Field hockey clubs feedback

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This weekend was the regional club championships and teams from MD and DE compete. Based on the level of play, the top clubs in the local DMV commuting area are Freedom and Warhawks. Watching these teams play in all three levels, there is no comparison on the stellar coaching and athletic ability of the teams. These clubs seem to focus on the fundamentals, conditioning and field IQ. The ball is glued to their stick, they understand passing lanes, and their speed on and off the ball is very strong. Also, the coaches clearly coached constructively on the sidelines. Other teams in the commuting area don’t compare to these 2 clubs. The one thing I noticed was Washington Wolves carried a large roster with atleast 7 plus players warming the bench in each age bracket. I heard numerous parents frustrated about this. The other clubs seemed reasonable with 2-3 active subs and no bench players. If Freedom or Warhawks is too far, one clear up and coming team looks like Next Level’s younger u14 age group as their roster size was not large giving all players the ability to participate and develop and the coaching was clear during the game on how to adjust.

This was the RCCs for region 7 (I think that's the right one).

Region 8 also played in VA Beach. Husel placed pretty well this year in both U14 and U16, considering they play against some powerhouse VA Beach and Richmond Teams and are a pretty small club. Metro did really well, too. Hammers finished at the back of the pack, at least for U16. Mustangs and Nova Extreme didn't place well, either. (Those clubs have some strong suits, though, imo, beyond "wins v. losses.")

The top team (FOCUS) is a HUGE club with multiple club locations and they get to pick/choose the best players for their RCC Team. They won it all. The Nova teams just don't have that same ability, unfortunately.

As for recruitment, I won't say who we play for but they have not helped with recruiting at all. Though I get the sense (hear the gossip) that some of the players get help/promoted. It's extremely frustrating. We've considered other options but we are too far along at this point and think it would not be a positive reflection if we did.

It’s never too late to change clubs. I know of plenty of girls who changed clubs in their Junior or Senior year and went on the play in college, at least 1 played at a D1 college.

If you hear the gossip, it’s true. One of the clubs you mentioned lost a ton of girls recently and I don’t think any of those who left regret it. They went to a couple of different clubs and wish they made the jump sooner.

When you are inside the club it’s really hard to see all the issues (or maybe believe them). Once you are outside, it’s much more clear.

Oh trust me, I absolutely believe it. But . . . it's complicated.

I would encourage you to leave. There was just a question asked on the Field Hockey Discussion forum on Facebook about switching clubs after a player commits (specifically because of mental health) and all the respondents said to switch. A couple were from college coaches and they agreed with switching.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have contact information for Next Level Field Hockey--email or phone number? I can't seem to find anyway to actually contact the club/organization with questions. On their IG account it says to DM them, but they have the DMs closed to people that the account doesn't follow. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have contact information for Next Level Field Hockey--email or phone number? I can't seem to find anyway to actually contact the club/organization with questions. On their IG account it says to DM them, but they have the DMs closed to people that the account doesn't follow. Thanks!

Try emailing Welma - [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have contact information for Next Level Field Hockey--email or phone number? I can't seem to find anyway to actually contact the club/organization with questions. On their IG account it says to DM them, but they have the DMs closed to people that the account doesn't follow. Thanks!

Try emailing Welma - [e-mail]

Next Level phone number - 240-401-3163

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have contact information for Next Level Field Hockey--email or phone number? I can't seem to find anyway to actually contact the club/organization with questions. On their IG account it says to DM them, but they have the DMs closed to people that the account doesn't follow. Thanks!

Try emailing Welma - [e-mail]

Next Level phone number - 240-401-3163

Thank you both!

[Anonymous]

How was June 15th recruiting for the local clubs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This weekend was the regional club championships and teams from MD and DE compete. Based on the level of play, the top clubs in the local DMV commuting area are Freedom and Warhawks. Watching these teams play in all three levels, there is no comparison on the stellar coaching and athletic ability of the teams. These clubs seem to focus on the fundamentals, conditioning and field IQ. The ball is glued to their stick, they understand passing lanes, and their speed on and off the ball is very strong. Also, the coaches clearly coached constructively on the sidelines. Other teams in the commuting area don’t compare to these 2 clubs. The one thing I noticed was Washington Wolves carried a large roster with atleast 7 plus players warming the bench in each age bracket. I heard numerous parents frustrated about this. The other clubs seemed reasonable with 2-3 active subs and no bench players. If Freedom or Warhawks is too far, one clear up and coming team looks like Next Level’s younger u14 age group as their roster size was not large giving all players the ability to participate and develop and the coaching was clear during the game on how to adjust.

This is a good summary of the teams in this area. Freedom U16 came in 2nd in the country at the recent National Club Championship. They are clearly doing something right.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a sense of whether it's possible to do a field hockey and lacrosse club double? What are the scheduling expectations? Do the seasons overlap?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a sense of whether it's possible to do a field hockey and lacrosse club double? What are the scheduling expectations? Do the seasons overlap?

How old? possible at middle school but harder in HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a sense of whether it's possible to do a field hockey and lacrosse club double? What are the scheduling expectations? Do the seasons overlap?

How old? possible at middle school but harder in HS

An athlete who plays in NOVA (I think for Hammers) does Lax and FH and announced she is going to D3 for both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a sense of whether it's possible to do a field hockey and lacrosse club double? What are the scheduling expectations? Do the seasons overlap?

Depends on the club. Some clubs encourage other sports and some don’t. If you look at player profiles you will usually see if players participate in activities outside of the club sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a sense of whether it's possible to do a field hockey and lacrosse club double? What are the scheduling expectations? Do the seasons overlap?

Depends on the club. Some clubs encourage other sports and some don’t. If you look at player profiles you will usually see if players participate in activities outside of the club sport.

Lots of athletes in our FH club play other sports. But the expectation is the Club will be the priority. There were track and Lax athletes this past spring who had school practices from 3-5 or 6, or had games/meets, then went to a late (like, 8, 9 p.m.) club practice. If you didn't go to practices, in theory at least, you didn't play in the best tournaments. So, ofc, those kids did both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This weekend was the regional club championships and teams from MD and DE compete. Based on the level of play, the top clubs in the local DMV commuting area are Freedom and Warhawks. Watching these teams play in all three levels, there is no comparison on the stellar coaching and athletic ability of the teams. These clubs seem to focus on the fundamentals, conditioning and field IQ. The ball is glued to their stick, they understand passing lanes, and their speed on and off the ball is very strong. Also, the coaches clearly coached constructively on the sidelines. Other teams in the commuting area don’t compare to these 2 clubs. The one thing I noticed was Washington Wolves carried a large roster with atleast 7 plus players warming the bench in each age bracket. I heard numerous parents frustrated about this. The other clubs seemed reasonable with 2-3 active subs and no bench players. If Freedom or Warhawks is too far, one clear up and coming team looks like Next Level’s younger u14 age group as their roster size was not large giving all players the ability to participate and develop and the coaching was clear during the game on how to adjust.

This was the RCCs for region 7 (I think that's the right one).

Region 8 also played in VA Beach. Husel placed pretty well this year in both U14 and U16, considering they play against some powerhouse VA Beach and Richmond Teams and are a pretty small club. Metro did really well, too. Hammers finished at the back of the pack, at least for U16. Mustangs and Nova Extreme didn't place well, either. (Those clubs have some strong suits, though, imo, beyond "wins v. losses.")

The top team (FOCUS) is a HUGE club with multiple club locations and they get to pick/choose the best players for their RCC Team. They won it all. The Nova teams just don't have that same ability, unfortunately.

As for recruitment, I won't say who we play for but they have not helped with recruiting at all. Though I get the sense (hear the gossip) that some of the players get help/promoted. It's extremely frustrating. We've considered other options but we are too far along at this point and think it would not be a positive reflection if we did.

It’s never too late to change clubs. I know of plenty of girls who changed clubs in their Junior or Senior year and went on the play in college, at least 1 played at a D1 college.

If you hear the gossip, it’s true. One of the clubs you mentioned lost a ton of girls recently and I don’t think any of those who left regret it. They went to a couple of different clubs and wish they made the jump sooner.

When you are inside the club it’s really hard to see all the issues (or maybe believe them). Once you are outside, it’s much more clear.

Oh trust me, I absolutely believe it. But . . . it's complicated.

I would encourage you to leave. There was just a question asked on the Field Hockey Discussion forum on Facebook about switching clubs after a player commits (specifically because of mental health) and all the respondents said to switch. A couple were from college coaches and they agreed with switching.

DD beyond frustrated with current team. Current DMV team doesn’t give playing time to non committed D1 players so it’s mentally taxing being on a team that you are just paying to sit on the bench or according to the coach it’s all a learning opportunity to be on the sidelines watching (I can get that when it’s a local tournament but when requiring the player to travel especially when there is significant travel expenses to the tournaments and not play is cruel. Coach brings a roster of 18-20 and only plays 13 players: 11 starters and two subs for 10-15 min; rest are bench warmers/bill payers). DD mental health is in the toilet. The club talks about players mental health as a focus but it’s all hype. DD needs to leave the club but is too afraid to because of all the time and relationships DD has built but seeing how the coach just breaks DD down mentally is too much now. I know I should have pulled the trigger earlier in pulling DD out but I was also enamored by the hype of D1 or top D3 playing. Beware of these types of clubs that show love on Instagram for their players and the coaches are very superficial friendly and talk about mental health and well being and growing the game. I should have noticed the trickle of players switching from the club from u14 and u16 and even some u19 but I didn’t. There are always warning signs. Look out for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This weekend was the regional club championships and teams from MD and DE compete. Based on the level of play, the top clubs in the local DMV commuting area are Freedom and Warhawks. Watching these teams play in all three levels, there is no comparison on the stellar coaching and athletic ability of the teams. These clubs seem to focus on the fundamentals, conditioning and field IQ. The ball is glued to their stick, they understand passing lanes, and their speed on and off the ball is very strong. Also, the coaches clearly coached constructively on the sidelines. Other teams in the commuting area don’t compare to these 2 clubs. The one thing I noticed was Washington Wolves carried a large roster with atleast 7 plus players warming the bench in each age bracket. I heard numerous parents frustrated about this. The other clubs seemed reasonable with 2-3 active subs and no bench players. If Freedom or Warhawks is too far, one clear up and coming team looks like Next Level’s younger u14 age group as their roster size was not large giving all players the ability to participate and develop and the coaching was clear during the game on how to adjust.

This was the RCCs for region 7 (I think that's the right one).

Region 8 also played in VA Beach. Husel placed pretty well this year in both U14 and U16, considering they play against some powerhouse VA Beach and Richmond Teams and are a pretty small club. Metro did really well, too. Hammers finished at the back of the pack, at least for U16. Mustangs and Nova Extreme didn't place well, either. (Those clubs have some strong suits, though, imo, beyond "wins v. losses.")

The top team (FOCUS) is a HUGE club with multiple club locations and they get to pick/choose the best players for their RCC Team. They won it all. The Nova teams just don't have that same ability, unfortunately.

As for recruitment, I won't say who we play for but they have not helped with recruiting at all. Though I get the sense (hear the gossip) that some of the players get help/promoted. It's extremely frustrating. We've considered other options but we are too far along at this point and think it would not be a positive reflection if we did.

It’s never too late to change clubs. I know of plenty of girls who changed clubs in their Junior or Senior year and went on the play in college, at least 1 played at a D1 college.

If you hear the gossip, it’s true. One of the clubs you mentioned lost a ton of girls recently and I don’t think any of those who left regret it. They went to a couple of different clubs and wish they made the jump sooner.

When you are inside the club it’s really hard to see all the issues (or maybe believe them). Once you are outside, it’s much more clear.

Oh trust me, I absolutely believe it. But . . . it's complicated.

I would encourage you to leave. There was just a question asked on the Field Hockey Discussion forum on Facebook about switching clubs after a player commits (specifically because of mental health) and all the respondents said to switch. A couple were from college coaches and they agreed with switching.

DD beyond frustrated with current team. Current DMV team doesn’t give playing time to non committed D1 players so it’s mentally taxing being on a team that you are just paying to sit on the bench or according to the coach it’s all a learning opportunity to be on the sidelines watching (I can get that when it’s a local tournament but when requiring the player to travel especially when there is significant travel expenses to the tournaments and not play is cruel. Coach brings a roster of 18-20 and only plays 13 players: 11 starters and two subs for 10-15 min; rest are bench warmers/bill payers). DD mental health is in the toilet. The club talks about players mental health as a focus but it’s all hype. DD needs to leave the club but is too afraid to because of all the time and relationships DD has built but seeing how the coach just breaks DD down mentally is too much now. I know I should have pulled the trigger earlier in pulling DD out but I was also enamored by the hype of D1 or top D3 playing. Beware of these types of clubs that show love on Instagram for their players and the coaches are very superficial friendly and talk about mental health and well being and growing the game. I should have noticed the trickle of players switching from the club from u14 and u16 and even some u19 but I didn’t. There are always warning signs. Look out for them.

Update - DD decided to leave the team and prioritize her mental health after thinking everything through (DD had been thinking about this for the past few weeks). DD informed the coach this morning that she is leaving the team and why. Proud of DD. It was a challenging decision but her mood is so much lighter. DD decided she will do local field hockey clinics instead because she loves the sport. To the poster that encouraged putting individual mental health over the team longevity, thank you. Playing a team sport does not need to be toxic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This weekend was the regional club championships and teams from MD and DE compete. Based on the level of play, the top clubs in the local DMV commuting area are Freedom and Warhawks. Watching these teams play in all three levels, there is no comparison on the stellar coaching and athletic ability of the teams. These clubs seem to focus on the fundamentals, conditioning and field IQ. The ball is glued to their stick, they understand passing lanes, and their speed on and off the ball is very strong. Also, the coaches clearly coached constructively on the sidelines. Other teams in the commuting area don’t compare to these 2 clubs. The one thing I noticed was Washington Wolves carried a large roster with atleast 7 plus players warming the bench in each age bracket. I heard numerous parents frustrated about this. The other clubs seemed reasonable with 2-3 active subs and no bench players. If Freedom or Warhawks is too far, one clear up and coming team looks like Next Level’s younger u14 age group as their roster size was not large giving all players the ability to participate and develop and the coaching was clear during the game on how to adjust.

This was the RCCs for region 7 (I think that's the right one).

Region 8 also played in VA Beach. Husel placed pretty well this year in both U14 and U16, considering they play against some powerhouse VA Beach and Richmond Teams and are a pretty small club. Metro did really well, too. Hammers finished at the back of the pack, at least for U16. Mustangs and Nova Extreme didn't place well, either. (Those clubs have some strong suits, though, imo, beyond "wins v. losses.")

The top team (FOCUS) is a HUGE club with multiple club locations and they get to pick/choose the best players for their RCC Team. They won it all. The Nova teams just don't have that same ability, unfortunately.

As for recruitment, I won't say who we play for but they have not helped with recruiting at all. Though I get the sense (hear the gossip) that some of the players get help/promoted. It's extremely frustrating. We've considered other options but we are too far along at this point and think it would not be a positive reflection if we did.

It’s never too late to change clubs. I know of plenty of girls who changed clubs in their Junior or Senior year and went on the play in college, at least 1 played at a D1 college.

If you hear the gossip, it’s true. One of the clubs you mentioned lost a ton of girls recently and I don’t think any of those who left regret it. They went to a couple of different clubs and wish they made the jump sooner.

When you are inside the club it’s really hard to see all the issues (or maybe believe them). Once you are outside, it’s much more clear.

Oh trust me, I absolutely believe it. But . . . it's complicated.

I would encourage you to leave. There was just a question asked on the Field Hockey Discussion forum on Facebook about switching clubs after a player commits (specifically because of mental health) and all the respondents said to switch. A couple were from college coaches and they agreed with switching.

DD beyond frustrated with current team. Current DMV team doesn’t give playing time to non committed D1 players so it’s mentally taxing being on a team that you are just paying to sit on the bench or according to the coach it’s all a learning opportunity to be on the sidelines watching (I can get that when it’s a local tournament but when requiring the player to travel especially when there is significant travel expenses to the tournaments and not play is cruel. Coach brings a roster of 18-20 and only plays 13 players: 11 starters and two subs for 10-15 min; rest are bench warmers/bill payers). DD mental health is in the toilet. The club talks about players mental health as a focus but it’s all hype. DD needs to leave the club but is too afraid to because of all the time and relationships DD has built but seeing how the coach just breaks DD down mentally is too much now. I know I should have pulled the trigger earlier in pulling DD out but I was also enamored by the hype of D1 or top D3 playing. Beware of these types of clubs that show love on Instagram for their players and the coaches are very superficial friendly and talk about mental health and well being and growing the game. I should have noticed the trickle of players switching from the club from u14 and u16 and even some u19 but I didn’t. There are always warning signs. Look out for them.

Update - DD decided to leave the team and prioritize her mental health after thinking everything through (DD had been thinking about this for the past few weeks). DD informed the coach this morning that she is leaving the team and why. Proud of DD. It was a challenging decision but her mood is so much lighter. DD decided she will do local field hockey clinics instead because she loves the sport. To the poster that encouraged putting individual mental health over the team longevity, thank you. Playing a team sport does not need to be toxic.

I’m sorry to hear what your DD went through, but agree that you should be proud of her for being assertive. This is a good time for her to work on her skills and try out new clubs through their clinics. I know U19 girls who have changed clubs late and were recruited to play in college. So if that is her dream, she should go for it.