Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else ditching club next year?

We aren't doing league/club play next year. Kids have a good opportunity to just train with professionals and they are gung-ho for it. Fairly tired of the BS that is the local club soccer scene.

No games? Just training? And your kids *want* to do this? Why?

They actually love soccer. They grew up in a household that has a deep understanding of how the game should be played. Even at a very young age they could understand what they weren't getting after visiting abroad and playing with relatives. They have seen firsthand what focusing on training can do for development. Many family members have done the same.

They will play internal games every weekend with referees, etc. They will practice with all age groups and have the opportunity to continually train with older kids if the level of players they are with is below their current level. They will get individual focus and there is no wrong focus on team rankings and zero parent influence or politics.

They had all of the options laid out in front of them and have visited and played elsewhere and this is the one they both chose. I was surprised. I thought they'd stick with a team. They also will train same days, place and time even though there is a 2.5 year age gap so that works out great for the family.

My older son is 11 and is moving to U13. When he started playing, he would have been u12 next year. He will not turn 12 until late Fall. Next year is too early to lose the focus on individual skill and start the US craziness of U13 competitions. At 11/12, a player should still be focusing at a smaller level and individually and still learning the field everywhere.

They are young enough at 9 and 11 to test it out. It's not like they can't change their minds down the road anyways. People think you need seniority everywhere. No--you need talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else ditching club next year?

We aren't doing league/club play next year. Kids have a good opportunity to just train with professionals and they are gung-ho for it. Fairly tired of the BS that is the local club soccer scene.

No games? Just training? And your kids *want* to do this? Why?

They actually love soccer. They grew up in a household that has a deep understanding of how the game should be played. Even at a very young age they could understand what they weren't getting after visiting abroad and playing with relatives. They have seen firsthand what focusing on training can do for development. Many family members have done the same.

They will play internal games every weekend with referees, etc. They will practice with all age groups and have the opportunity to continually train with older kids if the level of players they are with is below their current level. They will get individual focus and there is no wrong focus on team rankings and zero parent influence or politics.

They had all of the options laid out in front of them and have visited and played elsewhere and this is the one they both chose. I was surprised. I thought they'd stick with a team. They also will train same days, place and time even though there is a 2.5 year age gap so that works out great for the family.

My older son is 11 and is moving to U13. When he started playing, he would have been u12 next year. He will not turn 12 until late Fall. Next year is too early to lose the focus on individual skill and start the US craziness of U13 competitions. At 11/12, a player should still be focusing at a smaller level and individually and still learning the field everywhere.

They are young enough at 9 and 11 to test it out. It's not like they can't change their minds down the road anyways. People think you need seniority everywhere. No--you need talent.

The focus is completely about winning at U13 here. That does nothing for an 11/12 year old's development. You can still be competitive as hell and want to win---even at practice or backyard games with your brother--but if the focus is your club team needs to win everything for soccer points at the sake of taking chances and trying out and being creative you are not going to get better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering that about BRYC. Would the costs be lower because there are no league fees, etc.? I guess that is not the case according to the earlier poster.

No it went up. Last year it was 1650 and it has now gone up to $1800 for u9 - u12

http://www.brycsoccer.com/about-us/fees

The fees now cover some tournament and winter league fees that were not previously included. Also the US Club fees are higher than VYSA registration fees.

BRYC Elite Academy Club Fees DO NOT cover the following items (which will be included in a separate Team Fee collected by each team)

Tournament Entry Fees (except as noted above)
Travel Reimbursement for Coaches (except as noted above)
Uniforms and optional gear
Extra Practice Tees
STAR Referee Expenses (NCSL/ODSL)
Additional offseason training not covered by club fees.

Also last year indoor/futsal in the winter was optional and at a separate expense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else ditching club next year?

We aren't doing league/club play next year. Kids have a good opportunity to just train with professionals and they are gung-ho for it. Fairly tired of the BS that is the local club soccer scene.

No games? Just training? And your kids *want* to do this? Why?

They actually love soccer. They grew up in a household that has a deep understanding of how the game should be played. Even at a very young age they could understand what they weren't getting after visiting abroad and playing with relatives. They have seen firsthand what focusing on training can do for development. Many family members have done the same.

They will play internal games every weekend with referees, etc. They will practice with all age groups and have the opportunity to continually train with older kids if the level of players they are with is below their current level. They will get individual focus and there is no wrong focus on team rankings and zero parent influence or politics.

Ah. OK. So they're still playing games. That makes sense.

I'm skeptical about "zero parent influence." Who gets into the program? If it's everyone, great, but then you're describing a House league.

Some clubs and leagues do better jobs than others in emphasizing development over winning. It varies wildly.

But in some cases, they go overboard. Kids want to compete, at least occasionally. The vast majority of soccer players will be rec players after U19. So what are you "developing" them for? The life lessons of teamwork and competition, on the other hand, are broadly applicable.

I've studied European academies quite a bit. Their games aren't considered particularly important compared to the "U11 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!" mentality here. But they're still competing.

Meanwhile, wasn't it mentioned in the other thread that a lot of Development Academy kids go through all their pretty meaningless games and have to be shaken by pro coaches informing, "THESE GAMES BLEEPING MATTER!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To change the topic some...

what's with shitty behavior being rewarded? Why do some of the players with the absolute shittiest attitudes, that continually disrupt practices and cause all kinds of problems on a routine basis get promoted?

In my day, coaches had balls and character and if a kid were a complete asshole 99% of the time--they were first on the bench---and if it still didn't stop it--they were off the team.

My kids team is pretty upset tonight that a kid that is always in trouble is getting honored with moving all the way to the top.

Is that what we do in 2017? I can tell you that doesn't even fly Internationally. If a player is a disruption--he's gone.

There was a medoicre player in my DS's age group who was a problem for the coaches this past year, getting other kids in trouble, etc. Not sure why he was even there to begin with, but rumor has it is moving up next year. At least he will be out of our mix. The only reason we can think of for all this is his father is a higher-up volunteer at the club.

I am sure this happens at other clubs too. Coaches and directors don't want the hassle of dealing with the problem directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To change the topic some...

what's with shitty behavior being rewarded? Why do some of the players with the absolute shittiest attitudes, that continually disrupt practices and cause all kinds of problems on a routine basis get promoted?

In my day, coaches had balls and character and if a kid were a complete asshole 99% of the time--they were first on the bench---and if it still didn't stop it--they were off the team.

My kids team is pretty upset tonight that a kid that is always in trouble is getting honored with moving all the way to the top.

Is that what we do in 2017? I can tell you that doesn't even fly Internationally. If a player is a disruption--he's gone.

There was a medoicre player in my DS's age group who was a problem for the coaches this past year, getting other kids in trouble, etc. Not sure why he was even there to begin with, but rumor has it is moving up next year. At least he will be out of our mix. The only reason we can think of for all this is his father is a higher-up volunteer at the club.

I am sure this happens at other clubs too. Coaches and directors don't want the hassle of dealing with the problem directly.

We had a player move up onto one of my kid's team that has behavior issues and not one of even the top 5 on current team---to facilitate another kid's carpool.

They do these things without thinking how it effects every other player in the age group. The kids that are showing results and working hard get crushed when this type of thing happens. The kids are the first to tell you who should be advancing--and it's not even them nominating themselves. They know who is talented and contributing the most. This is why so many players are not returning next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To change the topic some...

what's with shitty behavior being rewarded? Why do some of the players with the absolute shittiest attitudes, that continually disrupt practices and cause all kinds of problems on a routine basis get promoted?

In my day, coaches had balls and character and if a kid were a complete asshole 99% of the time--they were first on the bench---and if it still didn't stop it--they were off the team.

My kids team is pretty upset tonight that a kid that is always in trouble is getting honored with moving all the way to the top.

Is that what we do in 2017? I can tell you that doesn't even fly Internationally. If a player is a disruption--he's gone.

There was a medoicre player in my DS's age group who was a problem for the coaches this past year, getting other kids in trouble, etc. Not sure why he was even there to begin with, but rumor has it is moving up next year. At least he will be out of our mix. The only reason we can think of for all this is his father is a higher-up volunteer at the club.

I am sure this happens at other clubs too. Coaches and directors don't want the hassle of dealing with the problem directly.

My kids watched the old basketball movie "Hoosiers". They loved the part where Gene Hackman sends the top two players packing/cuts them for their shitty attitude. Nobody does that with the snowflakes in travel here.

They sacrifice the team because they have one asshole who may be a decent player but is incredibly disruptive and toxic.

[Anonymous]

^^ what is crazy to me is when you see a head coach offering a roster spot to a known problem player that ruins the chemistry & seriousness of the practice plans. if the kid is some elite, i maybe get it. but having coached before, if the kid is average, then you avoid taking them on no matter what. otherwise, you will just have to deal with this problem mid-season when more difficult and the parents have different expectations. yes, clubs seem to keep these toxic players around for better or worse. have seen then sometimes moved down, but not mid-season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ what is crazy to me is when you see a head coach offering a roster spot to a known problem player that ruins the chemistry & seriousness of the practice plans. if the kid is some elite, i maybe get it. but having coached before, if the kid is average, then you avoid taking them on no matter what. otherwise, you will just have to deal with this problem mid-season when more difficult and the parents have different expectations. yes, clubs seem to keep these toxic players around for better or worse. have seen then sometimes moved down, but not mid-season.

I don't even get it for an elite. Period. I'm old, but that is not how is was ever done.

Players, even top players, with that reputation were not taken. Adults that are too fixed on getting their wins. Not good youth role models.

Look at even the NFL that trades their problems.

[Anonymous]

How can a kid get to travel soccer if he did not get in at younger age? My son is 10, was in a Fall. He did not get in last year and this year. He just wants to get a dissent training and play games. House soccer is not challenging him. Where do we go? I would not want to travel far during week though. It will burn both of us fast. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can a kid get to travel soccer if he did not get in at younger age? My son is 10, was in a Fall. He did not get in last year and this year. He just wants to get a dissent training and play games. House soccer is not challenging him. Where do we go? I would not want to travel far during week though. It will burn both of us fast. Any suggestions?

Start by telling us where you live so people can recommend closeby options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can a kid get to travel soccer if he did not get in at younger age? My son is 10, was in a Fall. He did not get in last year and this year. He just wants to get a dissent training and play games. House soccer is not challenging him. Where do we go? I would not want to travel far during week though. It will burn both of us fast. Any suggestions?

Where do you live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can a kid get to travel soccer if he did not get in at younger age? My son is 10, was in a Fall. He did not get in last year and this year. He just wants to get a dissent training and play games. House soccer is not challenging him. Where do we go? I would not want to travel far during week though. It will burn both of us fast. Any suggestions?

Where do you live?

McLean.

[Anonymous]

My U11 DD has an offer to play on a team that plays in EDP, and another for one in CCL. Which one would you choose? Or does the league not really matter and you would look at other aspects of the team? Totally new to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My U11 DD has an offer to play on a team that plays in EDP, and another for one in CCL. Which one would you choose? Or does the league not really matter and you would look at other aspects of the team? Totally new to this.

The league doesn't matter. Pick according to feedback on the coaches first. Consider the league only in regards to continence.