Boys 2028 mess - considerations and solutions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

Exactly. The "grass is greener" mentality takes hold both the program and player. The player (more likely his parents) think that he didn't get a fair shake at NextLevel, but if only he moved over to DCE or ML, a new coach would be more "fair" to their kid. And the coach is happy to give the player a try, because the coach is frustrated with the bottom players on his own roster. The effect is a bit of a revolving door on the bottom third of these teams rosters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

Exactly. The "grass is greener" mentality takes hold both the program and player. The player (more likely his parents) think that he didn't get a fair shake at NextLevel, but if only he moved over to DCE or ML, a new coach would be more "fair" to their kid. And the coach is happy to give the player a try, because the coach is frustrated with the bottom players on his own roster. The effect is a bit of a revolving door on the bottom third of these teams rosters.

That's not what I'm talking about. It is why a kid from TC, True, etc would.move from the A team to a B team. They wouldn't. And there is more to playing club than playing in ACC BIG school.

And as we are seeing, the rules are all about to change

[Anonymous]

If the rules change, it is going to be for fewer spots and those aren’t going to go to True players . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

I have been watching kids grow and improve this past year on our “B” team and being told that they will be pulled up to the “A” team. Then nothing… I think the only way these improved “B” team kids can move up is to move off the organization. But, there are only 3 to choose from in the DMV area…. Makes you wonder how many kids are just going to stop playing lacrosse and focus on other sports?

[Anonymous]

Personal experience—my son was late to the puberty party and had to hang on for dear life to remain on A team in 8th grade and freshman year. He had been a very strong player in his younger years but fell a bit behind as his peers got bigger and stronger. He kept working his ass off and would literally play any D position coach asked him to play. By sophomore year he started to hit a growth spurt and by junior year he was no longer physically outmatched. But importantly he never gave up his underdog mentality and his work ethic. He has played in every game for his college team since he stepped on campus.

[Anonymous]

My point is if your son is getting discouraged by team placement/size issues/playing time try to keep him focused on just taking care of what he control—work ethic and attitude and to tune out the rest of the noise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My point is if your son is getting discouraged by team placement/size issues/playing time try to keep him focused on just taking care of what he control—work ethic and attitude and to tune out the rest of the noise.

Good advice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

I have been watching kids grow and improve this past year on our “B” team and being told that they will be pulled up to the “A” team. Then nothing… I think the only way these improved “B” team kids can move up is to move off the organization. But, there are only 3 to choose from in the DMV area…. Makes you wonder how many kids are just going to stop playing lacrosse and focus on other sports?

If you are looking to move from the B team up to the A team, you have a better chance doing it if you move to one of the other two programs than staying in your own. It all comes down to economics. They will not waste a precious A team spot on a player who is already a paying customer. It is a much better investment to use the A spots to recruit fresh revenue into the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

I have been watching kids grow and improve this past year on our “B” team and being told that they will be pulled up to the “A” team. Then nothing… I think the only way these improved “B” team kids can move up is to move off the organization. But, there are only 3 to choose from in the DMV area…. Makes you wonder how many kids are just going to stop playing lacrosse and focus on other sports?

While I understand your frustration I think those kids are actually getting a break. Highschool travel lacrosse really only works out for those handful of kids who are both dead set on playing in college AND actually make it on a college team. Even then you can make an argument that lacrosse was a net negative for those kids who end up at a college that they would not have otherwise gone to or spend thier college years sitting on the bench.

For the vast majority of kids thier summers would be better spent working internships, working out, studying for the SATs learning to drive etc.

Parents and players on “b” teams or who are struggling for field time on “A” teams should think hard about what’s possible, what’s likely and what they’re really giving up chasing a dream. We all have to grow up sometime.

[Anonymous]

I am the father of the undersized player in 8th grade/early HS and I agree with the above post. Never settle on a school just to play lacrosse, especially if it is not very strong academically. Lacrosse should be used to get into a school that would be impossible or a stretch if you were applying unhooked. Make the sport work for you kid instead of vice versa. If there are no great options that include lacrosse, play club at a strong academic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

I have been watching kids grow and improve this past year on our “B” team and being told that they will be pulled up to the “A” team. Then nothing… I think the only way these improved “B” team kids can move up is to move off the organization. But, there are only 3 to choose from in the DMV area…. Makes you wonder how many kids are just going to stop playing lacrosse and focus on other sports?

While I understand your frustration I think those kids are actually getting a break. Highschool travel lacrosse really only works out for those handful of kids who are both dead set on playing in college AND actually make it on a college team. Even then you can make an argument that lacrosse was a net negative for those kids who end up at a college that they would not have otherwise gone to or spend thier college years sitting on the bench.

For the vast majority of kids thier summers would be better spent working internships, working out, studying for the SATs learning to drive etc.

Parents and players on “b” teams or who are struggling for field time on “A” teams should think hard about what’s possible, what’s likely and what they’re really giving up chasing a dream. We all have to grow up sometime.

Well put and could not agree more. Especially since lacrosse is a summer sport. Between practices, tournaments and tryouts, and then preseason HS school sports, there's no break, physical or mental. And no time to do normal teenage things. The college commitments are for the most part not that impressive IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the rules change, it is going to be for fewer spots and those aren’t going to go to True players . . .

the rules did change. Rosters are capped and colleges are going to be making huge cuts. gaining a spot as a freshman is about to get very cut throat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

I have been watching kids grow and improve this past year on our “B” team and being told that they will be pulled up to the “A” team. Then nothing… I think the only way these improved “B” team kids can move up is to move off the organization. But, there are only 3 to choose from in the DMV area…. Makes you wonder how many kids are just going to stop playing lacrosse and focus on other sports?

While I understand your frustration I think those kids are actually getting a break. Highschool travel lacrosse really only works out for those handful of kids who are both dead set on playing in college AND actually make it on a college team. Even then you can make an argument that lacrosse was a net negative for those kids who end up at a college that they would not have otherwise gone to or spend thier college years sitting on the bench.

For the vast majority of kids thier summers would be better spent working internships, working out, studying for the SATs learning to drive etc.

Parents and players on “b” teams or who are struggling for field time on “A” teams should think hard about what’s possible, what’s likely and what they’re really giving up chasing a dream. We all have to grow up sometime.

Eh, my kid played club all through high school with zero intention of playing in college. He was even a starter, so playtime was never an issue. He just really loves playing lacrosse. His college now has an A team and a Beer team. He joined the Beer team and still loves it. I’m surprised he even joined that but he said it is low commitment and likes the guys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the rules change, it is going to be for fewer spots and those aren’t going to go to True players . . .

the rules did change. Rosters are capped and colleges are going to be making huge cuts. gaining a spot as a freshman is about to get very cut throat.

Wait, what? Huge cuts? I looked at 3 schools, UVa, Syracuse and UNC, only UNC will be over, and by 5 if they take no more 25s. They can leak that in 2 years.

Where are all these huge cuts coming from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is meant to discuss the state of the DMV boys 2028 club scene and to trade info and and opinions on the various clubs and showcase opportunities.

By my count there 6 current clubs with one or more teams at 28:

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. DC Express
4 true
5 Top Caliber
6. Team Va.

In addition there are two potential teams VLC and Black Wolf that may have 28 teams next summer.

Of the current clubs only NL, ML and DCE can claim to offer a team that competes at the elite level. Unfortunately, all of those teams are severely oversubscribed. Additionally, none of those teams appear to be particularly competitive.

My initial question: is there a team that can provide college recruiting support that isn’t oversubscribed?

The banter about dirty play and holdbacks never disappoints, but can we get back to the original point - now that tryouts are going, who is hot, who is not, and what are option for players who are not happy with their team? Any new teams that will make an impact on the landscape?

I have a feeling Next Level and DCE will not change much. What I am curious about is what is going to happen with Madlax? With kids on Next Level and DCE not getting playing time, I am sure they will want to move.

I think Top Caliber, True, and Team Va. will get worse. Their good kids are going to want to play up with Next Level, DCE, and Madlax.

This makes absolutely no sense. DCE and NL (and maybe ML) have too many kids on their roster. But, kids from other programs are going to move over to them? How does that work because right now it belies common sense. And, yes, there is little common sense in the world of youth sports but even this doesn't.

This is why: all the coaches project their hopes onto a new face, this idea that they are getting a star who has outgrown his program, a player who is an amazing athlete but started a little later so that's why he is on a lower ranked team. The players he already has have disappointed at one point or another. The players on his own club's B team are less appealing and anyway the program needs good players on the B team. So yeah it makes sense.

I have been watching kids grow and improve this past year on our “B” team and being told that they will be pulled up to the “A” team. Then nothing… I think the only way these improved “B” team kids can move up is to move off the organization. But, there are only 3 to choose from in the DMV area…. Makes you wonder how many kids are just going to stop playing lacrosse and focus on other sports?

While I understand your frustration I think those kids are actually getting a break. Highschool travel lacrosse really only works out for those handful of kids who are both dead set on playing in college AND actually make it on a college team. Even then you can make an argument that lacrosse was a net negative for those kids who end up at a college that they would not have otherwise gone to or spend thier college years sitting on the bench.

For the vast majority of kids thier summers would be better spent working internships, working out, studying for the SATs learning to drive etc.

Parents and players on “b” teams or who are struggling for field time on “A” teams should think hard about what’s possible, what’s likely and what they’re really giving up chasing a dream. We all have to grow up sometime.

Eh, my kid played club all through high school with zero intention of playing in college. He was even a starter, so playtime was never an issue. He just really loves playing lacrosse. His college now has an A team and a Beer team. He joined the Beer team and still loves it. I’m surprised he even joined that but he said it is low commitment and likes the guys.

I glad he had a good time but it seems like a lot wasted opportunity. Was his club less serious than the majors?