How good does a kid have to be to make travel

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to non-MoCo options but Classic/Select in MoCo has strong classic/select teams and it is not a leap of faith to put your kid in a classic/select program and get just as good of an experience if not better than the Potomac/Bethesda B and C teams.

I shared enough team names above that should enable people to do their own research. There are quality coaches, some of who I know because they also coached travel. The experience is different than travel for sure but as I mentioned above, I have seen too many kids come from classic and beat out other travel players for spots on B teams that I am certain that classic/select can provide the right environment for some kids and that the practice sessions are better than the sessions of travel programs.

Just do your research. The best classic teams actually stay together and progress to travel teams over the years. Some break up at the u13/u14 age as the parent does not want to coach a travel team and the top players leave to go to the top travel programs.

Classic can be a serious alternative to B/C teams. The question with which we all agree is that the timing to enter soccer and the motivation of the kid is key but with the $2,000 in savings, you can't tell me that you can't provide additional training for your classic-playing DC, play 3 or 4 travel tournaments a year and not get a strong experience which is better than the B/C team experience.

Sorry for using names but when I provide examples and links to teams and people still make the same stupid comment about unicorns, then the shoe fits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to non-MoCo options but Classic/Select in MoCo has strong classic/select teams and it is not a leap of faith to put your kid in a classic/select program and get just as good of an experience if not better than the Potomac/Bethesda B and C teams.

I shared enough team names above that should enable people to do their own research. There are quality coaches, some of who I know because they also coached travel. The experience is different than travel for sure but as I mentioned above, I have seen too many kids come from classic and beat out other travel players for spots on B teams that I am certain that classic/select can provide the right environment for some kids and that the practice sessions are better than the sessions of travel programs.

Just do your research. The best classic teams actually stay together and progress to travel teams over the years. Some break up at the u13/u14 age as the parent does not want to coach a travel team and the top players leave to go to the top travel programs.

Classic can be a serious alternative to B/C teams. The question with which we all agree is that the timing to enter soccer and the motivation of the kid is key but with the $2,000 in savings, you can't tell me that you can't provide additional training for your classic-playing DC, play 3 or 4 travel tournaments a year and not get a strong experience which is better than the B/C team experience.

Sorry for using names but when I provide examples and links to teams and people still make the same stupid comment about unicorns, then the shoe fits.

I'd love to know the exact number of current ECNL/DA players that you know who took this path and what club they are playing for... I think that would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to non-MoCo options but Classic/Select in MoCo has strong classic/select teams and it is not a leap of faith to put your kid in a classic/select program and get just as good of an experience if not better than the Potomac/Bethesda B and C teams.

I shared enough team names above that should enable people to do their own research. There are quality coaches, some of who I know because they also coached travel. The experience is different than travel for sure but as I mentioned above, I have seen too many kids come from classic and beat out other travel players for spots on B teams that I am certain that classic/select can provide the right environment for some kids and that the practice sessions are better than the sessions of travel programs.

Just do your research. The best classic teams actually stay together and progress to travel teams over the years. Some break up at the u13/u14 age as the parent does not want to coach a travel team and the top players leave to go to the top travel programs.

Classic can be a serious alternative to B/C teams. The question with which we all agree is that the timing to enter soccer and the motivation of the kid is key but with the $2,000 in savings, you can't tell me that you can't provide additional training for your classic-playing DC, play 3 or 4 travel tournaments a year and not get a strong experience which is better than the B/C team experience.

Sorry for using names but when I provide examples and links to teams and people still make the same stupid comment about unicorns, then the shoe fits.

Lets take Toca Jr as an example:
Kit: $150
Winter training/Futsal full season: $450 for new members for 24, 1 hour sessions.
Winter training/Futsal half season: $325 for new members for 12, 1 hour sessions.

Now unfortunately prices are not listed for Fall or Spring seasons currently but I would imagine that they are in the range of $300 per season.

So to do 10 months of Toca Jr the cost is around $1200/year. This is in line with the training fees for a travel club that is providing 3 practices a week vs Toca's 2 practices a week.

And there are still opportunities to play in local tournaments and those will still carry fees as well.

So if you are comparing Toca Jr to say a C level travel team in NCSL the games may be spread around the DMV more than MSI's league. A typical U10/U11 C level travel team will play in 2-4 local tourneys per year like Dulles National and other smaller tourneys held out at the SoccerPlex etc. Certainly not leagues or tourneys going up and down 95 as you claim. In a head to head comparison if one is comparing the actual value for dollar per training session they actually come out a wash. Travel usually includes 3 1.5 hour practices a week compared to Toca's 2 1 hour practices a week. (The actual outside season may have 1.5 hour sessions).

So would this classic route cost less? Yes, but it pro-rates about to be nearly the same as travel.

[Anonymous]

I can see the conversation now:

DC: Mom/Dad, all of of the best players on my select team are moving to a travel team. The only ones that are left are the bad players. Can I join a travel team too? I know I will do better and it will prepare me for ECNL. Even my select coach told me to consider travel as he thinks I have great potential.

Mom/Dad: No, it’s much better for you to stay with select. You will learn more, develop more and be better prepared if you stay in Select. And going to travel is just a money-grab.

DC: Isn’t your Mercedes are money-grab too? You could have bought a Toyota instead. Driving a Toyota will make you e a better driver and you will develop more as a driver.

Mom/Dad: While I never played soccer and have no experience and/or knowledge of youth soccer, I know what is best for you. And I rather spend money upgrading my to a new car every other year than to spend it on Travel soccer. So it is Select Soccer for you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can see the conversation now:

DC: Mom/Dad, all of of the best players on my select team are moving to a travel team. The only ones that are left are the bad players. Can I join a travel team too? I know I will do better and it will prepare me for ECNL. Even my select coach told me to consider travel as he thinks I have great potential.

Mom/Dad: No, it’s much better for you to stay with select. You will learn more, develop more and be better prepared if you stay in Select. And going to travel is just a money-grab.

DC: Isn’t your Mercedes are money-grab too? You could have bought a Toyota instead. Driving a Toyota will make you e a better driver and you will develop more as a driver.

Mom/Dad: While I never played soccer and have no experience and/or knowledge of youth soccer, I know what is best for you. And I rather spend money upgrading my to a new car every other year than to spend it on Travel soccer. So it is Select Soccer for you!!

This isn't fair at all. There are lots of people who are priced out of travel soccer and as I posted just above a family could even be priced out of Classic soccer.

I think your point may speak to the smartest guy in the room contrarian but to presume that cost is not an issue is being elitist.

[Anonymous]

I am not part of the debate/argument. The fictitious conversation was only meant as a joke.....and hoping people would just stop and laugh a little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not part of the debate/argument. The fictitious conversation was only meant as a joke.....and hoping people would just stop and laugh a little.

I know it was a joke, it just was not a funny joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks dense? The argument is that it is not for everyone but for those who don't have the capacity to go into travel at u9.

I am glad that you and others have the means to go into travel at u9. I am glad that you have one or two kids and can dedicate time to your kid. Some of us don't so we look for other alternatives. I am here to tell you that it is possible, not definite but possible to find an alternative to B or C travel and work to make elite soccer by u15.

I have seen it and have provided names of teams with strong coaches. I personally know girls who came from classic and spent 2.3 years playing travel before being invited to play ECNL.

Sorry but I am not going to allow you folks who have bought into the travel industrial complex tell me or anyone else that they have to spend $3,000 and drive insane distances to play C teams when they can get a similar if not better experience in classic/select.

I have watched too often parents spend money on a C team expecting their DC to develop on the C team only to watch a classic player tryout and beat out their DC for a spot on the A or B team. From there, I have seen the same player make an ECNL team. It is not everyone but I have seen it enough to believe that it is an alternative for the right kid.

Why the name calling? Seems like an issue with you... What you suggest might work for 1% of players. Maybe.

If the reason for not doing travel is the time commitment, then 1% is way too high a number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not part of the debate/argument. The fictitious conversation was only meant as a joke.....and hoping people would just stop and laugh a little.

I know it was a joke, it just was not a funny joke.

Well, I thought that post was pretty funny. Maybe you should take some anti-depression medication. LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks dense? The argument is that it is not for everyone but for those who don't have the capacity to go into travel at u9.

I am glad that you and others have the means to go into travel at u9. I am glad that you have one or two kids and can dedicate time to your kid. Some of us don't so we look for other alternatives. I am here to tell you that it is possible, not definite but possible to find an alternative to B or C travel and work to make elite soccer by u15.

I have seen it and have provided names of teams with strong coaches. I personally know girls who came from classic and spent 2.3 years playing travel before being invited to play ECNL.

Sorry but I am not going to allow you folks who have bought into the travel industrial complex tell me or anyone else that they have to spend $3,000 and drive insane distances to play C teams when they can get a similar if not better experience in classic/select.

I have watched too often parents spend money on a C team expecting their DC to develop on the C team only to watch a classic player tryout and beat out their DC for a spot on the A or B team. From there, I have seen the same player make an ECNL team. It is not everyone but I have seen it enough to believe that it is an alternative for the right kid.

Why the name calling? Seems like an issue with you... What you suggest might work for 1% of players. Maybe.

If the reason for not doing travel is the time commitment, then 1% is way too high a number.

The person is not claiming an issue with time commitment. Playing Classic soccer has been suggested as a value option for those players who do have ambition to play ELITE travel but just don't see the value in spending $3000/year to be on a B or C level team at 9, 10 and 11 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not part of the debate/argument. The fictitious conversation was only meant as a joke.....and hoping people would just stop and laugh a little.

I know it was a joke, it just was not a funny joke.

Well, I thought that post was pretty funny. Maybe you should take some anti-depression medication. LOL

See, I know what you posted was a joke because you typed "LOL" at the end. I wasn't sure it was actually funny but once I saw the LOL I was all ROTFL.

Thanks to your joke I no longer need anti-depression medication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks dense? The argument is that it is not for everyone but for those who don't have the capacity to go into travel at u9.

I am glad that you and others have the means to go into travel at u9. I am glad that you have one or two kids and can dedicate time to your kid. Some of us don't so we look for other alternatives. I am here to tell you that it is possible, not definite but possible to find an alternative to B or C travel and work to make elite soccer by u15.

I have seen it and have provided names of teams with strong coaches. I personally know girls who came from classic and spent 2.3 years playing travel before being invited to play ECNL.

Sorry but I am not going to allow you folks who have bought into the travel industrial complex tell me or anyone else that they have to spend $3,000 and drive insane distances to play C teams when they can get a similar if not better experience in classic/select.

I have watched too often parents spend money on a C team expecting their DC to develop on the C team only to watch a classic player tryout and beat out their DC for a spot on the A or B team. From there, I have seen the same player make an ECNL team. It is not everyone but I have seen it enough to believe that it is an alternative for the right kid.

Why the name calling? Seems like an issue with you... What you suggest might work for 1% of players. Maybe.

If the reason for not doing travel is the time commitment, then 1% is way too high a number.

The person is not claiming an issue with time commitment. Playing Classic soccer has been suggested as a value option for those players who do have ambition to play ELITE travel but just don't see the value in spending $3000/year to be on a B or C level team at 9, 10 and 11 years old.

Umm, ... yeah they actually did.

"I am glad that you have one or two kids and can dedicate time to your kid. Some of us don't so we look for other alternatives."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks dense? The argument is that it is not for everyone but for those who don't have the capacity to go into travel at u9.

I am glad that you and others have the means to go into travel at u9. I am glad that you have one or two kids and can dedicate time to your kid. Some of us don't so we look for other alternatives. I am here to tell you that it is possible, not definite but possible to find an alternative to B or C travel and work to make elite soccer by u15.

I have seen it and have provided names of teams with strong coaches. I personally know girls who came from classic and spent 2.3 years playing travel before being invited to play ECNL.

Sorry but I am not going to allow you folks who have bought into the travel industrial complex tell me or anyone else that they have to spend $3,000 and drive insane distances to play C teams when they can get a similar if not better experience in classic/select.

I have watched too often parents spend money on a C team expecting their DC to develop on the C team only to watch a classic player tryout and beat out their DC for a spot on the A or B team. From there, I have seen the same player make an ECNL team. It is not everyone but I have seen it enough to believe that it is an alternative for the right kid.

Why the name calling? Seems like an issue with you... What you suggest might work for 1% of players. Maybe.

If the reason for not doing travel is the time commitment, then 1% is way too high a number.

The person is not claiming an issue with time commitment. Playing Classic soccer has been suggested as a value option for those players who do have ambition to play ELITE travel but just don't see the value in spending $3000/year to be on a B or C level team at 9, 10 and 11 years old.

Umm, ... yeah they actually did.

"I am glad that you have one or two kids and can dedicate time to your kid. Some of us don't so we look for other alternatives."

Thanks, I stopped reading that post once the poster called everyone dense.

[Anonymous]

Dense was used to describe people who did not follow the argument. WADR, the argument should be as clear as day.

If you have $3,000 in disposable income per kid just for soccer and have the time to drive up and down I-95 to play B or C level u-9 teams then feel blessed. For folks like me who have more than two kids doing multiple activities and who as a parent has other obligations, spending 4+ hours in a car on a Saturday or Sunday is not feasible. Now at u12/u13 after DC has demonstrated interest in playing at an elite level, we can then look at travel as an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dense was used to describe people who did not follow the argument. WADR, the argument should be as clear as day.

If you have $3,000 in disposable income per kid just for soccer and have the time to drive up and down I-95 to play B or C level u-9 teams then feel blessed. For folks like me who have more than two kids doing multiple activities and who as a parent has other obligations, spending 4+ hours in a car on a Saturday or Sunday is not feasible. Now at u12/u13 after DC has demonstrated interest in playing at an elite level, we can then look at travel as an option.

Nobody cares! Stop calling people dense for not following your path because of your choice of family size.