FGDaddio wrote:

While not directly related to BRAVE, is BRYC also fielding ECNL-RL teams for 2022-23?

Yes, they are only fielding ECNL-R under BRYC. Offers have gone out and ID sessions are still ongoing. ECNL will be solely under BRAVE.

Will they have any success in ECNL-R? whatever good players on their teams stayed on Brave and remaining players moved down to ECNL-R?

Dcum1300 wrote:We have a U10/11 DC that plays at one of the more competitive and successful clubs in the area for their age group. We were wondering what thoughts anyone had regarding staying with the current team next year and playing as a reserve with less playing time vs. playing on a top team for a smaller club and helping to lead that team with unlimited playing time. Practices and tournaments would be less competitive but gaining confidence and playing time are intriguing.

Had to reply as my DC was in this same exact situation. After a year of moving from a top team in a top club to a smaller club for the purpose of more playing time and "leadership," I can confidently say it was a VERY bad move. Similar to some of the comments, the main difference was the quality of players on the small club team vs big club team. I can also say after seeing this first hand, it is 100% correct that your DC will only develop based on teammate ability during PRACTICE. More game time (Played almost every minute of every game) did absolutely nothing for development. Now at the end of season, it is clear that my DC's skills has tremendously suffered while teammates that were not as skilled at the beginning of the year significantly improved. It was as if they absorbed my DC's skills and my DC was worse for it. To see my DC play at a level that is below what is was before the season started is very frustrating. It is like wasting a year and now having to redevelop over the summer and catch up with their new team for next year. Save yourself the frustration and use avoid the pitfall we went through.

Looking at VYS, does anyone know if it will keep a team with Pre-ECNL as the "red" team? wont that comprise mostly of current "black" players? would they still compete at that level?

NoVaRTP wrote:Anyone get an offer for an older age group? Trying to figure out if it was a mistake.

Yes. Is this a function of plugging gaps to fill out rosters or talent matching?

soccerVA wrote:

Novafam wrote:Has Anyone heard back from Arlington about Super Y tryouts?

You need to log into your Arlington Demosphere account. If they made a team, the invitation will be there under registration.

Thanks, that worked. I imagine there are a number of people who are unaware that they have to login to find out. The club said emails would be sent out?

Has Anyone heard back from Arlington about Super Y tryouts?

Anonymous wrote:

Novafam wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this thread died when a PP mentioned that his son's U7 team was undefeated and won every "game" by seven goals. I didn't know that my eyes could roll that far in back of my head.

Well that's an overreaction. Have you ever coached a team before, or have you ever been an active parent with your kid's sports activities? It is easy if you have done either one that you can tell how well the team is doing. It doesn't take much to see how strong a team is. Were you offended that I stated a goal differential? As I have stated before, my son is ready for more of a challenge. I have heard both, pros and cons of the Junior program and I am willing to go through it and see for myself.

I think it's hilarious that you kept track of the goal differential as if it means anything.

I did not keep track of the scores. I gave a number off the top of my head. THE POINT was that the team was dominant not to nitpick what how many goals I stated.

Anonymous wrote:I think this thread died when a PP mentioned that his son's U7 team was undefeated and won every "game" by seven goals. I didn't know that my eyes could roll that far in back of my head.

Well that's an overreaction. Have you ever coached a team before, or have you ever been an active parent with your kid's sports activities? It is easy if you have done either one that you can tell how well the team is doing. It doesn't take much to see how strong a team is. Were you offended that I stated a goal differential? As I have stated before, my son is ready for more of a challenge. I have heard both, pros and cons of the Junior program and I am willing to go through it and see for myself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The training with a knowledgeable mom / dad coach is far superior to U8 Jrs.

1-2 former player parent type coaches for a single team of kids will get them a better, intimate, and far more fun experience with more skill development then lost in a crowd dribbling inside the penalty box with 40-50 players. You lower your chances of breaking into travel, but try to focus on the here /now. We know some families that have older players on elite A teams who won't put any of their younger kids through juniors.

Good luck getting placed on one of those teams. If you're lucky then of course it's great and at a low investment cost at that. More than likely you will get a parent that knows nothing about soccer.

+1- parents are great volunteers--and I give them so much credit for taking the time to coach-- but most have no idea how to truly coach to the technical aspects. The U-8 coaches in Juniors actually teach travel for older kids and know exactly what they are doing and how to train the kids.

...don't care how great a couple of coaches are, you clearly have not talked to most parents who have gone through it. kids have no individual attention. group drills don't cut it anymore then oversized classrooms with a top teacher. the program is flawed. 7 year olds need to be on teams, and then they can add in 1-2 days of professional training as a supplement. there are tons of parents who can train kids, they run many of the u7 teams. but they are sidelined at u8 because all the good kids do juniors for fear they will not make travel. it can be done better.

My son isn't doing the program because we are afraid he won't make travel at U9. I cannot judge the Juniors program yet maybe I'll give an update mid year next year to let you know. I actually coached my son's U7 rec team and they were a great team that went undefeated with goal margin of at least 7 goals per game. My son outgrew rec play and I did not want him to "play up" and risk having him begin to dislike soccer. I am confident that at least 6-7 of the kids I coached will make U9 travel next year if they choose to tryout. However, I know I have limitations as a coach that professionals are better equipped to handle. Again, I'll have a better idea about the Juniors program midway through next season.

I would love to see a poll from Junior parents regarding their kids experience. Maybe a Yea vs. Nay from the parents?

I am all for the inter-squad games over the rec level games. I sat my DS down and gave him the choice after weighing the pros and cons of both, the juniors program and rec. He decided he wanted to do the juniors. At the end of the program he will be further ahead than he would have been in rec. While he was always happy to score a lot of goals and win in rec, he wanted to be challenged.

As far as the All-star rec tournament, I disagree with the poster the wrote it off. My DD just finished a U8 all-star tournament and absolutely loved it, which is the main point at this age, isn't it? She actually did learn, mostly from practicing and playing with her talented peers in the U8 age group. Also, the reason why I asked about the all-star was to see whether I would be able to gauge my DS development along with team chemistry versus another club, since he is now in the juniors program. I'd like to believe that would be a fair assessment.

I wouldn't mind it one bit if he decided he didn't want to continue with soccer after the program. While there are some sports that I kind of steer him towards solely because of my own familiarity with the sport, if he decides he wants to do something else, that's his decision. However, he does have a distinct passion for soccer so I don't see him wavering anytime soon. But anything can happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Novafam wrote:Does anyone have their kid trying out for the McLean Pre-travel Juniors program? Has anyone heard back? I know the second tryout for the (Jul-Dec 2010) players were cancelled twice because of the weather. They sent an email saying "please stay tuned for more information" and that was on Monday. Thanks!

Not sure of the answer, but this is a great program so good luck to you! Lots of focus on building technical skills (and WAY better than rec where you are coached by parents).

Thanks for your feedback about the program. That is exactly what I was looking forward to. My kid has eclipsed the level of talent for his age group in rec, so he'll appreciate the challenge. We heard back from the coaches and my kid made it. Do you know if they play in the recreational all-star tournaments in fall and spring?

Does anyone have their kid trying out for the McLean Pre-travel Juniors program? Has anyone heard back? I know the second tryout for the (Jul-Dec 2010) players were cancelled twice because of the weather. They sent an email saying "please stay tuned for more information" and that was on Monday. Thanks!