seriously, most coaches know and don't care and would never 'screw over your kid' because of it. I certainly cannot speak for all coaches, but jesus, most of us are not vindictive a-holes.

And on top of it, this year will promise to be a little more whacky than usual. Many parents well want to hedge their bets a bit as they are more likely to shop coaches more so than the clubs. I'm sure as some coaching assignments are being tweaked at clubs parents are reacting differently based on how they perceive the assignments. Some may love the change but for some the change may be the push they need to leave. But in either event, I think this spring it will be so wide spread that it would be impossible for coaches to hold any grudges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

(A coach here). Yes, we do talk -- we also see random tweets from various club tryouts that inadvertently include photos of your kids in the background .. lol. But seriously, most coaches know and don't care and would never 'screw over your kid' because of it. I certainly cannot speak for all coaches, but jesus, most of us are not vindictive a-holes.

And on top of it, this year will promise to be a little more whacky than usual. Many parents well want to hedge their bets a bit as they are more likely to shop coaches more so than the clubs. I'm sure as some coaching assignments are being tweaked at clubs parents are reacting differently based on how they perceive the assignments. Some may love the change but for some the change may be the push they need to leave. But in either event, I think this spring it will be so wide spread that it would be impossible for coaches to hold any grudges.

Yep. We are waiting for coach assignment. That is the deciding factor whether we stay or go. We are hoping for a change, btw. Although, given my kid has had 4 different coaches in two years and one left before the season even started-I don't know how much weight I can give the announcement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

(A coach here). Yes, we do talk -- we also see random tweets from various club tryouts that inadvertently include photos of your kids in the background .. lol. But seriously, most coaches know and don't care and would never 'screw over your kid' because of it. I certainly cannot speak for all coaches, but jesus, most of us are not vindictive a-holes.

And on top of it, this year will promise to be a little more whacky than usual. Many parents well want to hedge their bets a bit as they are more likely to shop coaches more so than the clubs. I'm sure as some coaching assignments are being tweaked at clubs parents are reacting differently based on how they perceive the assignments. Some may love the change but for some the change may be the push they need to leave. But in either event, I think this spring it will be so wide spread that it would be impossible for coaches to hold any grudges.

Yep. We are waiting for coach assignment. That is the deciding factor whether we stay or go. We are hoping for a change, btw. Although, given my kid has had 4 different coaches in two years and one left before the season even started-I don't know how much weight I can give the announcement.

I would love the coach to weigh in on the thought that for good or bad, they are the one of the main reasons for a parent to decide to stay or leave and how much their reputation precedes them.

I know it works somewhat the same with the players too, but there are far fewer coaches than players and it is their reputation that is far more widely spread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

No I am not afraid. Here is little known secret about travel soccer. Clubs never cut kids. Kids may get moved up or down but once in the club they don't get cut. So, going to other teams practices is the best way to see how the other coach is and how your kids gets along with their actual team. This way you make the tryout period less stressful. If you determine the other team is not for you, no need to waste time at their tryouts.

I dont think you can make the blanket statement that clubs don't cut kids. Big clubs with 6 or 7 teams in the younger age groups will make cuts to ensure that they have no more than 2 or 3 strong teams at the 11v11 age groups. I've also frequently seen kids cut at smaller clubs when a second team implodes and the coach wants to bring in a few of those players, or players from outside the club, and drop kids from the first team they see as underperforming.

Generally speaking, a well run club is not going to punish kids for trying out elsewhere, and rarely will any club cut a top player even if the people in charge are vindictive. We certainly have run across clubs with vindictive coaches and technical directors though. My son left one club for another 4 years ago (at the end of a season, in a very civil fashion), and we gather that the board and TD are still talking trash about our family to this day.

At the younger ages kids are added because the game grows from 7v7>8v8>9v9>11v11. That timeline will change now due to US Soccer mandates but generally, no, kids at young ages are not cut from the club simply because roster sizes have to grow. They may be assigned a different team, and if as a parent, you feel that is a "cut", well, that is on you but a "demotion" during a development phase is not a "cut", not even close. And, if a club does cut kids at U9-U12, you should run, not walk from that club.

I coached in a large club for a long time and we definitely cut players, even in the younger age groups where multiple teams train together. If a player is disinterested, not committed, not improving, violent, etc, they may be cut. Now, it is a managed process with several meetings to discuss what is going on over the course of a season/year, what needs to improve, but it is still a cut. There may be some clubs where the coaches just show up and collect a check, maybe it's easier to not cause disruptions, but that's not all coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

No I am not afraid. Here is little known secret about travel soccer. Clubs never cut kids. Kids may get moved up or down but once in the club they don't get cut. So, going to other teams practices is the best way to see how the other coach is and how your kids gets along with their actual team. This way you make the tryout period less stressful. If you determine the other team is not for you, no need to waste time at their tryouts.

I dont think you can make the blanket statement that clubs don't cut kids. Big clubs with 6 or 7 teams in the younger age groups will make cuts to ensure that they have no more than 2 or 3 strong teams at the 11v11 age groups. I've also frequently seen kids cut at smaller clubs when a second team implodes and the coach wants to bring in a few of those players, or players from outside the club, and drop kids from the first team they see as underperforming.

Generally speaking, a well run club is not going to punish kids for trying out elsewhere, and rarely will any club cut a top player even if the people in charge are vindictive. We certainly have run across clubs with vindictive coaches and technical directors though. My son left one club for another 4 years ago (at the end of a season, in a very civil fashion), and we gather that the board and TD are still talking trash about our family to this day.

At the younger ages kids are added because the game grows from 7v7>8v8>9v9>11v11. That timeline will change now due to US Soccer mandates but generally, no, kids at young ages are not cut from the club simply because roster sizes have to grow. They may be assigned a different team, and if as a parent, you feel that is a "cut", well, that is on you but a "demotion" during a development phase is not a "cut", not even close. And, if a club does cut kids at U9-U12, you should run, not walk from that club.

I coached in a large club for a long time and we definitely cut players, even in the younger age groups where multiple teams train together. If a player is disinterested, not committed, not improving, violent, etc, they may be cut. Now, it is a managed process with several meetings to discuss what is going on over the course of a season/year, what needs to improve, but it is still a cut. There may be some clubs where the coaches just show up and collect a check, maybe it's easier to not cause disruptions, but that's not all coaches.

This is who we've got. If he doesn't make waves, he still gets his $. Why would he risk disruptions and the potential for complaints? This is why a lot of kids are looking elsewhere next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

No I am not afraid. Here is little known secret about travel soccer. Clubs never cut kids. Kids may get moved up or down but once in the club they don't get cut. So, going to other teams practices is the best way to see how the other coach is and how your kids gets along with their actual team. This way you make the tryout period less stressful. If you determine the other team is not for you, no need to waste time at their tryouts.

I dont think you can make the blanket statement that clubs don't cut kids. Big clubs with 6 or 7 teams in the younger age groups will make cuts to ensure that they have no more than 2 or 3 strong teams at the 11v11 age groups. I've also frequently seen kids cut at smaller clubs when a second team implodes and the coach wants to bring in a few of those players, or players from outside the club, and drop kids from the first team they see as underperforming.

Generally speaking, a well run club is not going to punish kids for trying out elsewhere, and rarely will any club cut a top player even if the people in charge are vindictive. We certainly have run across clubs with vindictive coaches and technical directors though. My son left one club for another 4 years ago (at the end of a season, in a very civil fashion), and we gather that the board and TD are still talking trash about our family to this day.

At the younger ages kids are added because the game grows from 7v7>8v8>9v9>11v11. That timeline will change now due to US Soccer mandates but generally, no, kids at young ages are not cut from the club simply because roster sizes have to grow. They may be assigned a different team, and if as a parent, you feel that is a "cut", well, that is on you but a "demotion" during a development phase is not a "cut", not even close. And, if a club does cut kids at U9-U12, you should run, not walk from that club.

I coached in a large club for a long time and we definitely cut players, even in the younger age groups where multiple teams train together. If a player is disinterested, not committed, not improving, violent, etc, they may be cut. Now, it is a managed process with several meetings to discuss what is going on over the course of a season/year, what needs to improve, but it is still a cut. There may be some clubs where the coaches just show up and collect a check, maybe it's easier to not cause disruptions, but that's not all coaches.

What you are describing is the type of thing that prepares the player and parents so that there are no surprises. I guess, in my mind I'm thinking of the kid who played on the team, shows up to tryouts and is not picked. Completely out of the blue. I don't think that scenario happens that much, but I think if you are about to get cut, it is evident going into tryouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

(A coach here). Yes, we do talk -- we also see random tweets from various club tryouts that inadvertently include photos of your kids in the background .. lol. But seriously, most coaches know and don't care and would never 'screw over your kid' because of it. I certainly cannot speak for all coaches, but jesus, most of us are not vindictive a-holes.

And on top of it, this year will promise to be a little more whacky than usual. Many parents well want to hedge their bets a bit as they are more likely to shop coaches more so than the clubs. I'm sure as some coaching assignments are being tweaked at clubs parents are reacting differently based on how they perceive the assignments. Some may love the change but for some the change may be the push they need to leave. But in either event, I think this spring it will be so wide spread that it would be impossible for coaches to hold any grudges.

Yep. We are waiting for coach assignment. That is the deciding factor whether we stay or go. We are hoping for a change, btw. Although, given my kid has had 4 different coaches in two years and one left before the season even started-I don't know how much weight I can give the announcement.

I would love the coach to weigh in on the thought that for good or bad, they are the one of the main reasons for a parent to decide to stay or leave and how much their reputation precedes them.

I know it works somewhat the same with the players too, but there are far fewer coaches than players and it is their reputation that is far more widely spread.

(Coach from before). Yes, I believe most coaches know this. Whether they all care, I can't say. For me, I want my parents to know and acept my style and my philosophy, and then step back and let me implement it. Of course, it doesn't always work out that way.

[Anonymous]

Kids may not get "cut," but they get dropped from travel to House.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those players going to other team's practices, aren't you a bit worried your Club will find out and screw your kid because of it?

Soccer is a small world. Most of the coaches at the Clubs in the area know one another and talk.

We are planning to tryout a few new places to check things out, but I wouldn't go as far to contact other coaches because I'm afraid it would get back to our club and they'd screw my kid over when we aren't yet 100% certain we are leaving.

(A coach here). Yes, we do talk -- we also see random tweets from various club tryouts that inadvertently include photos of your kids in the background .. lol. But seriously, most coaches know and don't care and would never 'screw over your kid' because of it. I certainly cannot speak for all coaches, but jesus, most of us are not vindictive a-holes.

And on top of it, this year will promise to be a little more whacky than usual. Many parents well want to hedge their bets a bit as they are more likely to shop coaches more so than the clubs. I'm sure as some coaching assignments are being tweaked at clubs parents are reacting differently based on how they perceive the assignments. Some may love the change but for some the change may be the push they need to leave. But in either event, I think this spring it will be so wide spread that it would be impossible for coaches to hold any grudges.

Yep. We are waiting for coach assignment. That is the deciding factor whether we stay or go. We are hoping for a change, btw. Although, given my kid has had 4 different coaches in two years and one left before the season even started-I don't know how much weight I can give the announcement.

I would love the coach to weigh in on the thought that for good or bad, they are the one of the main reasons for a parent to decide to stay or leave and how much their reputation precedes them.

I know it works somewhat the same with the players too, but there are far fewer coaches than players and it is their reputation that is far more widely spread.

(Coach from before). Yes, I believe most coaches know this. Whether they all care, I can't say. For me, I want my parents to know and acept my style and my philosophy, and then step back and let me implement it. Of course, it doesn't always work out that way.

I think the hard part of that is getting buy in with the parents and then communicating the progress kids make to their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know what happened to the thread from yesterday about clubs in the Vienna/Oakton area? It seems to have disappeared.

New poster interested in this thread. Any update?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know what happened to the thread from yesterday about clubs in the Vienna/Oakton area? It seems to have disappeared.

New poster interested in this thread. Any update?

I couldn't bring myself to go to Website Feedback and ask. I dare you to do it!