How good does a kid have to be to make travel

[Anonymous]

I'm not even sure I want my kid to try out (she's eligible in the spring) but how good are the kids anyway? What are the coaches looking for? What's the difference in the talent in the kids they pick for travel or developmental?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not even sure I want my kid to try out (she's eligible in the spring) but how good are the kids anyway? What are the coaches looking for? What's the difference in the talent in the kids they pick for travel or developmental?

Just my 2cents before you even consider if you kid is "good" enough for travel you have to make sure it is something that you want to invest into and make a serious time commitment to it. Expect to spend roughly 3k+ for the year for travel not to include travel costs. Typically no refunds if you don't like it, games on weekends, 2-3 tournaments per season (fall, spring) and sometimes winter training/futsal. Depending on your league you can travel roughly an hour or so for 1 match and sometimes farther. Practice 2-3 times a week usually 75-90mins.

Typically clubs have multiple teams and your kid will be fit into a team based on their skill level (they will find a way to get your money). At a young age (from my experience) coaches are looking for a foundation of technical skills, some soccer IQ and some level of athletism. What brought us to travel was my childs desire to constantly be playing, even at a young age, he played outdoor, indoor, at recess, on the weekends etc. I thought it might wear off at some point but three years later he loves it, never wants to miss a practice and wants to play on the weekends. As a family we enjoy it but does has us driving all over the place managing other siblings. We also enjoy soccer related events such as Copa America, DC United and watch European league games on tv.

Hope this helps a little. Just one person's perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not even sure I want my kid to try out (she's eligible in the spring) but how good are the kids anyway? What are the coaches looking for? What's the difference in the talent in the kids they pick for travel or developmental?

It depends on the club. Some clubs will take almost anyone. Some clubs will also play up almost anyone in the name of development, even when it's completely inappropriate for that player, as it's how they manage large rosters or back fill smaller ones. So keep that in mind. To them, your kid is a paycheck that they can place on a roster.

As for what they look for, that also depends. Some want speed, some do care about technical ability, some like those ADHD type players that just run nonstop with no focus. Some though do look for the crafty technical player. If you do decide on travel, I'd pick something closer to you that has a very player focused agenda. Smaller rosters show they care about players getting out there and actually playing.

Finally, what does your DD want? Is travel her idea? I'm so many parents live vicariously through they children, but given the sacrifice you both will make, make sure she's even interested to that degree.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the above. A minimum level of skill, soccer IQ, athletic ability and coachability are required. If your kid has that then you should be able to find a club. The other pieces of the puzzle are your DDs attitude and timing and your honest assessment of DD's ability. If DD is a standout in rec, is a clear impact player, then travel might be from them. But just because she is ready does not mean that you should do it. Through my experience, travel is over-rated at u12 or younger. You are spending more time driving to games than playing, the cost is insane and kids burn out quicker. Classic/Select is a better option. Find a great coach and team with similar quality kids. Take yours kids to clinics or have them train with a respected player. Encourage them to work on skills at home. That plan is far better than anything you will get out of travel. I know classic/select teams that will destroy most travel teams and I have seen plenty of classic/select players that have shown up at u13 or u14 tryouts and displaced kids that have been playing travel for 4+ years.

Travel might be the right fit for your DD but don't follow the heard. There are other options. I would say that by u14, travel is the main option. Unless your kid is on the A team of a travel club below U14, I would look at other options. The cost does not justify the service you get on B, C and D teams.

[Anonymous]

wow, these PPs have taken all the fun out the experience.

[Anonymous]

nope, just calling it like it is. these leagues are big business so parents need to go in with their eyes open.
If it works for your family, great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know classic/select teams that will destroy most travel teams and I have seen plenty of classic/select players that have shown up at u13 or u14 tryouts and displaced kids that have been playing travel for 4+ years.

The second part may be true but not the first part. There's a very low bar for Classic and even in the highest division the teams don't have enough consistency. There may be 1-2 good players that dominate that team and make it the top ranked team. Our child plays for one of the top boys U11 Classic teams this year and they were bigger than the other kids, but still couldn't play soccer. They did not have the soccer IQ and skills of my DD's select team at the same age. They won because they could break through the lines and globs of kids, like American football. DD is now on a travel team and I don't see a huge difference from select.

[Anonymous]

I think if you have a child who dominates in rec she should be able to find something. Every child on my child's travel team was the best on their rec team when they were younger and this is one of the lower teams for the club.

If your child is any worse than that, why pursue travel at all?

[Anonymous]

I don't agree that travel is over-rated at u12 or younger. Parent volunteer should be commended for what they do, but they are not on the same level as professional coaches. In addition the extra practices (more per week and more weeks per year) make a huge difference.

To answer the question, it is not that difficult to make a travel team. There are many teams that will take anyone that pays. Top teams are harder for a rec kid to make, but if they are really good or shows potential, it is possible.

[Anonymous]

^^^^ You miss two points. when I recommended classic/select above, I am referencing professionals coaches or experienced parents with playing experience or even serious parents who have done their homework. I had a friend whose daughter's MSI classic team who played in college, coached travel at an elite club and was an assistant at a local university. You can find them.

Second, sure anyone can make a travel team but do you wan to make any team or do you want to develop. Any team could be the D,E or F team at Loudoun or the C or D team at Bethesda. You are wasting your time and money in those situations. Find a classic/select team and use the savings to get one-on-one training. Don't buy into the travel hype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^^ You miss two points. when I recommended classic/select above, I am referencing professionals coaches or experienced parents with playing experience or even serious parents who have done their homework. I had a friend whose daughter's MSI classic team who played in college, coached travel at an elite club and was an assistant at a local university. You can find them.

Second, sure anyone can make a travel team but do you wan to make any team or do you want to develop. Any team could be the D,E or F team at Loudoun or the C or D team at Bethesda. You are wasting your time and money in those situations. Find a classic/select team and use the savings to get one-on-one training. Don't buy into the travel hype.

If you plan on spending travel money, it is way better to spend that money on travel soccer (assuming your kid is on a decent team with a decent coach). Spending it on MSI and then the balance on private training will get your kid way less hours on the ball, which is exactly what they need.

[Anonymous]

^^^ Again, you have a point about time on the ball but you still miss the point. There are classic/select coaches that are strong and that do extra practices and play in tournaments against travel teams. If you find these teams/coaches, you experience and development can be better than the experience and development you get on a C or D team at a large club.

There are teams out there that started out as rec teams then moved to travel at U12/U13/U14 and compete with and sometimes dominate the teams that have been in travel for years.

So spending $3,000 to play travel on a C or D team is a waste compared to $1,000-1,2000 for a parent coach or other non-professional coach who is dedicated but not charging. If the team is full of like-minded and focused players that are playing in the top division or a year up, do futsal and play in several tournaments, the players will get more out of that experience then playing in the EDP division 4, NCSL Div 3 or CCLII.

Sorry but I have been around far too long and have seen enough players who show up at U13, U14 and U15 tryouts and blow away kids who have been playing travel on the B and C teams. If they come in a u14/u15, it takes them a few dozen games or so to get use to the speed of play and higher technical demands of serious travel at the elite level but the point is that they beat out the kids on the B, C, and D teams for spots on the A team.

Again, travel needs to make sense and we should not play the game of follow the sheep. If your kid has the talent, desire and mental preparedness to play on an A team, then he/she should go to travel but waiting until u13/U14 will not hurt your kid if you find the right alternative.

[Anonymous]

While these folks arent wrong, and everything could always be better, to answer your question - the talent of girls varies significantly and individual skills waxes and wanes over the years based on individual development and physical/emotional maturity.

I would not have kept my daughters in rec past u9. There is a significant difference imho. A private trainer could be good but that requires making sure youve got a good one and they do the right things.

[Anonymous]

I guess we can disagree, but from what I have seen if you have a kid that has A team potential, you are hurting them by not having them in travel early. If they are good enough, they can overcome, but they would be farther along in their development if they had done travel.

What team charges $3,000 for travel for C and D teams? Our club charges between $1,500 and $1,800 depending on age. That includes tournament fees, winter training, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess we can disagree, but from what I have seen if you have a kid that has A team potential, you are hurting them by not having them in travel early. If they are good enough, they can overcome, but they would be farther along in their development if they had done travel.

What team charges $3,000 for travel for C and D teams? Our club charges between $1,500 and $1,800 depending on age. That includes tournament fees, winter training, etc.

I agree that starting travel from the earliest possible age is an advantage. If you want to know how good your daughter ultimately will be ask yourself how athletic were you and your spouse in high school. Personally I believe travel soccer can be a valuable experience at a young age for a girl even if she does not continue on with it beyond elementary school.

Travel is expensive. Most clubs will encourage you to do extra stuff: winter/summer leagues which may cost extra. It is a big time commitment for parent and child. Practices 3 days a week plus games/tournaments.

There are lots of teams for young age groups. Some teams will take almost anyone on a team.

You should figure out what the various options are. Consider trying out for a couple of teams. If she does not make first choice team have her play for another team for a year and then try out again in a year. Despite what most will say on this board their is nothing wrong with being on a C or D team at this age. If you stick with it and she has athletic potential she will ultimately benefit from this early experience.