B and C Teams - Worth it? Where?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
With all the discussion about cuts/demotions and placement on lower tier teams, I am curious about B & C team experience. This discussion could also inform parents making decisions at tryout time.
Who has a child happy on a B or C team? If you are willing to share, what clubs have decent quality B or C teams and at what ages? Has your child been on the B or C team for more than one season? Do you think having a player on a B or C team is worth the money? Do they get good training there? If you have a player happy on a B or C team, how serious is your player on a scale of 1 -10? How serious are most of the players on the team or how closely do your child's soccer goals and interests align with the rest of the team? How would you describe the level of the B or C team (ie fairly close in terms of interest and skills, a few A team bubble players and then a drop off, mostly A team bubble players, mostly beginners, etc.)? Thanks. |
Anonymous
| You should probably say what age group and where you are (DC, MD, VA.) I don't think people will be able to give you a blanket statement. It might change from year to year given the mix of kids who show up for tryouts. |
Anonymous
| Arlington and Bethesda usually have very strong B and C teams, due to their depth. But varies by sex and year. |
Anonymous
| Yes + boys vs. girls. Boys tend to have better B/C teams because they are less diluted by ECNL and have bigger pools of players, of course that may be changing. |
Anonymous
| For the younger ages- they are only playing 7v7 so the rosters can be small (which is good because they get a lot of playing time). |
Anonymous
|
My daughter played on a B team at a club in Maryland that does not have a strong girls' side. The first year on the B team was U12 when the age groups changed. Although they were around the same level as many of the A team players, a decision was made not to split up the A team, so she and several other girls who had been on the A team but who were now in a different age group were put on the B team with the understanding they would get moved up when the rosters expanded. The girls loved the coach on the B team, but the team bad. There was a huge drop off in play from where they were before the age group change and where they were after. Even though the age group change made them the youngest players, they were still at the top on the B team, more interested than their teammates, and understood more about the game.
My daughter got injured in the spring and could not play until the next season, so she could not get picked for the A team the next year. When she returned to the B team, her friends had been promoted. The level of play on the B team was even worse and most of the girls were recreational level players with no technical skills, so it was frustrating for her. Girls didn't show up for practices and games, or messed around at practice, and they frequently had limited subs. The training was not good, because it was mostly directed toward the inexperienced players. And it cost $2500.00. At tryouts, my daughter got an immediate offer for the B team for the next year and she immediately declined it (which we supported). She said that she would rather look for supplemental tryouts or guest playing opportunities and work on her game on her own rather than play on that team for another year. This year she is on an equally low level team at a different small club. However, there is a core of committed girls, she likes them, and she works hard. The team is not likely to win many games, but she is more positive about her placement because it was her choice. To her credit, she is making the best of it. Oh, and it costs $1,000 less. Short answer - B team not worth it for a girl at a club without much depth in the pool of talent. It would be worth it if there were decent players to fill out the roster, but with the level we experienced, it would have made more sense to play rec. |
Anonymous
Clubs have their own culture. Some clubs are just less competitive overall and don't retain highly driven players over the long haul. Nothing wrong with that. Kids are playing because they enjoy the game but it may not be their passion. Many kids on A teams in these clubs are often great athletes who play in other sports perhaps as a their primary sport and soccer is their secondary sport. Some just like playing other sports and the nature of club is more supportive of that because it is just not as competitive. Some clubs are highly competitive. In highly competitive clubs B and even C team players are very dedicated and driven. The B team can be more cut throat than the A team in many respects. Find a coach and club that aligns more with your goals and lifestyle and you will most likely be happy. There are to many posts from angry parents because they just can't reconcile their own level of interest and family impact and end up bitter over league games in VA Beach or wherever. |
Anonymous
+1 on Arlington and Bethesda. I think Great Falls and Loudon for some age groups, boys. |
Anonymous
We've been underwhelmed by our experiences on Bethesda B teams. They do have depth such that a few good players are on the B team, but as a club the B teams are treated rather poorly compared to the main sides and we also feel the only players who move off of B teams are 'flashy' ball hog types rather than team players (who have a harder time creating with some of the less experienced teammates). |
Anonymous
This has been our experience at some other 'Big' and 'medium' area Clubs. They really don't give a crap about the lower teams. They just don't. Instead of seeing a pool of players that they can develop over time, they see $ on the heads of everyone below the A team. The B and beyond players start getting less right off the bat. They get less attention, less services, play in lower divisions/leagues--even when similar talent as A team in the early years, etc. The kids feel the difference, even the youngest ones. Now for a parent, it can be better because you are not driving as much or going to as many away tournaments. That is worth if, IMO  . Let the other suckers drive all over and give up every holiday weekend. Most aren't going to end up in a better place by 18, very few will have a scholarship worth anything, etc.
|
Anonymous
| I know at BRYC if your not an A team your treated like a second class citizen both players and parents. That's why we are moving to another club this spring. |
Anonymous
Bethesda boys side yes. Bethesda girls side no. I heard some of the young age groups have problems filling out two teams. The A team players had to play on the B team because there were not enough girls on the B team. The players had to rotate each week. |
Anonymous
| DC has been a B teamer at two different medium sized clubs. Has been a lock starter on a middling NCSL Div. 3 team for the last couple of years. DC's goal was always to play in HS. DC did not make the HS as a freshman this year. |
Anonymous
|
My DS was a DA player at his previous club but we moved to the area over the Summer (after the tryouts) and were put on the B team. Throughout the Fall the coach reassured him he was one of the top players on the B team, but when kids were asked to play up with the A side he was never called. This led to him getting quite frustrated and annoyed. It's the first time in his career he's actually said "I really don't want to go to practice."
We'll be looking for a new club this year. It's not worth the money if they lose their love of the game. |
Anonymous
Some of the A team is leaving too. Lack of a schedule is annoying. |