Retired Club Parent Observations (Boys)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. 24 is not too many, though I would try to cap it there. IMO 22-24 is the best number. It also just doesn't take much to get to 22.

5 attack
5 defense
6 mid
2 lsm
2 fogo
2 goalie

Add a couple ssdm's, and you're at 24.

As the PP noted, having too tight of a roster can put a team in some peril if kids get gassed or there are injuries. Over 24 is a PIA for the coaches to manage equitably.

Agree with this number. This is the sweet spot. And remember, most of the summer “games “ are 40-45 min running clocks.It.s not a lot of play time.

[Anonymous]

I am in about 90% agreement with the OP’s initial list. That’s experience for you. Buyer beware for all you young parents out there. Ask questions. They will say all sorts of things to get you to sign up. You are the customer.

[Anonymous]

You are the customer but only in proportion on how good your child is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are the customer but only in proportion on how good your child is.

Good point. Talent level of kid certainly plays a huge role in how much leverage you have over the club. Use the leverage to avoid some of the issues OP lays out above. Merit based play time is the biggest to me. Second is roster size.

[Anonymous]

What clubs are you referring to? I've yet to hear a parent have any leverage. Some get free or heavily discounted fees and extra playing time, If they complain or if that playing time disappears because the player isn't as good as thought, there's no leverage. It's quite the opposite, speak up at all and you are told to take it or leave it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are the customer but only in proportion on how good your child is.

This was my comment and I don’t know why I said it because it hasn’t been my experience at all. Anytime I’ve seen ‘leverage’ come into play it has not worked out for the player or the team. The coaches want the kids to be happy and succeed - and that is good for the program too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What clubs are you referring to? I've yet to hear a parent have any leverage. Some get free or heavily discounted fees and extra playing time, If they complain or if that playing time disappears because the player isn't as good as thought, there's no leverage. It's quite the opposite, speak up at all and you are told to take it or leave it.

Parents with high level players have leverage. I don’t think they can overplay their hand, but if they are looking out for the good of the majority (which happened with our team and the goalie/Dad), it can be very helpful. If 3-5 top players get together and ask for certain things like playing to win, tournaments, practice schedule, the club will listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Participation numbers have plateaued in the traditional hotbeds, but the game is still growing across the country. The clubs will milk the south, Midwest and west and long as parents will pay - and they will keep paying. Even with twice as many kids in the lax system as there are now, it’s still the easiest path to collegiate athletics (and a likely step up in academics) - especially for upper-middle and upper class kids.

LOL step up in academics no

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are the customer but only in proportion on how good your child is.

Ding ding ding

[Anonymous]

Take the money you spent on this and save it for college

Moving forward things about college are going to change especially in who will be accepted and costs.

Lax is not a life long sport.

Mother of more than one division one player,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Participation numbers have plateaued in the traditional hotbeds, but the game is still growing across the country. The clubs will milk the south, Midwest and west and long as parents will pay - and they will keep paying. Even with twice as many kids in the lax system as there are now, it’s still the easiest path to collegiate athletics (and a likely step up in academics) - especially for upper-middle and upper class kids.

LOL step up in academics no

That point was about the only thing that was accurate in the OP's post. What he meant was that with the high academic schools involved in lacrosse, of which there are plenty, lacrosse players can get into those schools where they otherwise would have no chance. Accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take the money you spent on this and save it for college

Moving forward things about college are going to change especially in who will be accepted and costs.

Lax is not a life long sport.

Mother of more than one division one player,

Really weird post. Buyer's remorse?