Over-rostered team dynamics — what to expect?

[Anonymous]

As I told my son - it's one thing if the A team has 20-22 and 2-4 come down and play on the B team if the B team is under rostered on purpose to accommodate and time is more evenly distributed.

It's another if A and B are over rostered and the kids come down and play 90%, leaving 5-6 kids not suiting up and another 6+ getting peanuts for minutes while everyone is paying $4k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Unfortunately not a reality on the top teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.



Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

Lucky you! Your team sounds great. My kid works hard, practices even outside of scheduled training, and still only gets to play about 40% of the game. Meanwhile, the coach keeps starting a big, strong kid who doesn’t contribute much. It’s frustrating to see hardworking kids get overlooked like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.



Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

Lucky you! Your team sounds great. My kid works hard, practices even outside of scheduled training, and still only gets to play about 40% of the game. Meanwhile, the coach keeps starting a big, strong kid who doesn’t contribute much. It’s frustrating to see hardworking kids get overlooked like that.

Wait for a biobanding player who is 19 months older than your son to take his position and play full-time, while your son only gets 10 minutes. And my son is good. He is joining #1 ECNL team this coming season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.

Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

My kid just finished their pre-ECNL season too. Everyone got a decent amount of playing time, but definitely not equal. That sounds like a club or coach issue. Also my kid does soccer plus a couple other sports, not even just at the rec level -- still started every game and played almost the entire time. Try not to be bitter that some kids are still doing multiple sports. It's not a bad thing. I played multiple sports until I was 15 and still was high level D1 on a scholarship. The other sports developed other aspects of athleticism. Some kids will burn out doing nothing but soccer day in and day out. Never mind overuse injuries. These kids are still young; it's not their job to play soccer it's a sport they are doing for fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do RL teams carry more than 18 once in high school?

Some do. Our team this season had 25 players on the roster. By this spring, we struggled to get 11 players to some games.

[Anonymous]

If you are paying $3-4k for your child's soccer experience to be riding the bench, you are being scammed. Coaches shouldn't be doing it and parents shouldn't be tolerating it. A coach should not roster players they aren't willing to put on the field for a decent amount of minutes each game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.

Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

Most clubs have a "competitive team" by around u15 or u16. Generally kids should get equal playing time up until then.

Again...why? And what club are you at that competitive starts at u15 and up????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.

Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

My kid just finished their pre-ECNL season too. Everyone got a decent amount of playing time, but definitely not equal. That sounds like a club or coach issue. Also my kid does soccer plus a couple other sports, not even just at the rec level -- still started every game and played almost the entire time. Try not to be bitter that some kids are still doing multiple sports. It's not a bad thing. I played multiple sports until I was 15 and still was high level D1 on a scholarship. The other sports developed other aspects of athleticism. Some kids will burn out doing nothing but soccer day in and day out. Never mind overuse injuries. These kids are still young; it's not their job to play soccer it's a sport they are doing for fun.

Fair point on multiple sports and that wasn't my entire point. It's more of kids who just don't take soccer seriously that somehow get equal playing time with kids who take it very seriously and work at it. I don't understand the point of this...why would the top team promote equal playing time? This is why we have team 2-5 and the whole rec program. Let those be for young kids who just want to play to have fun and leave the top team for serious players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Unfortunately not a reality on the top teams

Top teams at u-littles is an illusion

Top of what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.

Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

You're playing rec ball but paying a lot for it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.

Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

Most clubs have a "competitive team" by around u15 or u16. Generally kids should get equal playing time up until then.

Again...why? And what club are you at that competitive starts at u15 and up????

Because every kid is developing differently and by 15 everyone is HS aged so theoretically able to play against adults. Boys are different but the best in the world debut at 15 so not completely off. Before u15 or u16 is better arugment because its recruitment time. Best players should be on the field being showcased period. Its mutually beneficial to both club and top players. Equal playing time is for Jeff Cup and WAGS. Prior to u15 we shouldn't even be keeping score if we care about developing soccer players.

[Anonymous]

If you have a good coach, it will work out. If your player is 18-21, ask about clear expectations from the beginning regarding rotation and rostering, schedule feedback every few months, and more importantly - out work your teammates. Embrace the B team when rostered, and look at it as extra touches. Attitude will be noted. The coach is key, but there aren't very many who understand the emotional impact lack of communication and feedback can do to a young player. Buckle up. It doesn't get any easier as they grow up in these "elite" leagues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Unfortunately not a reality on the top teams

Top teams at u-littles is an illusion

Top of what?

Its all smoke and mirrors agreed especially from a development standpoint, except if you actually are good enough to be scouted for USYNT, the platform can be key on a top team who has ample nominations to throw around

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At U-littles everyone should have about the same playing time

Why? To keep customers happy? My kid is wrapping up a U11 season on Pre-ECNL and we have to ensure players get equal playing time. Even players who play 4 different sports and never put in any work on soccer are getting equal playing time with kids who are grinding and outperforming them by miles. For what purpose? They should develop the players who want to be developed and let the others ride the bench more.

Equal playing time is why rec ball was created.

Most clubs have a "competitive team" by around u15 or u16. Generally kids should get equal playing time up until then.

Again...why? And what club are you at that competitive starts at u15 and up????

Because every kid is developing differently and by 15 everyone is HS aged so theoretically able to play against adults. Boys are different but the best in the world debut at 15 so not completely off. Before u15 or u16 is better arugment because its recruitment time. Best players should be on the field being showcased period. It’s mutually beneficial to both club and top players. Equal playing time is for Jeff Cup and WAGS. Prior to u15 we shouldn't even be keeping score if we care about developing soccer players.

Not every player on u15 and u16 is looking to play soccer in college. Some joined the team because they like to play soccer with other players at their same level.