Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The NoVA area is crowded with people who have bloated beauracratic jobs, a lot of discretionary income, and a lot of free time. I'm certain no other area is quite like the NOVA area in terms of youth soccer.

This must be from the person who commented on the luxury cars at ODP tryouts. No argument that there is a lot of wealth in this area, but most of those I know in this income bracket have gotten there by working their asses off. A "bloated beaurocratic job" with a lot of free time? Give me a break. What I see are highly educated people who own their own companies, practice law or medicine, or are high level performers in corporate jobs and they work insane hours to be that successful. It's not unique to Northern Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A quick view of leagues both season and off-season for players in the area.

DA
VPL
CCL
EDP
NCSL
YDL
ECNL
WAGS
ODSL
RECREATIONAL
Real Mundial
FUTSAL(NPC)
INDOOR/SNF; SPORTSTPLEXES'(summer and winter)
Super Y

Did I miss any?

This is within the area!!!

There are other sub-regions just like ours?

You missed Region 1 Champion's league (formerly Premier League). And yes, there are lots of regions as fractured and dysfunctional as ours. Check out the State forums at talking-soccer.com, starting with the Massachusetts board, and check out backofthenet.com re Long Island soccer angst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You fucktards are arguing over Leagues for snot nose kids at the U14 and younger kids..... Who cares

CCL is where it's at for the Years that count

You're just trolling, right? I can't imagine anyone actually thinks CCL is a destination place for competition or showcasing in the high school years. The teams that have excelled in CCL, like Arlington and Loudoun, excelled before CCL and will continue to do so if/when the league eventually folds. The leagues that matter for them are Region 1 and the National League. I imagine CCL is just a nuisance for ambitious kids and teams during the high school years.

I do think CCL serves a purpose for clubs that don't attract the best players and don't have much history of developing top teams. Those clubs are able to offer their teams top competition of the sort they wouldn't get in a pro-rel league where most of their teams would be in the bottom division. It is theoretically possible that some kids on those weaker teams will be able to improve based on the stronger competition even if they are routinely slaughtered in a lot of games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick view of leagues both season and off-season for players in the area.

DA
VPL
CCL
EDP
NCSL
YDL
ECNL
WAGS
ODSL
RECREATIONAL
Real Mundial
FUTSAL(NPC)
INDOOR/SNF; SPORTSTPLEXES'(summer and winter)
Super Y

Did I miss any?

This is within the area!!!

There are other sub-regions just like ours?

This is just terrible, imagine having soccer opportunities for all kids at all levels. Terrible I tell you, just terrible.

Problem is that most bill themselves as the 'best' competition, and coaches/clubs are extracting both dollars and hope from parents and players when they really should not. It would be better if there were some sort of hierarchical structure to get the kids playing at the right level. Now, if you don't like the coach's opinion of you, you can go spend your $ down the road at another club in the same league or different league. It's a real mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick view of leagues both season and off-season for players in the area.

DA
VPL
CCL
EDP
NCSL
YDL
ECNL
WAGS
ODSL
RECREATIONAL
Real Mundial
FUTSAL(NPC)
INDOOR/SNF; SPORTSTPLEXES'(summer and winter)
Super Y

Did I miss any?

This is within the area!!!

There are other sub-regions just like ours?

This is just terrible, imagine having soccer opportunities for all kids at all levels. Terrible I tell you, just terrible.

Problem is that most bill themselves as the 'best' competition, and coaches/clubs are extracting both dollars and hope from parents and players when they really should not. It would be better if there were some sort of hierarchical structure to get the kids playing at the right level. Now, if you don't like the coach's opinion of you, you can go spend your $ down the road at another club in the same league or different league. It's a real mess.

There is a hierarchy and the club that your kid plays for assigns the hierarchy.

If you spend your time choosing the right coach at a club that works for you the rest will sort itself out. If you're shopping leagues then you are doing it wrong.

Your kid doesn't play for a league, they play for a team in a club. You are to obsessed with the "landscape".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick view of leagues both season and off-season for players in the area.

DA
VPL
CCL
EDP
NCSL
YDL
ECNL
WAGS
ODSL
RECREATIONAL
Real Mundial
FUTSAL(NPC)
INDOOR/SNF; SPORTSTPLEXES'(summer and winter)
Super Y

Did I miss any?

This is within the area!!!

There are other sub-regions just like ours?

This is just terrible, imagine having soccer opportunities for all kids at all levels. Terrible I tell you, just terrible.

Parents don't get to choose the league, the clubs do based in where they place the kid. The list here is almost listed in hierarchy, probably on purpose, but there does seem to be confusion in the almost elite level with CCL/VPL/NCSL-Div1. Might be best for player to try and combine those teams, though that would mean the clubs would have to be willing to play against independent teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick view of leagues both season and off-season for players in the area.

DA
VPL
CCL
EDP
NCSL
YDL
ECNL
WAGS
ODSL
RECREATIONAL
Real Mundial
FUTSAL(NPC)
INDOOR/SNF; SPORTSTPLEXES'(summer and winter)
Super Y

Did I miss any?

This is within the area!!!

There are other sub-regions just like ours?

This is just terrible, imagine having soccer opportunities for all kids at all levels. Terrible I tell you, just terrible.

Problem is that most bill themselves as the 'best' competition, and coaches/clubs are extracting both dollars and hope from parents and players when they really should not. It would be better if there were some sort of hierarchical structure to get the kids playing at the right level. Now, if you don't like the coach's opinion of you, you can go spend your $ down the road at another club in the same league or different league. It's a real mess.

There is a hierarchy and the club that your kid plays for assigns the hierarchy.

If you spend your time choosing the right coach at a club that works for you the rest will sort itself out. If you're shopping leagues then you are doing it wrong.

Your kid doesn't play for a league, they play for a team in a club. You are to obsessed with the "landscape".

I agree, and 90% of the time the coaches have it right on your kid in terms of assessment. There is the occasional kid that needs to look to another coach/team/club/league. MOST of the kids jumping teams and clubs are just spending more money and time to get the same result.

[Anonymous]

Re: CCL...
I think what the CCL clubs have in common is a formal approach to training and focus on development that runs across their clubs. It seems to me that some of the smaller clubs (who don't play in CCL) are loose federations of individual teams/coaches that don't follow an overall/coordinated club vision and development plan. This doesn't mean there aren't good teams and coaches in those smaller clubs or that good players aren't being developed (because they are - I've seen some very good soccer played by small club teams), but the downside to me for this model seems to be you're dependent on that coach staying and the team not falling apart. Our club has picked up players from these smaller clubs whose teams just disintegrated because a coach left or two or three players left. Again, not saying one is better than the other, but it's a different approach than the clubs that have multiple teams per age group and a deeper coaching bench that can survive unexpected changes in personnel (players or coaches). Our club promotes the CCL as a development environment where the emphasis is less on results - it's not uncommon for coaches to test new formations, bring players up from other age groups or lower teams to give players opportunities in a game environment. I don't feel like anyone in our club walks around bragging that CCL is good because it's the 'best' teams or clubs, more that it's a collection of clubs/teams that share development philosophies. The results focus in our club is reserved for older teams playing in state cup/regionals, RCL, tournaments, National League, etc.

I guess my point is not everyone believes CCL is the 'BEST'/i.e., highest level of competition - it's more about some sense of shared model/focus among the member clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: CCL...
I think what the CCL clubs have in common is a formal approach to training and focus on development that runs across their clubs. It seems to me that some of the smaller clubs (who don't play in CCL) are loose federations of individual teams/coaches that don't follow an overall/coordinated club vision and development plan. This doesn't mean there aren't good teams and coaches in those smaller clubs or that good players aren't being developed (because they are - I've seen some very good soccer played by small club teams), but the downside to me for this model seems to be you're dependent on that coach staying and the team not falling apart. Our club has picked up players from these smaller clubs whose teams just disintegrated because a coach left or two or three players left. Again, not saying one is better than the other, but it's a different approach than the clubs that have multiple teams per age group and a deeper coaching bench that can survive unexpected changes in personnel (players or coaches). Our club promotes the CCL as a development environment where the emphasis is less on results - it's not uncommon for coaches to test new formations, bring players up from other age groups or lower teams to give players opportunities in a game environment. I don't feel like anyone in our club walks around bragging that CCL is good because it's the 'best' teams or clubs, more that it's a collection of clubs/teams that share development philosophies. The results focus in our club is reserved for older teams playing in state cup/regionals, RCL, tournaments, National League, etc.

I guess my point is not everyone believes CCL is the 'BEST'/i.e., highest level of competition - it's more about some sense of shared model/focus among the member clubs.

^^^

So as it is parents can subscribe to a team based promotion/relegation model that serves their belief or they can choose a club based, player pass model. The point is there is something for everyone. The only real problem is effectively communicating the pros and cons of the two approaches so that parents can decide what is best for their kid and family. The hierarchy is not worth worrying about at the younger ages. Just choose the right coach and environment for your kid.

[Anonymous]

hmm, what do you know... the long island forums require you register to post the to the forums. Just spent a few min. there and the conversations were useful, and I feel a little more informed after reading one question on the 'Ask a Ref' forum.

Very interesting...

http://www.backofthenet.com/62rd/ubbthreads.php/forums/7/1/Tryouts_&_Practices

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: CCL...
I think what the CCL clubs have in common is a formal approach to training and focus on development that runs across their clubs. It seems to me that some of the smaller clubs (who don't play in CCL) are loose federations of individual teams/coaches that don't follow an overall/coordinated club vision and development plan. This doesn't mean there aren't good teams and coaches in those smaller clubs or that good players aren't being developed (because they are - I've seen some very good soccer played by small club teams), but the downside to me for this model seems to be you're dependent on that coach staying and the team not falling apart. Our club has picked up players from these smaller clubs whose teams just disintegrated because a coach left or two or three players left. Again, not saying one is better than the other, but it's a different approach than the clubs that have multiple teams per age group and a deeper coaching bench that can survive unexpected changes in personnel (players or coaches). Our club promotes the CCL as a development environment where the emphasis is less on results - it's not uncommon for coaches to test new formations, bring players up from other age groups or lower teams to give players opportunities in a game environment. I don't feel like anyone in our club walks around bragging that CCL is good because it's the 'best' teams or clubs, more that it's a collection of clubs/teams that share development philosophies. The results focus in our club is reserved for older teams playing in state cup/regionals, RCL, tournaments, National League, etc.

I guess my point is not everyone believes CCL is the 'BEST'/i.e., highest level of competition - it's more about some sense of shared model/focus among the member clubs.

There is no comparison between DC Stoddert and Loudoun, or FC Frederick and Mclean, in terms of anything - coaching, resources, fields, philosophy, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re: CCL...
I think what the CCL clubs have in common is a formal approach to training and focus on development that runs across their clubs. It seems to me that some of the smaller clubs (who don't play in CCL) are loose federations of individual teams/coaches that don't follow an overall/coordinated club vision and development plan. This doesn't mean there aren't good teams and coaches in those smaller clubs or that good players aren't being developed (because they are - I've seen some very good soccer played by small club teams), but the downside to me for this model seems to be you're dependent on that coach staying and the team not falling apart. Our club has picked up players from these smaller clubs whose teams just disintegrated because a coach left or two or three players left. Again, not saying one is better than the other, but it's a different approach than the clubs that have multiple teams per age group and a deeper coaching bench that can survive unexpected changes in personnel (players or coaches). Our club promotes the CCL as a development environment where the emphasis is less on results - it's not uncommon for coaches to test new formations, bring players up from other age groups or lower teams to give players opportunities in a game environment. I don't feel like anyone in our club walks around bragging that CCL is good because it's the 'best' teams or clubs, more that it's a collection of clubs/teams that share development philosophies. The results focus in our club is reserved for older teams playing in state cup/regionals, RCL, tournaments, National League, etc.

I guess my point is not everyone believes CCL is the 'BEST'/i.e., highest level of competition - it's more about some sense of shared model/focus among the member clubs.

There is no comparison between DC Stoddert and Loudoun, or FC Frederick and Mclean, in terms of anything - coaching, resources, fields, philosophy, etc.

Agree. It sounds like the PP who had the thoughtful post above is lucky to belong to a club that seems to be following the best practices that most clubs (inside and outside of CCL) have either adopted or claim to have adopted. But CCL leadership clearly does not actually audit clubs before or after accepting member clubs to see how many, if any, of the best practices have been put into place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:hmm, what do you know... the long island forums require you register to post the to the forums. Just spent a few min. there and the conversations were useful, and I feel a little more informed after reading one question on the 'Ask a Ref' forum.

Very interesting...

http://www.backofthenet.com/62rd/ubbthreads.php/forums/7/1/Tryouts_&_Practices

I'd recommend checking out some of the team threads on the BOTN Main Message Board before you draw any conclusions on how informative or civil the conversations on the site are. They are certainly entertaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:hmm, what do you know... the long island forums require you register to post the to the forums. Just spent a few min. there and the conversations were useful, and I feel a little more informed after reading one question on the 'Ask a Ref' forum.

Very interesting...

http://www.backofthenet.com/62rd/ubbthreads.php/forums/7/1/Tryouts_&_Practices

I'd recommend checking out some of the team threads on the BOTN Main Message Board before you draw any conclusions on how informative or civil the conversations on the site are. They are certainly entertaining.

You found the one area of BOTN that has a login requirement. The regular boards don't have a requirement to register to be able to post on BOTN. I love reading those ... so much drama!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: CCL...
I think what the CCL clubs have in common is a formal approach to training and focus on development that runs across their clubs. It seems to me that some of the smaller clubs (who don't play in CCL) are loose federations of individual teams/coaches that don't follow an overall/coordinated club vision and development plan. This doesn't mean there aren't good teams and coaches in those smaller clubs or that good players aren't being developed (because they are - I've seen some very good soccer played by small club teams), but the downside to me for this model seems to be you're dependent on that coach staying and the team not falling apart. Our club has picked up players from these smaller clubs whose teams just disintegrated because a coach left or two or three players left. Again, not saying one is better than the other, but it's a different approach than the clubs that have multiple teams per age group and a deeper coaching bench that can survive unexpected changes in personnel (players or coaches). Our club promotes the CCL as a development environment where the emphasis is less on results - it's not uncommon for coaches to test new formations, bring players up from other age groups or lower teams to give players opportunities in a game environment. I don't feel like anyone in our club walks around bragging that CCL is good because it's the 'best' teams or clubs, more that it's a collection of clubs/teams that share development philosophies. The results focus in our club is reserved for older teams playing in state cup/regionals, RCL, tournaments, National League, etc.

I guess my point is not everyone believes CCL is the 'BEST'/i.e., highest level of competition - it's more about some sense of shared model/focus among the member clubs.

Holy shit. The exact opposite. We left our CCL club for the bolded. They had no plan.