DA vs ECNL vs everything else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gotta love the people who “know” who is posting on an anonymous forum

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If mclean 05s went to WS and Arlington...and Mclean 04s going FCV...and Loudoun 05s going FCV...whose doing ECNL

All the would be FCV 09s are playing up on those teams. Fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gotta love the people who “know” who is posting on an anonymous forum

John..is that you? Sounds like something you would say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If mclean 05s went to WS and Arlington...and Mclean 04s going FCV...and Loudoun 05s going FCV...whose doing ECNL

There are kids that plan on playing HS soccer. Then there are some who werent sure about DA. Lastly theres the kids who moved up to replace those that left. Personally I believe there are enough bank accounts, I mean bodies to field teams. How competitive they will be remains to be seen. But if were all honest, if its better for the kids development and happiness then more power to them and good luck.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Just curious, how many of you actually played soccer, watch soccer regularly and really understand what is involved. Just curious that is all.

I did (and still do). I watch it as well. I like to watch multiple pro leagues, because of the differences in style, tactics, and even talent level.

But I get your point. I would wager most of these people didn't and don't. Like hearing the ridiculous parent comments (even within my own club) to refs at games.

Same here. I watch religiously, especially analysis of the games after a specific match. I think most people are in over their heads, not really knowing what they talk about. I been in soccer for long time. I constantly hear and see parents that haven't a clue, especially when they try to coach from the sideline. It is literally comical. What they are doing is detrimental to their kids. They think they are helping, but instead harming development of their kids. If they know SO MUCH, why don't you coach? Right?

I'm glad you all agree on the favoritism and nepotism on display in youth soccer in this area, given you all love to change the subject when you can't argue against a point. I find very funny the arrogance in assuming that no one else plays, has played, watches, or coaches/has coached. I also didn't realize there were so many club loyalists and coaches on this site. But it doesn't surprise me.

OP here.. The PDP for evey u13 and below is the exact same, and usually one you parents never follow.. “Improve Technical Skills, Decision Making and Grit”. No pro in history, let alone a 14 year old has ever mastered all three, and every minute you spend before 14 on anything else is A less efficient way to develop real skills needed when it matters.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:A star player wil not sit behind a star player. They will go elsewhere and be a star player.

People lose sight of the fact that it's a game meant to be played.

This is my point about development. It's not right or wrong to be more focused on just wanting to play the game as opposed to being the best possible player you can be when you're 20. But those two goals require VERY DIFFERENT decisions year to year, season to season. You parents jump around clubs all the time due this star player mentality. It's like if your kid was learning to ride a bike and fell, you'd put the training wheels back on. It's fine if the kid is having fun. But it's not making them a better player or better able to deal with adversity.

I'd proposed that if you're on this thread "ECNL vs. DA vs. ..." that you are at least someone subscribed to the idea that you want your DS / DD to be the best they can be at age 20. If that is true, you'd have a better chance at getting him or her there if you'd listen to some professionals once in a while. "The game is meant to be played", "Winning does matter", "I pay too much to watch them sit on the bench", "I'm not paying for them to be on anyone's B team" are all things parents say who should not be anywhere near a conversation about player development.

It's fine. Just keep the perspective once in a while if you can please. The teachers might actually know what's best for your kid. What you're seeing at any youth soccer level really isn't true soccer. You have no perspective. You do not know what you do not know in other words. The mistakes and bad decisions and lack of specific skills needed to succeed at the higher levels are more common not in every game. The kids just aren't there yet, not matter what teams they're beating at other youth events. Dozens of full scholarship D1 athletes get drafted then cut every year in MLS and NWSL, and MLS at least is barely in the global top 20 of leagues.

If you want to pay to watch your kid win and play all the time when they're kids, these clubs will take your money. But if you don't buy into the development plan it doesn't mean they "wronged" you. It more likely means you think you know better than the professionals.

This is a fine, idealistic point and some of it rings true even in practice.

However, many here have undoubtedly seen "the teachers" promote kids who just happen to have relatives coaching for the club, older brothers/sisters (more financial weight), buddies with coaching staff/TDs, etc... These promoted kids often play at a lower level or aren't as athletically gifted and those who deserve more of a challenge but aren't promoted. This is still a developmental concern and NOT about playing with the A team or just winning in many cases, sorry; it's about seeking out a developmentally appropriate level for your kid, for whom you are the only true champion. In fact, you know you are in one of these situations when the "teachers" tell you exactly what you said: "you don't know what you are seeing" aka don't believe your lyin' eyes, despite your knowledge of the game/background (or even the opinion of other professionals, for that matter).

Wish it all were as simple as you paint, but that just isn't so.

I definitely wasn't saying all the coaches out there know what they're doing or do the right thing. This is where club leadership comes in. Is the club run top to bottom with vertical integration preached and practiced? Do they spread playing time around? Do they run good training sessions with maximum touches on the ball at younger ages and actually working on issues seen in games at older ages? Do coaches from all teams know and help and attend games at least monthly of the other teams? Does the head coach actually run the team and only has 2 teams at most? Does the technical director / director of coaching coach no more than 1 team themselves, if any at all and do they show up at the other teams sessions and evaluate their coaches and review training plans? Does every player have a personalized plan in place and reviewed regularly? Can your TD / DOC even name 75% of players in the top 2 teams in each age group?

Or, are you playing in a club where a couple of guys are doing 3 or more teams full time, show up half the time if you're lucky, are on their phones at the beginning of training, barely email, don't have time to talk after practice because they're hustling to the next gig, and you never see anyone actually in charge of the club's player development attending training or overseeing things? Or worse, outsourced coaches from some company wearing gear from 3 different clubs or brands who are literally only doing this as a job.

I proposed that only the DC and WS pro academies, and a few really big clubs like Bethesda, Loudoun, Pipeline, PWSI, Richmond Strikers and Kickers are anywhere near the "right" way to do things with a bigger picture somewhat in mind and without needing to hire outside "trainers" or constantly recruit entire teams to come to their club just to have a decent level of competitiveness. Everyone else is pretending and hustling every day to put food on the table or for their own egos, or they very admirably just focus on providing a solid service to their community without trying to be Barcelona or City.

Would like to know if there is a single club does such?

It's required in the DA

So no club does it below U12/U13

Quoted wrong one before...

OP here.. The PDP for evey u13 and below is the exact same, and usually one you parents never follow.. “Improve Technical Skills, Decision Making and Grit”. No pro in history, let alone a 14 year old has ever mastered all three, and every minute you spend before 14 on anything else is A less efficient way to develop real skills needed when it matters.

[Anonymous]

WS is still having ID sessions? When do the DAs complete their rosters?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WS is still having ID sessions? When do the DAs complete their rosters?

I think they keep hoping someone good will finally show up.

[Anonymous]

Someone needs to close this thread permanently and put it out of it's own misery.

It had a promising start, but the latest pages and posts would be best used printed out to wipe one's ass with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone needs to close this thread permanently and put it out of it's own misery.

It had a promising start, but the latest pages and posts would be best used printed out to wipe one's ass with.

Just scroll on by and live your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WS is still having ID sessions? When do the DAs complete their rosters?

I think they keep hoping someone good will finally show up.

You mean as good as the 4 kids who showed up at FCV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone needs to close this thread permanently and put it out of it's own misery.

It had a promising start, but the latest pages and posts would be best used printed out to wipe one's ass with.

+1

I posted something like this yesterday and it got deleted. What a dump of a thread it has become.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean 05s went to Arlington

Boys or Girls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WS is still having ID sessions? When do the DAs complete their rosters?

I think they keep hoping someone good will finally show up.

Washington Spirit is a good program and the people who run it are top notch human beings with good character. Your kid can not go wrong being in their program. Wins, loses, and cost aside, your kid will develop.

When I was a younger soccer parent, wins and loses where important. Now the focus is getting my child to the level where she needs to be so when the opportunity comes to be looked at she will be ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean 05s went to Arlington

Boys or Girls?

This has been covered before but 05 McLean ecnl girls are going to Spirit VA and Arlington DA. McLean picked up a few Arlington players who want to play HS soccer etc.