Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw this artice after people kept on linking soccer wire to this forum.

http://www.soccerwire.com/blog-posts/what-college-coaches-want/

Essentially the college soccer coaches want a technically developed player who also may have the build for college football. They would prefer a player be "coachable" and yet are still asking for a complete player. Is it me or are they pretty much saying we want pro-level ready players willin to give it their all for college soccer glory. The article says that college soccer D1 resembles gGeco-Roman wrestling, of so then why do you want players that are good technically and can play out from the back? Were those the answers they believed everyone wants to hear?

For those of you all that have experience with the college recruiting, college soccer games, training, is this true? I didn't play any sport in college, strength was math and a love for history (unfortunately), so I haven't had experience with any kind of college sports, personally.

I wouldn't assume that all coaches are focused on the same things, but a lot of that article rings true from what we've seen. We are just starting the D1 recruiting process for our son now, so don't have the full picture yet, but every college coach who has talked with our club coach about our team's players has mentioned coachability and character. Our coach frequently warns players to have a mind to how they are reacting to bad calls, frustrating plays, or losses because the college coaches want kids who can maintain their cool and be a positive influence on their team. They all want impact players, and they all like the player who never gives up and is determined to win.

In terms of the physical attributes, it's useful to check the roster page for any college your kid is interested in. If you see that every kid on the roster is well over 6' feet, you can fairly safely assume that the coach is not going to be interested in small players and may not care much about skill or game awareness at all. Pretty much all teams care about height for their goal keepers and center backs. Some college programs are known for their efforts to play a more technical game, like Akron. Locally, both Maryland and Georgetown teams typically play a nice style of soccer. But even the ones who do care a lot about possession and doing things right have to be mindful of their competition. If you are small, you'll need to also be strong to be able to play against the teams that try to win mostly via physical domination. It's very useful to check out local college games to get a sense of the level and style of play.

^^ This is obviously only in regards to men.

[Anonymous]

My kid just received 1st team offers from Loudoun and SYA. Both facilities are equal in distance. I personally liked the environment of the SYA club, but Loudoun had a ton of kids. Loudoun coaches seemed like assholes and it was confirmed when I said we would think about it and get back to him. He actually said, you didn't come prepared to join? Fuck him. I'm doing what is best for my kid, not meet your roster requirements.

We are from CA and your clubs need to take some tips from the west coast. We were with Albion and the competition was high and very organized. The club was more than players and coaches. It was the entire family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just received 1st team offers from Loudoun and SYA. Both facilities are equal in distance. I personally liked the environment of the SYA club, but Loudoun had a ton of kids. Loudoun coaches seemed like assholes and it was confirmed when I said we would think about it and get back to him. He actually said, you didn't come prepared to join? Fuck him. I'm doing what is best for my kid, not meet your roster requirements.

We are from CA and your clubs need to take some tips from the west coast. We were with Albion and the competition was high and very organized. The club was more than players and coaches. It was the entire family.

LOL, i just got this note from Loudoun on their FB feed.

PLEASE NOTE:
Dear club parents and players,
It has recently come to our attention that several of our valued park staff have received very poor treatment from our club parents. We remind you that this is not only inappropriate, but contrary to the behavior we expect from our players and parents.
Our park staff work hard to ensure that LSP is set up and running smoothly. They are required to move goals, sandbags, tents as well as steward parking, often in the freezing cold or blazing heat. Cursing, mocking, and making rude gestures towards them is NOT appropriate in any form.
Directives you receive from our park staff should be done immediately, without protest or delay.
Parking in the handicap spaces at LSP is not allowed without a permit.
Thank you for your understanding and swift cooperation, especially during tryout season.

Looks like the families are assholes too. We just tried out with U9 Loudoun as well, more business than soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw this artice after people kept on linking soccer wire to this forum.

http://www.soccerwire.com/blog-posts/what-college-coaches-want/

Essentially the college soccer coaches want a technically developed player who also may have the build for college football. They would prefer a player be "coachable" and yet are still asking for a complete player. Is it me or are they pretty much saying we want pro-level ready players willin to give it their all for college soccer glory. The article says that college soccer D1 resembles gGeco-Roman wrestling, of so then why do you want players that are good technically and can play out from the back? Were those the answers they believed everyone wants to hear?

For those of you all that have experience with the college recruiting, college soccer games, training, is this true? I didn't play any sport in college, strength was math and a love for history (unfortunately), so I haven't had experience with any kind of college sports, personally.

I wouldn't assume that all coaches are focused on the same things, but a lot of that article rings true from what we've seen. We are just starting the D1 recruiting process for our son now, so don't have the full picture yet, but every college coach who has talked with our club coach about our team's players has mentioned coachability and character. Our coach frequently warns players to have a mind to how they are reacting to bad calls, frustrating plays, or losses because the college coaches want kids who can maintain their cool and be a positive influence on their team. They all want impact players, and they all like the player who never gives up and is determined to win.

In terms of the physical attributes, it's useful to check the roster page for any college your kid is interested in. If you see that every kid on the roster is well over 6' feet, you can fairly safely assume that the coach is not going to be interested in small players and may not care much about skill or game awareness at all. Pretty much all teams care about height for their goal keepers and center backs. Some college programs are known for their efforts to play a more technical game, like Akron. Locally, both Maryland and Georgetown teams typically play a nice style of soccer. But even the ones who do care a lot about possession and doing things right have to be mindful of their competition. If you are small, you'll need to also be strong to be able to play against the teams that try to win mostly via physical domination. It's very useful to check out local college games to get a sense of the level and style of play.

^^ This is obviously only in regards to men.

OP here, thanks for useful tips and your thoughtful response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.soccerwire.com/notes/club-champions-league-teams-sweep-virginia-spring-state-cup/

That's very cool for CCL that they swept the entire State Cup slate this spring (and almost the entire State Cup slate for the year). I wonder if their local dominance will translate into more 'repeat' wins in State Cup? It's interesting that a team that wins at U13 rarely repeats at U14, U15. Anyone have ideas why? (Beyond the randomness of a single elimination tournament, that is.)

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionI/Virginia_State_Champions/

I think there could be more repeats in a few years. There have been so many changes with birth year and new leagues it's hard to have consistency for a lot of clubs right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.soccerwire.com/notes/club-champions-league-teams-sweep-virginia-spring-state-cup/

That's very cool for CCL that they swept the entire State Cup slate this spring (and almost the entire State Cup slate for the year). I wonder if their local dominance will translate into more 'repeat' wins in State Cup? It's interesting that a team that wins at U13 rarely repeats at U14, U15. Anyone have ideas why? (Beyond the randomness of a single elimination tournament, that is.)

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionI/Virginia_State_Champions/

I think there could be more repeats in a few years. There have been so many changes with birth year and new leagues it's hard to have consistency for a lot of clubs right now.

With some CCL boys teams not having an A team in State Cup for U12 and U13 due to DA, it could be more challenging to pull it off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just received 1st team offers from Loudoun and SYA. Both facilities are equal in distance. I personally liked the environment of the SYA club, but Loudoun had a ton of kids. Loudoun coaches seemed like assholes and it was confirmed when I said we would think about it and get back to him. He actually said, you didn't come prepared to join? Fuck him. I'm doing what is best for my kid, not meet your roster requirements.

We are from CA and your clubs need to take some tips from the west coast. We were with Albion and the competition was high and very organized. The club was more than players and coaches. It was the entire family.

Albion is a great club and you are fortunate to have that as a benchmark with which to compare the clubs out here.

Which age group are you looking at?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just received 1st team offers from Loudoun and SYA. Both facilities are equal in distance. I personally liked the environment of the SYA club, but Loudoun had a ton of kids. Loudoun coaches seemed like assholes and it was confirmed when I said we would think about it and get back to him. He actually said, you didn't come prepared to join? Fuck him. I'm doing what is best for my kid, not meet your roster requirements.

We are from CA and your clubs need to take some tips from the west coast. We were with Albion and the competition was high and very organized. The club was more than players and coaches. It was the entire family.

So there was loyalty to the club?

[Anonymous]

Help- my kid got an offer for a smaller clubs B team and we have to tell them by Sunday. Closer large club releasing results Monday evening. I think we prefer the small club but I want to see what large club comes back with before make my decision. What can we do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help- my kid got an offer for a smaller clubs B team and we have to tell them by Sunday. Closer large club releasing results Monday evening. I think we prefer the small club but I want to see what large club comes back with before make my decision. What can we do?

Tell the smaller club you need another 48 hours to decide. If they won't give you 48 hours more to decide on their small club B team spot then you don't want to be at that club anyway.

[Anonymous]

DS is a nice kid who loves soccer. He's got some skill -- not elite level, probably not even enough to play HS soccer, but he's still only 10, so it may be too soon to tell.

His team is full of kids like him. They're nice kids. They can all juggle, make cutback moves and pass. It's pretty to watch them play.

And they lose nearly every single game, especially if they're playing a team that plays with even minimal aggression. They just back down and get run over.

Conventional wisdom these days is that we shouldn't worry about it. Teach the skills. Everything else will follow.

But at one point do we say that's enough? When should we move him to a team that gets enough results to get out of the lower travel divisions?

It's probably too late for next year (U12). But do we keep in the back of our minds for U13? Do we say, "OK, one more year, and if his team still plays pretty soccer but loses every single 50-50 ball and never shoots, we bail?"

[Anonymous]

Question for soccer experts-

DD is in 11, got an offer to play u13 for next season . Is it better to play u12 and get another year of small field or play up for more competition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question for soccer experts-

DD is in 11, got an offer to play u13 for next season . Is it better to play u12 and get another year of small field or play up for more competition?

Like everything else, I would say it depends. If she wants to become the best player she can be, it may be a good idea to play up.

Will she get significant playing time with the u13s? Is the coaching equivalent (i.e. If the u12 coach is fantastic it may be better to stay). If the answers to both are yes - it may be a good thing to play up.

Second, (but maybe most apropos if she is serious), how good are the teams/ club. Not knowing what club you are coming from, but some clubs can be a big fish in a small pond - parents have no idea of how much higher the level of completion / training is at other clubs. One way to get an idea of the relative strength or your team / club is to look at what brackets they played at Jeff cup - are the teams are closer to the bottom than the top bracket?

If your teams/ club is just ok- maybe a consideration is to switch to a stronger club- and if you are serious - start thinking about girls DA or ECNL. Your daughter is not quite that age yet- but she will be there soon.

If you are at one of these stronger clubs and they are offering to play up - that says a lot about your daughter - play up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a nice kid who loves soccer. He's got some skill -- not elite level, probably not even enough to play HS soccer, but he's still only 10, so it may be too soon to tell.

His team is full of kids like him. They're nice kids. They can all juggle, make cutback moves and pass. It's pretty to watch them play.

And they lose nearly every single game, especially if they're playing a team that plays with even minimal aggression. They just back down and get run over.

Conventional wisdom these days is that we shouldn't worry about it. Teach the skills. Everything else will follow.

But at one point do we say that's enough? When should we move him to a team that gets enough results to get out of the lower travel divisions?

It's probably too late for next year (U12). But do we keep in the back of our minds for U13? Do we say, "OK, one more year, and if his team still plays pretty soccer but loses every single 50-50 ball and never shoots, we bail?"

You say the team is full of kids like your son. Do any of them train outside of team activities? Do they do HP Elite or coerver or private train or something? If you want better results or a better team you need to. Try one of these group seasons (and try to get other teammates to go). They will improve - if the team still sucks, you will have met folks from other clubs where you could potentially take your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw this artice after people kept on linking soccer wire to this forum.

http://www.soccerwire.com/blog-posts/what-college-coaches-want/

Essentially the college soccer coaches want a technically developed player who also may have the build for college football. They would prefer a player be "coachable" and yet are still asking for a complete player. Is it me or are they pretty much saying we want pro-level ready players willin to give it their all for college soccer glory. The article says that college soccer D1 resembles gGeco-Roman wrestling, of so then why do you want players that are good technically and can play out from the back? Were those the answers they believed everyone wants to hear?

For those of you all that have experience with the college recruiting, college soccer games, training, is this true? I didn't play any sport in college, strength was math and a love for history (unfortunately), so I haven't had experience with any kind of college sports, personally.

I wouldn't assume that all coaches are focused on the same things, but a lot of that article rings true from what we've seen. We are just starting the D1 recruiting process for our son now, so don't have the full picture yet, but every college coach who has talked with our club coach about our team's players has mentioned coachability and character. Our coach frequently warns players to have a mind to how they are reacting to bad calls, frustrating plays, or losses because the college coaches want kids who can maintain their cool and be a positive influence on their team. They all want impact players, and they all like the player who never gives up and is determined to win.

In terms of the physical attributes, it's useful to check the roster page for any college your kid is interested in. If you see that every kid on the roster is well over 6' feet, you can fairly safely assume that the coach is not going to be interested in small players and may not care much about skill or game awareness at all. Pretty much all teams care about height for their goal keepers and center backs. Some college programs are known for their efforts to play a more technical game, like Akron. Locally, both Maryland and Georgetown teams typically play a nice style of soccer. But even the ones who do care a lot about possession and doing things right have to be mindful of their competition. If you are small, you'll need to also be strong to be able to play against the teams that try to win mostly via physical domination. It's very useful to check out local college games to get a sense of the level and style of play.

^^ This is obviously only in regards to men.

OP here, thanks for useful tips and your thoughtful response.

Sports works like this. Everyone copies the winner. It's an arms race. Every level you go up, it becomes more competitive(more skill, faster play, less space and time, more physical play, etc). A player can be very skilled and see the field, but if you a slow, weak and small you do not make the cut.