Travel Soccer Tryouts -- Post Your Club's Dates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

Well this girl is not doing Academy and definitely not trying out for travel soccer so no need to get worked up. She is great though. If she ever became interested and did ever develop skills she would be one of the best in ASA. She is all-in for another sport though and very invested in another. So save your bile for another day.

The kids who are at Academy and going to the festivals *are* getting access. And they are very focused on skills. At least on the girl's side.

Are you sure your kid is performing at Academy? Some boys seem very disinterested/disengaged. One of the coaches seems like a a-hole though so maybe that's why.

Not at your club and not worked up. Claiming if "she did ever develop her skills she would be one of the best in ASA" lol!

Well, that dedication to those skills is kinda the key. So since she isn't going to the speculation game is pointless. Dominating some 7 and 8 year old girls with size and speed is adorable though. Did you tell her parents she is throwing away her Women's National Team spot?

Pp, welcome to my world. These are the type of parents I'm so lucky to have to share the sidelines with. One dude actually put a fake cast on his kid to get a second look. I get to hear comments like 'our family has a tradition of red team players"??. I think that's actually called nepotism. These fuckers will take any angle they can to work their kid a top spot.

Don't get me started on "offsides dad". He has no idea what it is, but screams it at in opportune times. Of course, those are the parents that know jack-shit about the sport and didn't play beyond JV HS soccer.

Fun times.

[Anonymous]

You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

[Anonymous]

PP, I always love the "this kid would dominate" stories. A lot happens from U9-U14 and many of those athletes simply don't improve much over time because early on they simply don't work on their footskills. Then, later when the speed is neutralized they cant receive a pass or keep a pass on the ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

Well this girl is not doing Academy and definitely not trying out for travel soccer so no need to get worked up. She is great though. If she ever became interested and did ever develop skills she would be one of the best in ASA. She is all-in for another sport though and very invested in another. So save your bile for another day.

The kids who are at Academy and going to the festivals *are* getting access. And they are very focused on skills. At least on the girl's side.

Are you sure your kid is performing at Academy? Some boys seem very disinterested/disengaged. One of the coaches seems like a a-hole though so maybe that's why.

Not at your club and not worked up. Claiming if "she did ever develop her skills she would be one of the best in ASA" lol!

Well, that dedication to those skills is kinda the key. So since she isn't going to the speculation game is pointless. Dominating some 7 and 8 year old girls with size and speed is adorable though. Did you tell her parents she is throwing away her Women's National Team spot?

Sure sounds like you're getting worked up. Why else would you be such a jerk about a little kid with natural athletic ability?

Yes, the girl is extremely dedicated to her primary sports. She practices many hours per week for those. She is very passionate and dedicated to those sports. Soccer is just for fun with her friends. She might not even play after this season - sounds like she wants to give LAX a try next for fun. She enjoys using her body and is very good at it. Why does that bother you so much?

ANYWAY, my own kid is fairly athletic, but not a natural like her so she works hard because she loves soccer and would love to be on travel. We have done pre-academy/academy/festivals/camps. We shall see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

Got that wrong there, buddy. Our kids have been playing pick up soccer on a patch of turf with kids that barely speak English and they love it and beg me to drive them there every night only practice gets in the way. They not only picked up those moves, they made up a few of their own. 2 of the best players on our rec team live in the apartments behind that field and are out there every night.

That's how you learn soccer. Don't assume they were trained that way. We took ours for more training after they learned that in their own and were eager for more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

Well this girl is not doing Academy and definitely not trying out for travel soccer so no need to get worked up. She is great though. If she ever became interested and did ever develop skills she would be one of the best in ASA. She is all-in for another sport though and very invested in another. So save your bile for another day.

The kids who are at Academy and going to the festivals *are* getting access. And they are very focused on skills. At least on the girl's side.

Are you sure your kid is performing at Academy? Some boys seem very disinterested/disengaged. One of the coaches seems like a a-hole though so maybe that's why.

Not at your club and not worked up. Claiming if "she did ever develop her skills she would be one of the best in ASA" lol!

Well, that dedication to those skills is kinda the key. So since she isn't going to the speculation game is pointless. Dominating some 7 and 8 year old girls with size and speed is adorable though. Did you tell her parents she is throwing away her Women's National Team spot?

Pp, welcome to my world. These are the type of parents I'm so lucky to have to share the sidelines with. One dude actually put a fake cast on his kid to get a second look. I get to hear comments like 'our family has a tradition of red team players"??. I think that's actually called nepotism. These fuckers will take any angle they can to work their kid a top spot.

Don't get me started on "offsides dad". He has no idea what it is, but screams it at in opportune times. Of course, those are the parents that know jack-shit about the sport and didn't play beyond JV HS soccer.

Fun times.

So glad that we're not over on the boys side. Sounds like a whole bunch of a-holes. ^^^^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

BACK-ASSWARD, indeed!!! This is why we are outie. Again, an evaluator was actually chastising kids for doing moves during scrimmages.

Why bother scrimmaging? Just take these kids to W-L track and do timed sprints. Tryouts over. Boom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

So which club are you at or headed to? I need to find sane people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

BACK-ASSWARD, indeed!!! This is why we are outie. Again, an evaluator was actually chastising kids for doing moves during scrimmages.

Why bother scrimmaging? Just take these kids to W-L track and do timed sprints. Tryouts over. Boom.

Completely opposite for girls. They were encouraging them to do some moves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

So which club are you at or headed to? I need to find sane people.

And make sure it doesn't have 'elite' in its name or play in an 'elite league' or all these assholes will follow us over there?.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

So which club are you at or headed to? I need to find sane people.

LOL! If there was a PM option I would tell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

I love you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington
http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/travelsoccer/tryouts-fees-registration/

Anyone go to the Arlington U9 tryouts? Took my DS yesterday and seemed like there were 100 kids scrimmaging on over 10 fields. This was our first tryout experience and DS enjoyed it.

Yes. My child enjoyed them--but it was soooo late for the little boys. Many were not showing their best because they are usually asleep by 8pm. It's a very long day for kids that wake up at 6:30am, coupled with rec games the same day.

Comments:
1) time of tryouts was bad. the boys got stuck with the late times all 3 sessions.
2) My impression only (not sure if it will turn out to be the case) the second day a few of the evaluators really were just choosing pure physical Size of the players over Skill. Big kids toe-balling from one side to the other and just knocking kids down seemed to be in favor. It wasn't that way the first night, but it was almost a completely different group of evaluators. Hopefully, things will sort out.

But- they ran very smoothly, were well-organized and the kids really seemed to be having fun.

I thought it was run pretty smoothly too. I would agree that there was a lot of physical play. DS saw a lot of hard tackles and slide tackles that he normally does not see. I was glad that he was able to move up to play with the bigger kids because we started from what looked like the bottom of the ladder where my short DS was grouped with others similar in size. Actually I am glad he came out alive with some of the tackles he took lol. It seemed like he got settled on one field where he was neither moved up or down after multiple sessions.

I thought it was idiotic that the youngest kids in the program have the latest tryouts minus the '98s. The last ones are almost 7-8:15 again.

I have a short, skilled tough guy and agree with first poster. The big kids got away with just toe-balling or knocking kids over. I wish ball skill/moves and completed passes (no matter the players size) were valued higher. But--maybe they will be. After all, tryouts aren't even over yet.

Welcome to relative age affect and coaches looking at size and speed over skill. They always believe they can teach skill.

They also think they can teach athletic kids to LOVE soccer. They can't. They can ruin it, of course. But if kids don't already love soccer, they really shouldn't be trying out for travel. Let the kids who love it take those spots. They have a chance to develop. The kids who just see it as another manifestation of their athleticism ... no.

I can understand why they might try to push the athletic kids. One girl we know is a super athlete - anything she tries she does really well. She decided to give soccer a try this season just for fun to be with her friends and even though she's never played before she was by far the best player. Just a natural with her body. Anyway, nobody is pushing her into soccer because she has true passions in other sports, but I can see why someone might try. She was amazing without even trying.

(my own DD isn't a natural, but LOVES it and works hard to develop skills)

LOL amazing without even trying. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Sure at 9 she looks amazing, but the dedication it takes to develop the footskills is where these "super athletic" kids get passed by later on. There is only so much that is "natural" about developing that if athleticism alone is relied upon then they just wasted time and resources.

That is the problem, smallish kids with the skills get pushed down and are not given access to the coaching while "athletes" are handed self-filling prophesies because coaches make the same stupid choices every year.

Well this girl is not doing Academy and definitely not trying out for travel soccer so no need to get worked up. She is great though. If she ever became interested and did ever develop skills she would be one of the best in ASA. She is all-in for another sport though and very invested in another. So save your bile for another day.

The kids who are at Academy and going to the festivals *are* getting access. And they are very focused on skills. At least on the girl's side.

Are you sure your kid is performing at Academy? Some boys seem very disinterested/disengaged. One of the coaches seems like a a-hole though so maybe that's why.

Not at your club and not worked up. Claiming if "she did ever develop her skills she would be one of the best in ASA" lol!

Well, that dedication to those skills is kinda the key. So since she isn't going to the speculation game is pointless. Dominating some 7 and 8 year old girls with size and speed is adorable though. Did you tell her parents she is throwing away her Women's National Team spot?

Sure sounds like you're getting worked up. Why else would you be such a jerk about a little kid with natural athletic ability?

Yes, the girl is extremely dedicated to her primary sports. She practices many hours per week for those. She is very passionate and dedicated to those sports. Soccer is just for fun with her friends. She might not even play after this season - sounds like she wants to give LAX a try next for fun. She enjoys using her body and is very good at it. Why does that bother you so much?

ANYWAY, my own kid is fairly athletic, but not a natural like her so she works hard because she loves soccer and would love to be on travel. We have done pre-academy/academy/festivals/camps. We shall see.

I'm not being a jerk about a little kid, I'm simply laughing at the adult that thinks a kid dominating some seven or eight year olds on a soccer field due to size and speed as being any kind of predictor of how good a soccer player the kid could be. I also think that coaches, who form similar baseless opinions on kids at eight years old are similarily short sighted and laughable.

I mean, seriously, barely over a year ago many of those same kids that she is "dominating" could barely tie their shoes. Did it ever occur to you that she is simply older than many of those same kids? That by the good fortune of being up to a year older she simply has the motor skills, size and speed of kid who is nothing more than more mature? Because that is what real coaches do at this age at tryouts, they base kids talent on nothing more than size and speed that has more to do with simple maturity than it has anything to do with "raw athleticism" or future talent.

But go ahead, and talk of her as being amazing, and perhaps she is, or perhaps she is nothing more than twelve months older than many of the little girls on the field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't teach raw speed, but you can teach the Maradona. And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer - it usually only proves that their parent(s) loves soccer. The best way to make ASA travel is to be involved in the organization - coach a rec team, volunteer for a board, play in an adult soccer league, chat up the coaches. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know.

What?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer" Let me repeat this one more time:

"And a kid who shows up at U-9 tryouts knowing a bunch of moves doesn't prove that they love soccer"

It proves that the kid has spent hours upon hours of time developing skills that are relevant to the game. It proves that the kid is ready to learn the game and would benefit most by being around players of similar caliber. It proves that a coach can spend time teaching actual soccer that relies on passing and possession. It proves that with the technical training provided at practice, the kid will likely continue to work on their own away from the game. It proves that the parents are knowledgeable about the game and understand what a good fundamental foundation a player needs to achieve success.

Those qualities, like raw speed, are also things that you cannot teach and down the road, when everyone is fast, actual skill is the difference maker.

I'm just telling you my experience with travel soccer. Most of the kids who came into u9 already knowing moves had learned them from overly-involved, soccer-obsessed parents. And, yes, many of these kids made the top teams. But, now, at u14, most of them are no longer playing travel soccer, or are on the lower teams. Why? Lost interest, injuries, pursued other sports, not smart players. And which kids are on the top teams? Some are the fastest, but not necessarily the biggest. Some are quieter kids who over the years have shown themselves to be coachable and smart, and who have developed of a love of the game. Those kids were never the fastest or had the best moves, so they had to learn how to read the game, to anticipate, become smarter to do well on the field. Out of the 16 kids on our top team, only 2 have been on that team since u9 - and, yes, they've always been very skillful players - one's a coach's kid.