Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here familiar with DC United's pre-academy? like new U11. Will it provide better development than top local club for a 10 years boy? It will require significantly more commute time..

Thanks a lot for any suggestions or insights.

In my opinion, U11 is too young an age for parents to take on a significantly longer commute for what is unlikely to be a significantly better level of training and development than a U11 player can get at a top local club. The top local clubs around here are competitive with the top teams nationally. If in 2-3 years your son is still passionate about soccer and your top local club is not competing (at U13 or U14) at the level your son is capable of playing then you might consider a tryout with a Development Academy team like DC United.

Thanks a lot for your suggestion! I also feel that way too. But my son really wants to go..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the


Depending on the age group and what level of play. I do think it is normal for travel coaches in this area and all areas around this country to not have significant playing experience. I think high school playing experience is completely fine. It is the same for every sport. Most college athletes do not go on to be coaches. If you happen to get into a team with a kid whose parent was, feel lucky!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here familiar with DC United's pre-academy? like new U11. Will it provide better development than top local club for a 10 years boy? It will require significantly more commute time..

Thanks a lot for any suggestions or insights.

In my opinion, U11 is too young an age for parents to take on a significantly longer commute for what is unlikely to be a significantly better level of training and development than a U11 player can get at a top local club. The top local clubs around here are competitive with the top teams nationally. If in 2-3 years your son is still passionate about soccer and your top local club is not competing (at U13 or U14) at the level your son is capable of playing then you might consider a tryout with a Development Academy team like DC United.

My son is playing academy now after playing U13 pre-academy last year, and I completely agree with the above poster. DC United tends to have very large rosters at the U11 and U12 age groups, and you will almost certainly be able to find better and more focused training on a top team of a good club closer to you. DC United, Bethesda-Olney, and the other area Development Academy programs will take a very serious look at talented players who are interested in playing with them regardless of whether the player has prior experience with the program.

Thanks for sharing!

Seems their U11 will only have 12 players according to coach. We had 4 teams doing practice together at local club last year. I would definitely prefer more focused training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the


Depending on the age group and what level of play. I do think it is normal for travel coaches in this area and all areas around this country to not have significant playing experience. I think high school playing experience is completely fine. It is the same for every sport. Most college athletes do not go on to be coaches. If you happen to get into a team with a kid whose parent was, feel lucky!

Seriously? I'm paying $3k. I would think I would have someone with at least equal ability coaching my kids. 4 of the parents on our team, self-included, played D-1 soccer. High School playing experience is like house league--especially in most of the Country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the


Depending on the age group and what level of play. I do think it is normal for travel coaches in this area and all areas around this country to not have significant playing experience. I think high school playing experience is completely fine. It is the same for every sport. Most college athletes do not go on to be coaches. If you happen to get into a team with a kid whose parent was, feel lucky!

Seriously? I'm paying $3k. I would think I would have someone with at least equal ability coaching my kids. 4 of the parents on our team, self-included, played D-1 soccer. High School playing experience is like house league--especially in most of the Country.

With that degree of playing experience he would only be eligible for the very lowest of coaching licenses. I think it is important if you are going to shell out that much $- to know the credentials of the people coaching your kids. This isn't volunteer Rec.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the


Depending on the age group and what level of play. I do think it is normal for travel coaches in this area and all areas around this country to not have significant playing experience. I think high school playing experience is completely fine. It is the same for every sport. Most college athletes do not go on to be coaches. If you happen to get into a team with a kid whose parent was, feel lucky!

Seriously? I'm paying $3k. I would think I would have someone with at least equal ability coaching my kids. 4 of the parents on our team, self-included, played D-1 soccer. High School playing experience is like house league--especially in most of the Country.

With that degree of playing experience he would only be eligible for the very lowest of coaching licenses. I think it is important if you are going to shell out that much $- to know the credentials of the people coaching your kids. This isn't volunteer Rec.

That person also should not be the one making player movement decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of good private coaches for a rising U11?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

No more than your average kid. This person was given the task of deciding player movements for the coming year. Several parents have lodged complaints over the last year about coaching abilities.

Frankly, from what I've seen I don't know this person could earn one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

No more than your average kid. This person was given the task of deciding player movements for the coming year. Several parents have lodged complaints over the last year about coaching abilities.

Frankly, from what I've seen I don't know this person could earn one.

Wow, what club is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

No more than your average kid. This person was given the task of deciding player movements for the coming year. Several parents have lodged complaints over the last year about coaching abilities.

Frankly, from what I've seen I don't know this person could earn one.

Wow, what club is this?

It's one of the Big Ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

No more than your average kid. This person was given the task of deciding player movements for the coming year. Several parents have lodged complaints over the last year about coaching abilities.

Frankly, from what I've seen I don't know this person could earn one.

Wow, what club is this?

It's one of the Big Ones.

Wow. I'm truly amazed how many parents blindly sign over checks and believe whatever BS clubs spout. This would be a glaring problem in my view.

An impressive college-pro-semi pro record and no license is one thing, but to have both an unimpressive okay record and no license--no way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

No more than your average kid. This person was given the task of deciding player movements for the coming year. Several parents have lodged complaints over the last year about coaching abilities.

Frankly, from what I've seen I don't know this person could earn one.

All you really need to do to get an F or an E is to stay awake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

No more than your average kid. This person was given the task of deciding player movements for the coming year. Several parents have lodged complaints over the last year about coaching abilities.

Frankly, from what I've seen I don't know this person could earn one.

All you really need to do to get an F or an E is to stay awake.

Again-- I'm not sure he manage that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for a paid Travel Coach to have zero post-HS playing experience (and what they do have prior is limited) and no coaching license? This is at a big club. It seems problems keep arising for multiple players with the same coach.

No license? Not even the E or the two-hour F?

That's ridiculous. House coaches are usually required to have at least F or E, depending on age group. But someone picking up a paycheck for coaching can't be bothered to go to the class?

Does he/she have ANY credentials?

No more than your average kid. This person was given the task of deciding player movements for the coming year. Several parents have lodged complaints over the last year about coaching abilities.

Frankly, from what I've seen I don't know this person could earn one.

All you really need to do to get an F or an E is to stay awake.

Again-- I'm not sure he manage that

Completely surprised by this as most BIG clubs have the coaches credentials listed and it is truly a selling point to attract parents. Wow!