Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U9/U10 it is important that the kids develop good foot skills (basic ball control, agility, quickness, fakes, and 1v1 moves) so they can execute automatically.
I'm not a big fan of telling HOW your players to play the game at the younger ages, expose them to the right habits and let them create their own individual / team style

1v1 is the foundation of the game and is an important element to develop, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. At that age, coaches should spend some time on:

3v1, 3v2, 3v3, 2v3, 2v2, 2v1, 1v3, 1v2, 1v1

You can't expect the kids to get it right every time (and its hard for them to understand things like exact spacing and timing of combination play at the younger ages), but its important that they understand the concepts of numbers up, numbers down, and numbers even situations.

Yes, that includes 1v3 and 1v2... I know a player has a mastery of foot skills when they can be successful once in a while taking on 2 or even 3 players at once on the dribble. You know those players when you see them.



Also, risk vs. reward is important.

In the attacking third, go for it... see if you can score or create an easy goal for someone else
Midfield third, go for it if there's enough space around you, but then look to pass after you've beaten the player and you start to get swarmed by defenders.
Defensive third, better to use a speed dribble or look to pass than try to go 1v1 in the traditional sense.

I agree with the above poster.

This is why players need to be rotated through the positions in the early years (even if you might lose a game!). Different skills are required for all positions and you want to develop into a player that can be inserted anywhere in a line-up. Granted, you will eventually as you age have a dominant position--let's not pigeonhole young.

My older son was striker the entire U9 and U10 seasons and my younger son has been primarily center back this season at U9. My younger son used to have incredible ball skill and was a prolific goal scorer---now the very few times he gets put up front he has such a defensive mind sent. He hangs way back and has lost a lot of his former drive to goal. Also, in the defensive position primarily he doesn't get the ability to use his ball skill. His passing and reading the field has grown--but nobody wants anyone taking on players in the back 1/3. Unfortunately, when he's in back the opposing team never scores---they pull him out and other team rack up a few goals so he goes right in the back again. They say they can't trust anyone else back there. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

My older son, thankfully, moved to a team this year (had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!) where the coach really has him playing the entire field. It has improved his game tremendously. While every kid loves striker, to be stuck there primarily from age 8-10 hinders the overall development. Not to mention pissed a lot of other parents off.

Unfortunately, it's hard for big clubs to be a one-stop shop. No club can provide a player with every thing they need to develop properly. Most importantly is how much a player does on his own time.

I agree with everything you said except the my son "had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!" bit. Your son did not jump up two years. There is no kid on your sons team that is more than one year older than your son is, the same as last year. I'm sorry that your son is now likely among the youngest on the team but every team has a youngest player.

He goes to 13 v 13 one year earlier than he would have. That is a big deal. I don't give crap about him being younger in his age group because he's always been big for his age and always in the top group of players. I do care about missing out an entire year of more touches/smaller field/#s in field.

Next season at only age 11-he will be playing 13v13 and heading came back this season (u12) and he is still 10 (11 next week/dec 2005). That is a bfd.

Again, I am sorry for your loss that your kid is now the youngest. Before the age change did any of the July born parents ever bitch to you about the crappy hand they were dealt, or did you just think that your kid was simply a "better" player and a year of experience had nothing to do with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U9/U10 it is important that the kids develop good foot skills (basic ball control, agility, quickness, fakes, and 1v1 moves) so they can execute automatically.
I'm not a big fan of telling HOW your players to play the game at the younger ages, expose them to the right habits and let them create their own individual / team style

1v1 is the foundation of the game and is an important element to develop, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. At that age, coaches should spend some time on:

3v1, 3v2, 3v3, 2v3, 2v2, 2v1, 1v3, 1v2, 1v1

You can't expect the kids to get it right every time (and its hard for them to understand things like exact spacing and timing of combination play at the younger ages), but its important that they understand the concepts of numbers up, numbers down, and numbers even situations.

Yes, that includes 1v3 and 1v2... I know a player has a mastery of foot skills when they can be successful once in a while taking on 2 or even 3 players at once on the dribble. You know those players when you see them.



Also, risk vs. reward is important.

In the attacking third, go for it... see if you can score or create an easy goal for someone else
Midfield third, go for it if there's enough space around you, but then look to pass after you've beaten the player and you start to get swarmed by defenders.
Defensive third, better to use a speed dribble or look to pass than try to go 1v1 in the traditional sense.

I agree with the above poster.

This is why players need to be rotated through the positions in the early years (even if you might lose a game!). Different skills are required for all positions and you want to develop into a player that can be inserted anywhere in a line-up. Granted, you will eventually as you age have a dominant position--let's not pigeonhole young.

My older son was striker the entire U9 and U10 seasons and my younger son has been primarily center back this season at U9. My younger son used to have incredible ball skill and was a prolific goal scorer---now the very few times he gets put up front he has such a defensive mind sent. He hangs way back and has lost a lot of his former drive to goal. Also, in the defensive position primarily he doesn't get the ability to use his ball skill. His passing and reading the field has grown--but nobody wants anyone taking on players in the back 1/3. Unfortunately, when he's in back the opposing team never scores---they pull him out and other team rack up a few goals so he goes right in the back again. They say they can't trust anyone else back there. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

My older son, thankfully, moved to a team this year (had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!) where the coach really has him playing the entire field. It has improved his game tremendously. While every kid loves striker, to be stuck there primarily from age 8-10 hinders the overall development. Not to mention pissed a lot of other parents off.

Unfortunately, it's hard for big clubs to be a one-stop shop. No club can provide a player with every thing they need to develop properly. Most importantly is how much a player does on his own time.

I agree with everything you said except the my son "had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!" bit. Your son did not jump up two years. There is no kid on your sons team that is more than one year older than your son is, the same as last year. I'm sorry that your son is now likely among the youngest on the team but every team has a youngest player.

He goes to 13 v 13 one year earlier than he would have. That is a big deal. I don't give crap about him being younger in his age group because he's always been big for his age and always in the top group of players. I do care about missing out an entire year of more touches/smaller field/#s in field.

Where is soccer anywhere played 13v13?

He will not be alone in this transition and his playing 9v9 will be enough to prepare. In fact as the season progresses you will be begging to get off the little field as there is no more space for the kids. Regardless, all kids on his team and other teams in the same age group will be making the same transition to 11v11 and the big field the same way, nobody has any advantage over him. You are over thinking it. Nobody on my kids team died this year moving to the big field "early".

11v11. Missing coffee. I played D1 soccer so well aware of numbers on the field.

Again --missing the point. This is not about gaining advantage you fucking competitive freaks. It's about developmentally missing out on one more year on smaller field with less kids/more touches. I don't give a crap about any other kids and if they are suffering same fate. I don't care where he falls among those that they are in same boat.

My U9 has a late fall birthday but will get that extra year on smaller field because he started before the change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U9/U10 it is important that the kids develop good foot skills (basic ball control, agility, quickness, fakes, and 1v1 moves) so they can execute automatically.
I'm not a big fan of telling HOW your players to play the game at the younger ages, expose them to the right habits and let them create their own individual / team style

1v1 is the foundation of the game and is an important element to develop, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. At that age, coaches should spend some time on:

3v1, 3v2, 3v3, 2v3, 2v2, 2v1, 1v3, 1v2, 1v1

You can't expect the kids to get it right every time (and its hard for them to understand things like exact spacing and timing of combination play at the younger ages), but its important that they understand the concepts of numbers up, numbers down, and numbers even situations.

Yes, that includes 1v3 and 1v2... I know a player has a mastery of foot skills when they can be successful once in a while taking on 2 or even 3 players at once on the dribble. You know those players when you see them.



Also, risk vs. reward is important.

In the attacking third, go for it... see if you can score or create an easy goal for someone else
Midfield third, go for it if there's enough space around you, but then look to pass after you've beaten the player and you start to get swarmed by defenders.
Defensive third, better to use a speed dribble or look to pass than try to go 1v1 in the traditional sense.

I agree with the above poster.

This is why players need to be rotated through the positions in the early years (even if you might lose a game!). Different skills are required for all positions and you want to develop into a player that can be inserted anywhere in a line-up. Granted, you will eventually as you age have a dominant position--let's not pigeonhole young.

My older son was striker the entire U9 and U10 seasons and my younger son has been primarily center back this season at U9. My younger son used to have incredible ball skill and was a prolific goal scorer---now the very few times he gets put up front he has such a defensive mind sent. He hangs way back and has lost a lot of his former drive to goal. Also, in the defensive position primarily he doesn't get the ability to use his ball skill. His passing and reading the field has grown--but nobody wants anyone taking on players in the back 1/3. Unfortunately, when he's in back the opposing team never scores---they pull him out and other team rack up a few goals so he goes right in the back again. They say they can't trust anyone else back there. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

My older son, thankfully, moved to a team this year (had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!) where the coach really has him playing the entire field. It has improved his game tremendously. While every kid loves striker, to be stuck there primarily from age 8-10 hinders the overall development. Not to mention pissed a lot of other parents off.

Unfortunately, it's hard for big clubs to be a one-stop shop. No club can provide a player with every thing they need to develop properly. Most importantly is how much a player does on his own time.

I agree with everything you said except the my son "had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!" bit. Your son did not jump up two years. There is no kid on your sons team that is more than one year older than your son is, the same as last year. I'm sorry that your son is now likely among the youngest on the team but every team has a youngest player.

He goes to 13 v 13 one year earlier than he would have. That is a big deal. I don't give crap about him being younger in his age group because he's always been big for his age and always in the top group of players. I do care about missing out an entire year of more touches/smaller field/#s in field.

Next season at only age 11-he will be playing 13v13 and heading came back this season (u12) and he is still 10 (11 next week/dec 2005). That is a bfd.

Again, I am sorry for your loss that your kid is now the youngest. Before the age change did any of the July born parents ever bitch to you about the crappy hand they were dealt, or did you just think that your kid was simply a "better" player and a year of experience had nothing to do with it?

He is still is the better player, twat. In fact, the age group up has weaker players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U9/U10 it is important that the kids develop good foot skills (basic ball control, agility, quickness, fakes, and 1v1 moves) so they can execute automatically.
I'm not a big fan of telling HOW your players to play the game at the younger ages, expose them to the right habits and let them create their own individual / team style

1v1 is the foundation of the game and is an important element to develop, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. At that age, coaches should spend some time on:

3v1, 3v2, 3v3, 2v3, 2v2, 2v1, 1v3, 1v2, 1v1

You can't expect the kids to get it right every time (and its hard for them to understand things like exact spacing and timing of combination play at the younger ages), but its important that they understand the concepts of numbers up, numbers down, and numbers even situations.

Yes, that includes 1v3 and 1v2... I know a player has a mastery of foot skills when they can be successful once in a while taking on 2 or even 3 players at once on the dribble. You know those players when you see them.



Also, risk vs. reward is important.

In the attacking third, go for it... see if you can score or create an easy goal for someone else
Midfield third, go for it if there's enough space around you, but then look to pass after you've beaten the player and you start to get swarmed by defenders.
Defensive third, better to use a speed dribble or look to pass than try to go 1v1 in the traditional sense.

I agree with the above poster.

This is why players need to be rotated through the positions in the early years (even if you might lose a game!). Different skills are required for all positions and you want to develop into a player that can be inserted anywhere in a line-up. Granted, you will eventually as you age have a dominant position--let's not pigeonhole young.

My older son was striker the entire U9 and U10 seasons and my younger son has been primarily center back this season at U9. My younger son used to have incredible ball skill and was a prolific goal scorer---now the very few times he gets put up front he has such a defensive mind sent. He hangs way back and has lost a lot of his former drive to goal. Also, in the defensive position primarily he doesn't get the ability to use his ball skill. His passing and reading the field has grown--but nobody wants anyone taking on players in the back 1/3. Unfortunately, when he's in back the opposing team never scores---they pull him out and other team rack up a few goals so he goes right in the back again. They say they can't trust anyone else back there. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

My older son, thankfully, moved to a team this year (had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!) where the coach really has him playing the entire field. It has improved his game tremendously. While every kid loves striker, to be stuck there primarily from age 8-10 hinders the overall development. Not to mention pissed a lot of other parents off.

Unfortunately, it's hard for big clubs to be a one-stop shop. No club can provide a player with every thing they need to develop properly. Most importantly is how much a player does on his own time.

I agree with everything you said except the my son "had to jump from U10 to U12--damn birth year!" bit. Your son did not jump up two years. There is no kid on your sons team that is more than one year older than your son is, the same as last year. I'm sorry that your son is now likely among the youngest on the team but every team has a youngest player.

He goes to 13 v 13 one year earlier than he would have. That is a big deal. I don't give crap about him being younger in his age group because he's always been big for his age and always in the top group of players. I do care about missing out an entire year of more touches/smaller field/#s in field.

Next season at only age 11-he will be playing 13v13 and heading came back this season (u12) and he is still 10 (11 next week/dec 2005). That is a bfd.

Again, I am sorry for your loss that your kid is now the youngest. Before the age change did any of the July born parents ever bitch to you about the crappy hand they were dealt, or did you just think that your kid was simply a "better" player and a year of experience had nothing to do with it?

He is still is the better player, twat. In fact, the age group up has weaker players.

SMH, You should know that he is not going to be destroyed developmentally by this. Your kid is being challenged in other ways. Practicing with and against a stronger team is very beneficial. But, if you feel that one more year of 9v9 is the make or break year for your kid, again, I am sorry for your crushing loss of your child's soccer career at the tender age of 11.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Another email receiver here. Also not sure how they got our email address. Wondering why Bethesda South is 2006 boys are looking for so many players mid year. Had heard that there tons of kids at spring tryouts.

They also have lost players mid-season. One of their best players, in fact, has already left. A few others as well left after bad experiences (from what I heard; not first-hand).

Interesting. We got an email but we have had some dealings with the 2006 coaching staff in the past. We didn't respond to the email - I sort of wish we had. I don't know the coaches well, but what I know, I like. And I have seen some of the 2006 BSC games and they are a very talented group.

Do we know where the people leaving are going?

Alexandria, Arlington...maybe others

Really? I haven't heard of any new 2006 players in Arlington this mid-season.

Top 2006 team added the top Bethesda South player.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Another email receiver here. Also not sure how they got our email address. Wondering why Bethesda South is 2006 boys are looking for so many players mid year. Had heard that there tons of kids at spring tryouts.

They also have lost players mid-season. One of their best players, in fact, has already left. A few others as well left after bad experiences (from what I heard; not first-hand).

Interesting. We got an email but we have had some dealings with the 2006 coaching staff in the past. We didn't respond to the email - I sort of wish we had. I don't know the coaches well, but what I know, I like. And I have seen some of the 2006 BSC games and they are a very talented group.

Do we know where the people leaving are going?

Alexandria, Arlington...maybe others

Really? I haven't heard of any new 2006 players in Arlington this mid-season.

Top 2006 team added the top Bethesda South player.

U11, correct? They sure love to recruit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Another email receiver here. Also not sure how they got our email address. Wondering why Bethesda South is 2006 boys are looking for so many players mid year. Had heard that there tons of kids at spring tryouts.

They also have lost players mid-season. One of their best players, in fact, has already left. A few others as well left after bad experiences (from what I heard; not first-hand).

Interesting. We got an email but we have had some dealings with the 2006 coaching staff in the past. We didn't respond to the email - I sort of wish we had. I don't know the coaches well, but what I know, I like. And I have seen some of the 2006 BSC games and they are a very talented group.

Do we know where the people leaving are going?

Alexandria, Arlington...maybe others

Really? I haven't heard of any new 2006 players in Arlington this mid-season.

Top 2006 team added the top Bethesda South player.

U11, correct? They sure love to recruit.

Happy parents/players don't leave clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Another email receiver here. Also not sure how they got our email address. Wondering why Bethesda South is 2006 boys are looking for so many players mid year. Had heard that there tons of kids at spring tryouts.

They also have lost players mid-season. One of their best players, in fact, has already left. A few others as well left after bad experiences (from what I heard; not first-hand).

Interesting. We got an email but we have had some dealings with the 2006 coaching staff in the past. We didn't respond to the email - I sort of wish we had. I don't know the coaches well, but what I know, I like. And I have seen some of the 2006 BSC games and they are a very talented group.

Do we know where the people leaving are going?

Alexandria, Arlington...maybe others

Really? I haven't heard of any new 2006 players in Arlington this mid-season.

Top 2006 team added the top Bethesda South player.

U11, correct? They sure love to recruit.

Happy parents/players don't leave clubs.

With a player pool the size of Iceland (much bigger than virtually any local club), it's odd that they have to rely on recruiting so much.

[Anonymous]

I'd be interested to hear what the Arlington families think of bringing in another player mid-year. Obviously, this kid is a strong player, but his presence will result in less touches and less playing time for some of the current players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be interested to hear what the Arlington families think of bringing in another player mid-year. Obviously, this kid is a strong player, but his presence will result in less touches and less playing time for some of the current players.

Also could possibly mean that the bottom kid on the top team could be moving to the 2nd team and have the opportunity to get some more playing time. There could be various scenarios at play. Could also provide a better rotation within current team? Thoughts, Arlington families?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be interested to hear what the Arlington families think of bringing in another player mid-year. Obviously, this kid is a strong player, but his presence will result in less touches and less playing time for some of the current players.

Also could possibly mean that the bottom kid on the top team could be moving to the 2nd team and have the opportunity to get some more playing time. There could be various scenarios at play. Could also provide a better rotation within current team? Thoughts, Arlington families?

It's not a practice anyone likes. Lots of chatter around the practice fields/sidelines. Ugly all the way around. It happens at the earliest ages as well---seen it even mid-year U9. New always takes precedence over players already in the pool. Equivalent players: new one is the one placed higher. They don't want to deal with anarchy among current parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be interested to hear what the Arlington families think of bringing in another player mid-year. Obviously, this kid is a strong player, but his presence will result in less touches and less playing time for some of the current players.

Also could possibly mean that the bottom kid on the top team could be moving to the 2nd team and have the opportunity to get some more playing time. There could be various scenarios at play. Could also provide a better rotation within current team? Thoughts, Arlington families?

It's not a practice anyone likes. Lots of chatter around the practice fields/sidelines. Ugly all the way around. It happens at the earliest ages as well---seen it even mid-year U9. New always takes precedence over players already in the pool. Equivalent players: new one is the one placed higher. They don't want to deal with anarchy among current parents.

Interestingly, this 'recruiting' often comes from Arlington parents. I've been approached by three Arlington parents who talk up the club and encourage my son to try out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be interested to hear what the Arlington families think of bringing in another player mid-year. Obviously, this kid is a strong player, but his presence will result in less touches and less playing time for some of the current players.

Oh dear God, a kid is joining mid season, what does it mean!?!?!?

Seriously?

[Anonymous]

Do the Annual Fees you pay include Futsal/Indoor league fees or is that separate? What if only doing Winter training with the team, is that extra?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the Annual Fees you pay include Futsal/Indoor league fees or is that separate? What if only doing Winter training with the team, is that extra?

Most futsal leagues you pay additional fees.

Winter team weeknight training (if clubs have it) is included.

Any supplemental weekend clinics (not team), etc. you pay additional.

Pretty standard.