Changing clubs- when to start

[Anonymous]

Switch now. The concept of a "shady eye" from other coaches is bunk and people who take this way too seriously.

It's about kids. It's about their development. There are a myriad of reasons to leave if leaving is right. Traffic, practice schedule, friends at other clubs, etc. It's more than common and no one is going to cast aspersions against your kid (except maybe some fussy fusses who remain at the club and don't possibly want to think there is something wrong with their decision to stay). If there are playing field reasons that cannot be worked out with the coach, then vote with your feet.

It's about the kids. Let them be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The better question is: Why is DC frustrated? You need to decipher if his/her request to switch is legit.

OP. Level of team has dropped. Doesn't feel same fit as before. Wants to play with better kids and better competition. This is coming from DC. Not from me. And is atypical to hear these kind of complaints. Not looking to rush anything. Just curious about how the process works.

Definitely don't try to switch mid-season. More important than what the old or new coaches think, it's rotten to your child's teammates. I would only pull my child out at this time for things like verbal abuse by the coach or some other serious issue. It's perfectly legit to switch in the spring with proper notice to the current team so they can recruit another player. I have mixed feelings about the spring. On the positive side you can really get a feel for the team you would be playing with by participating in some practices. But you may have more limited choices than in the fall. Few teams take spring additions and when they do it's unlikely to be on their top team(s).

[Anonymous]

Curious about all of these recommendations to switch teams. Have you not already paid for a full year? (We have.) Would you expect money back or pay for two teams?

[Anonymous]

I’d start attending practices early Spring. Narrow it down.

[Anonymous]

With regular season over and just tournaments left, is now the time to reach out to other clubs about going to a practice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With regular season over and just tournaments left, is now the time to reach out to other clubs about going to a practice?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious about all of these recommendations to switch teams. Have you not already paid for a full year? (We have.) Would you expect money back or pay for two teams?

We switched midyear a few years back. There was no refund and dues at the new club were generously prorated. In our case it was worth the extra cost.

[Anonymous]

Simply email the coach of the club/team you'd like to move to and they'll invite you out for a session or two. Not too difficult.

My DD team gets players from other clubs every other week looking to move over. It starts in Oct/Nov and ends after the DA offers go out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The better question is: Why is DC frustrated? You need to decipher if his/her request to switch is legit.

OP. Level of team has dropped. Doesn't feel same fit as before. Wants to play with better kids and better competition. This is coming from DC. Not from me. And is atypical to hear these kind of complaints. Not looking to rush anything. Just curious about how the process works.

Definitely don't try to switch mid-season. More important than what the old or new coaches think, it's rotten to your child's teammates. I would only pull my child out at this time for things like verbal abuse by the coach or some other serious issue. It's perfectly legit to switch in the spring with proper notice to the current team so they can recruit another player. I have mixed feelings about the spring. On the positive side you can really get a feel for the team you would be playing with by participating in some practices. But you may have more limited choices than in the fall. Few teams take spring additions and when they do it's unlikely to be on their top team(s).

Please it’s not bad for the other kids to leave during the season. It means more playing time for kids who stay or a promotion from the lower team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The better question is: Why is DC frustrated? You need to decipher if his/her request to switch is legit.

OP. Level of team has dropped. Doesn't feel same fit as before. Wants to play with better kids and better competition. This is coming from DC. Not from me. And is atypical to hear these kind of complaints. Not looking to rush anything. Just curious about how the process works.

Definitely don't try to switch mid-season. More important than what the old or new coaches think, it's rotten to your child's teammates. I would only pull my child out at this time for things like verbal abuse by the coach or some other serious issue. It's perfectly legit to switch in the spring with proper notice to the current team so they can recruit another player. I have mixed feelings about the spring. On the positive side you can really get a feel for the team you would be playing with by participating in some practices. But you may have more limited choices than in the fall. Few teams take spring additions and when they do it's unlikely to be on their top team(s).

Please it’s not bad for the other kids to leave during the season. It means more playing time for kids who stay or a promotion from the lower team.

It's not good for the team they are going to. That adds another player to the roster and reduces play time for the kids who signed on last Spring. My DD is on a team where girls have come and go mid-way through the year. The girls always are sad when their friends leave and then do not embrace the new girls the same way. I would encourage you to change at the appropriate time unless there is a real reason to leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The better question is: Why is DC frustrated? You need to decipher if his/her request to switch is legit.

OP. Level of team has dropped. Doesn't feel same fit as before. Wants to play with better kids and better competition. This is coming from DC. Not from me. And is atypical to hear these kind of complaints. Not looking to rush anything. Just curious about how the process works.

Definitely don't try to switch mid-season. More important than what the old or new coaches think, it's rotten to your child's teammates. I would only pull my child out at this time for things like verbal abuse by the coach or some other serious issue. It's perfectly legit to switch in the spring with proper notice to the current team so they can recruit another player. I have mixed feelings about the spring. On the positive side you can really get a feel for the team you would be playing with by participating in some practices. But you may have more limited choices than in the fall. Few teams take spring additions and when they do it's unlikely to be on their top team(s).

Please it’s not bad for the other kids to leave during the season. It means more playing time for kids who stay or a promotion from the lower team.

It's not good for the team they are going to. That adds another player to the roster and reduces play time for the kids who signed on last Spring. My DD is on a team where girls have come and go mid-way through the year. The girls always are sad when their friends leave and then do not embrace the new girls the same way. I would encourage you to change at the appropriate time unless there is a real reason to leave.

Let me guess. Your DD plays for McLean. They love to recruit anyone whether they are skilled or not and end up chasing off their top players. Look at how far their 08's have fallen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The better question is: Why is DC frustrated? You need to decipher if his/her request to switch is legit.

OP. Level of team has dropped. Doesn't feel same fit as before. Wants to play with better kids and better competition. This is coming from DC. Not from me. And is atypical to hear these kind of complaints. Not looking to rush anything. Just curious about how the process works.

Definitely don't try to switch mid-season. More important than what the old or new coaches think, it's rotten to your child's teammates. I would only pull my child out at this time for things like verbal abuse by the coach or some other serious issue. It's perfectly legit to switch in the spring with proper notice to the current team so they can recruit another player. I have mixed feelings about the spring. On the positive side you can really get a feel for the team you would be playing with by participating in some practices. But you may have more limited choices than in the fall. Few teams take spring additions and when they do it's unlikely to be on their top team(s).

"Few teams take spring additions and when they do it's unlikely to be on their top team(s)"

This depends on the level of the player moving... Teams at the highest levels (ECNL/GDA/DA) will ABSOLUTELY add a stud at any time during the year.

If your child is going to come in and be in the top 1/3 (or better) of the roster, timing is probably not an issue. If they are going to be below that, it will be difficult to make the move mid-year. Either way, do your research. Your kid may say that they want to play on a better team and against better competition, but you need to get a sense of where your child will fit in. Will they play significantly fewer minutes? Will that be frustrating for them? And make sure the quality of training is solid. There are some very talented teams out there with crappy coaching/training. Results should be secondary to development (especially at U14 and below--even on top teams).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The better question is: Why is DC frustrated? You need to decipher if his/her request to switch is legit.

OP. Level of team has dropped. Doesn't feel same fit as before. Wants to play with better kids and better competition. This is coming from DC. Not from me. And is atypical to hear these kind of complaints. Not looking to rush anything. Just curious about how the process works.

This is a month and a half late...but if you are willing to pay the remainder of the fee, there is no reason that they should not release his card. If try to leave without paying or getting a replacement to pay your remaining due, then they would be correct and fair in keeping his card locked until next year. He/you made a commitment to the club for a year.

[Anonymous]

Be cautious. Teams may change the following year. You can’t predict next season and can’t plan what the team may look like. The top 1/3 may leave for DA or ECNL in the fall. Naturally some people may want more and leave. Some quit.You might join and think your DD is top 1/3 and then she gets 7 minutes in a game. As humans, we’re greedy. Finish out the season and know what you’re committing to in the spring for the upcoming fall season. There’s no bridges burnt and friends understand more that’s ay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be cautious. Teams may change the following year. You can’t predict next season and can’t plan what the team may look like. The top 1/3 may leave for DA or ECNL in the fall. Naturally some people may want more and leave. Some quit.You might join and think your DD is top 1/3 and then she gets 7 minutes in a game. As humans, we’re greedy. Finish out the season and know what you’re committing to in the spring for the upcoming fall season. There’s no bridges burnt and friends understand more that’s ay.

Meh. I don't think anyone is gonna quit without first evaluating the options. If you look at the options, and you have more confidence in new club than old and you can afford it, jump ship! No decision either way is going to be perfect, you just have to do your homework. Step 1, start looking, make some contacts. Practice around a bit.