Travel Soccer Tryouts -- Post Your Club's Dates

[Anonymous]

You guys need to find a new club. Not every club thinks/acts this way in regard to skill vs size.

[Anonymous]

With the multiple tryout dates for an age group, is one expected to attend all of them or just 1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys need to find a new club. Not every club thinks/acts this way in regard to skill vs size.

YES!!! That club is known for not identifying skill.

Can somebody name a star that actually came out if that Club? It's been around as long as the other MD, VA clubs.

We had the same problem. Go to tryouts at other clubs. It's eye-opening. They aren't scrimmage only formats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the multiple tryout dates for an age group, is one expected to attend all of them or just 1?

Yes, you should attend all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys need to find a new club. Not every club thinks/acts this way in regard to skill vs size.

Agree. Our club does love physical speed (and athleticism generally), but skill is first. They could not care less about size.

Also, this thread highlights why it is better to do advance research on what sort of club or team you think your child would like and arrange to practice with the team well before tryouts. Keep in mind for next year that winter is a great time to do this.

[Anonymous]

The current Arlington U9 team is tiny, we played them and they are fast and skilled. Don't think they select based on size from what I saw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I'm LMAOF about this thread of little boys knocking the crap out of each other. OF COURSE, it's almost 8pm at f-cking night after a full weekend day of other sports.

Anybody that is raising all sons know what happens when it is close to bedtime and they are cranky---they are other hyperstimulated or beating the crap out of one another. Just not cool making 7-8 year olds tryout at 6:45-8:15pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The current Arlington U9 team is tiny, we played them and they are fast and skilled. Don't think they select based on size from what I saw.

This is true for the girls - many of the best players are super fast, a mix of heights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I'm LMAOF about this thread of little boys knocking the crap out of each other. OF COURSE, it's almost 8pm at f-cking night after a full weekend day of other sports.

Anybody that is raising all sons know what happens when it is close to bedtime and they are cranky---they are other hyperstimulated or beating the crap out of one another. Just not cool making 7-8 year olds tryout at 6:45-8:15pm.

I would have rather my kid was punching people ...ha! He was so tired by Sunday night, we contemplated giving him an Espresso before heading over. Got home from tryouts at 8:25pm on a school night...everyone in bed almost an hour after the normal bed time--which is usually 8:20pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I'm LMAOF about this thread of little boys knocking the crap out of each other. OF COURSE, it's almost 8pm at f-cking night after a full weekend day of other sports.

Anybody that is raising all sons know what happens when it is close to bedtime and they are cranky---they are other hyperstimulated or beating the crap out of one another. Just not cool making 7-8 year olds tryout at 6:45-8:15pm.

I would have rather my kid was punching people ...ha! He was so tired by Sunday night, we contemplated giving him an Espresso before heading over. Got home from tryouts at 8:25pm on a school night...everyone in bed almost an hour after the normal bed time--which is usually 8:20pm.[/quote


+1 on a non-lighted field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

Thanks for expressing what I was just feeling . Let's be honest too--the girls have about 1/2 the number of players showing up at tryouts as the boys do--but the same number of teams. It's a lot less competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

Well this girl is not doing Academy and definitely not trying out for travel soccer so no need to get worked up. She is great though. If she ever became interested and did ever develop skills she would be one of the best in ASA. She is all-in for another sport though and very invested in another. So save your bile for another day.

The kids who are at Academy and going to the festivals *are* getting access. And they are very focused on skills. At least on the girl's side.

Are you sure your kid is performing at Academy? Some boys seem very disinterested/disengaged. One of the coaches seems like a a-hole though so maybe that's why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

Well this girl is not doing Academy and definitely not trying out for travel soccer so no need to get worked up. She is great though. If she ever became interested and did ever develop skills she would be one of the best in ASA. She is all-in for another sport though and very invested in another. So save your bile for another day.

The kids who are at Academy and going to the festivals *are* getting access. And they are very focused on skills. At least on the girl's side.

Are you sure your kid is performing at Academy? Some boys seem very disinterested/disengaged. One of the coaches seems like a a-hole though so maybe that's why.

Not at your club and not worked up. Claiming if "she did ever develop her skills she would be one of the best in ASA" lol!

Well, that dedication to those skills is kinda the key. So since she isn't going to the speculation game is pointless. Dominating some 7 and 8 year old girls with size and speed is adorable though. Did you tell her parents she is throwing away her Women's National Team spot?