Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:18:08. You seem to be an expert on the topic, what would be your solution pertaining to NTCs? The kids have to be selected somehow?

The process lacks transparency. How many youth coaches even know "elite" when they see it and who to even tell? The ages when kids are ID'd by the clubs are at an age when our coaches have the low license levels and little experience. How many U12-14 games or practices do DOCs actually watch at these ages? A coach with a D license has the qualifications to spot a promising 12 year old and reach out to scouts? This is our National Teams best idea?

Considering the success of our Men's National Team this idea of "if you're good we'll find you" is simply not working. We need to be more inclusive with our player pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^invite only. Recs through big club coaches. This is why major talent is missed and we have the crap we do.

It's a closed system and highly politicized.

I never find these cynical replies helpful.

My son did several training centers a while back. Some of the kids were from big clubs, but several were not. The invitee group changed a lot from one center to the next. I had the sense that they were trying to cast a wide net. Some of the kids were really talented but not all. My son was very impressed by the coaching at most of the sessions.

They did seem to be a pipeline to the youth national team camps for a few of the kids, though many of those were ultimately only called into a single YNT camp. My advice for any kid who gets an invite is to take it very seriously and go all out. It's definitely a good thing to have on your resume for later recruiting.

How does any of this counter the claim that it is both closed and politicized?

I'm not interested in trying to counter the claim--I've found it a waste of time to try to have discussions with the sort of people who like to make such broad brush statements. My goal was to provide information that may be helpful to the poster who asked if anyone had experience with the training centers.

Well it isn't terribly helpful. It offered zero insight and basically stated everything anyone knew already. It is a closed system that some coaches seem to either be in the loop about or bother to use. It demonstrates exactly the small net that is actually cast.

Why in the world would you assume that "everyone" already knows what happens at National training centers? I imagine the poster who asked "Does anyone have any experience with the National Training Cemters in Virginia on the girls side?" is a parent whose daughter has been invited to a training center and wants to know more about what to expect. I certainly didn't know anything about them when my son was first invited, and would have appreciated a report from families whose kids have attended.

You are certainly welcome to rant about whatever overhaul you think the country's "crap" soccer system needs, but you should understand that many people here are interested in more immediate questions about how to best navigate their kids' current experience in the local soccer scene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^invite only. Recs through big club coaches. This is why major talent is missed and we have the crap we do.

It's a closed system and highly politicized.

I never find these cynical replies helpful.

My son did several training centers a while back. Some of the kids were from big clubs, but several were not. The invitee group changed a lot from one center to the next. I had the sense that they were trying to cast a wide net. Some of the kids were really talented but not all. My son was very impressed by the coaching at most of the sessions.

They did seem to be a pipeline to the youth national team camps for a few of the kids, though many of those were ultimately only called into a single YNT camp. My advice for any kid who gets an invite is to take it very seriously and go all out. It's definitely a good thing to have on your resume for later recruiting.

How does any of this counter the claim that it is both closed and politicized?

I'm not interested in trying to counter the claim--I've found it a waste of time to try to have discussions with the sort of people who like to make such broad brush statements. My goal was to provide information that may be helpful to the poster who asked if anyone had experience with the training centers.

Well it isn't terribly helpful. It offered zero insight and basically stated everything anyone knew already. It is a closed system that some coaches seem to either be in the loop about or bother to use. It demonstrates exactly the small net that is actually cast.

Why in the world would you assume that "everyone" already knows what happens at National training centers? I imagine the poster who asked "Does anyone have any experience with the National Training Cemters in Virginia on the girls side?" is a parent whose daughter has been invited to a training center and wants to know more about what to expect. I certainly didn't know anything about them when my son was first invited, and would have appreciated a report from families whose kids have attended.

You are certainly welcome to rant about whatever overhaul you think the country's "crap" soccer system needs, but you should understand that many people here are interested in more immediate questions about how to best navigate their kids' current experience in the local soccer scene.

This was the insight that poster provided:
"I never find these cynical replies helpful.

My son did several training centers a while back. Some of the kids were from big clubs, but several were not. The invitee group changed a lot from one center to the next. I had the sense that they were trying to cast a wide net. Some of the kids were really talented but not all. My son was very impressed by the coaching at most of the sessions.

They did seem to be a pipeline to the youth national team camps for a few of the kids, though many of those were ultimately only called into a single YNT camp. My advice for any kid who gets an invite is to take it very seriously and go all out. It's definitely a good thing to have on your resume for later recruiting."

After this post we still don't know anything. We don't know how many kids per age group attended, how many coaches were there, how the center was run, how one was invited...nada, nothing.

What we learned from the post:
1. There are National Training Centers
2. Players at different training centers are different players.
3. Some kids are good.
4. The National Training Centers appear to be a pipeline to the national team camp.

The only thing missing was the poster signing off as "Captain Obvious".

[Anonymous]

Why do you feel the need to bash this poster when you haven't provided any constructive commentary on the topic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^invite only. Recs through big club coaches. This is why major talent is missed and we have the crap we do.

It's a closed system and highly politicized.

I never find these cynical replies helpful.

My son did several training centers a while back. Some of the kids were from big clubs, but several were not. The invitee group changed a lot from one center to the next. I had the sense that they were trying to cast a wide net. Some of the kids were really talented but not all. My son was very impressed by the coaching at most of the sessions.

They did seem to be a pipeline to the youth national team camps for a few of the kids, though many of those were ultimately only called into a single YNT camp. My advice for any kid who gets an invite is to take it very seriously and go all out. It's definitely a good thing to have on your resume for later recruiting.

How does any of this counter the claim that it is both closed and politicized?

I'm not interested in trying to counter the claim--I've found it a waste of time to try to have discussions with the sort of people who like to make such broad brush statements. My goal was to provide information that may be helpful to the poster who asked if anyone had experience with the training centers.

Well it isn't terribly helpful. It offered zero insight and basically stated everything anyone knew already. It is a closed system that some coaches seem to either be in the loop about or bother to use. It demonstrates exactly the small net that is actually cast.

Why in the world would you assume that "everyone" already knows what happens at National training centers? I imagine the poster who asked "Does anyone have any experience with the National Training Cemters in Virginia on the girls side?" is a parent whose daughter has been invited to a training center and wants to know more about what to expect. I certainly didn't know anything about them when my son was first invited, and would have appreciated a report from families whose kids have attended.

You are certainly welcome to rant about whatever overhaul you think the country's "crap" soccer system needs, but you should understand that many people here are interested in more immediate questions about how to best navigate their kids' current experience in the local soccer scene.

This was the insight that poster provided:
"I never find these cynical replies helpful.

My son did several training centers a while back. Some of the kids were from big clubs, but several were not. The invitee group changed a lot from one center to the next. I had the sense that they were trying to cast a wide net. Some of the kids were really talented but not all. My son was very impressed by the coaching at most of the sessions.

They did seem to be a pipeline to the youth national team camps for a few of the kids, though many of those were ultimately only called into a single YNT camp. My advice for any kid who gets an invite is to take it very seriously and go all out. It's definitely a good thing to have on your resume for later recruiting."

After this post we still don't know anything. We don't know how many kids per age group attended, how many coaches were there, how the center was run, how one was invited...nada, nothing.

What we learned from the post:
1. There are National Training Centers
2. Players at different training centers are different players.
3. Some kids are good.
4. The National Training Centers appear to be a pipeline to the national team camp.

The only thing missing was the poster signing off as "Captain Obvious".

You are an ass-hole!

With Love,

Captain Obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^invite only. Recs through big club coaches. This is why major talent is missed and we have the crap we do.

It's a closed system and highly politicized.

I never find these cynical replies helpful.

My son did several training centers a while back. Some of the kids were from big clubs, but several were not. The invitee group changed a lot from one center to the next. I had the sense that they were trying to cast a wide net. Some of the kids were really talented but not all. My son was very impressed by the coaching at most of the sessions.

They did seem to be a pipeline to the youth national team camps for a few of the kids, though many of those were ultimately only called into a single YNT camp. My advice for any kid who gets an invite is to take it very seriously and go all out. It's definitely a good thing to have on your resume for later recruiting.

How does any of this counter the claim that it is both closed and politicized?

I'm not interested in trying to counter the claim--I've found it a waste of time to try to have discussions with the sort of people who like to make such broad brush statements. My goal was to provide information that may be helpful to the poster who asked if anyone had experience with the training centers.

Well it isn't terribly helpful. It offered zero insight and basically stated everything anyone knew already. It is a closed system that some coaches seem to either be in the loop about or bother to use. It demonstrates exactly the small net that is actually cast.

Why in the world would you assume that "everyone" already knows what happens at National training centers? I imagine the poster who asked "Does anyone have any experience with the National Training Cemters in Virginia on the girls side?" is a parent whose daughter has been invited to a training center and wants to know more about what to expect. I certainly didn't know anything about them when my son was first invited, and would have appreciated a report from families whose kids have attended.

You are certainly welcome to rant about whatever overhaul you think the country's "crap" soccer system needs, but you should understand that many people here are interested in more immediate questions about how to best navigate their kids' current experience in the local soccer scene.

This was the insight that poster provided:
"I never find these cynical replies helpful.

My son did several training centers a while back. Some of the kids were from big clubs, but several were not. The invitee group changed a lot from one center to the next. I had the sense that they were trying to cast a wide net. Some of the kids were really talented but not all. My son was very impressed by the coaching at most of the sessions.

They did seem to be a pipeline to the youth national team camps for a few of the kids, though many of those were ultimately only called into a single YNT camp. My advice for any kid who gets an invite is to take it very seriously and go all out. It's definitely a good thing to have on your resume for later recruiting."

After this post we still don't know anything. We don't know how many kids per age group attended, how many coaches were there, how the center was run, how one was invited...nada, nothing.

What we learned from the post:
1. There are National Training Centers
2. Players at different training centers are different players.
3. Some kids are good.
4. The National Training Centers appear to be a pipeline to the national team camp.

The only thing missing was the poster signing off as "Captain Obvious".

You are an ass-hole!

With Love,

Captain Obvious.

+1000. The asshole has serious mental issues.

[Anonymous]

^^I would just like to point out for the record that I am the poster Mr. Insightful accused of being Captain Obvious, and I did not write the prior comment (though I appreciate the support!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you feel the need to bash this poster when you haven't provided any constructive commentary on the topic?

Oh, I'm sorry I called out a post that claimed to offer insight when in fact it offered none. If the OP has anything to offer beyond the four obvious things I pointed out I'm sure we would all benefit.

[Anonymous]

http://www.ussoccerda.com/faq-training-centers
Training Center FAQs

How does the U.S. Soccer Training Center differ from ODP, id2 and other identification programs?
•U.S. Soccer Training Centers are run directly by U.S. Soccer and used to identify players for the Youth National Team program.
•There is no cost to the participants.

Are there age or gender limitations for attending U.S. Soccer Training Centers?
•Each U.S. Soccer Training Center will specify the gender and age group, but the program caters to both genders and a span of ages from 12 to 16 years old.

Is the U.S. Soccer Training Center a tryout?
•No. While good performances can lead to selection for the Youth Nation Team player pool, the session is not a formal tryout.
•Participation is also a way for U.S. Soccer staff to track development of top players in different areas across the country.

How can I sign my son or daughter up for a U.S. Soccer Training Center?
•Players are identified by our scouting network and invited based on their performance with their respective club teams.
•Players must first prove they can be successful in a competitive club environment before being invited.

If I attended a U.S. Soccer Training Center but was not invited to the next session, am I no longer in consideration for the Youth National Team program?
•If you were not invited to a subsequent U.S. Soccer Training Center, this does not mean you are no longer in consideration for the Youth National Team program.
•Each Training Center has a different focus so players are encouraged to keep working hard in order to be considered for a future session.

Will feedback be provided following the U.S. Soccer Training Center?
•No. Direct feedback will not be provided to participants.
•If a player’s coach attends (and coaches are encouraged to attend) they will be the best resource for feedback on how a player performed in comparison to their peers.

What is the next step?
•Performance on the field is the best way to get the attention of our scouting network so continue to train in a competitive environment.

If a Training Center is postponed how will players be notified?
•Players and coaches will be contacted by email as soon as a Training Center session is postponed.
•The rescheduling of dates and times will be distributed by email, as well.

Are parents allowed to attend?
•No. Parents are not allowed to attend and view the U.S. Soccer Training Center.

Are coaches allowed to attend?
•Yes. Youth and college coaches are welcome to attend and observe U.S. Soccer Youth National Team coaches in order to further their own development.

How often are U.S. Soccer Training Centers held?
•Depending on your area, U.S. Soccer Training Centers are typically held every one to three months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.ussoccerda.com/faq-training-centers
Training Center FAQs

How does the U.S. Soccer Training Center differ from ODP, id2 and other identification programs?
•U.S. Soccer Training Centers are run directly by U.S. Soccer and used to identify players for the Youth National Team program.
•There is no cost to the participants.

Are there age or gender limitations for attending U.S. Soccer Training Centers?
•Each U.S. Soccer Training Center will specify the gender and age group, but the program caters to both genders and a span of ages from 12 to 16 years old.

Is the U.S. Soccer Training Center a tryout?
•No. While good performances can lead to selection for the Youth Nation Team player pool, the session is not a formal tryout.
•Participation is also a way for U.S. Soccer staff to track development of top players in different areas across the country.

How can I sign my son or daughter up for a U.S. Soccer Training Center?
•Players are identified by our scouting network and invited based on their performance with their respective club teams.
•Players must first prove they can be successful in a competitive club environment before being invited.

If I attended a U.S. Soccer Training Center but was not invited to the next session, am I no longer in consideration for the Youth National Team program?
•If you were not invited to a subsequent U.S. Soccer Training Center, this does not mean you are no longer in consideration for the Youth National Team program.
•Each Training Center has a different focus so players are encouraged to keep working hard in order to be considered for a future session.

Will feedback be provided following the U.S. Soccer Training Center?
•No. Direct feedback will not be provided to participants.
•If a player’s coach attends (and coaches are encouraged to attend) they will be the best resource for feedback on how a player performed in comparison to their peers.

What is the next step?
•Performance on the field is the best way to get the attention of our scouting network so continue to train in a competitive environment.

If a Training Center is postponed how will players be notified?
•Players and coaches will be contacted by email as soon as a Training Center session is postponed.
•The rescheduling of dates and times will be distributed by email, as well.

Are parents allowed to attend?
•No. Parents are not allowed to attend and view the U.S. Soccer Training Center.

Are coaches allowed to attend?
•Yes. Youth and college coaches are welcome to attend and observe U.S. Soccer Youth National Team coaches in order to further their own development.

How often are U.S. Soccer Training Centers held?
•Depending on your area, U.S. Soccer Training Centers are typically held every one to three months.

"Players are identified by our scouting network and invited based on their performance with their respective club teams."

^^this is what is a major problem. Certain coaches have an in with the training center or ODP, etc. Some of the best talent is never seen or recommended because their coaches aren't "in the system" or with one of the feeder clubs.

This by no uncertain terms means the coaches 'in the system' are good coaches or the players in those clubs are the best we have in the Country. A lot of times quite the contrary. T

That's why the teams are crap.

Some of the very best talent did not go this route. Some of the shit we have on the teams is all connection based...cough cough Bradley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.ussoccerda.com/faq-training-centers
Training Center FAQs

How does the U.S. Soccer Training Center differ from ODP, id2 and other identification programs?
•U.S. Soccer Training Centers are run directly by U.S. Soccer and used to identify players for the Youth National Team program.
•There is no cost to the participants.

Are there age or gender limitations for attending U.S. Soccer Training Centers?
•Each U.S. Soccer Training Center will specify the gender and age group, but the program caters to both genders and a span of ages from 12 to 16 years old.

Is the U.S. Soccer Training Center a tryout?
•No. While good performances can lead to selection for the Youth Nation Team player pool, the session is not a formal tryout.
•Participation is also a way for U.S. Soccer staff to track development of top players in different areas across the country.

How can I sign my son or daughter up for a U.S. Soccer Training Center?
•Players are identified by our scouting network and invited based on their performance with their respective club teams.
•Players must first prove they can be successful in a competitive club environment before being invited.

If I attended a U.S. Soccer Training Center but was not invited to the next session, am I no longer in consideration for the Youth National Team program?
•If you were not invited to a subsequent U.S. Soccer Training Center, this does not mean you are no longer in consideration for the Youth National Team program.
•Each Training Center has a different focus so players are encouraged to keep working hard in order to be considered for a future session.

Will feedback be provided following the U.S. Soccer Training Center?
•No. Direct feedback will not be provided to participants.
•If a player’s coach attends (and coaches are encouraged to attend) they will be the best resource for feedback on how a player performed in comparison to their peers.

What is the next step?
•Performance on the field is the best way to get the attention of our scouting network so continue to train in a competitive environment.

If a Training Center is postponed how will players be notified?
•Players and coaches will be contacted by email as soon as a Training Center session is postponed.
•The rescheduling of dates and times will be distributed by email, as well.

Are parents allowed to attend?
•No. Parents are not allowed to attend and view the U.S. Soccer Training Center.

Are coaches allowed to attend?
•Yes. Youth and college coaches are welcome to attend and observe U.S. Soccer Youth National Team coaches in order to further their own development.

How often are U.S. Soccer Training Centers held?
•Depending on your area, U.S. Soccer Training Centers are typically held every one to three months.

"Players are identified by our scouting network and invited based on their performance with their respective club teams."

^^this is what is a major problem. Certain coaches have an in with the training center or ODP, etc. Some of the best talent is never seen or recommended because their coaches aren't "in the system" or with one of the feeder clubs.

This by no uncertain terms means the coaches 'in the system' are good coaches or the players in those clubs are the best we have in the Country. A lot of times quite the contrary. T

That's why the teams are crap.

Some of the very best talent did not go this route. Some of the shit we have on the teams is all connection based...cough cough Bradley.

Yeah, really. Just because he was tearing up the Dutch league at age 20, people figured he had potential of some kind. How silly.

[Anonymous]

The information posted above says that youth coaches are welcome to attend the training centers and observe in order to further their own development. If you are a coach who doesn't have any inside connections but does have great players on your team, it seems like it would make sense to attend some of the centers and get a sense of the level of play (as well as learn anything you can from the coaching at the session). If you think you have players at or above the level you see, it would make sense to get in touch with the people who are running the session or the regional scout for the YNTs to let them know you have prospects you think they should consider.

I doubt that most coaches who have connections get to be insiders merely because they are buddies with the US soccer people. Instead, I imagine it's because they have a history of recommending talented kids who do well at the national team camps so the scouts come to trust their judgment. Everyone at the higher levels wants to get the best kids and no one in the process wants to be known as someone who can't judge talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The information posted above says that youth coaches are welcome to attend the training centers and observe in order to further their own development. If you are a coach who doesn't have any inside connections but does have great players on your team, it seems like it would make sense to attend some of the centers and get a sense of the level of play (as well as learn anything you can from the coaching at the session). If you think you have players at or above the level you see, it would make sense to get in touch with the people who are running the session or the regional scout for the YNTs to let them know you have prospects you think they should consider.

I doubt that most coaches who have connections get to be insiders merely because they are buddies with the US soccer people. Instead, I imagine it's because they have a history of recommending talented kids who do well at the national team camps so the scouts come to trust their judgment. Everyone at the higher levels wants to get the best kids and no one in the process wants to be known as someone who can't judge talent.

When you rely solely on coach recommendation and do zero scouting you get results like this. In Europe, scouts actually go to all of the little neighborhood clubs and that is how many of the greatest were discovered. WE do it back-assward in this country. This is why people criticize our 'pay-to-play system'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The information posted above says that youth coaches are welcome to attend the training centers and observe in order to further their own development. If you are a coach who doesn't have any inside connections but does have great players on your team, it seems like it would make sense to attend some of the centers and get a sense of the level of play (as well as learn anything you can from the coaching at the session). If you think you have players at or above the level you see, it would make sense to get in touch with the people who are running the session or the regional scout for the YNTs to let them know you have prospects you think they should consider.

I doubt that most coaches who have connections get to be insiders merely because they are buddies with the US soccer people. Instead, I imagine it's because they have a history of recommending talented kids who do well at the national team camps so the scouts come to trust their judgment. Everyone at the higher levels wants to get the best kids and no one in the process wants to be known as someone who can't judge talent.

When you rely solely on coach recommendation and do zero scouting you get results like this. In Europe, scouts actually go to all of the little neighborhood clubs and that is how many of the greatest were discovered. WE do it back-assward in this country. This is why people criticize our 'pay-to-play system'.

Scouting just the 'elite' one or two tournaments in an area is hardly turning up diamonds in the rough. A lot of talent is not on anyone's radar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The information posted above says that youth coaches are welcome to attend the training centers and observe in order to further their own development. If you are a coach who doesn't have any inside connections but does have great players on your team, it seems like it would make sense to attend some of the centers and get a sense of the level of play (as well as learn anything you can from the coaching at the session). If you think you have players at or above the level you see, it would make sense to get in touch with the people who are running the session or the regional scout for the YNTs to let them know you have prospects you think they should consider.

I doubt that most coaches who have connections get to be insiders merely because they are buddies with the US soccer people. Instead, I imagine it's because they have a history of recommending talented kids who do well at the national team camps so the scouts come to trust their judgment. Everyone at the higher levels wants to get the best kids and no one in the process wants to be known as someone who can't judge talent.

HA!! They aren't going to listen to Coach Joe from some small-ass club and give his players a look. It is a back-scratching system. $ monopoly.