moving clubs mid year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have toyed with the idea of moving our kid to a different club for spring. When I brought it up to a couple veteran soccer parents (we are new in travel soccer) we were told the club won't release the player cards for them to play on another team. We are now hesitant on asking the coach or tell them we are thinking about leaving because they will most likely take it out on the kid.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom on doing something like this?

Finish your commitment unless its an environment that is flat out dangerous for your child. Use it as a lesson for your search in a new club.

If you do choose to switch clubs, there can be issues with carding and you'll end up having to fulfill your financial commitment to the current club in order to transfer that to the new one.

We do not mind forfeiting the money we have already paid.

We aren't changing because of a dangerous environment. Zero winter season, parents are expected to pay the coaches privately for lessons, we have not communicated or seen our coach in months, we have tournaments coming up in march we aren't ready for, it seems they have set up the team to do their worst. Fall season started to show some red flags but we powered through and now my kid is bored and hasn't even touched a field with teamates in months We try and take them to the field a couple times a week. Finding a free goal to use after school is hard work sometimes and we drive to several fields. My kid does their own drills in our side yard most days. I would hope moving them to a team that has a present coach would get them excited again. They personally have asked to look at new clubs because they want to get field time with someone giving them direction. While we can look up drills and have apps we are not professional coaches.

Sounds like most the issues you had are now past. Spring season is about to get going and changing clubs right now isn't going to better prepare your kid for the upcoming season. If the winter downtime wasn't something communicated up front, consider that a lesson learned for next time. I would spend these next couple months leading into tryouts to do your homework and make sure you make the best choice moving forward.

So we did communicate with the coach prior to joining and he sold us on what he said and once he had our money he turned around and did the opposite. We were told the team would have an off season. Futsal league, indoor soccer, practice, player evaluations and nothing ever happened.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what clubs you're leaving and moving to but keep in mind these expectations rarely exist with any club around here. I can't think of any that actually include what you're describing with club dues.

[Anonymous]

We left one team mid-season and another team after the fall season (2 different kids), both this past year. Both kids got put onto quite large teams of mixed age groups, playing with kids 1-1.5 years older than them - my one kid is an October kid, and it was her first year ever playing travel.

Neither team was a good fit for my kids, so we left and it was not a big deal. The coaches acknowledged the lack of fit and we left on good terms.

[Anonymous]

We left. We got the card with minimal drama though I feared it would be a big issue. I think what helped was we had been open about concerns for months and gave them time to address them.

DC committed to return to the previous years team only to learn a week later the majority of the starting lineup had decided to leave. We encouraged DC to directly discuss their concerns with the club and they were assured very strong players would be replacing the starters. This was not the case in the end. The new players were much lower level. In addition, the delayed fall season and winter season were not what was promised when we committed. DC was very clear last spring with the club/coach that they had college aspirations and wanted to attend showcases. That was not happening either. We’ve always had DC honor the year contract but we decided it was unfair to force them to stay in this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many are using these tactics to teach their kid how to be a quitter.
Cut & Run instead of dealing with and overcoming some short term adversity.

Snowplow parents.

I’m sure this is true to some degree. However, looking back over a combined 14 years of travel soccer experience with our two kids, I can tell you for certain that there are times when a change is warranted entirely for reasons outside of your or your child’s control. Think politics, toxic environment, etc. We’d like to think that the “real world” doesn’t seep into youth sports but it does, unfortunately.

Can't protect your kid from the real world, nor should we want to. That's a disservice to them.

Yes, I'm sure there are true extremes and extenuating circumstances that may require a mid-season move, but we all know most don't need that much to jump ship.

Do you tell someone to stay at a toxic job that's a horrible fit because they took a job offer and committed to working there because it hurts the team? Not unless you're an idiot. Finding your club/team choice is a horrible fit happens and the majority I've heard from that have switched midyear don't regret it at all.

Acting like a child should be held to adult standards or that making them miserable somehow makes them better adults is the more detrimental than swapping teams between seasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many are using these tactics to teach their kid how to be a quitter.
Cut & Run instead of dealing with and overcoming some short term adversity.

Snowplow parents.

I’m sure this is true to some degree. However, looking back over a combined 14 years of travel soccer experience with our two kids, I can tell you for certain that there are times when a change is warranted entirely for reasons outside of your or your child’s control. Think politics, toxic environment, etc. We’d like to think that the “real world” doesn’t seep into youth sports but it does, unfortunately.

Can't protect your kid from the real world, nor should we want to. That's a disservice to them.

Yes, I'm sure there are true extremes and extenuating circumstances that may require a mid-season move, but we all know most don't need that much to jump ship.

Do you tell someone to stay at a toxic job that's a horrible fit because they took a job offer and committed to working there because it hurts the team? Not unless you're an idiot. Finding your club/team choice is a horrible fit happens and the majority I've heard from that have switched midyear don't regret it at all.

Acting like a child should be held to adult standards or that making them miserable somehow makes them better adults is the more detrimental than swapping teams between seasons.

I agree with this completely. Leave with as little drama as possible and do what is best for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many are using these tactics to teach their kid how to be a quitter.
Cut & Run instead of dealing with and overcoming some short term adversity.

Snowplow parents.

I’m sure this is true to some degree. However, looking back over a combined 14 years of travel soccer experience with our two kids, I can tell you for certain that there are times when a change is warranted entirely for reasons outside of your or your child’s control. Think politics, toxic environment, etc. We’d like to think that the “real world” doesn’t seep into youth sports but it does, unfortunately.

Can't protect your kid from the real world, nor should we want to. That's a disservice to them.

Yes, I'm sure there are true extremes and extenuating circumstances that may require a mid-season move, but we all know most don't need that much to jump ship.

Do you tell someone to stay at a toxic job that's a horrible fit because they took a job offer and committed to working there because it hurts the team? Not unless you're an idiot. Finding your club/team choice is a horrible fit happens and the majority I've heard from that have switched midyear don't regret it at all.

Acting like a child should be held to adult standards or that making them miserable somehow makes them better adults is the more detrimental than swapping teams between seasons.

People take their kids from clubs all the time to chase medals, trophies and labels.
(the PP acknowledged occasional extenuating circumstances)

The fact the parents feel no regret at all doesn't justify a mid-season abandonment of your current commitment responsibilities.
Many are just seeking the easier route to 'winning'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what clubs you're leaving and moving to but keep in mind these expectations rarely exist with any club around here. I can't think of any that actually include what you're describing with club dues.

we cannot find a field to play on because all the clubs are out there outside practicing except for ours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As many others have said, I wouldn’t sweat the release part. I’ve heard it dangled but never an issue in the end. I have heard of clubs dragging their feet, intentional or not, so I’d get going sooner rather than later.

It’s probably not even legal for a club to enforce that but not like anyone’s filing a lawsuit; too expensive and would take too long to make a difference.

If your club threatens this, that’s a GREAT sign that you should go elsewhere! You can be absolutely certain that they know the rules regarding player card releases. Yes, you’re obligated to pay and yes, once you’ve done that, they are obligated to release the card. If it’s a VA-based club, contact the registrar at VYSA (contact info on their website) and explain the situation. You’ll have your card in 48-72 hours. Then come back here and advertise for the club who tried that BS with you. 😉

Player cards are freely released because the whole idea of player cards tying you to one particular business are about as laughably illegal as you can get. If you push at all, even with dues owed, your card is released

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have toyed with the idea of moving our kid to a different club for spring. When I brought it up to a couple veteran soccer parents (we are new in travel soccer) we were told the club won't release the player cards for them to play on another team. We are now hesitant on asking the coach or tell them we are thinking about leaving because they will most likely take it out on the kid.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom on doing something like this?

Finish your commitment unless its an environment that is flat out dangerous for your child. Use it as a lesson for your search in a new club.

If you do choose to switch clubs, there can be issues with carding and you'll end up having to fulfill your financial commitment to the current club in order to transfer that to the new one.

We do not mind forfeiting the money we have already paid.

We aren't changing because of a dangerous environment. Zero winter season, parents are expected to pay the coaches privately for lessons, we have not communicated or seen our coach in months, we have tournaments coming up in march we aren't ready for, it seems they have set up the team to do their worst. Fall season started to show some red flags but we powered through and now my kid is bored and hasn't even touched a field with teamates in months We try and take them to the field a couple times a week. Finding a free goal to use after school is hard work sometimes and we drive to several fields. My kid does their own drills in our side yard most days. I would hope moving them to a team that has a present coach would get them excited again. They personally have asked to look at new clubs because they want to get field time with someone giving them direction. While we can look up drills and have apps we are not professional coaches.

Sounds like most the issues you had are now past. Spring season is about to get going and changing clubs right now isn't going to better prepare your kid for the upcoming season. If the winter downtime wasn't something communicated up front, consider that a lesson learned for next time. I would spend these next couple months leading into tryouts to do your homework and make sure you make the best choice moving forward.

So we did communicate with the coach prior to joining and he sold us on what he said and once he had our money he turned around and did the opposite. We were told the team would have an off season. Futsal league, indoor soccer, practice, player evaluations and nothing ever happened.

Well with all those additional factors, I wouldn't blame you for wanting to leave. Just make sure you're going to a better environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have toyed with the idea of moving our kid to a different club for spring. When I brought it up to a couple veteran soccer parents (we are new in travel soccer) we were told the club won't release the player cards for them to play on another team. We are now hesitant on asking the coach or tell them we are thinking about leaving because they will most likely take it out on the kid.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom on doing something like this?

i have personally seen one family move their kids between 3 ecnl clubs in a 13-16 month span. If your kid is an asset and u pay ur dues they will let ur go… that families kid was good and/or parents are a shark.

Either way exceptions can be made

[Anonymous]

DaniRojas wrote:If you're paid up in full they should release your card. If they don't, they should do so when you tell them the governing body is getting involved.

Good luck! Who do you think the state body listens to more - parent or dies paying member?

We had similar situation- and child joined new team as practice squad player….played games with old team - and did one practice with old team where child decided to play all balls with weak foot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

DaniRojas wrote:If you're paid up in full they should release your card. If they don't, they should do so when you tell them the governing body is getting involved.

Good luck! Who do you think the state body listens to more - parent or dies paying member?

We had similar situation- and child joined new team as practice squad player….played games with old team - and did one practice with old team where child decided to play all balls with weak foot.

It listens to the rules, which state they have about 2 weeks to release the player card or they will force them to release it. I don't understand why this is even being debated because it's the easiest thing to make happen it just might not happen the day you request the release.