Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you give some details on how BRYC focuses "on long term individual development rather than immediate team results"? Or I guess how can I tell if a club is NOT doing that?

The problems I would notice on that issue are things like the following:

Does the coach tell the kids to stop passing the ball around the back in a close game, even though they are taught and trained to pass it around the back?
Does the coach stop rotating substitutes or non-starting kids into the game when it is a close game?
Does the club refuse to play teams up an age group, or in higher tournament brackets or leagues, for fear of losing games even though the tougher competition would be better for the kids individual development?
Does the coach or club seem overly fixated on the outcome of the game or tournament, rather than on what can be learned from the game or tournament?
Does the coach or club refuse to move better players up to older teams (or more competitive teams in the same age) because the coach doesn't want to risk losing a particular game, or having the team underperform in a particular tournament?
Does the club seem more focused on their teams records and rankings, rather than on getting kids to the highest levels their talent and work will take them (e.g. playing in college)?
Does the club seem overly focused on attracting/recruiting kids from other clubs as opposed to providing the best possible training?
Does the club/team play too many tournaments such that the ratio of practices to games in a season or year is skewed too much in favor of games?

This is so spot-on. I couldn't agree more on this assessment! Great advice -- especially for parents new to soccer overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you give some details on how BRYC focuses "on long term individual development rather than immediate team results"? Or I guess how can I tell if a club is NOT doing that?

The problems I would notice on that issue are things like the following:

Does the coach tell the kids to stop passing the ball around the back in a close game, even though they are taught and trained to pass it around the back? I think I can tell if this happens.

Does the coach stop rotating substitutes or non-starting kids into the game when it is a close game? I can tell if this happens

Does the club refuse to play teams up an age group, or in higher tournament brackets or leagues, for fear of losing games even though the tougher competition would be better for the kids individual development? How can I determine this?

Does the coach or club seem overly fixated on the outcome of the game or tournament, rather than on what can be learned from the game or tournament? How can I determine this?

Does the coach or club refuse to move better players up to older teams (or more competitive teams in the same age) because the coach doesn't want to risk losing a particular game, or having the team underperform in a particular tournament? How can I determine this?

Does the club seem more focused on their teams records and rankings, rather than on getting kids to the highest levels their talent and work will take them (e.g. playing in college)? How can I determine this?

Does the club seem overly focused on attracting/recruiting kids from other clubs as opposed to providing the best possible training? How can I be sure?

Does the club/team play too many tournaments such that the ratio of practices to games in a season or year is skewed too much in favor of games? How do I determine this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you give some details on how BRYC focuses "on long term individual development rather than immediate team results"? Or I guess how can I tell if a club is NOT doing that?

The problems I would notice on that issue are things like the following:

Does the coach tell the kids to stop passing the ball around the back in a close game, even though they are taught and trained to pass it around the back? I think I can tell if this happens.

Does the coach stop rotating substitutes or non-starting kids into the game when it is a close game? I can tell if this happens

Does the club refuse to play teams up an age group, or in higher tournament brackets or leagues, for fear of losing games even though the tougher competition would be better for the kids individual development? How can I determine this? IF YOUR KIDS TEAM WINS EVERY GAME OR NEARLY EVERY GAME, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG.

Does the coach or club seem overly fixated on the outcome of the game or tournament, rather than on what can be learned from the game or tournament? How can I determine this? YOU WILL KNOW IF THE COACH DOES NOT TALK TO THE TEAM AFTER EACH GAME ABOUT WHAT THE KIDS DID WRONG AND RIGHT IN A GAME -- REGARDLESS WHETHER A WIN OR LOSS.

Does the coach or club refuse to move better players up to older teams (or more competitive teams in the same age) because the coach doesn't want to risk losing a particular game, or having the team underperform in a particular tournament? How can I determine this? IF YOU SEE A KID THAT IS CLEARLY BETTER THAN ALL THE OTHER KIDS AND YET HE DOES NOT GET TO PLAY UP REGULARLY WITH THE TEAM ABOVE (OR AGE GROUP ABOVE) AND DOES NOT EVENTUALLY MOVE UP TO A BETTER TEAM.

Does the club seem more focused on their teams records and rankings, rather than on getting kids to the highest levels their talent and work will take them (e.g. playing in college)? How can I determine this? DOES YOUR CLUB HAVE A "COLLEGE TRACK" TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO GET KIDS RECRUITED AND READY TO PLAY IN COLLEGE? IF IT DOES, THAT SHOWS YOUR CLUB CARES ABOUT YOUR KIDS' SOCCER LIFE AFTER HE/SHE LEAVES THE CLUB AT U18.

Does the club seem overly focused on attracting/recruiting kids from other clubs as opposed to providing the best possible training? How can I be sure? DO COACHES ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO RECRUIT KIDS FROM OTHER TEAMS? DO 8 "NEW" KIDS ALL FROM THE SAME TEAM ACROSS TOWN SHOW UP AT TRYOUTS ?

Does the club/team play too many tournaments such that the ratio of practices to games in a season or year is skewed too much in favor of games? How do I determine this? IF YOUR KID PLAYS MORE THAN 5 OR 6 TOURNAMENTS A YEAR THAT IS PROBABLY TOO MANY (EXACT NUMBER DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF LEAGUE GAMES, NUMBER OF PRACTICES WEEKLY, REST AND RECOVERY PERIODS, AGE, ETC.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you give some details on how BRYC focuses "on long term individual development rather than immediate team results"? Or I guess how can I tell if a club is NOT doing that?

The problems I would notice on that issue are things like the following:

Does the coach tell the kids to stop passing the ball around the back in a close game, even though they are taught and trained to pass it around the back?
Does the coach stop rotating substitutes or non-starting kids into the game when it is a close game?
Does the club refuse to play teams up an age group, or in higher tournament brackets or leagues, for fear of losing games even though the tougher competition would be better for the kids individual development?
Does the coach or club seem overly fixated on the outcome of the game or tournament, rather than on what can be learned from the game or tournament?
Does the coach or club refuse to move better players up to older teams (or more competitive teams in the same age) because the coach doesn't want to risk losing a particular game, or having the team underperform in a particular tournament?
Does the club seem more focused on their teams records and rankings, rather than on getting kids to the highest levels their talent and work will take them (e.g. playing in college)?
Does the club seem overly focused on attracting/recruiting kids from other clubs as opposed to providing the best possible training?
Does the club/team play too many tournaments such that the ratio of practices to games in a season or year is skewed too much in favor of games?

This describes my kids' entire youth soccer career, before changing clubs. Even after changing clubs it was all there, just to a lower degree. My kids are grown and playing college soccer. All of these problems did NOT help the journey to college soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Development academy? Ask around about DA ZZZzzzzZZzzzz........

This post sounds like something a crazed parent that thinks his kid is much better than he is would say.

The crazy parents that move kids around in packs by recruiting packs of players from one team to another, often mid-season, should be sanctioned. And if anyone knows these parents, they should be called out by name on here. Why would anyone want a family on their team that has already shown they are willing to break up a team midseason by recruiting their own team's players to move to another club.

On the boys side, I know some guy named Hasam that was part of LMVSC has done this multiple times and another dad has broken up multiple teams named Munsur.

On the girls side, FCV "poaches" by having parents and coaches speaking to 9 and 10 year old girls without their parents around looking for mid-season moves...big no-no in my book.

I know Hasan recruited a bunch of kids to LMVSC last year. Are you saying he and the kids moved to a new club recently? if so, where did he take the kids? Thanks

How are parents ok with a coach or another parent speaking to a young child without their parents around trying to convince them to do things? Creepy comes to mind. Think about it...your son or daughter is approached by a strange person one-on-one and being sold to come play with me. All that is missing is some candy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Development academy? Ask around about DA ZZZzzzzZZzzzz........

This post sounds like something a crazed parent that thinks his kid is much better than he is would say.

The crazy parents that move kids around in packs by recruiting packs of players from one team to another, often mid-season, should be sanctioned. And if anyone knows these parents, they should be called out by name on here. Why would anyone want a family on their team that has already shown they are willing to break up a team midseason by recruiting their own team's players to move to another club.

On the boys side, I know some guy named Hasam that was part of LMVSC has done this multiple times and another dad has broken up multiple teams named Munsur.

On the girls side, FCV "poaches" by having parents and coaches speaking to 9 and 10 year old girls without their parents around looking for mid-season moves...big no-no in my book.

I know Hasan recruited a bunch of kids to LMVSC last year. Are you saying he and the kids moved to a new club recently? if so, where did he take the kids? Thanks

How are parents ok with a coach or another parent speaking to a young child without their parents around trying to convince them to do things? Creepy comes to mind. Think about it...your son or daughter is approached by a strange person one-on-one and being sold to come play with me. All that is missing is some candy.

LOL so then the ten year old goes and tells their parents where they are playing next year? Sure, ok, nice fiction. Coaches do not address the kids, you know why? Because the kids do not make the decisions. If a coach wants a kid on their team they address the parents, you know, the ones that have the bank account and do the driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Development academy? Ask around about DA ZZZzzzzZZzzzz........

This post sounds like something a crazed parent that thinks his kid is much better than he is would say.

The crazy parents that move kids around in packs by recruiting packs of players from one team to another, often mid-season, should be sanctioned. And if anyone knows these parents, they should be called out by name on here. Why would anyone want a family on their team that has already shown they are willing to break up a team midseason by recruiting their own team's players to move to another club.

On the boys side, I know some guy named Hasam that was part of LMVSC has done this multiple times and another dad has broken up multiple teams named Munsur.

On the girls side, FCV "poaches" by having parents and coaches speaking to 9 and 10 year old girls without their parents around looking for mid-season moves...big no-no in my book.

I know Hasan recruited a bunch of kids to LMVSC last year. Are you saying he and the kids moved to a new club recently? if so, where did he take the kids? Thanks

How are parents ok with a coach or another parent speaking to a young child without their parents around trying to convince them to do things? Creepy comes to mind. Think about it...your son or daughter is approached by a strange person one-on-one and being sold to come play with me. All that is missing is some candy.

Wtf? On a crowded soccer field with parents nearby.

My U10 son has been approached several times. Sometimes it's a different field where he trains with a coach outside of our club (not wearing his club gear). A coach of a team practicing there will be impressed. As he us finishing up and I'm talking with his trainer. A coach will complement hi and ask how old he is where he plays. That he's an excellent player.

I love it because his own club has screwed with his head so bad that his self esteem is in the toilet. They don't promote talent or hard workers.

We've also had talks in the parking lot where an opposing coach will complement something he did in a game. Sort of in an out of way question why he's on a lower team.

It's not poaching, it's not creepy.

We also have had parents and players from opposing teams come compliment him. That means a lot to him. One little bit came over to shake his hand and tell him he's really good.

In 2 years, nobody from his own club has done any of that. Kids need encouragement. If they are giving their all and showing results and nobody is doing anything for them---they do t think hard work pays off. Instances like this let them know at least somebody is noticing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at PAC. There are other factors to consider to stay vex leave.

What other league is better and will accept my kid that has a better spot?? Yea there's A spots on some of the other same size leagues but the big ones are hard to break into. There's 50 kids all at roughly the same level of skill. At the tryouts the coaches might watch my kid for 5 total min during the 3 hrs of tryouts. It's not like he will make it to their A team. A bunch of clubs have even less competitive teams. I think PAC needs to break up the band but PAC seems to be stuck on keeping the band together.

If things fail horribly, there's always next year. To hedge bets I'll probably have my kid check out some other leagues but most likely there will not be a better option. My kid is not u9 FYI

Clubs not leagues. You may check out out other clubs.

[Anonymous]

BRYC- 2015-2016 season, U9 and U10 each had three teams (so 6 teams total) and only one head coach, one assistant coach for all 6 teams. Half way through the season, additional kids were added at practice. BRYC is great for U11 on up, but don't consider it for U9/U10, you won't get your money's worth.

[Anonymous]

I also have no idea why BRYC put their U9 "top" team in such elite tournaments and top divisions when they aren't very competitive. That's not good for development to get smashed every game. Is that club ego?

[Anonymous]

Losses at the younger ages aren't necessarily a bad thing. Kids are just learning how to play and mistakes are part of learning (at all ages).

Also, I don't think there are any "elite" tournaments at U9....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also have no idea why BRYC put their U9 "top" team in such elite tournaments and top divisions when they aren't very competitive. That's not good for development to get smashed every game. Is that club ego?

Where do they play?

You see a lot of lopsided results at U9. The U8 crossover programs in the area are totally out of whack -- you could have the 8 best players in Alexandria against 8 kids who randomly signed up from Vienna. NCSL isn't tiered at U9, so you have big clubs' athletic standouts running up the score against smaller clubs.

And scores don't always reflect the game at that age, anyway. I recently saw a game that was 4-0 at halftime. Switch the goalkeepers, and it would've been 2-2. *Most* area coaches are good at ignoring the score and focusing on quality of play. (There are definitely some exceptions.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also have no idea why BRYC put their U9 "top" team in such elite tournaments and top divisions when they aren't very competitive. That's not good for development to get smashed every game. Is that club ego?

Where do they play?

You see a lot of lopsided results at U9. The U8 crossover programs in the area are totally out of whack -- you could have the 8 best players in Alexandria against 8 kids who randomly signed up from Vienna. NCSL isn't tiered at U9, so you have big clubs' athletic standouts running up the score against smaller clubs.

And scores don't always reflect the game at that age, anyway. I recently saw a game that was 4-0 at halftime. Switch the goalkeepers, and it would've been 2-2. *Most* area coaches are good at ignoring the score and focusing on quality of play. (There are definitely some exceptions.)

And, trust me, the teams that are winning big every game at U9/U10 aren't due to superior skill or coaching in that Club. We are at a club that everyone 'ooohs and ahhhs' and says it is one of the best. Nah--it's just one of the biggest. It has a HUGE player pool. However, the coaching is mediocre at best. The development of players sucks. They just end up cutting all these players who were loyal to the system or like to play under the Big Name club as kids. People think we are absolutely nuts for leaving. However, we go by the coach--not the Club results. Your kid should get the best training possible when their young and don't get caught up on which club is a DA member or who has fancy coach in the upper age groups. It means absolutely nothing for your 8/9/10 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also have no idea why BRYC put their U9 "top" team in such elite tournaments and top divisions when they aren't very competitive. That's not good for development to get smashed every game. Is that club ego?

Where do they play?

You see a lot of lopsided results at U9. The U8 crossover programs in the area are totally out of whack -- you could have the 8 best players in Alexandria against 8 kids who randomly signed up from Vienna. NCSL isn't tiered at U9, so you have big clubs' athletic standouts running up the score against smaller clubs.

And scores don't always reflect the game at that age, anyway. I recently saw a game that was 4-0 at halftime. Switch the goalkeepers, and it would've been 2-2. *Most* area coaches are good at ignoring the score and focusing on quality of play. (There are definitely some exceptions.)

And, trust me, the teams that are winning big every game at U9/U10 aren't due to superior skill or coaching in that Club. We are at a club that everyone 'ooohs and ahhhs' and says it is one of the best. Nah--it's just one of the biggest. It has a HUGE player pool. However, the coaching is mediocre at best. The development of players sucks. They just end up cutting all these players who were loyal to the system or like to play under the Big Name club as kids. People think we are absolutely nuts for leaving. However, we go by the coach--not the Club results. Your kid should get the best training possible when their young and don't get caught up on which club is a DA member or who has fancy coach in the upper age groups. It means absolutely nothing for your 8/9/10 year old.

Completely agree with above PP... At the youngest ages it isn't about winning, so no big deal that BRYC doesn't win at the younger age groups. It's about a good coach-player ratio and focusing on player development.... If your team is winning all their games, then you're failing because you're not competing at the correct level. Plus, a lot is to be learned from mistakes and the inevitable losing that comes when you are truly developing kids (and the inevitable mistakes that come along with that).

I'd rather see a team of U10 attempt a really good play/passing sequence and it not work out than to kick hard and long and muscle through to the goal.

Many big clubs seem to have "better" players at U9/U10, but it's just the larger player pool phenomenon along with utilizing bigger kids, playing long ball/big kicks and (unfortunately) being encouraged to play rough. So yeah, don't judge a club by its win record at the youngest age groups, it's deceiving.

[Anonymous]

Question: Do you think BRYC will get involved with the DA stuff now that many of the other local clubs are?