Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coaches focus too much on team development??? Welcome to soccer, it's a team sport! No wonder out national team has absolutely no chemistry.

Yet places like Spain, Germany, Italy focus on player development in the younger years. You are too dense to understand the difference. That does NOT mean tactics and player movement is thrown to the wayside.

What it means is that the individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs. For us, that means our child has been gradually moved up and up in training age groups, and eventually games. He is working at the level that fits him. The coaches are teaching the kids the spatial concepts, movements, first touch, etc. which are essential to team play---yet they are taking a hard look at each kid individually. They will play younger kids for developmental reasons even if it means games and tournaments are lost.

The kids learn every position on the field, and learn them well. As older players--they will be able to transition accordingly as needed. Again, this may mean losing a game when your forward is getting time in the back, etc.

The team concept is bigger in these individual academies. No player is greater than the rest and you can see that with guys like Messi. Humbleness.

We are a prima donna country. We prop kids up and shit on the rest. We don't have patience and think a kid at 9/10/11 is finished with no future.

Who the hell are you calling dense? WE AGREE, YOU JERK! Everything you just pointed out IS what team building is. I understand that at the younger ages it is all about individual development, I never said that it wasn't. Hence why I said our national team has very little chemistry on the field, because as a collective we do not focus on proper team building and making technically strong, humble, versatile players who leave it on the line for the good of the team, at the older age groups. You people are so caught up over your precocious children that others can't make a post about the coaching in the older age groups without you blowing up because you think someone slighted your 12 year old. You seem to be very knowledgeable, so why would you lead your statement with "you're so dense."? Obviously you see the importance of team building, not for wins, but to improve the quality of the play AS A TEAM. If your player is selfish they were not developed well, I don't care how talented they are. It is a team sport.

Teams are interchangeable. It is the individual player that matters.

[Anonymous]

The problem comes down to the coache's ego... it is about them and their glory and resume. "Look at how great I am, my team just won a u13 game against a team that plays in League XYZ."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem comes down to the coache's ego... it is about them and their glory and resume. "Look at how great I am, my team just won a u13 game against a team that plays in League XYZ."

The arrogance is what has always gotten to me, as somebody who played at a higher level than many of these schmucks but they don't know it.

The best coaches we've had (I'm talking UEFA, former International European youth and National team) are the most approachable, nicest and genuine guys with the players truly in mind versus the former high school coach- college players.

They will all say 'I wasn't very good' which is why I am now coaching. Yet- their 'not very good' would be better than the best in this country.

They love what they do as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coaches focus too much on team development??? Welcome to soccer, it's a team sport! No wonder out national team has absolutely no chemistry.

Yet places like Spain, Germany, Italy focus on player development in the younger years. You are too dense to understand the difference. That does NOT mean tactics and player movement is thrown to the wayside.

What it means is that the individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs. For us, that means our child has been gradually moved up and up in training age groups, and eventually games. He is working at the level that fits him. The coaches are teaching the kids the spatial concepts, movements, first touch, etc. which are essential to team play---yet they are taking a hard look at each kid individually. They will play younger kids for developmental reasons even if it means games and tournaments are lost.

The kids learn every position on the field, and learn them well. As older players--they will be able to transition accordingly as needed. Again, this may mean losing a game when your forward is getting time in the back, etc.

The team concept is bigger in these individual academies. No player is greater than the rest and you can see that with guys like Messi. Humbleness.

We are a prima donna country. We prop kids up and shit on the rest. We don't have patience and think a kid at 9/10/11 is finished with no future.

Who the hell are you calling dense? WE AGREE, YOU JERK! Everything you just pointed out IS what team building is. I understand that at the younger ages it is all about individual development, I never said that it wasn't. Hence why I said our national team has very little chemistry on the field, because as a collective we do not focus on proper team building and making technically strong, humble, versatile players who leave it on the line for the good of the team, at the older age groups. You people are so caught up over your precocious children that others can't make a post about the coaching in the older age groups without you blowing up because you think someone slighted your 12 year old. You seem to be very knowledgeable, so why would you lead your statement with "you're so dense."? Obviously you see the importance of team building, not for wins, but to improve the quality of the play AS A TEAM. If your player is selfish they were not developed well, I don't care how talented they are. It is a team sport.

"I have never seen a team make a debut. Individual players do. Therefore, an academy should focus on individual development”

– Johan Cruyff –

That's very true, but you can serve both interests. You're just posting a quote to feel like it's granted you some great knowledge. Those players who were developed individually, were still developed in a way which brought the team balance. Pass & move, interchanging of positions, spreading the field and constantly switching the point of attack, playing the ball predominantly on the ground as it allows for closer control, etc are all tenets of position play. They are designs to make the INDIVIDUAL be able to express themselves within the structure of the style that the team plays, the philosophy. Your posting of Cruyff quotes does nothing to explain the purpose of why you carry out his methods, to make players for the senior TEAM, in which they're nothing but a cog in a larger organism. Again, when it comes down to it, it is about the team. This isn't tennis, buddy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coaches focus too much on team development??? Welcome to soccer, it's a team sport! No wonder out national team has absolutely no chemistry.

Yet places like Spain, Germany, Italy focus on player development in the younger years. You are too dense to understand the difference. That does NOT mean tactics and player movement is thrown to the wayside.

What it means is that the individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs. For us, that means our child has been gradually moved up and up in training age groups, and eventually games. He is working at the level that fits him. The coaches are teaching the kids the spatial concepts, movements, first touch, etc. which are essential to team play---yet they are taking a hard look at each kid individually. They will play younger kids for developmental reasons even if it means games and tournaments are lost.

The kids learn every position on the field, and learn them well. As older players--they will be able to transition accordingly as needed. Again, this may mean losing a game when your forward is getting time in the back, etc.

The team concept is bigger in these individual academies. No player is greater than the rest and you can see that with guys like Messi. Humbleness.

We are a prima donna country. We prop kids up and shit on the rest. We don't have patience and think a kid at 9/10/11 is finished with no future.

Who the hell are you calling dense? WE AGREE, YOU JERK! Everything you just pointed out IS what team building is. I understand that at the younger ages it is all about individual development, I never said that it wasn't. Hence why I said our national team has very little chemistry on the field, because as a collective we do not focus on proper team building and making technically strong, humble, versatile players who leave it on the line for the good of the team, at the older age groups. You people are so caught up over your precocious children that others can't make a post about the coaching in the older age groups without you blowing up because you think someone slighted your 12 year old. You seem to be very knowledgeable, so why would you lead your statement with "you're so dense."? Obviously you see the importance of team building, not for wins, but to improve the quality of the play AS A TEAM. If your player is selfish they were not developed well, I don't care how talented they are. It is a team sport.

"I have never seen a team make a debut. Individual players do. Therefore, an academy should focus on individual development”

– Johan Cruyff –

That's very true, but you can serve both interests. You're just posting a quote to feel like it's granted you some great knowledge. Those players who were developed individually, were still developed in a way which brought the team balance. Pass & move, interchanging of positions, spreading the field and constantly switching the point of attack, playing the ball predominantly on the ground as it allows for closer control, etc are all tenets of position play. They are designs to make the INDIVIDUAL be able to express themselves within the structure of the style that the team plays, the philosophy. Your posting of Cruyff quotes does nothing to explain the purpose of why you carry out his methods, to make players for the senior TEAM, in which they're nothing but a cog in a larger organism. Again, when it comes down to it, it is about the team. This isn't tennis, buddy.

Buddy, it is something we do not do in the US no matter how many times you want to turn blue in the face about these posts. I think we are both in agreement on that. We differ in that you seem to want to defend US soccer and current practice.

I am a woman, btw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coaches focus too much on team development??? Welcome to soccer, it's a team sport! No wonder out national team has absolutely no chemistry.

Yet places like Spain, Germany, Italy focus on player development in the younger years. You are too dense to understand the difference. That does NOT mean tactics and player movement is thrown to the wayside.

What it means is that the individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs. For us, that means our child has been gradually moved up and up in training age groups, and eventually games. He is working at the level that fits him. The coaches are teaching the kids the spatial concepts, movements, first touch, etc. which are essential to team play---yet they are taking a hard look at each kid individually. They will play younger kids for developmental reasons even if it means games and tournaments are lost.

The kids learn every position on the field, and learn them well. As older players--they will be able to transition accordingly as needed. Again, this may mean losing a game when your forward is getting time in the back, etc.

The team concept is bigger in these individual academies. No player is greater than the rest and you can see that with guys like Messi. Humbleness.

We are a prima donna country. We prop kids up and shit on the rest. We don't have patience and think a kid at 9/10/11 is finished with no future.

Who the hell are you calling dense? WE AGREE, YOU JERK! Everything you just pointed out IS what team building is. I understand that at the younger ages it is all about individual development, I never said that it wasn't. Hence why I said our national team has very little chemistry on the field, because as a collective we do not focus on proper team building and making technically strong, humble, versatile players who leave it on the line for the good of the team, at the older age groups. You people are so caught up over your precocious children that others can't make a post about the coaching in the older age groups without you blowing up because you think someone slighted your 12 year old. You seem to be very knowledgeable, so why would you lead your statement with "you're so dense."? Obviously you see the importance of team building, not for wins, but to improve the quality of the play AS A TEAM. If your player is selfish they were not developed well, I don't care how talented they are. It is a team sport.

Teams are interchangeable. It is the individual player that matters.

Yes, teams are interchangeable, and yes it is the individual player that matters, but ultimately they will be on another team regardless and they need to be able to play as a part of said team. An individual who does not understand the value of a pass and working for the collective will eventually have to adapt, because, once again, it is a team sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coaches focus too much on team development??? Welcome to soccer, it's a team sport! No wonder out national team has absolutely no chemistry.

Yet places like Spain, Germany, Italy focus on player development in the younger years. You are too dense to understand the difference. That does NOT mean tactics and player movement is thrown to the wayside.

What it means is that the individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs. For us, that means our child has been gradually moved up and up in training age groups, and eventually games. He is working at the level that fits him. The coaches are teaching the kids the spatial concepts, movements, first touch, etc. which are essential to team play---yet they are taking a hard look at each kid individually. They will play younger kids for developmental reasons even if it means games and tournaments are lost.

The kids learn every position on the field, and learn them well. As older players--they will be able to transition accordingly as needed. Again, this may mean losing a game when your forward is getting time in the back, etc.

The team concept is bigger in these individual academies. No player is greater than the rest and you can see that with guys like Messi. Humbleness.

We are a prima donna country. We prop kids up and shit on the rest. We don't have patience and think a kid at 9/10/11 is finished with no future.

Who the hell are you calling dense? WE AGREE, YOU JERK! Everything you just pointed out IS what team building is. I understand that at the younger ages it is all about individual development, I never said that it wasn't. Hence why I said our national team has very little chemistry on the field, because as a collective we do not focus on proper team building and making technically strong, humble, versatile players who leave it on the line for the good of the team, at the older age groups. You people are so caught up over your precocious children that others can't make a post about the coaching in the older age groups without you blowing up because you think someone slighted your 12 year old. You seem to be very knowledgeable, so why would you lead your statement with "you're so dense."? Obviously you see the importance of team building, not for wins, but to improve the quality of the play AS A TEAM. If your player is selfish they were not developed well, I don't care how talented they are. It is a team sport.

"I have never seen a team make a debut. Individual players do. Therefore, an academy should focus on individual development”

– Johan Cruyff –

That's very true, but you can serve both interests. You're just posting a quote to feel like it's granted you some great knowledge. Those players who were developed individually, were still developed in a way which brought the team balance. Pass & move, interchanging of positions, spreading the field and constantly switching the point of attack, playing the ball predominantly on the ground as it allows for closer control, etc are all tenets of position play. They are designs to make the INDIVIDUAL be able to express themselves within the structure of the style that the team plays, the philosophy. Your posting of Cruyff quotes does nothing to explain the purpose of why you carry out his methods, to make players for the senior TEAM, in which they're nothing but a cog in a larger organism. Again, when it comes down to it, it is about the team. This isn't tennis, buddy.

Buddy, it is something we do not do in the US no matter how many times you want to turn blue in the face about these posts. I think we are both in agreement on that. We differ in that you seem to want to defend US soccer and current practice.

I am a woman, btw.

Never at any point did I defend US soccer OR current practice. If anything it seems that we agree more than we disagree, but you seem set on winning an argument, rather than having a conversation. And it's great that you're a woman, go you, now how did that contribute to this in any way whatsoever?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coaches focus too much on team development??? Welcome to soccer, it's a team sport! No wonder out national team has absolutely no chemistry.

Yet places like Spain, Germany, Italy focus on player development in the younger years. You are too dense to understand the difference. That does NOT mean tactics and player movement is thrown to the wayside.

What it means is that the individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs. For us, that means our child has been gradually moved up and up in training age groups, and eventually games. He is working at the level that fits him. The coaches are teaching the kids the spatial concepts, movements, first touch, etc. which are essential to team play---yet they are taking a hard look at each kid individually. They will play younger kids for developmental reasons even if it means games and tournaments are lost.

The kids learn every position on the field, and learn them well. As older players--they will be able to transition accordingly as needed. Again, this may mean losing a game when your forward is getting time in the back, etc.

The team concept is bigger in these individual academies. No player is greater than the rest and you can see that with guys like Messi. Humbleness.

We are a prima donna country. We prop kids up and shit on the rest. We don't have patience and think a kid at 9/10/11 is finished with no future.

Who the hell are you calling dense? WE AGREE, YOU JERK! Everything you just pointed out IS what team building is. I understand that at the younger ages it is all about individual development, I never said that it wasn't. Hence why I said our national team has very little chemistry on the field, because as a collective we do not focus on proper team building and making technically strong, humble, versatile players who leave it on the line for the good of the team, at the older age groups. You people are so caught up over your precocious children that others can't make a post about the coaching in the older age groups without you blowing up because you think someone slighted your 12 year old. You seem to be very knowledgeable, so why would you lead your statement with "you're so dense."? Obviously you see the importance of team building, not for wins, but to improve the quality of the play AS A TEAM. If your player is selfish they were not developed well, I don't care how talented they are. It is a team sport.

"I have never seen a team make a debut. Individual players do. Therefore, an academy should focus on individual development”

– Johan Cruyff –

That's very true, but you can serve both interests. You're just posting a quote to feel like it's granted you some great knowledge. Those players who were developed individually, were still developed in a way which brought the team balance. Pass & move, interchanging of positions, spreading the field and constantly switching the point of attack, playing the ball predominantly on the ground as it allows for closer control, etc are all tenets of position play. They are designs to make the INDIVIDUAL be able to express themselves within the structure of the style that the team plays, the philosophy. Your posting of Cruyff quotes does nothing to explain the purpose of why you carry out his methods, to make players for the senior TEAM, in which they're nothing but a cog in a larger organism. Again, when it comes down to it, it is about the team. This isn't tennis, buddy.

Buddy, it is something we do not do in the US no matter how many times you want to turn blue in the face about these posts. I think we are both in agreement on that. We differ in that you seem to want to defend US soccer and current practice.

I am a woman, btw.

Never at any point did I defend US soccer OR current practice. If anything it seems that we agree more than we disagree, but you seem set on winning an argument, rather than having a conversation. And it's great that you're a woman, go you, now how did that contribute to this in any way whatsoever?

Women aren't usually called 'buddy'. 'Sweet tits' or 'babe', etc. , but not 'buddy'. I was merely pointing that out for future conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coaches focus too much on team development??? Welcome to soccer, it's a team sport! No wonder out national team has absolutely no chemistry.

Yet places like Spain, Germany, Italy focus on player development in the younger years. You are too dense to understand the difference. That does NOT mean tactics and player movement is thrown to the wayside.

What it means is that the individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs. For us, that means our child has been gradually moved up and up in training age groups, and eventually games. He is working at the level that fits him. The coaches are teaching the kids the spatial concepts, movements, first touch, etc. which are essential to team play---yet they are taking a hard look at each kid individually. They will play younger kids for developmental reasons even if it means games and tournaments are lost.

The kids learn every position on the field, and learn them well. As older players--they will be able to transition accordingly as needed. Again, this may mean losing a game when your forward is getting time in the back, etc.

The team concept is bigger in these individual academies. No player is greater than the rest and you can see that with guys like Messi. Humbleness.

We are a prima donna country. We prop kids up and shit on the rest. We don't have patience and think a kid at 9/10/11 is finished with no future.

Who the hell are you calling dense? WE AGREE, YOU JERK! Everything you just pointed out IS what team building is. I understand that at the younger ages it is all about individual development, I never said that it wasn't. Hence why I said our national team has very little chemistry on the field, because as a collective we do not focus on proper team building and making technically strong, humble, versatile players who leave it on the line for the good of the team, at the older age groups. You people are so caught up over your precocious children that others can't make a post about the coaching in the older age groups without you blowing up because you think someone slighted your 12 year old. You seem to be very knowledgeable, so why would you lead your statement with "you're so dense."? Obviously you see the importance of team building, not for wins, but to improve the quality of the play AS A TEAM. If your player is selfish they were not developed well, I don't care how talented they are. It is a team sport.

"I have never seen a team make a debut. Individual players do. Therefore, an academy should focus on individual development”

– Johan Cruyff –

That's very true, but you can serve both interests. You're just posting a quote to feel like it's granted you some great knowledge. Those players who were developed individually, were still developed in a way which brought the team balance. Pass & move, interchanging of positions, spreading the field and constantly switching the point of attack, playing the ball predominantly on the ground as it allows for closer control, etc are all tenets of position play. They are designs to make the INDIVIDUAL be able to express themselves within the structure of the style that the team plays, the philosophy. Your posting of Cruyff quotes does nothing to explain the purpose of why you carry out his methods, to make players for the senior TEAM, in which they're nothing but a cog in a larger organism. Again, when it comes down to it, it is about the team. This isn't tennis, buddy.

Buddy, it is something we do not do in the US no matter how many times you want to turn blue in the face about these posts. I think we are both in agreement on that. We differ in that you seem to want to defend US soccer and current practice.

I am a woman, btw.

Never at any point did I defend US soccer OR current practice. If anything it seems that we agree more than we disagree, but you seem set on winning an argument, rather than having a conversation. And it's great that you're a woman, go you, now how did that contribute to this in any way whatsoever?

Women aren't usually called 'buddy'. 'Sweet tits' or 'babe', etc. , but not 'buddy'. I was merely pointing that out for future conversation.

Buddy is a term that can go either way and is not hostile. I didn't mean to condescend if that's how it came across. I'm honestly trying to have a conversation, because I agreed with most of what you said. I just feel like there's a disconnect here and we're arguing semantics.

[Anonymous]

Unless you're more partial to sweet tits lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're more partial to sweet tits lol

ST for short is fine.

[Anonymous]

Ok, enough of this. Club-based travel soccer sux, we all get this. There is no need to travel around for meaningless state cup, league games, or wahetver sinks your boat.

But where is this xcellwnt training that focuses on the player??? It ain't anywhere in NoVa from what I've seen. DC maybe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know girls who made DA who were on the B team at our club previously. I'm not impressed with the DA rosters so far. Its just watering down the top teams in the area. Which is good for my child because now they are on the A team I guess.

Could it be that your club didn't do a good job of evaluating players and she was incorrectly placed on the B team. It's also possible that player had an excellent coach and did extra training on the side to get better. It's also possible that your club was more focused on politics and butt kissing parents than promoting someone new to the A team. Players change year to year and it does not mean that a player on a B team can't get better than a player on A. Not saying that DA rosters are great or anything but your logic that it's based on A and B is dumb. Seems like your only focus is now being able to brag about your kid being on the shinny A team. SMH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, enough of this. Club-based travel soccer sux, we all get this. There is no need to travel around for meaningless state cup, league games, or wahetver sinks your boat.

But where is this excellent training that focuses on the player??? It ain't anywhere in NoVa from what I've seen. DC maybe?

Not too hard to figure this out I think.

The poster describes a place her son joined last summer, with "people that know soccer and value soccer IQ." She implies that these are non-American coaches. There are multiple trainers who rotate between groups of players. All of the age groups are at the same fields and the TD attends every single session and rotates through the training groups. They are not participating in travel leagues. The focus is on individual development rather than team building or wins. Each "individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs ... " Players are moved around between levels and age groups during training and games as it best suits their development. "The coaches are teaching spatial concepts, movements, 1st touch, etc. which are essential to team play, yet the are taking a hard look at each kid individually." This is individually focused development which heavily emphasizes the team concept and values like humbleness. They use positional play, keep the ball on the ground, and frequently switch the point of attack.

This has to be the FCB Escola.

Going out on a limb here, ... I think this may be the parent of a player who used to be with Arlington (bad fit at U10) and Alexandria (too team orientated, not enough focus on individual development). The player I am thinking of has good footskills, good touch, high soccer IQ, is not fast or big but not skinny either, and does a lot of extra training on the side both on his own and with supplemental trainers from around the area. Seems like a really nice kid too, and very much loves the game.

If you are who I think you are, it sounds like you've found a great fit and I'm really happy for you. Best of luck and thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, enough of this. Club-based travel soccer sux, we all get this. There is no need to travel around for meaningless state cup, league games, or wahetver sinks your boat.

But where is this excellent training that focuses on the player??? It ain't anywhere in NoVa from what I've seen. DC maybe?

Not too hard to figure this out I think.

The poster describes a place her son joined last summer, with "people that know soccer and value soccer IQ." She implies that these are non-American coaches. There are multiple trainers who rotate between groups of players. All of the age groups are at the same fields and the TD attends every single session and rotates through the training groups. They are not participating in travel leagues. The focus is on individual development rather than team building or wins. Each "individual is moved through a developmental system according to their individual needs ... " Players are moved around between levels and age groups during training and games as it best suits their development. "The coaches are teaching spatial concepts, movements, 1st touch, etc. which are essential to team play, yet the are taking a hard look at each kid individually." This is individually focused development which heavily emphasizes the team concept and values like humbleness. They use positional play, keep the ball on the ground, and frequently switch the point of attack.

This has to be the FCB Escola.

Going out on a limb here, ... I think this may be the parent of a player who used to be with Arlington (bad fit at U10) and Alexandria (too team orientated, not enough focus on individual development). The player I am thinking of has good footskills, good touch, high soccer IQ, is not fast or big but not skinny either, and does a lot of extra training on the side both on his own and with supplemental trainers from around the area. Seems like a really nice kid too, and very much loves the game.

If you are who I think you are, it sounds like you've found a great fit and I'm really happy for you. Best of luck and thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this forum.

We were not with Arlington or Alexandria--that would be a pretty long haul. I was talking about FCB though. We really like it.