What if there are No Leagues in the Fall, Spring?

[Anonymous]

What is none of the leagues play games this Fall? No ECNL, no EDP, No CCL, No NCSL, No ODSL. How long do you think the majority of kids will continue to train before just hanging it up? Until the Spring? Do you think your kid would continue to train through the Spring without a Spring season to be ready for Fall 2021? Sucks. I feel bad for the kids but I just don't see what will keep the kids motivated. I'm surprised some are sticking with it this long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is none of the leagues play games this Fall? No ECNL, no EDP, No CCL, No NCSL, No ODSL. How long do you think the majority of kids will continue to train before just hanging it up? Until the Spring? Do you think your kid would continue to train through the Spring without a Spring season to be ready for Fall 2021? Sucks. I feel bad for the kids but I just don't see what will keep the kids motivated. I'm surprised some are sticking with it this long.

...then there’s no leagues lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is none of the leagues play games this Fall? No ECNL, no EDP, No CCL, No NCSL, No ODSL. How long do you think the majority of kids will continue to train before just hanging it up? Until the Spring? Do you think your kid would continue to train through the Spring without a Spring season to be ready for Fall 2021? Sucks. I feel bad for the kids but I just don't see what will keep the kids motivated. I'm surprised some are sticking with it this long.

ECNL is an elite league. You can not include ECNL in the same sentence as those other leagues. It detracts from the talent of the ECNL. Thanks you for not including GA.

[Anonymous]

there will be local games

[Anonymous]

It's cute that you say "if" even today.

I think many clubs have moved to "when" at least in their heads, even if they haven't told parents.

[Anonymous]

I work in a medical office and we see a significant number of kids. All of them are playing their sport now, football, soccer, etc. They are playing 100% as if there are no restrictions. I don't see this changing in the fall unless moco is in phase 0 again. They will continue to play street ball. It may be some of our kids that get tired of just practices but most kids will still be playing their own pickup games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in a medical office and we see a significant number of kids. All of them are playing their sport now, football, soccer, etc. They are playing 100% as if there are no restrictions. I don't see this changing in the fall unless moco is in phase 0 again. They will continue to play street ball. It may be some of our kids that get tired of just practices but most kids will still be playing their own pickup games.

I should add, mine is only 8 so still young but many of these kids i see are 12-16 and likely go out on their own to play.

[Anonymous]

OP here...So do you think playing pick up games will be enough motivation for most kids to hang in there with 3 practices a week, etc for the next...year? I'm just trying to think proactively how I can keep my kid motivated to train when there are no league games.

[Anonymous]

does your kid like practice? if not, shop around for a new club/coach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:does your kid like practice? if not, shop around for a new club/coach

So are you saying that your kid will be willing to practice indefinitely without games because he/she loves practicing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in a medical office and we see a significant number of kids. All of them are playing their sport now, football, soccer, etc. They are playing 100% as if there are no restrictions. I don't see this changing in the fall unless moco is in phase 0 again. They will continue to play street ball. It may be some of our kids that get tired of just practices but most kids will still be playing their own pickup games.

As in you are seeing them because they are coming in with Covid?? Or just for routine check ups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is none of the leagues play games this Fall? No ECNL, no EDP, No CCL, No NCSL, No ODSL. How long do you think the majority of kids will continue to train before just hanging it up? Until the Spring? Do you think your kid would continue to train through the Spring without a Spring season to be ready for Fall 2021? Sucks. I feel bad for the kids but I just don't see what will keep the kids motivated. I'm surprised some are sticking with it this long.

ECNL is an elite league. You can not include ECNL in the same sentence as those other leagues. It detracts from the talent of the ECNL. Thanks you for not including GA.

Wrong!!! Check the state rankings there are several NCSL teams ranked higher than ECNL teams in VA

[Anonymous]

I think they were baiting folks with that comment. Just disregard the ECNL comment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here...So do you think playing pick up games will be enough motivation for most kids to hang in there with 3 practices a week, etc for the next...year? I'm just trying to think proactively how I can keep my kid motivated to train when there are no league games.

There are a couple of ways it can go.

Kids destined for a professional or college career: they are out there right now, kicking the ball against the wall, watching Youtube skills videos, juggling when they have the free time. The shutdown is annoying, but it's not going to deter them from their dream. If your kid is one of these than this setback is not going to stop them. Note: there are very few of these kids.

Kids in the middle (the majority). They want to play, but they are a bit annoyed not being able to have fun with their friends and play games. They miss the competition and the camaraderie, but don't really harbor the dream of playing at the next level after high school. If your kid is in the middle, you need to make the sport as fun as possible in other ways. If they are a good travel player, they'll probably be an awesome rec player and maybe you can find a local team (i.e. school friends, neighborhood friends) who are having a few scrimmages or games even if the travel sides are locked down. Playing with mates in a lower pressure situation maybe enough to keep them interested and maybe even help them keep their love of the game. You can also look at a small group session with say 4 friends (i.e. a training pod) that will minimize the risk and let them keep sharp without having to go to a formal socially distanced practice which can be pretty boring.

Kids who will give the game up soon enough: they're going through the motions right now, but it's going to be tough to keep them interested. This shutdown is accelerating the eventual "age 13" quit cycle (nearly 75% of kids quit youth sports by age 13).

[Anonymous]

They'll play pickup. My son does a "socially distanced" futsal clinic through Alexandria. On an adjacent court, kids and adults (most of whom who do not play travel or organized anything) are playing full games. And many of them are quite good.