Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

BRYC Elite also has a Micro Academy for U6-U8 that feeds their U9 Elite Academy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share info about BRYC Elite Academy for the younger ages?

And why does BRYC achieve such mind-boggling results as a travel program overall? What's the secret?

Some of the things BRYC does well as a club include (1) applying a specific player development model consistently across all teams/ages (see the club website for details) (2) focusing relentlessly on a possession style of play throughout the club regardless of the results at the younger ages, (3) coaches specializing in a 2-3 year player age range, rather than coaching the same players/teams year after year after year, (4) leveraging positive experiences at USYS National Championship, Region 1, etc.

A few other clubs do the same things well and also consistently produce great teams, so I don't think BRYC's success is due to anything "secret".

I also think BRYC benefits significantly in building strong teams at say U12 and higher from being centrally located in Northern Virgina. BRYC's home fields are likely within a reasonable (e.g. 30 minute) drive for most NoVA families looking for a competitive club for their motivated child. The same can't be said for some big club teams on the North, South or West edges of NoVA where many families could be looking at a 60 minutes drive for practice.

Mia Hamm came out of BRYC. If she came out of a different big club today she would not be the same Striker. They woujd have screamed 'first touch' and benched her for dribbling and labeled her a ball hog.

I grew up in the SYC/BRYC girls programs in the 80s that were hugely successful. Conditioning was also insane.

I watch my kids U-9 practices now and they are very uninspiring (we aren't at BRYC or SYC). Almost zero shooting drills. Zero ball control/agility poles, etc., no pace passing drills, few 1 v 1 drills.

Nothing player specific or playing to individual strengths either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share info about BRYC Elite Academy for the younger ages?

And why does BRYC achieve such mind-boggling results as a travel program overall? What's the secret?

Some of the things BRYC does well as a club include (1) applying a specific player development model consistently across all teams/ages (see the club website for details) (2) focusing relentlessly on a possession style of play throughout the club regardless of the results at the younger ages, (3) coaches specializing in a 2-3 year player age range, rather than coaching the same players/teams year after year after year, (4) leveraging positive experiences at USYS National Championship, Region 1, etc.

A few other clubs do the same things well and also consistently produce great teams, so I don't think BRYC's success is due to anything "secret".

I also think BRYC benefits significantly in building strong teams at say U12 and higher from being centrally located in Northern Virgina. BRYC's home fields are likely within a reasonable (e.g. 30 minute) drive for most NoVA families looking for a competitive club for their motivated child. The same can't be said for some big club teams on the North, South or West edges of NoVA where many families could be looking at a 60 minutes drive for practice.

Mia Hamm came out of BRYC. If she came out of a different big club today she would not be the same Striker. They woujd have screamed 'first touch' and benched her for dribbling and labeled her a ball hog.

I grew up in the SYC/BRYC girls programs in the 80s that were hugely successful. Conditioning was also insane.

I watch my kids U-9 practices now and they are very uninspiring (we aren't at BRYC or SYC). Almost zero shooting drills. Zero ball control/agility poles, etc., no pace passing drills, few 1 v 1 drills.

Nothing player specific or playing to individual strengths either.

Find another club. My U9 boy is doing lots of all those things (except shooting drills) at FPYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share info about BRYC Elite Academy for the younger ages?

And why does BRYC achieve such mind-boggling results as a travel program overall? What's the secret?

Some of the things BRYC does well as a club include (1) applying a specific player development model consistently across all teams/ages (see the club website for details) (2) focusing relentlessly on a possession style of play throughout the club regardless of the results at the younger ages, (3) coaches specializing in a 2-3 year player age range, rather than coaching the same players/teams year after year after year, (4) leveraging positive experiences at USYS National Championship, Region 1, etc.

A few other clubs do the same things well and also consistently produce great teams, so I don't think BRYC's success is due to anything "secret".

I also think BRYC benefits significantly in building strong teams at say U12 and higher from being centrally located in Northern Virgina. BRYC's home fields are likely within a reasonable (e.g. 30 minute) drive for most NoVA families looking for a competitive club for their motivated child. The same can't be said for some big club teams on the North, South or West edges of NoVA where many families could be looking at a 60 minutes drive for practice.

Mia Hamm came out of BRYC. If she came out of a different big club today she would not be the same Striker. They woujd have screamed 'first touch' and benched her for dribbling and labeled her a ball hog.

I grew up in the SYC/BRYC girls programs in the 80s that were hugely successful. Conditioning was also insane.

I watch my kids U-9 practices now and they are very uninspiring (we aren't at BRYC or SYC). Almost zero shooting drills. Zero ball control/agility poles, etc., no pace passing drills, few 1 v 1 drills.

Nothing player specific or playing to individual strengths either.

Find another club. My U9 boy is doing lots of all those things (except shooting drills) at FPYC.

My biggest concern at this age is the extra driving. He comes from a hugely accredited soccer family so we can supplement for now. But definitely underwhelmed where we are now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share info about BRYC Elite Academy for the younger ages?

And why does BRYC achieve such mind-boggling results as a travel program overall? What's the secret?

Some of the things BRYC does well as a club include (1) applying a specific player development model consistently across all teams/ages (see the club website for details) (2) focusing relentlessly on a possession style of play throughout the club regardless of the results at the younger ages, (3) coaches specializing in a 2-3 year player age range, rather than coaching the same players/teams year after year after year, (4) leveraging positive experiences at USYS National Championship, Region 1, etc.

A few other clubs do the same things well and also consistently produce great teams, so I don't think BRYC's success is due to anything "secret".

I also think BRYC benefits significantly in building strong teams at say U12 and higher from being centrally located in Northern Virgina. BRYC's home fields are likely within a reasonable (e.g. 30 minute) drive for most NoVA families looking for a competitive club for their motivated child. The same can't be said for some big club teams on the North, South or West edges of NoVA where many families could be looking at a 60 minutes drive for practice.

Mia Hamm came out of BRYC. If she came out of a different big club today she would not be the same Striker. They woujd have screamed 'first touch' and benched her for dribbling and labeled her a ball hog.

I grew up in the SYC/BRYC girls programs in the 80s that were hugely successful. Conditioning was also insane.

I watch my kids U-9 practices now and they are very uninspiring (we aren't at BRYC or SYC). Almost zero shooting drills. Zero ball control/agility poles, etc., no pace passing drills, few 1 v 1 drills.

Nothing player specific or playing to individual strengths either.

Find another club. My U9 boy is doing lots of all those things (except shooting drills) at FPYC.

My biggest concern at this age is the extra driving. He comes from a hugely accredited soccer family so we can supplement for now. But definitely underwhelmed where we are now.

Btw- several of my nephews have played for FYPC and they were happy.

[Anonymous]

Also- what do u think about a U-9 club adding players from other clubs mid-year to their top team when they have far more talent than the recruit already there?

Fucked up? I think so.

[Anonymous]

Seems especially drastic for U9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems especially drastic for U9.

Yes. I know. I don't understand the rationale of recruiting from other clubs at U-9 when they repeatedly give lip service that they don't care about winning at all--blah, blah, blah. They want to help the local kids in the county--blah, blah, blah. Then- they have some superstars amongst the pack they already have but instead of promoting them to the top team they add a bunch of kids from a different club mid-season that aren't even as good or have a track record of performance.

The whole thing is the most ridiculous and crappiest thing I've witnessed. They are really starting to create a serious grumbling in the ranks.

I'd understand at a U-13/14 level but at age 8-9 this is stupid. They won't know what the kids they just screwed their own local kids over for will be like in 5 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems especially drastic for U9.

Yes. I know. I don't understand the rationale of recruiting from other clubs at U-9 when they repeatedly give lip service that they don't care about winning at all--blah, blah, blah. They want to help the local kids in the county--blah, blah, blah. Then- they have some superstars amongst the pack they already have but instead of promoting them to the top team they add a bunch of kids from a different club mid-season that aren't even as good or have a track record of performance.

The whole thing is the most ridiculous and crappiest thing I've witnessed. They are really starting to create a serious grumbling in the ranks.

I'd understand at a U-13/14 level but at age 8-9 this is stupid. They won't know what the kids they just screwed their own local kids over for will be like in 5 years.

I'm guessing those kids they are screwing over will be their biggest threat in coming years once they leave . There is nothing quite sweeter than kicking the ass of a club/team that once screwed you over. My club had the gall to ask why I didn't mention them in an article once I was nationally recognized. If I had- it wouldn't have been pretty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems especially drastic for U9.

Yes. I know. I don't understand the rationale of recruiting from other clubs at U-9 when they repeatedly give lip service that they don't care about winning at all--blah, blah, blah. They want to help the local kids in the county--blah, blah, blah. Then- they have some superstars amongst the pack they already have but instead of promoting them to the top team they add a bunch of kids from a different club mid-season that aren't even as good or have a track record of performance.

The whole thing is the most ridiculous and crappiest thing I've witnessed. They are really starting to create a serious grumbling in the ranks.

I'd understand at a U-13/14 level but at age 8-9 this is stupid. They won't know what the kids they just screwed their own local kids over for will be like in 5 years.

I've seen a kid just walk on from a foreign country with them not even really witnessing him play. It's like the coach with the 'foreign accent' prevalent in US soccer---'oh- he's from country X. he automatically must be great and know all about soccer'. F-king ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Moot point now that Eddie Lima has gone, but many pages ago in this thread, someone claimed none of the VYS Academy-bred teams would be playing in top divisions this spring.

NCSL division assignments are out. VYS Vipers Red -- U11 Division 1.

http://www.ncsl-soccer.com/divstruct/index_E.html

Minor point, but it's just worth a little reminder that people who were on here ripping Eddie and VYS a few months ago really did not have the facts.

On a non-VYS note, it'll be interesting to see whether anyone can give Bethesda's top team a decent game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also- what do u think about a U-9 club adding players from other clubs mid-year to their top team when they have far more talent than the recruit already there?

Fucked up? I think so.

I'm not saying this is the case with your team/club but perhaps the coaches see something in these new players that you don't...raw materials that may indicate real potential that they'd like to develop. I've seen it before where players that the parents perceive to be "rock stars" at U9 and U10 because they score a lot of goals or run fast may not have the touch or vision of a more "behind the scenes" player who emerges as great/skilled player after a couple years of development. I'm not trying to suggest your perception is flawed, but I can tell you that good coaches will place players in an environment where they think they will best develop. For some, that's on a second team where the pace of play is a little slower or where they can be a leader and get more playing time. Others need the push and challenge provided by the top team. Also, it often seems that half the parents with kids on the 2nd team firmly believe their kid belongs on the first team. Over the years, my kid has made the move down and up (from A to B team, and B to A team), so I understand the frustration of feeling like your kid is being 'undervalued,' but I've also learned that it's not always as simple as you think. What's important at this age is that your kid is getting good training and is enjoying the game. Which roster he or she is on for games is not all that important.

That being said, soccer clubs are businesses, and sometimes money or politics trump what's right or best. And that sucks if your kid is on wrong side of a situation like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- what do u think about a U-9 club adding players from other clubs mid-year to their top team when they have far more talent than the recruit already there?

Fucked up? I think so.

I'm not saying this is the case with your team/club but perhaps the coaches see something in these new players that you don't...raw materials that may indicate real potential that they'd like to develop. I've seen it before where players that the parents perceive to be "rock stars" at U9 and U10 because they score a lot of goals or run fast may not have the touch or vision of a more "behind the scenes" player who emerges as great/skilled player after a couple years of development. I'm not trying to suggest your perception is flawed, but I can tell you that good coaches will place players in an environment where they think they will best develop. For some, that's on a second team where the pace of play is a little slower or where they can be a leader and get more playing time. Others need the push and challenge provided by the top team. Also, it often seems that half the parents with kids on the 2nd team firmly believe their kid belongs on the first team. Over the years, my kid has made the move down and up (from A to B team, and B to A team), so I understand the frustration of feeling like your kid is being 'undervalued,' but I've also learned that it's not always as simple as you think. What's important at this age is that your kid is getting good training and is enjoying the game. Which roster he or she is on for games is not all that important.

That being said, soccer clubs are businesses, and sometimes money or politics trump what's right or best. And that sucks if your kid is on wrong side of a situation like this.

The training is sub-par. Therein lies the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- what do u think about a U-9 club adding players from other clubs mid-year to their top team when they have far more talent than the recruit already there?

Fucked up? I think so.

I'm not saying this is the case with your team/club but perhaps the coaches see something in these new players that you don't...raw materials that may indicate real potential that they'd like to develop. I've seen it before where players that the parents perceive to be "rock stars" at U9 and U10 because they score a lot of goals or run fast may not have the touch or vision of a more "behind the scenes" player who emerges as great/skilled player after a couple years of development. I'm not trying to suggest your perception is flawed, but I can tell you that good coaches will place players in an environment where they think they will best develop. For some, that's on a second team where the pace of play is a little slower or where they can be a leader and get more playing time. Others need the push and challenge provided by the top team. Also, it often seems that half the parents with kids on the 2nd team firmly believe their kid belongs on the first team. Over the years, my kid has made the move down and up (from A to B team, and B to A team), so I understand the frustration of feeling like your kid is being 'undervalued,' but I've also learned that it's not always as simple as you think. What's important at this age is that your kid is getting good training and is enjoying the game. Which roster he or she is on for games is not all that important.

That being said, soccer clubs are businesses, and sometimes money or politics trump what's right or best. And that sucks if your kid is on wrong side of a situation like this.

The training is sub-par. Therein lies the problem.

What club is this?

[Anonymous]

How is Falls Church travel program? What leagues do the play in at the U-9/U-10 level?