FCGB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PROS:
(1) This is a club that TRAINS their younger kids well. For any child up to 12 years old, this is a friendly club, with caring coaches, and they do focus on technical drills and development.
(2) Everyone gets equal playing time, so if your kid needs to develop, this is a good place.

CONS:
(1) Don't listen to any talk about a prior '99 "ranked" team. They won during their senior year at an inferior level of play and after most good players (from other teams) have been accepted to college teams. FCGB has never won the top-flite of tournaments.
(2) Since they had a winning '99 team, they have not been able to put together another winning team - this is because of the coaches (NOT because of the talent on the team).
(3) They coach to the lowest denominator, so if you have a talented child, they will stall pretty quickly - they will teach the same thing over and over as the less skilled kids develop.
(4) Although this club does well for "training", they cannot coach a game to save their lives. They do bizarre things (like implement new formations, and play kids out of position, and play the worst players during critical parts of a tournament), to ensure the teams lose.
(5) The coaches love to lose games. They do everything possible to handicap the teams play. They have no idea how to rotate players. Sometimes, they put in all the worst players at the same time for an entire shift (during tournaments)
(6) For one tournament, our kids made it to the championship finals. They lost to a team they previously beat by over 5 goals. This happened, because on the day of the finals, the coach implemented a new formation the kids had never played before, and switched the positions of all the players. Nobody knew what was going on and the entire team looked lost and stupid.
(7) The coaches are stubborn. They will hold "Parent/Player" meetings periodically, but say the exact same things: "This is our way, and we are not going to change anything".
(8) FCGB teaches a slow style of play that, oddly enough, always ends up with the players kicking it back to the goalie 1000 times. We have played many games where our goalie received 10X more passes than any other player. It just looks stupid.
(9) If you have a kid with any talent at all, you have to leave after 12 years old and learn to play how every other competitive club plays.

Hope this helps.

What are you talking about?! After the 99 team, the next team that they have fielded is the 03 team. No, not the highest caliber team, but still able to compete with Rush A team filled with players who are not gifted with talent. They made them exceed their potential.

The next team that they have with "talent" is the 06 team. No, they don't win everything, but they are a winning team by winning far more times than they lose. Sure, the team has a few individuals who would have made ECNL teams without FCGB, but the vast majority of them wouldn't have and still are able to compete with ECNL teams. The coaches did that. Good luck finding a club that wins every game. If they are that good, and your dd goes to them, good luck with your daughter getting any playing time. My guess is that you think your dd is so talented. Come back to this thread in a year and let us know how many minutes your daughter is playing on her new winning team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PROS:
(1) This is a club that TRAINS their younger kids well. For any child up to 12 years old, this is a friendly club, with caring coaches, and they do focus on technical drills and development.
(2) Everyone gets equal playing time, so if your kid needs to develop, this is a good place.

CONS:
(1) Don't listen to any talk about a prior '99 "ranked" team. They won during their senior year at an inferior level of play and after most good players (from other teams) have been accepted to college teams. FCGB has never won the top-flite of tournaments.
(2) Since they had a winning '99 team, they have not been able to put together another winning team - this is because of the coaches (NOT because of the talent on the team).
(3) They coach to the lowest denominator, so if you have a talented child, they will stall pretty quickly - they will teach the same thing over and over as the less skilled kids develop.
(4) Although this club does well for "training", they cannot coach a game to save their lives. They do bizarre things (like implement new formations, and play kids out of position, and play the worst players during critical parts of a tournament), to ensure the teams lose.
(5) The coaches love to lose games. They do everything possible to handicap the teams play. They have no idea how to rotate players. Sometimes, they put in all the worst players at the same time for an entire shift (during tournaments)
(6) For one tournament, our kids made it to the championship finals. They lost to a team they previously beat by over 5 goals. This happened, because on the day of the finals, the coach implemented a new formation the kids had never played before, and switched the positions of all the players. Nobody knew what was going on and the entire team looked lost and stupid.
(7) The coaches are stubborn. They will hold "Parent/Player" meetings periodically, but say the exact same things: "This is our way, and we are not going to change anything".
(8) FCGB teaches a slow style of play that, oddly enough, always ends up with the players kicking it back to the goalie 1000 times. We have played many games where our goalie received 10X more passes than any other player. It just looks stupid.
(9) If you have a kid with any talent at all, you have to leave after 12 years old and learn to play how every other competitive club plays.

Hope this helps.

What are you talking about?! After the 99 team, the next team that they have fielded is the 03 team. No, not the highest caliber team, but still able to compete with Rush A team filled with players who are not gifted with talent. They made them exceed their potential.

The next team that they have with "talent" is the 06 team. No, they don't win everything, but they are a winning team by winning far more times than they lose. Sure, the team has a few individuals who would have made ECNL teams without FCGB, but the vast majority of them wouldn't have and still are able to compete with ECNL teams. The coaches did that. Good luck finding a club that wins every game. If they are that good, and your dd goes to them, good luck with your daughter getting any playing time. My guess is that you think your dd is so talented. Come back to this thread in a year and let us know how many minutes your daughter is playing on her new winning team.

Dude- the 06 team is done for.
Already has lost a few players over the last months and will lose half the team over the next few weeks.

And no, they haven’t been able to compete with ecnl teams and they’re barely beating their edp opponents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PROS:
(1) This is a club that TRAINS their younger kids well. For any child up to 12 years old, this is a friendly club, with caring coaches, and they do focus on technical drills and development.
(2) Everyone gets equal playing time, so if your kid needs to develop, this is a good place.

CONS:
(1) Don't listen to any talk about a prior '99 "ranked" team. They won during their senior year at an inferior level of play and after most good players (from other teams) have been accepted to college teams. FCGB has never won the top-flite of tournaments.
(2) Since they had a winning '99 team, they have not been able to put together another winning team - this is because of the coaches (NOT because of the talent on the team).
(3) They coach to the lowest denominator, so if you have a talented child, they will stall pretty quickly - they will teach the same thing over and over as the less skilled kids develop.
(4) Although this club does well for "training", they cannot coach a game to save their lives. They do bizarre things (like implement new formations, and play kids out of position, and play the worst players during critical parts of a tournament), to ensure the teams lose.
(5) The coaches love to lose games. They do everything possible to handicap the teams play. They have no idea how to rotate players. Sometimes, they put in all the worst players at the same time for an entire shift (during tournaments)
(6) For one tournament, our kids made it to the championship finals. They lost to a team they previously beat by over 5 goals. This happened, because on the day of the finals, the coach implemented a new formation the kids had never played before, and switched the positions of all the players. Nobody knew what was going on and the entire team looked lost and stupid.
(7) The coaches are stubborn. They will hold "Parent/Player" meetings periodically, but say the exact same things: "This is our way, and we are not going to change anything".
(8) FCGB teaches a slow style of play that, oddly enough, always ends up with the players kicking it back to the goalie 1000 times. We have played many games where our goalie received 10X more passes than any other player. It just looks stupid.
(9) If you have a kid with any talent at all, you have to leave after 12 years old and learn to play how every other competitive club plays.

Hope this helps.

I know FCGB well and agree with the above. At u12, the team did a fantastic job of developing individual technical skills. Also, the 99 team had grown up with the same coach at Olney and was very competitive. The 06 has the potential to reach the same level as the 99 team. The issue is that the teams between 99 and 06 were and are not competitive. If you are a strong player with aspirations to play in college or YNT, you will need to move on. Sure, kids will be able to get recruiting from FCGB but there are better places to get exposure. Word on the street is that the best 06 players are trying out at various clubs.

[Anonymous]

I realize the OP on this thread was several months ago, but I wanted to address a couple of the recent posts which are a thinly-veiled effort to ruin the club simply because their daughter(s) didn’t get enough playing time in their (small) minds. My only point is that these posts should be taken with a grain of salt and I have personal knowledge of the situations that gave rise to these posts, as I am another parent in the club who has been here for the past few years. Specifically, the post listing pros and cons is that of an embittered parent who recently left the club after not even one year (and that year being COVID) because he believed his daughter was a superstar that was being held back by the club, coaches, and other girls on the team whom he believes to be far less capable than his own kid. Classic case of someone who thinks he knows more than the coaches (and everyone else for that matter). Bear in mind, these coaches have trained and played professionally in Europe so I’d say they know a thing or two about the game. These coaches have spent countless hours with the girls they coach, sometimes playing scrimmages that are not part of official training sessions, and going way past training hours simply because they love what they do. They care very much about the girls, their development and their well-being, which is not something that can be said about a lot of other clubs or coaches. The club is not without its problems, but I would say the biggest problem of late has been toxic parents like the one who posted the subject post, who are arrogant and driven to madness by the cost of education, recruiting/scholarships, COVID, mid-life crises, etc. If your highest priority is your child’s development in the game of soccer, this is by far the best club in the area. If you believe that ECNL is the be all end all, then this club is NOT it for you, because FCGB does not play in ECNL, which this parent knew when they joined.

I know the club has lost a number of players for the aforementioned reasons, but the coaching is not to blame. The armchair quarterbacking, the talk on the sidelines and after the games where parents complain about playing minutes and positions that their kids “should” be playing in tend to stir up other people as well as the kids, and this leads to toxicity, resentment and stress across the board. It’s a shame because it is the kids who bear the brunt of it in the end, and the parents are sucking the joy out of the game for their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize the OP on this thread was several months ago, but I wanted to address a couple of the recent posts which are a thinly-veiled effort to ruin the club simply because their daughter(s) didn’t get enough playing time in their (small) minds. My only point is that these posts should be taken with a grain of salt and I have personal knowledge of the situations that gave rise to these posts, as I am another parent in the club who has been here for the past few years. Specifically, the post listing pros and cons is that of an embittered parent who recently left the club after not even one year (and that year being COVID) because he believed his daughter was a superstar that was being held back by the club, coaches, and other girls on the team whom he believes to be far less capable than his own kid. Classic case of someone who thinks he knows more than the coaches (and everyone else for that matter). Bear in mind, these coaches have trained and played professionally in Europe so I’d say they know a thing or two about the game. These coaches have spent countless hours with the girls they coach, sometimes playing scrimmages that are not part of official training sessions, and going way past training hours simply because they love what they do. They care very much about the girls, their development and their well-being, which is not something that can be said about a lot of other clubs or coaches. The club is not without its problems, but I would say the biggest problem of late has been toxic parents like the one who posted the subject post, who are arrogant and driven to madness by the cost of education, recruiting/scholarships, COVID, mid-life crises, etc. If your highest priority is your child’s development in the game of soccer, this is by far the best club in the area. If you believe that ECNL is the be all end all, then this club is NOT it for you, because FCGB does not play in ECNL, which this parent knew when they joined.

I know the club has lost a number of players for the aforementioned reasons, but the coaching is not to blame. The armchair quarterbacking, the talk on the sidelines and after the games where parents complain about playing minutes and positions that their kids “should” be playing in tend to stir up other people as well as the kids, and this leads to toxicity, resentment and stress across the board. It’s a shame because it is the kids who bear the brunt of it in the end, and the parents are sucking the joy out of the game for their kids.

so don't stay away because of coaching, stay away because the parents are toxic- ok

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize the OP on this thread was several months ago, but I wanted to address a couple of the recent posts which are a thinly-veiled effort to ruin the club simply because their daughter(s) didn’t get enough playing time in their (small) minds. My only point is that these posts should be taken with a grain of salt and I have personal knowledge of the situations that gave rise to these posts, as I am another parent in the club who has been here for the past few years. Specifically, the post listing pros and cons is that of an embittered parent who recently left the club after not even one year (and that year being COVID) because he believed his daughter was a superstar that was being held back by the club, coaches, and other girls on the team whom he believes to be far less capable than his own kid. Classic case of someone who thinks he knows more than the coaches (and everyone else for that matter). Bear in mind, these coaches have trained and played professionally in Europe so I’d say they know a thing or two about the game. These coaches have spent countless hours with the girls they coach, sometimes playing scrimmages that are not part of official training sessions, and going way past training hours simply because they love what they do. They care very much about the girls, their development and their well-being, which is not something that can be said about a lot of other clubs or coaches. The club is not without its problems, but I would say the biggest problem of late has been toxic parents like the one who posted the subject post, who are arrogant and driven to madness by the cost of education, recruiting/scholarships, COVID, mid-life crises, etc. If your highest priority is your child’s development in the game of soccer, this is by far the best club in the area. If you believe that ECNL is the be all end all, then this club is NOT it for you, because FCGB does not play in ECNL, which this parent knew when they joined.

I know the club has lost a number of players for the aforementioned reasons, but the coaching is not to blame. The armchair quarterbacking, the talk on the sidelines and after the games where parents complain about playing minutes and positions that their kids “should” be playing in tend to stir up other people as well as the kids, and this leads to toxicity, resentment and stress across the board. It’s a shame because it is the kids who bear the brunt of it in the end, and the parents are sucking the joy out of the game for their kids.

I want to be sensitive to the players and parents at FCGB but it is worth noting that though the team does tons of technical training at the younger ages, something is not translating. Outside of the 06 team, the teams are mediocre at best. If individual technical training is such a key factor in development of a player yet the teams can't compete against serious competition, then you have to question the club development strategy. You have to ask why the team is not making the top brackets at the top tournaments and why players aren't heading to elite college programs or getting YNT training invites. The coaches are dismissive of high school soccer and college yet no one trained by them is playng overseas.

[Anonymous]

The reason the teams between 99 and 06 weren’t top teams is because Ned didn’t give them a chance. When 05 and 06 split (they were once combined) Ned made it clear that the 06 team was the team that “had the talent”. The 06s were given the opportunities and the 05s (03s and 04s) were used as training ground for the 06s.

Also the best way to get playing time is to pay the coach fir extra training.

This wasn’t about development - it’s about attracting the best players and putting them on a team together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize the OP on this thread was several months ago, but I wanted to address a couple of the recent posts which are a thinly-veiled effort to ruin the club simply because their daughter(s) didn’t get enough playing time in their (small) minds. My only point is that these posts should be taken with a grain of salt and I have personal knowledge of the situations that gave rise to these posts, as I am another parent in the club who has been here for the past few years. Specifically, the post listing pros and cons is that of an embittered parent who recently left the club after not even one year (and that year being COVID) because he believed his daughter was a superstar that was being held back by the club, coaches, and other girls on the team whom he believes to be far less capable than his own kid. Classic case of someone who thinks he knows more than the coaches (and everyone else for that matter). Bear in mind, these coaches have trained and played professionally in Europe so I’d say they know a thing or two about the game. These coaches have spent countless hours with the girls they coach, sometimes playing scrimmages that are not part of official training sessions, and going way past training hours simply because they love what they do. They care very much about the girls, their development and their well-being, which is not something that can be said about a lot of other clubs or coaches. The club is not without its problems, but I would say the biggest problem of late has been toxic parents like the one who posted the subject post, who are arrogant and driven to madness by the cost of education, recruiting/scholarships, COVID, mid-life crises, etc. If your highest priority is your child’s development in the game of soccer, this is by far the best club in the area. If you believe that ECNL is the be all end all, then this club is NOT it for you, because FCGB does not play in ECNL, which this parent knew when they joined.

I know the club has lost a number of players for the aforementioned reasons, but the coaching is not to blame. The armchair quarterbacking, the talk on the sidelines and after the games where parents complain about playing minutes and positions that their kids “should” be playing in tend to stir up other people as well as the kids, and this leads to toxicity, resentment and stress across the board. It’s a shame because it is the kids who bear the brunt of it in the end, and the parents are sucking the joy out of the game for their kids.

so don't stay away because of coaching, stay away because the parents are toxic- ok

The toxic parents should be gone after the season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize the OP on this thread was several months ago, but I wanted to address a couple of the recent posts which are a thinly-veiled effort to ruin the club simply because their daughter(s) didn’t get enough playing time in their (small) minds. My only point is that these posts should be taken with a grain of salt and I have personal knowledge of the situations that gave rise to these posts, as I am another parent in the club who has been here for the past few years. Specifically, the post listing pros and cons is that of an embittered parent who recently left the club after not even one year (and that year being COVID) because he believed his daughter was a superstar that was being held back by the club, coaches, and other girls on the team whom he believes to be far less capable than his own kid. Classic case of someone who thinks he knows more than the coaches (and everyone else for that matter). Bear in mind, these coaches have trained and played professionally in Europe so I’d say they know a thing or two about the game. These coaches have spent countless hours with the girls they coach, sometimes playing scrimmages that are not part of official training sessions, and going way past training hours simply because they love what they do. They care very much about the girls, their development and their well-being, which is not something that can be said about a lot of other clubs or coaches. The club is not without its problems, but I would say the biggest problem of late has been toxic parents like the one who posted the subject post, who are arrogant and driven to madness by the cost of education, recruiting/scholarships, COVID, mid-life crises, etc. If your highest priority is your child’s development in the game of soccer, this is by far the best club in the area. If you believe that ECNL is the be all end all, then this club is NOT it for you, because FCGB does not play in ECNL, which this parent knew when they joined.

I know the club has lost a number of players for the aforementioned reasons, but the coaching is not to blame. The armchair quarterbacking, the talk on the sidelines and after the games where parents complain about playing minutes and positions that their kids “should” be playing in tend to stir up other people as well as the kids, and this leads to toxicity, resentment and stress across the board. It’s a shame because it is the kids who bear the brunt of it in the end, and the parents are sucking the joy out of the game for their kids.

It would be great if you can share the age group, ie 2008, 2007 or 2006. It would surely help to know if this parent is coming to out club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize the OP on this thread was several months ago, but I wanted to address a couple of the recent posts which are a thinly-veiled effort to ruin the club simply because their daughter(s) didn’t get enough playing time in their (small) minds. My only point is that these posts should be taken with a grain of salt and I have personal knowledge of the situations that gave rise to these posts, as I am another parent in the club who has been here for the past few years. Specifically, the post listing pros and cons is that of an embittered parent who recently left the club after not even one year (and that year being COVID) because he believed his daughter was a superstar that was being held back by the club, coaches, and other girls on the team whom he believes to be far less capable than his own kid. Classic case of someone who thinks he knows more than the coaches (and everyone else for that matter). Bear in mind, these coaches have trained and played professionally in Europe so I’d say they know a thing or two about the game. These coaches have spent countless hours with the girls they coach, sometimes playing scrimmages that are not part of official training sessions, and going way past training hours simply because they love what they do. They care very much about the girls, their development and their well-being, which is not something that can be said about a lot of other clubs or coaches. The club is not without its problems, but I would say the biggest problem of late has been toxic parents like the one who posted the subject post, who are arrogant and driven to madness by the cost of education, recruiting/scholarships, COVID, mid-life crises, etc. If your highest priority is your child’s development in the game of soccer, this is by far the best club in the area. If you believe that ECNL is the be all end all, then this club is NOT it for you, because FCGB does not play in ECNL, which this parent knew when they joined.

I know the club has lost a number of players for the aforementioned reasons, but the coaching is not to blame. The armchair quarterbacking, the talk on the sidelines and after the games where parents complain about playing minutes and positions that their kids “should” be playing in tend to stir up other people as well as the kids, and this leads to toxicity, resentment and stress across the board. It’s a shame because it is the kids who bear the brunt of it in the end, and the parents are sucking the joy out of the game for their kids.

There are usually 7 coaches on the sidelines at the games. Which one are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realize the OP on this thread was several months ago, but I wanted to address a couple of the recent posts which are a thinly-veiled effort to ruin the club simply because their daughter(s) didn’t get enough playing time in their (small) minds. My only point is that these posts should be taken with a grain of salt and I have personal knowledge of the situations that gave rise to these posts, as I am another parent in the club who has been here for the past few years. Specifically, the post listing pros and cons is that of an embittered parent who recently left the club after not even one year (and that year being COVID) because he believed his daughter was a superstar that was being held back by the club, coaches, and other girls on the team whom he believes to be far less capable than his own kid. Classic case of someone who thinks he knows more than the coaches (and everyone else for that matter). Bear in mind, these coaches have trained and played professionally in Europe so I’d say they know a thing or two about the game. These coaches have spent countless hours with the girls they coach, sometimes playing scrimmages that are not part of official training sessions, and going way past training hours simply because they love what they do. They care very much about the girls, their development and their well-being, which is not something that can be said about a lot of other clubs or coaches. The club is not without its problems, but I would say the biggest problem of late has been toxic parents like the one who posted the subject post, who are arrogant and driven to madness by the cost of education, recruiting/scholarships, COVID, mid-life crises, etc. If your highest priority is your child’s development in the game of soccer, this is by far the best club in the area. If you believe that ECNL is the be all end all, then this club is NOT it for you, because FCGB does not play in ECNL, which this parent knew when they joined.

I know the club has lost a number of players for the aforementioned reasons, but the coaching is not to blame. The armchair quarterbacking, the talk on the sidelines and after the games where parents complain about playing minutes and positions that their kids “should” be playing in tend to stir up other people as well as the kids, and this leads to toxicity, resentment and stress across the board. It’s a shame because it is the kids who bear the brunt of it in the end, and the parents are sucking the joy out of the game for their kids.

I want to be sensitive to the players and parents at FCGB but it is worth noting that though the team does tons of technical training at the younger ages, something is not translating. Outside of the 06 team, the teams are mediocre at best. If individual technical training is such a key factor in development of a player yet the teams can't compete against serious competition, then you have to question the club development strategy. You have to ask why the team is not making the top brackets at the top tournaments and why players aren't heading to elite college programs or getting YNT training invites. The coaches are dismissive of high school soccer and college yet no one trained by them is playng overseas.

The 06s are not successful any longer.

[Anonymous]

The bottom line is this: this club is willing to train and develop players, and have only the players that come to the club to do that with. If more athletic kids come, more top flight success will follow, because they actually know what they’re doing and have actual skills to teach. The larger clubs bury most of the kids and don’t develop them, they’re not worth the effort, they think; the lower teams supplement the top teams and there is little vertical movement, because they don’t focus on developing the lower teams; they’ve already judged those kids and decided they’re never going to be on the first teams starting 11. If all the athletic girls went to FCGB, they’d be the best club. Yet the athletic girls are shopped to the big clubs, and yet those, for some reason, (hmmm), are rarely the best teams in their leagues.
The majority of kids that are at FCGB were passed over by other clubs, or buried. At FCGB, they were given a chance to play minutes and develop. Parents then complain that other kids are getting played, too. Then the PARENTS leave, not the kids. They drag the kids with them.
So, good luck. They’ll go to the next team, play fewer minutes, get less training, then complain that it was the club that failed, not the skill or athleticism of their kid, and definitely not their fault for over-inflating their child’s ability. It’s not the first time we’ve seen it, won’t be the last. 9 times out of 10 it’s parents that never played the game thinking their kid is a superstar. The kids are usually happy. It’s the parents that aren’t happy, and it’s never their kids fault. It’s everybody else’s kids fault. Guess what? At the next club, it’s YOUR kids fault. Will you recognize that as you scan and count the bench and your daughters minutes?

[Anonymous]

The soccer posts on this board are always filled with thinly veiled, desperate attempts to tear others down to justify ones own choices... but WOW this one sets itself apart. Or, maybe I should say one poster does. Anonymous to most, but well known to those of us who stand with FCGB. Later dude!! Wish you all the best at your next stop.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I'm Reza, father of an FCGB 2006 player. I'm happy to share my thought with any soccer families who may have specific questions about FCGB and are confused by subtext of these anonymous posts. Please feel free to email me directly at [e-mail] and I will do my best to answer as objectively as possible. I'll admit I'm not knowledgeable about the pursuit of college soccer scholarships, but I have lifelong love for the beautiful game.

From my experience, DC-area families are lucky to have so many opportunities for girls to learn and experience this sport. It's truly remarkable how many clubs/coaches there are; and the range of technical, tactical, and physical development on offer. Indeed, the DC-area is unique in how the various children's and adults' leagues can even emulate the various styles of play which exist around the globe. If you feel that your child will enjoy playing a certain style, it's not hard to find a club that shares your opinion of how the game is best played. The only thing that seems to be in short supply are enough high-quality, public pitches.

In a nutshell, my advice on developing your child's talent can be paraphrased from (legendary) coach Arsene Wenger:

-For children up to the age of 7, the focus should be simply instilling a love for the game. Show them some freestyle tricks. Take them to see a local game at a club tournament, high school, university, MLS, NWSL, etc. (If you can take them to a big European or South American match at this age they will likely imprint and become a lifelong fan)

-For children between the ages of 7-14, the focus should be on technical development. Help them to develop the skill and ball-mastery necessary to progress.

-The period between ages 14-17 is usually a period of physical development. Help them develop flexibility, balance, strength, coordination, stamina, etc.

-The period from is usually 17-18 is when tactical intelligence can blossom. In America this is commonly referred to soccer IQ.

-The period between 18 and 21 is usually when children develop the mental strength and maturity needed for higher-level competition.

Whichever club you choose, appreciate that to really learn this game takes time, patience and humility. It should be done by following a process which builds layer upon layer without skipping steps. No child can achieve technical precision without first developing a love for the game. Technical ability without tactical sense won't make a good player. An intelligent and skillful player who is impulsive, or lacks poise or discipline is always going to be limited. Most importantly, the foundation of the development pyramid has to always be a love for the game.

Of course, for most families concerns about costs, time commitments, academic performance, family dynamics, mental health, injuries, and the like have to be taken in consideration while setting goals for soccer development. My advice is to consider your child's soccer education in the same way as other fine arts (painting, music, dance, etc) A good education can provide a lifelong source of joy and appreciation even if they don't end up reaching the highest levels.

Hopefully this is helpful.

Best,

Reza

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is this: this club is willing to train and develop players, and have only the players that come to the club to do that with. If more athletic kids come, more top flight success will follow, because they actually know what they’re doing and have actual skills to teach. The larger clubs bury most of the kids and don’t develop them, they’re not worth the effort, they think; the lower teams supplement the top teams and there is little vertical movement, because they don’t focus on developing the lower teams; they’ve already judged those kids and decided they’re never going to be on the first teams starting 11. If all the athletic girls went to FCGB, they’d be the best club. Yet the athletic girls are shopped to the big clubs, and yet those, for some reason, (hmmm), are rarely the best teams in their leagues.
The majority of kids that are at FCGB were passed over by other clubs, or buried. At FCGB, they were given a chance to play minutes and develop. Parents then complain that other kids are getting played, too. Then the PARENTS leave, not the kids. They drag the kids with them.
So, good luck. They’ll go to the next team, play fewer minutes, get less training, then complain that it was the club that failed, not the skill or athleticism of their kid, and definitely not their fault for over-inflating their child’s ability. It’s not the first time we’ve seen it, won’t be the last. 9 times out of 10 it’s parents that never played the game thinking their kid is a superstar. The kids are usually happy. It’s the parents that aren’t happy, and it’s never their kids fault. It’s everybody else’s kids fault. Guess what? At the next club, it’s YOUR kids fault. Will you recognize that as you scan and count the bench and your daughters minutes?

This sounds like a coach and I would agree with much of what is written. The one area I disagree with is the focus on athleticism as a reason behind the club's lack of elite teams. You would assume that a club that focuses on technical development would have stronger teams and players. A successful club should be able to produce good players despite elite athleticism. I don't have a kid at FCGB but am a fan of the club and its coaches. I have honestly been surprised by the lack of strong teams and players. If you are focused on having fun in a structured environment then FCGB is the place but if the next level is the goal, you really need to go in with your eye wide open.