Girls Tryouts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are clubs generally strict with deadlines for paying fees? My DD has been offered a spot on a team, but the fee is due before she can hear from another team. How to navigate that situation?

Most clubs do this as a way to "lock" in players and prevent them from trying out for other clubs. My take is to tell them that you are still making the best decision and that once that is made, you can pay the initial fee/s etc. Pressuring players into paying ASAP is not a good look or tactic and players should be allowed to tryout for different clubs and make the best decision for them without the pressure of having to commit right away without any thought into evaluating options etc. I think as you get older this isn't as prevalent as you are settled into 1 club etc.

It probably depends on the club your DD is trying out for. If it's a competitive club you will not have as much flexibility because these clubs use this tactic to secure top talent and prevent talented players from leaving programs.

Agree with PP it's not a good look and really unfair to the players. These club directors know who they want going into tryouts, so may make an exception to the rule. Better to be clear though then risk it.

If it's not a top club and the numbers trying out were small you will have a lot of flexibility. In the end these clubs generally struggle to find enough players to field teams, so will work with you as you consider other options.

Some other clubs will enable you to pay to lock up your spot without having to tryout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are clubs generally strict with deadlines for paying fees? My DD has been offered a spot on a team, but the fee is due before she can hear from another team. How to navigate that situation?

Most clubs do this as a way to "lock" in players and prevent them from trying out for other clubs. My take is to tell them that you are still making the best decision and that once that is made, you can pay the initial fee/s etc. Pressuring players into paying ASAP is not a good look or tactic and players should be allowed to tryout for different clubs and make the best decision for them without the pressure of having to commit right away without any thought into evaluating options etc. I think as you get older this isn't as prevalent as you are settled into 1 club etc.

It probably depends on the club your DD is trying out for. If it's a competitive club you will not have as much flexibility because these clubs use this tactic to secure top talent and prevent talented players from leaving programs.

Agree with PP it's not a good look and really unfair to the players. These club directors know who they want going into tryouts, so may make an exception to the rule. Better to be clear though then risk it.

If it's not a top club and the numbers trying out were small you will have a lot of flexibility. In the end these clubs generally struggle to find enough players to field teams, so will work with you as you consider other options.

Some other clubs will enable you to pay to lock up your spot without having to tryout.

I have a sneaking suspicion this is why a few clubs went so early with tryouts - to force kids to lock up their spot early. Most clubs are weeks away from tryouts.

If you feel pressured then you have to do what is right for you. Best to be honest and trust your gut. Good clubs will understand, bad ones will show their true colors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure they serve a purpose but you would have to agree that the bottom half of those teams should be playing rec ball correct? The problem comes in when there are solid almost A level players playing with girls who should be playing rec. But why would any organization turn the money away?!

The rec options for upper middle school and Hs are a joke.

[Anonymous]

My DD’s B team is full. I guess we all are just too stupid

[Anonymous]

I have a sneaking suspicion this is why a few clubs went so early with tryouts - to force kids to lock up their spot early. Most clubs are weeks away from tryouts.

This. There's no legitimate reason to push try outs early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have a sneaking suspicion this is why a few clubs went so early with tryouts - to force kids to lock up their spot early. Most clubs are weeks away from tryouts.

This. There's no legitimate reason to push try outs early.

Agree. And if they truly have the best interest of the girls in mind, they would be understanding of the situation the PP stated. It happens all of the time and better for people to be up front than be sneaky - I have had that happen and it sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have a sneaking suspicion this is why a few clubs went so early with tryouts - to force kids to lock up their spot early. Most clubs are weeks away from tryouts.

This. There's no legitimate reason to push try outs early.

Agree, not sure why some of the "bigger" clubs held tryouts so early already. Still lots of tryouts coming up in the next few weeks but the constant pressure doesn't help anyone make an informed decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have a sneaking suspicion this is why a few clubs went so early with tryouts - to force kids to lock up their spot early. Most clubs are weeks away from tryouts.

This. There's no legitimate reason to push try outs early.

Agree, not sure why some of the "bigger" clubs held tryouts so early already. Still lots of tryouts coming up in the next few weeks but the constant pressure doesn't help anyone make an informed decision.

Bigger? Who? Stars and MC Elite? Seems to me they are trying to lock in girls before the other clubs have their tryouts. MD Big 3 not until mid July (M&D week before Heros and SW so that will be interesting...)

[Anonymous]

Ironically it ends up undercutting their own program also. Solid, good players may tryout for the big 3 MD clubs and not make the team of choice - maybe they would have also gone to an MC tryout around the same time (after summer tournaments in July) but the tryout already happened really early in June! So basically tries to lock-in those they have and doesn’t really encourage the possibility of new talent. It is so strange and doesn’t show confidence in own program. If they moved later it may actually help the club!

[Anonymous]

Maybe they are thinking they will lock in who they can and still take the girls in the "I didn't make the team of my choice" later....I think the MC situation is such that if you cut the check they will give you a spot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ironically it ends up undercutting their own program also. Solid, good players may tryout for the big 3 MD clubs and not make the team of choice - maybe they would have also gone to an MC tryout around the same time (after summer tournaments in July) but the tryout already happened really early in June! So basically tries to lock-in those they have and doesn’t really encourage the possibility of new talent. It is so strange and doesn’t show confidence in own program. If they moved later it may actually help the club!

100% agree. Why not have them in July or have multiple sessions/tryouts. Then allow the decision to be made by late/end of July?

Stars and MCE are 2 of the "bigger" DMV clubs so yes outside of the Big 3 MD clubs, those are some of the bigger names in the DMV area but obviously not the "big MD ones".

I think Pride's tryouts are even in mid July which opens up some interesting dilemmas for girls trying out for Pride and the other DMV teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are thinking they will lock in who they can and still take the girls in the "I didn't make the team of my choice" later....I think the MC situation is such that if you cut the check they will give you a spot

I don’t disagree, but think this takes more affirmative outreach by family vs just going to an open tryout that fits in timeline better. I think they could attract more if moved tryouts to a better time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are thinking they will lock in who they can and still take the girls in the "I didn't make the team of my choice" later....I think the MC situation is such that if you cut the check they will give you a spot

Similar to Rebels/Renegades. Not sure MH has ever cut a girl that paid.

And as mentioned about Pride, I think MC and Stars should have a lot to worry about with them. Pride is definitely on the upswing while Stars/MC are heading the wrong way. Even NL seems to be building from the younger years and heading in a good direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are thinking they will lock in who they can and still take the girls in the "I didn't make the team of my choice" later....I think the MC situation is such that if you cut the check they will give you a spot

Similar to Rebels/Renegades. Not sure MH has ever cut a girl that paid.

And as mentioned about Pride, I think MC and Stars should have a lot to worry about with them. Pride is definitely on the upswing while Stars/MC are heading the wrong way. Even NL seems to be building from the younger years and heading in a good direction.

Speaking of Rebels, they are the opposite spectrum. They have tryouts AFTER everyone else so at least there's somewhere to go if you don't make it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are thinking they will lock in who they can and still take the girls in the "I didn't make the team of my choice" later....I think the MC situation is such that if you cut the check they will give you a spot

Similar to Rebels/Renegades. Not sure MH has ever cut a girl that paid.

And as mentioned about Pride, I think MC and Stars should have a lot to worry about with them. Pride is definitely on the upswing while Stars/MC are heading the wrong way. Even NL seems to be building from the younger years and heading in a good direction.

Based on recent results, that seems to be the case. Although I still don't see NL or Pride beating M&D, Hero's Green, Coppermine or MDU, even with their recent upswing.