ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of this has a single thing to do with improving the state of youth soccer or developing individual players

It's all about how it can help ECNL get more $$$

If you listen to the back part of the podcast, someone offered that they believe that the switch to SY will increase soccer participation and was viewed as the most important thing that youth soccer needs. (Seemed others agreed.) Increased participation would improve the state of youth soccer.

No it won’t, it’s better training and style of play that doesn’t focus on winning.

I mean if the rule was changed, ur adding bigger redshirted kids to a league that plays by mostly booting the ball. The change adds nothing to the development of youth soccer, just more college scholarships for a small group of kids.

[Anonymous]

Not saying this is happening, but some of the comments above refer to reclassing and holdbacks. If ECNL goes to school year, they would still keep the age group based on the new school year date parameters. They’re not going to grade based age groups like lacrosse or basketball. If they do, then that’s another issue. Then you will deal with folks who can afford it that will hold their child back going into 9th grade, repeat 8th, and have an advantage at RECRUITING TIME. This is 50% of boys lacrosse players and a lot of AAU bball too. Of course the advantage runs out when they’re all 17 years old but it def has its advantages early during recruiting. Hopefully soccer isn’t headed this direction….and I highly doubt it ever will

[Anonymous]

I don't see any way this second podcast comes out unless the change is very likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any way this second podcast comes out unless the change is very likely.

I’m pretty sure he said the change is likely to happen.

[Anonymous]

I’m fully in support of this change, and here’s why. My son, born in December 2014, is currently a 4th grader, but his soccer team is primarily made up of 5th graders. While this has been great for his skill development, it’s been tough on him mentally. He doesn’t have any friends from school on his team, and most of the kids he knows from recess are younger or a level below him. He plays soccer with them every day at recess, but it’s frustrating for him to never be on the same team as his school friends.

One of the things he likes about basketball is that he can play with his school friends, and it really helps his experience. Imagine the team chemistry they could develop if they played together at recess and then continued that on the field! My son would be thrilled if this change went through, as it would make him so excited.

[Anonymous]

I heard from a coach that it is likely happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any way this second podcast comes out unless the change is very likely.

I’m pretty sure he said the change is likely to happen.

God. Can we stop this. No decision has been made. No timetable is set. This may or may not happen. Stop talking about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not saying this is happening, but some of the comments above refer to reclassing and holdbacks. If ECNL goes to school year, they would still keep the age group based on the new school year date parameters. They’re not going to grade based age groups like lacrosse or basketball. If they do, then that’s another issue. Then you will deal with folks who can afford it that will hold their child back going into 9th grade, repeat 8th, and have an advantage at RECRUITING TIME. This is 50% of boys lacrosse players and a lot of AAU bball too. Of course the advantage runs out when they’re all 17 years old but it def has its advantages early during recruiting. Hopefully soccer isn’t headed this direction….and I highly doubt it ever will

This +1000, this is what they changed it in the 1st place to Birth Year. Maybe colleges will fall all over themselves for 19 and 20 year old freshmen. But, if a scholarship is on the line, this will be a factor. We already have a boy on the team who is a full year behind on his grade (his parents held him back), that kid will be a monster recruit.

Also, I regret commenting, because I kinda wish this thread would die. So much conjecture and made up facts. People are posting here like they are providing actual input to decision makers. This thread is quickly becoming an echo chamber.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m fully in support of this change, and here’s why. My son, born in December 2014, is currently a 4th grader, but his soccer team is primarily made up of 5th graders. While this has been great for his skill development, it’s been tough on him mentally. He doesn’t have any friends from school on his team, and most of the kids he knows from recess are younger or a level below him. He plays soccer with them every day at recess, but it’s frustrating for him to never be on the same team as his school friends.

One of the things he likes about basketball is that he can play with his school friends, and it really helps his experience. Imagine the team chemistry they could develop if they played together at recess and then continued that on the field! My son would be thrilled if this change went through, as it would make him so excited.

If your kid is worried about the social nuances of 4th grade school soccer, he probably isn't going to make an ecnl team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m fully in support of this change, and here’s why. My son, born in December 2014, is currently a 4th grader, but his soccer team is primarily made up of 5th graders. While this has been great for his skill development, it’s been tough on him mentally. He doesn’t have any friends from school on his team, and most of the kids he knows from recess are younger or a level below him. He plays soccer with them every day at recess, but it’s frustrating for him to never be on the same team as his school friends.

One of the things he likes about basketball is that he can play with his school friends, and it really helps his experience. Imagine the team chemistry they could develop if they played together at recess and then continued that on the field! My son would be thrilled if this change went through, as it would make him so excited.

If your kid is worried about the social nuances of 4th grade school soccer, he probably isn't going to make an ecnl team.

The original OP post is not about making an ECNL team. It is about having the option to play soccer with his classmates as the change to the school year looks like it will be universal. So, it benefits the trapped players by providing better recruiting opportunities and allows trapped players of local leagues to play with friends/classmates and have a better experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any way this second podcast comes out unless the change is very likely.

I’m pretty sure he said the change is likely to happen.

God. Can we stop this. No decision has been made. No timetable is set. This may or may not happen. Stop talking about this.

Can’t stop! Won’t stop!
Unless they decide to not switch back. Then I will stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m fully in support of this change, and here’s why. My son, born in December 2014, is currently a 4th grader, but his soccer team is primarily made up of 5th graders. While this has been great for his skill development, it’s been tough on him mentally. He doesn’t have any friends from school on his team, and most of the kids he knows from recess are younger or a level below him. He plays soccer with them every day at recess, but it’s frustrating for him to never be on the same team as his school friends.

One of the things he likes about basketball is that he can play with his school friends, and it really helps his experience. Imagine the team chemistry they could develop if they played together at recess and then continued that on the field! My son would be thrilled if this change went through, as it would make him so excited.

If your kid is worried about the social nuances of 4th grade school soccer, he probably isn't going to make an ecnl team.

4th grade would be pretty early to make an ECNL team. So this kid has time to stop having friends and only play soccer with mortal enemies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of this has a single thing to do with improving the state of youth soccer or developing individual players

It's all about how it can help ECNL get more $$$

If you listen to the back part of the podcast, someone offered that they believe that the switch to SY will increase soccer participation and was viewed as the most important thing that youth soccer needs. (Seemed others agreed.) Increased participation would improve the state of youth soccer.

No country other than maybe China has more kids playing organized soccer.

Quantity is not a fix for poor quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of this has a single thing to do with improving the state of youth soccer or developing individual players

It's all about how it can help ECNL get more $$$

If you listen to the back part of the podcast, someone offered that they believe that the switch to SY will increase soccer participation and was viewed as the most important thing that youth soccer needs. (Seemed others agreed.) Increased participation would improve the state of youth soccer.

No it won’t, it’s better training and style of play that doesn’t focus on winning.

I mean if the rule was changed, ur adding bigger redshirted kids to a league that plays by mostly booting the ball. The change adds nothing to the development of youth soccer, just more college scholarships for a small group of kids.

The college scholarships for soccer fantasy is highly oversold.
Especially when ECNL is neither 1st nor 2nd nor 3rd (boys) option for recruiters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m fully in support of this change, and here’s why. My son, born in December 2014, is currently a 4th grader, but his soccer team is primarily made up of 5th graders. While this has been great for his skill development, it’s been tough on him mentally. He doesn’t have any friends from school on his team, and most of the kids he knows from recess are younger or a level below him. He plays soccer with them every day at recess, but it’s frustrating for him to never be on the same team as his school friends.

One of the things he likes about basketball is that he can play with his school friends, and it really helps his experience. Imagine the team chemistry they could develop if they played together at recess and then continued that on the field! My son would be thrilled if this change went through, as it would make him so excited.

If your kid is worried about the social nuances of 4th grade school soccer, he probably isn't going to make an ecnl team.

This. I think social reasons for playing soccer is great but those are not major considerations for those aiming to play at the ECNL and MLSNext levels where clubs draw from so many different school.

In addition, it’s harder to make teams at those level and for those who do get offers from multiple clubs, how many friends they have in each club isn’t going be the driving force for the decision. So many other reason would trump, playing time, training, exposure, etc.