Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you form an opinion of a coach really if you are new to the club? It's not like I can interview the coach and have my son get to know him first.

I think it's hard at U9 but if you are thinking of moving to a team that already exists. Go to a game and sit on the sidelines with the parents. How is the coach? And don't forget...how are the parents? But try to strike up a conversation with a parent or two.

Agree with this. Simply talking to a coach, you will get told exactly what you want to hear. Definitely go to a game, sit near the parents and see how they act/talk, and see how the coach behaves. Probably most accurate assessment you can get.

I also agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This year, BRYC U9/U10 did indeed have a single coach for 6 teams. This is true. One coach who sends out an email at the start of the season and that's about it. Communication doesn't exist.

Add to this the fact that ODSL kids and U11 sometimes are wrapped into practices with U9/U10 and it's a coach-player ratio you won't find at other clubs (and paying over $1600 a year).... In other words, not worth the high cost.

Like most CCL clubs, it's intense... At U9/U10 there shouldn't be a focus on winning and the coach will "talk the talk" but doesn't "walk the walk" because he was just once again thrown out by the ref at the last game for fighting with the opposing teams' coach.

Not a complainer. Just telling the truth.

Thanks. Your story isn't totally out of line with what I had witnessed at BRYC and also heard just this past week from a friend who was on the other team.

The older BRYC teams have coaches that are different, very instructive at practices but quiet at games, so completely different than the young kids. Depends on what you want as a parent. Hyper-competitive will like the intensity, but if you are more laid-back, probably not a great fit for a 8-9 y/o kid.

[Anonymous]

All great feedback. I guess the net is that we need to form our own opinion. When I attended one of the BRYC training sessions they had 3 coaches between all the kids. I chatted it up with the parents and met the "Team Mom". She said she helped with team communications using Team Snap (sp?) and to collect fees for other activities (futsal) etc. Spoke to about 4 different parents and strange not one had something negative to say. If that was going down at my club I would let it be known. Might have to check out a game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

As far as I know, BRYC has no intention of getting involved with any DA mergers.

If your kid wants to play in college, they've got an excellent track record of both boys & girls getting into great schools. Just depends on what fits your needs... Eye on NT or playing D1/D2 college soccer.

And National team and pro spots.

I played girls in the 80s. Go BRYC!!

DA is a bag of crap.

BRYC is still excellent for girls (as it seems pp experience was in the 80s!)... Boys is a mixed bag. The U9/U10 boys coach is awful. He's arrogant, disrespectful and gets in fights with refs at nearly every game. So, not an example for young and impressionable youth. He's currently got most parents ready to ditch BRYC. The coaches at older age groups are great. They came in with the DOC, Welsh, and are a completely different experience than U9/10.

I suggest waiting til at least U11 before considering BRYC.

Ok this has me a bit worried now. We planned to try out for BRYC for U9 Boys. FCV or SCAA (local club) or whatever they plan to call it now is upside down so wasnt interested in investing into this club. BRYC was my next choice due to distance. I met with the coach and chatting up some parents and all was positive. Is this the head coach? BRYC seemed to always get positive feedback.

98% of the parents in those age groups think he's fantastic ... this is clearly a disgruntled parent attempting to set the fields on fire on their way out ... you should form your own opinion

I'd be hesitant to rely on someone who claims to know the opinions of "98%" of parents... Considering there are 6 teams with roughly 11 kids per team, assuming dual parent households, that's 132 people, of which 129 you can speak for? I doubt this assessment is accurate.

Go to a game or two and witness the coach in action. Sit with the parents and ask questions. Best way to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All great feedback. I guess the net is that we need to form our own opinion. When I attended one of the BRYC training sessions they had 3 coaches between all the kids. I chatted it up with the parents and met the "Team Mom". She said she helped with team communications using Team Snap (sp?) and to collect fees for other activities (futsal) etc. Spoke to about 4 different parents and strange not one had something negative to say. If that was going down at my club I would let it be known. Might have to check out a game.

Not sure if it's boys/girls and what age group the pp experience was with, but in the spirit of full disclosure, when attending the current BRYC open training sessions for the 9&10 boys, it isn't what it's usually like. The practices have been restructured, some current teams have had practices taken away, so that it shows better (there's fewer kids there per coach) for those who are coming to tryout for next year.

Same goes for the number of coaches. There have been complaints about the ratio, so everything has been in upheaval at 9&10 age groups. There is only one head coach at 9&10, others are parent helpers with no actual coaching credentials.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if it's boys/girls and what age group the pp experience was with, but in the spirit of full disclosure, when attending the current BRYC open training sessions for the 9&10 boys, it isn't what it's usually like. The practices have been restructured, some current teams have had practices taken away, so that it shows better (there's fewer kids there per coach) for those who are coming to tryout for next year.

Same goes for the number of coaches. There have been complaints about the ratio, so everything has been in upheaval at 9&10 age groups. There is only one head coach at 9&10, others are parent helpers with no actual coaching credentials.



Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have experience with Arlington travel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All great feedback. I guess the net is that we need to form our own opinion. When I attended one of the BRYC training sessions they had 3 coaches between all the kids. I chatted it up with the parents and met the "Team Mom". She said she helped with team communications using Team Snap (sp?) and to collect fees for other activities (futsal) etc. Spoke to about 4 different parents and strange not one had something negative to say. If that was going down at my club I would let it be known. Might have to check out a game.

Not sure if it's boys/girls and what age group the pp experience was with, but in the spirit of full disclosure, when attending the current BRYC open training sessions for the 9&10 boys, it isn't what it's usually like. The practices have been restructured, some current teams have had practices taken away, so that it shows better (there's fewer kids there per coach) for those who are coming to tryout for next year.

Same goes for the number of coaches. There have been complaints about the ratio, so everything has been in upheaval at 9&10 age groups. There is only one head coach at 9&10, others are parent helpers with no actual coaching credentials.

How do you know the parents have no credentials? I did my E license through BRYC (though I coach at another club), and BRYC parents were well-represented.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know anything about SYA - boys U15 and older?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any suggestions on clubs in the area to go to for boys U9/U10 other than BRYC? What about SYC at the younger age groups? South County is pretty disorganized and too new of a club.

We've been very happy at U9 with FPYC. Nice, small club with two incredibly competitive teams, an A and B.

Probably a little *too* competitive. Very physical, sometimes with refs that let them get away with anything. And when the other team basically says "whatever" and mails it in for the rest of the game, they try to run up as many goals as possible.

On the plus side, they have good skills programs at U8 and under.

That may have happened at a game, but it's not the norm. FPYC certainly does not control refs. Also: Why would any team 'mail it in'? That's no good for anyone.

[Anonymous]

My son's club played all three BRYC U9 boys team this season (Fall/Winter/Spring). I was favorably impressed by the playing style of the BRYC U9 teams - passing, spacing etc.. Seemed like they were learning some good things. I do not know anything about the BRYC coach or personnel. The one coach for six teams does sound bad.

I am not sure how BRYC handles CCL at these younger ages. Their U9 teams are not that strong this year and there are some powerhouse clubs in CCL. For example our club won almost all its games against BRYC U9 teams this year - several by large margins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All great feedback. I guess the net is that we need to form our own opinion. When I attended one of the BRYC training sessions they had 3 coaches between all the kids. I chatted it up with the parents and met the "Team Mom". She said she helped with team communications using Team Snap (sp?) and to collect fees for other activities (futsal) etc. Spoke to about 4 different parents and strange not one had something negative to say. If that was going down at my club I would let it be known. Might have to check out a game.

Not sure if it's boys/girls and what age group the pp experience was with, but in the spirit of full disclosure, when attending the current BRYC open training sessions for the 9&10 boys, it isn't what it's usually like. The practices have been restructured, some current teams have had practices taken away, so that it shows better (there's fewer kids there per coach) for those who are coming to tryout for next year.

Same goes for the number of coaches. There have been complaints about the ratio, so everything has been in upheaval at 9&10 age groups. There is only one head coach at 9&10, others are parent helpers with no actual coaching credentials.

How do you know the parents have no credentials? I did my E license through BRYC (though I coach at another club), and BRYC parents were well-represented.

Didn't mention that to be condescending toward the parent coaches, they are nice and the boys like them, but I know them and while they do play soccer, they aren't licensed. I think this effects coaching ability as one can be a great player, but not as great at teaching. It's appreciated that the parents stepped up to help because otherwise it would've been one coach (yikes!)

when compared to other travel clubs (and the cost of these clubs), it's something people should know coming into a club. Other clubs seem to do a better job at hiring licensed coaches at a lower ratio is all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son's club played all three BRYC U9 boys team this season (Fall/Winter/Spring). I was favorably impressed by the playing style of the BRYC U9 teams - passing, spacing etc.. Seemed like they were learning some good things. I do not know anything about the BRYC coach or personnel. The one coach for six teams does sound bad.

I am not sure how BRYC handles CCL at these younger ages. Their U9 teams are not that strong this year and there are some powerhouse clubs in CCL. For example our club won almost all its games against BRYC U9 teams this year - several by large margins.

I'm an another club too and grew up in BRYC, but not there anymore.

I was talking to a U9 mom from BRYC on the sidelines and one of the players in the team you were playing was six years old so I'd take your blowout with a grain of salt.

They allow kids to play up and rotate their rosters fairly consistent. We played them 3 times in one season and faced a different roster each time.

I was also impressed with the skill of the players and the kids seem like they are really having a good time--even during a blowout. Their teams are strong later on due to investment in development not results young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son's club played all three BRYC U9 boys team this season (Fall/Winter/Spring). I was favorably impressed by the playing style of the BRYC U9 teams - passing, spacing etc.. Seemed like they were learning some good things. I do not know anything about the BRYC coach or personnel. The one coach for six teams does sound bad.

I am not sure how BRYC handles CCL at these younger ages. Their U9 teams are not that strong this year and there are some powerhouse clubs in CCL. For example our club won almost all its games against BRYC U9 teams this year - several by large margins.

I'm an another club too and grew up in BRYC, but not there anymore.

I was talking to a U9 mom from BRYC on the sidelines and one of the players in the team you were playing was six years old so I'd take your blowout with a grain of salt.

They allow kids to play up and rotate their rosters fairly consistent. We played them 3 times in one season and faced a different roster each time.

I was also impressed with the skill of the players and the kids seem like they are really having a good time--even during a blowout. Their teams are strong later on due to investment in development not results young.

If your team is blowing every single team out at 9/10, you are doing it wrong. You need to find a way to get them challenged young. Tougher league, tougher division, play up, etc. I hate that my kids team has worthless blowouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son's club played all three BRYC U9 boys team this season (Fall/Winter/Spring). I was favorably impressed by the playing style of the BRYC U9 teams - passing, spacing etc.. Seemed like they were learning some good things. I do not know anything about the BRYC coach or personnel. The one coach for six teams does sound bad.

I am not sure how BRYC handles CCL at these younger ages. Their U9 teams are not that strong this year and there are some powerhouse clubs in CCL. For example our club won almost all its games against BRYC U9 teams this year - several by large margins.

I'm an another club too and grew up in BRYC, but not there anymore.

I was talking to a U9 mom from BRYC on the sidelines and one of the players in the team you were playing was six years old so I'd take your blowout with a grain of salt.

They allow kids to play up and rotate their rosters fairly consistent. We played them 3 times in one season and faced a different roster each time.

I was also impressed with the skill of the players and the kids seem like they are really having a good time--even during a blowout. Their teams are strong later on due to investment in development not results young.

AMEN