Playing time expectations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The club we play for sends 2 1st team kids who get very little playing time with their team down to start with the 2nd team any time the schedule permits.

OK, that's not terrible. I don't know if I would have a problem with that. Does the coach explain that to players or parents?

[Anonymous]

At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

Let's see...never.

My kid was a late grower. He turned 15 in October is U16 and shot up a good 7 inches since last March. I have seen several of the really technical players reaching height late and the teams don't adjust. My kid has gained speed from the height as well. Some of the kids that used to be a lot taller than him are looking up to him and 5 steps behind. He always outmatched them in touch and skill.

US Club soccer doesn't switch rosters much at all year to year, no matter how players change. Just my experience with 3 kids and many nieces and nephews (pre-teens and teens) playing soccer all over the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

Like pp said, a lot of boys don't hit their growth spurt until 15-16 (U16 and U17). U14 is still early in physical development. Though with environmental pollution and hormones in food, more kids are hitting it on the early side (U12, U11 even for boys).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

Let's see...never.

My kid was a late grower. He turned 15 in October is U16 and shot up a good 7 inches since last March. I have seen several of the really technical players reaching height late and the teams don't adjust. My kid has gained speed from the height as well. Some of the kids that used to be a lot taller than him are looking up to him and 5 steps behind. He always outmatched them in touch and skill.

US Club soccer doesn't switch rosters much at all year to year, no matter how players change. Just my experience with 3 kids and many nieces and nephews (pre-teens and teens) playing soccer all over the DMV.

This, they need to move clubs if they want to move up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

Let's see...never.

My kid was a late grower. He turned 15 in October is U16 and shot up a good 7 inches since last March. I have seen several of the really technical players reaching height late and the teams don't adjust. My kid has gained speed from the height as well. Some of the kids that used to be a lot taller than him are looking up to him and 5 steps behind. He always outmatched them in touch and skill.

US Club soccer doesn't switch rosters much at all year to year, no matter how players change. Just my experience with 3 kids and many nieces and nephews (pre-teens and teens) playing soccer all over the DMV.

My U13 is teeny, tiny, skinny thing. Really great technical player and tough. His brother is 6'2" now and was the same until 10th grade. Unfortunately, I see the writing on the wall for my 2nd born. 6th-9th grade is painful time in sports for late bloomers and even if they are technically much better, Clubs overlook them for the ones that already grew and went through puberty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

Let's see...never.

My kid was a late grower. He turned 15 in October is U16 and shot up a good 7 inches since last March. I have seen several of the really technical players reaching height late and the teams don't adjust. My kid has gained speed from the height as well. Some of the kids that used to be a lot taller than him are looking up to him and 5 steps behind. He always outmatched them in touch and skill.

US Club soccer doesn't switch rosters much at all year to year, no matter how players change. Just my experience with 3 kids and many nieces and nephews (pre-teens and teens) playing soccer all over the DMV.

This, they need to move clubs if they want to move up

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

Let's see...never.

My kid was a late grower. He turned 15 in October is U16 and shot up a good 7 inches since last March. I have seen several of the really technical players reaching height late and the teams don't adjust. My kid has gained speed from the height as well. Some of the kids that used to be a lot taller than him are looking up to him and 5 steps behind. He always outmatched them in touch and skill.

US Club soccer doesn't switch rosters much at all year to year, no matter how players change. Just my experience with 3 kids and many nieces and nephews (pre-teens and teens) playing soccer all over the DMV.

It would probably be more convincing if you were talking about a kid you had no interest in. I too think my boy is playing much better than others (He is 06 on 04 teams). There are better skilled players, but none are as impactful as he is. Rare does the goal get scored on his side of the field. That said, I know I'm very biased.

Also, it isn't just about the skills. They have to understand the system, which gives an advantage to those already on the team. Finally, knowing your teammates also allows one to look better....Anticipating where to be matters as to who has the ball and what that person usually does with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what age do the promotions and demotions happen the most? We are in the U14 boys level and several B team players have hit their growing spurt and are obviously moving ahead of the A team players in both skill and athleticism.

Let's see...never.

My kid was a late grower. He turned 15 in October is U16 and shot up a good 7 inches since last March. I have seen several of the really technical players reaching height late and the teams don't adjust. My kid has gained speed from the height as well. Some of the kids that used to be a lot taller than him are looking up to him and 5 steps behind. He always outmatched them in touch and skill.

US Club soccer doesn't switch rosters much at all year to year, no matter how players change. Just my experience with 3 kids and many nieces and nephews (pre-teens and teens) playing soccer all over the DMV.

My U13 is teeny, tiny, skinny thing. Really great technical player and tough. His brother is 6'2" now and was the same until 10th grade. Unfortunately, I see the writing on the wall for my 2nd born. 6th-9th grade is painful time in sports for late bloomers and even if they are technically much better, Clubs overlook them for the ones that already grew and went through puberty.

This will change as American Coaches learn about soccer. Right now, we are still a nation that just doesn't get how to play correctly. When we get companies recruiting 14-16 yos and giving free scholarships, that will change the how the rest of America teaches soccer. Until then, Americans will be big and strong with little understanding of how to play the game.

[Anonymous]

I think promotion is more common than then demotion. Usually the demoted player and parent would rather quit than work their way back up. Its a sad fact that shows more of US youth soccer players live in a sheltered bubble then you think. Any sense of a cut throat competition for roster spots is out the window in favor of friendships and money.

[Anonymous]

Depends on age, PP. Younger kids up to maybe 12, at least 10, need enough game time to be confident and comfortable in game situations. Allowing coaches to bench young kids prevents them from gaining this experience. All the skills and drills in the world are not helpful if you are trying to make decisions in a game. This is why the current policies are so absurd. The kids who are better at 8 get more time, more experience. It is very hard to fight your way up if you are relegated to bench. Not impossible, but very hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on age, PP. Younger kids up to maybe 12, at least 10, need enough game time to be confident and comfortable in game situations. Allowing coaches to bench young kids prevents them from gaining this experience. All the skills and drills in the world are not helpful if you are trying to make decisions in a game. This is why the current policies are so absurd. The kids who are better at 8 get more time, more experience. It is very hard to fight your way up if you are relegated to bench. Not impossible, but very hard.

Usually the more athletic kid will get the nod. Even the more technically skilled kids are so bad by world standards that the choice is athletic over skilled.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by “world standards”? Not sure I understand. Just that people tend to appreciate athleticism over technical skills?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by “world standards”? Not sure I understand. Just that people tend to appreciate athleticism over technical skills?

what’s meant is you look at the top area kids right now let’s say the top 100 in each age. They look great compared to the other area kids but compare them to the same age players in Europe and SA and the are far below the average . Not being a negative Nancy it’s just where we are at this point . Stay positive better times are ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by “world standards”? Not sure I understand. Just that people tend to appreciate athleticism over technical skills?

Part of being a good technical player is being athletic enough to preform technical skills under pressure . That means if your smaller and not as strong you must have the ability to navigate around the more athletic kids without being pushed off the ball. Just having technical skills isn’t enough against a stronger faster player just facts