I argue don't join a team where your DC is a bubble player. Do you really want child to ride the bench? Going up a level to watch games from the bench is no fun for kids. That's what I've seen with mine and teammates who are watching better teammates play but not them. Go to a team which values your child. Don't be a bubble player. |
You know this when the coach didn't walk you and her to the parking lot, held your door open for you and offered her a no cost offer. |
For my U15 daughter, the girls on the team know who are going where before their last practice. Some leave early, some leave at the very end. The ones leaving early have some gripe against the club or team. It's been this way starting middle school a couple years back. As a parent, I hear about some of this stuff but try to not pay attention to it and only focus on what my daughter wants to do the following year. |
So the advice is, instead of work hard to improve self, find a weaker team where you seem better than you actually are. |
Find a team where your child will get to play and also develop.
We've been on first team and its not worth it.
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A lot of teams in this area. Hopefully you can find something that fits both competitively and the player being valued. |
and it wasn't worth it to your kid because it wasn't the right situation for them |
This. We moved DD down a team where she would be highly valued and a leader rather than an after-thought and on the bench. It was the best decision for her confidence and development. |
Its always better to play |
How do you know if your kid will be a bubble player? I understand if the coach is recruiting your kid actively. Should you also read into the timing of the offer? |
It depends on the player and coach. If the stronger team has a coach who develops, then it's best to move the player to the stronger team so they develop through the season. If it's a coach who just wants to win, then it's not worth it. Even kids on the bench get 20-25 minutes of play time versus the entire game (in most cases). Every scenario is different and it depends on what the player goals are. |
If offers are within a day of tryout the player is not a bubble player usually. Bubble players are those on the list who get offers several days later after players turn down offers. |
MANY coaches do not play bench players at all, even in the younger years. I have seen it and its sad. |
Situational based. Our DD was the best player on the team by far. But, she wasn't learning or developing as a player. Practices were boring and she learned nothing. Had to go outside of practice to develop. She was recruited/offered a position at another club for a stronger team. She may be a bottom half player, but she will developer with stronger players and coaching around her. |
Yes, again all depends on the situation. Coach is the key. Usually age 9 and up coaches will play all kids from what we've seen. |