Ignorant soccer parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

Yup, i saw that. Will is a word that has no value to me unless it's on paper. Good luck and perhaps we will reevaluate when they do join something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

Yup, i saw that. Will is a word that has no value to me unless it's on paper. Good luck and perhaps we will reevaluate when they do join something.

Yeah, how dare they concentrate on training players, and not winning tournaments!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

Yup, i saw that. Will is a word that has no value to me unless it's on paper. Good luck and perhaps we will reevaluate when they do join something.

LOL, what a tool. You realize that joining a league just requires some simple paperwork. It would have been stupid of them to try and join a league and field teams in 3 months. And then on top of it, had they done so, they surely would not have performed well right off the bat and then they have to deal with parents like you who have zero patience with a program or a process because you THINK your kids need a crappy league game.

None of the parents that I have talked to have ever mentioned their kids missing league games, and that is because the kids don't. And for one year at least, to just go, get some excellent training and just relax with a easier schedule, it has been surprisingly very nice all around. I don't miss the league games and neither does my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

Yup, i saw that. Will is a word that has no value to me unless it's on paper. Good luck and perhaps we will reevaluate when they do join something.

LOL, what a tool. You realize that joining a league just requires some simple paperwork. It would have been stupid of them to try and join a league and field teams in 3 months. And then on top of it, had they done so, they surely would not have performed well right off the bat and then they have to deal with parents like you who have zero patience with a program or a process because you THINK your kids need a crappy league game.

None of the parents that I have talked to have ever mentioned their kids missing league games, and that is because the kids don't. And for one year at least, to just go, get some excellent training and just relax with a easier schedule, it has been surprisingly very nice all around. I don't miss the league games and neither does my kid.

Well good for you. Enjoy, but I think people have to right to join or not join based on their own requirements. I'm assuming the "people" you talk to are also in the same program so your sample size is rather skewed. Why can't I run into people like you in person, oh that's right you can be bold while hiding behind your pc. Give me a break, do you know how many people tried out vs actually joining. I ran into a large number of kids from neighboring clubs and only a few joined, of that some only opted for the 1day week training and have sense left because the continual changing of dates. Get real, no league play is a no go for large number of kids and families.

You have the right to join and enjoy good training, but to call someone a tool? What are you, a teenager?

[Anonymous]

I don't know the club or league. I will just say that teams can play a ton of games without playing in a league. Prior to DA and ECNL league games were often the worst games.

I recall one year when two clubs formed their own usysa league just to qualify for state cup. They played the minimum required number of "league games" to qualify and the rest were tournaments. In one seriously stupid u14 year my daughter's team played 80 plus games of which 18 were "league" games. As a US club team I would guess they can play as many games as they want picking tournaments where they can compete appropriately

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

Yup, i saw that. Will is a word that has no value to me unless it's on paper. Good luck and perhaps we will reevaluate when they do join something.

LOL, what a tool. You realize that joining a league just requires some simple paperwork. It would have been stupid of them to try and join a league and field teams in 3 months. And then on top of it, had they done so, they surely would not have performed well right off the bat and then they have to deal with parents like you who have zero patience with a program or a process because you THINK your kids need a crappy league game.

None of the parents that I have talked to have ever mentioned their kids missing league games, and that is because the kids don't. And for one year at least, to just go, get some excellent training and just relax with a easier schedule, it has been surprisingly very nice all around. I don't miss the league games and neither does my kid.

Well good for you. Enjoy, but I think people have to right to join or not join based on their own requirements. I'm assuming the "people" you talk to are also in the same program so your sample size is rather skewed. Why can't I run into people like you in person, oh that's right you can be bold while hiding behind your pc. Give me a break, do you know how many people tried out vs actually joining. I ran into a large number of kids from neighboring clubs and only a few joined, of that some only opted for the 1day week training and have sense left because the continual changing of dates. Get real, no league play is a no go for large number of kids and families.

You have the right to join and enjoy good training, but to call someone a tool? What are you, a teenager?

No, I'd still laugh and say that the perspective is still short sighted. Now, of course things depend on the player and age but sometimes things are worth taking a chance on as well. And the decision sounds like it is based on league participation. They will be in league play next year. By the time you "see it" then you've wasted another year. Next time just don't ask because you're not really interested.

[Anonymous]

Is there anything like this Barca in arlington. ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there anything like this Barca in arlington. ?

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

Yup, i saw that. Will is a word that has no value to me unless it's on paper. Good luck and perhaps we will reevaluate when they do join something.

LOL, what a tool. You realize that joining a league just requires some simple paperwork. It would have been stupid of them to try and join a league and field teams in 3 months. And then on top of it, had they done so, they surely would not have performed well right off the bat and then they have to deal with parents like you who have zero patience with a program or a process because you THINK your kids need a crappy league game.

None of the parents that I have talked to have ever mentioned their kids missing league games, and that is because the kids don't. And for one year at least, to just go, get some excellent training and just relax with a easier schedule, it has been surprisingly very nice all around. I don't miss the league games and neither does my kid.

Well good for you. Enjoy, but I think people have to right to join or not join based on their own requirements. I'm assuming the "people" you talk to are also in the same program so your sample size is rather skewed. Why can't I run into people like you in person, oh that's right you can be bold while hiding behind your pc. Give me a break, do you know how many people tried out vs actually joining. I ran into a large number of kids from neighboring clubs and only a few joined, of that some only opted for the 1day week training and have sense left because the continual changing of dates. Get real, no league play is a no go for large number of kids and families.

You have the right to join and enjoy good training, but to call someone a tool? What are you, a teenager?

No, I'd still laugh and say that the perspective is still short sighted. Now, of course things depend on the player and age but sometimes things are worth taking a chance on as well. And the decision sounds like it is based on league participation. They will be in league play next year. By the time you "see it" then you've wasted another year. Next time just don't ask because you're not really interested.

Our team is currently trying to setup some scrimmages with the FCB Escola U13 team. Anybody on here on that team care to talk about what their level of play is? I think they're going to be participating in tournament in Williamsburg, but don't know anything else. Just curious about what level of competition we will be having.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should meet some baseball parents, op. Every boy in Washington is destined for MLB

LMAO I so see this!

[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:Travel-to-rec parent here - we are hoping to roster slightly higher in the spring season, to combat the "too many kids doing other things" problem. The league recommends 11 for the 7x7 format, and we've only had a couple games where we had more than 2 subs. Last week we had to start the game with 6-on-6 because we didn't have enough girls for 7x7, but luckily the other team was shorthanded too. We like to sub our goalie out at about the quarter mark, but that's hard to coordinate when you have no subs waiting on the sidelines in a pinnie and gloves.

Also, good point that it might be the age of the girls. They're 8, so they are SILLY. When they are focused, they are actually awesome to watch. But you have to wade through a lot of silly to get there.

We're good about equal playing time, though. The only time we really take into account ability level is when we're assigning positions. If we have someone in goal who is weak on goal (like many are when they first play it), we put our best defenders on D to help out. If we are playing a really good opponent, we are probably keeping our best striker in a forward position and not putting her in goal.

Funny you say that, at a Barca tryout(FCBEscola) they said all players could do what they like, including coding, camps, other sports, and if they miss practice it wouldn't matter since the team wasn't going to force anyone to practice and the player wouldn't lose a slot on the team. I was thinking, but didn't want to say it, why would anyone sign up for that, pay $3k for fees and $300 for uniform and then have the player's team not even show up at times because they were doing something more important. Not sure if the rep was trying to cater to every need, heard some things about the area(Loudoun), or really is just offering private training with Barcelona branding to go with it.

Right -- when I'm paying $3,000 to face elite competition, I think it's reasonable to expect people to show up. For a $120 rec league, expectations are different.

We tried out and declined to join. Admittedly I we didn't know what it really was and after they discussed the training focus with less emphasis on games my kids checked out. Also, the kids in that program for the most part was a part of the Evergreen club which wasn't competitive to begin with. It's going to be hard to use Barcalona's name her in the states where the culture isn't training for soccer, it's playing games.

The training is excellent and they move kids around to find the right skill set and fit for them. Very few of the Evergreen kids are actually involved and kids come from all over the area. You were a bit short sighted in your analysis.

Without league play it was a no go for my kids. I had to be short sighted, we tried out and had a week or so to make a decision. I can only assume that following the "Barca" way is great way to teach, but kids love the games and taking that away wasn't an option. I know other FCB schools have joined leagues and to truely grow in this area, I think they will have to do the same.

Ummmm, they will join leagues. I said that they are using this year to train and implement their style of play to prepare the kids for competition next year.

Yup, i saw that. Will is a word that has no value to me unless it's on paper. Good luck and perhaps we will reevaluate when they do join something.

LOL, what a tool. You realize that joining a league just requires some simple paperwork. It would have been stupid of them to try and join a league and field teams in 3 months. And then on top of it, had they done so, they surely would not have performed well right off the bat and then they have to deal with parents like you who have zero patience with a program or a process because you THINK your kids need a crappy league game.

None of the parents that I have talked to have ever mentioned their kids missing league games, and that is because the kids don't. And for one year at least, to just go, get some excellent training and just relax with a easier schedule, it has been surprisingly very nice all around. I don't miss the league games and neither does my kid.

Well good for you. Enjoy, but I think people have to right to join or not join based on their own requirements. I'm assuming the "people" you talk to are also in the same program so your sample size is rather skewed. Why can't I run into people like you in person, oh that's right you can be bold while hiding behind your pc. Give me a break, do you know how many people tried out vs actually joining. I ran into a large number of kids from neighboring clubs and only a few joined, of that some only opted for the 1day week training and have sense left because the continual changing of dates. Get real, no league play is a no go for large number of kids and families.

You have the right to join and enjoy good training, but to call someone a tool? What are you, a teenager?

No, I'd still laugh and say that the perspective is still short sighted. Now, of course things depend on the player and age but sometimes things are worth taking a chance on as well. And the decision sounds like it is based on league participation. They will be in league play next year. By the time you "see it" then you've wasted another year. Next time just don't ask because you're not really interested.

Our team is currently trying to setup some scrimmages with the FCB Escola U13 team. Anybody on here on that team care to talk about what their level of play is? I think they're going to be participating in tournament in Williamsburg, but don't know anything else. Just curious about what level of competition we will be having.

I would say the level will not be elite but will be competitive. They will play committed to possession style and will not use shortcuts. They will want to win and will play to win but they will play a well organized attack.

Considering they have only been together for about three months it should be interesting.

[Anonymous]

Completely crazy. My boss and his wife had three kids who did nothing but soccer, every evening, every weekend. They helped coach. Two of the kids got scholarships to low level schools and washed out before sophomore year. The girl is an unwed mom living at home. The boys have both been convicted of slinging dope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Completely crazy. My boss and his wife had three kids who did nothing but soccer, every evening, every weekend. They helped coach. Two of the kids got scholarships to low level schools and washed out before sophomore year. The girl is an unwed mom living at home. The boys have both been convicted of slinging dope.

And the point is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Completely crazy. My boss and his wife had three kids who did nothing but soccer, every evening, every weekend. They helped coach. Two of the kids got scholarships to low level schools and washed out before sophomore year. The girl is an unwed mom living at home. The boys have both been convicted of slinging dope.

So your conclusion is that Travel soccer will lead kids into slinging dope and unwedded birth a child? Holy shit, I'm taking all my kids out right now!!!!