Help me decide if a mid season move makes sense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

Are you sure they pay the same? Do you know their team fee and whether the supplemental indoor fitness costs more but if we don't pay it she worries about keeping her spot?

The published base fee for the 1st and 2nd team for our age group is the same. Of course extras (like tournaments and winter activities are extra. All players are expected to pay for the tournaments, but winter activities are usually optional). Each club runs those things a bit different.

But yes, the 1st team has more sessions for the same price and more opportunities. Hypothetically, If triplets had a slot on each level of team and all other things being equal, the triplet on the 1st team would be a much better player after 1 year. That’s a good enough reason to try to move a kid up, even if they are not at that level currently.

No coach or club is going to move up a kid if they are not at the level just because the parent wants to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

Are you sure they pay the same? Do you know their team fee and whether the supplemental indoor fitness costs more but if we don't pay it she worries about keeping her spot?

The published base fee for the 1st and 2nd team for our age group is the same. Of course extras (like tournaments and winter activities are extra. All players are expected to pay for the tournaments, but winter activities are usually optional). Each club runs those things a bit different.

But yes, the 1st team has more sessions for the same price and more opportunities. Hypothetically, If triplets had a slot on each level of team and all other things being equal, the triplet on the 1st team would be a much better player after 1 year. That’s a good enough reason to try to move a kid up, even if they are not at that level currently.

No coach or club is going to move up a kid if they are not at the level just because the parent wants to.

You just need leverage, aka pay to play. Like paid extra trainings through the club or coach. Or having a couple of kids in a club. No club wants to lose about 4 years of 3 kids or $36,000 in total revenue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

Are you sure they pay the same? Do you know their team fee and whether the supplemental indoor fitness costs more but if we don't pay it she worries about keeping her spot?

The published base fee for the 1st and 2nd team for our age group is the same. Of course extras (like tournaments and winter activities are extra. All players are expected to pay for the tournaments, but winter activities are usually optional). Each club runs those things a bit different.

But yes, the 1st team has more sessions for the same price and more opportunities. Hypothetically, If triplets had a slot on each level of team and all other things being equal, the triplet on the 1st team would be a much better player after 1 year. That’s a good enough reason to try to move a kid up, even if they are not at that level currently.

No coach or club is going to move up a kid if they are not at the level just because the parent wants to.

I think we can all agree there is a grey area. And also, we’re just pole vaulting over mouse turds at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a big fan of this message board and was hoping for some feedback. I am debating whether to move my 2014 boy from a big academy in Montgomery county to another academy.
Basically, my kid loves the game, he practices 3 times per week with his team and 2 times per week with a private coach. He is currently in the 4th team in his age group. He is the starting offensive midfielder. In practices, he is the type of player that will consistently finish running exercises a lap ahead of anyone else and go all out during drills. We just played the Southampton Cup and he scored the game winner in the final and was also awarded the player of the match. During the tournament.
I inquired with the coach about him trying out with a higher level team within the academy. The coach responded that, unfortunately, the teams are full. (I have been involved in competitive sports for 30 years and know that there is always space if there is enough talent. Maybe my son has it, maybe he doesn't but I am amazed they will not even look). Also, he said that, at best, next Fall he would make the 3rd team.
At this point, I have reached the conclusion that despite my son's best efforts, we cannot convince the coach that he can perform at higher levels. Since this coach also has a major influence in the make up of the higher level teams, I feel that the writing is on the wall that we need to move on.
I am sure some of you have dealt with situations such as this one so any suggestions are welcomed by me.
Happy Holidays!

Wait a second here.

Are you saying that they won’t even let him try out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a big fan of this message board and was hoping for some feedback. I am debating whether to move my 2014 boy from a big academy in Montgomery county to another academy.
Basically, my kid loves the game, he practices 3 times per week with his team and 2 times per week with a private coach. He is currently in the 4th team in his age group. He is the starting offensive midfielder. In practices, he is the type of player that will consistently finish running exercises a lap ahead of anyone else and go all out during drills. We just played the Southampton Cup and he scored the game winner in the final and was also awarded the player of the match. During the tournament.
I inquired with the coach about him trying out with a higher level team within the academy. The coach responded that, unfortunately, the teams are full. (I have been involved in competitive sports for 30 years and know that there is always space if there is enough talent. Maybe my son has it, maybe he doesn't but I am amazed they will not even look). Also, he said that, at best, next Fall he would make the 3rd team.
At this point, I have reached the conclusion that despite my son's best efforts, we cannot convince the coach that he can perform at higher levels. Since this coach also has a major influence in the make up of the higher level teams, I feel that the writing is on the wall that we need to move on.
I am sure some of you have dealt with situations such as this one so any suggestions are welcomed by me.
Happy Holidays!

Yes this absolutely makes sense!

[Anonymous]

Our club basically won’t move kids down until U12, so it’s very easy to get trapped as spaces just don’t open that frequently. My kid is a Q4 birthday and so started travel a year after many others at our club did (rec in our local league is SY based); as a result (in part), he started on the third team as they were really only doing open tryouts for the 3rd & 4th teams (though I have no doubt that extreme talent would be handled differently). He lucked into a temporary bump up to the second team during futsal season. They split the teams and a few kids decided against participating (non mandatory for our club); he got bumped to the 3rd or 4th team (which was really half the 2nd team) and they stressed repeatedly it was only temporary for futsal season. Well futsal season showed us that the 2nd and 3rd teams were close to comparable because of how they treat the teams and my son went from top handful of 3rd to top handful of 2nd immediately; only real difference is one kid on 2nd clearly superior skills wise but tiny. After futsal season, all talk of temporary disappeared. Simply sent a spring schedule for 2nd team.

All of which is to say, I saw first hand how easy it is to get trapped when I had absolutely no idea and would never have complained. Just lucked out. You know, so absolutely don’t feel bad about exploring options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

This right here. I watched the difference in coaching between the 3 teams in our club as they had many practices very close to one another. You can tell how much better the coaching and attention was on the 1st team vs the 3rd team. Its hard to compete when slightly better players (or ones that just got locked in earlier on a better team) have significantly better coaching. Also and quite often, when practices were canceled for one reason or another, the 1st team would find an alt location to practice anyway... bottom line, the top teams get better coaching and much more attention (and this is even at U9 level), the only way to stay competitive is to hire private coaches and participate in practices outside the club - this is not realistic and cost prohibitive for many folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a big fan of this message board and was hoping for some feedback. I am debating whether to move my 2014 boy from a big academy in Montgomery county to another academy.
Basically, my kid loves the game, he practices 3 times per week with his team and 2 times per week with a private coach. He is currently in the 4th team in his age group. He is the starting offensive midfielder. In practices, he is the type of player that will consistently finish running exercises a lap ahead of anyone else and go all out during drills. We just played the Southampton Cup and he scored the game winner in the final and was also awarded the player of the match. During the tournament.
I inquired with the coach about him trying out with a higher level team within the academy. The coach responded that, unfortunately, the teams are full. (I have been involved in competitive sports for 30 years and know that there is always space if there is enough talent. Maybe my son has it, maybe he doesn't but I am amazed they will not even look). Also, he said that, at best, next Fall he would make the 3rd team.
At this point, I have reached the conclusion that despite my son's best efforts, we cannot convince the coach that he can perform at higher levels. Since this coach also has a major influence in the make up of the higher level teams, I feel that the writing is on the wall that we need to move on.
I am sure some of you have dealt with situations such as this one so any suggestions are welcomed by me.
Happy Holidays!

Reach out to other teams... plenty of teams around DMV to choose from.