Message
Anonymous wrote:Oh, and I forgot...size and ethnicity have zero to do with soccer. Even as a defender.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djalma_Santos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipp_Lahm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Baresi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_Alves
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Carlos
OP here, thanks for the advice, it is all good and useful. I just wanted to clarify, though, I'm not saying that our ethnicity directly makes him less of a defender! It just likely affects his projected height, relative to most white Americans. If height doesn't matter, ethnicity has no effect.
FYI my son grew another 2 inches in college and is taller than mom, dad and grandparents. My daughter grew 8 inches in the last 3 years or so. Don't count him out just yet.
Finally a "this isn't Europe" response. 
Just my .02
1. Club soccer in VA is a mirror of the parents, their expectations, and their competitiveness.
2. Because of #1 the bells and whistles of a club sometimes outweigh the substance.
3. Again because of #1, the expectations and limits of how hard coaches and clubs push is below other states and other areas. I know of teams, ECNL teams where the coach was replaces because he or she was too "mean".
4. 1+2+3 = generally poor or uncaring coaches.
5. This area is affluent.
6. Affluent parents don't care if they waste $4500, many look at club soccer as others stated, a nice daycare where my kid can run around and get cool stuff.
7. Clubs are in it for the money, getting kids scholarships makes parents think theirs will get one and be willing to pay without asking questions. I bet the average parent spend more time asking questions about a $40 bottle of wine around here than asking questions about their coach and club.
8. Coaches are in it for the money, yea I know they don't get paid much but when a coach is checking their emails on the sideline it's pretty obvious.
9. Typically if your kid is driven they will need additional coaching. Remember the club coach gets paid per player so there is an incentive to pad the roster spots. Most will coach to the least common denominator.
Enough of a rant...
Given the issue with your Son I would keep in mind that at the U12 level the number one thing you and your son should be worrying about is ball skills. If he can't control the ball he will never be good. Too many players on too many teams around here can't control a ball, cant pass correctly, can't dribble with their eyes up. By the time they're older the coach is trying to teach tactics meanwhile Johnny is turning the ball over every 2 out of 3 touches.
Find him a good technical coach. Check their license, contrary to popular belief holding a high license is not easy and in some ways harder through US Soccer than other countries. However a B or A license doesn't equate to a good coach by itself. Speak with parents.
The other posts stating defenders don't have to be as skilled as other positions are simply wrong. A forward makes a mistake and it's a turnover, a defender makes a mistake, hits a poor ball, can't use both feet and suddenly the ball is in the box heading on net. Top coaches always build their teams from the back for a reason. I won't even get into the fact that most defenders are also utilized on the offensive side of the ball as well. And besides the CAM and the GK they're probably the smartest on the field.
If the coach rotates positions don't worry, live and learn. Worry about it in 2-3 years. Many college players switch positions when the get on campus, different coaches see different things. Being able to adapt is crucial. IIRC Hope Solo didn't play GK until she went to UW, she was a striker.
Find him a good coach and follow the coach, club doesn't matter.
Know HIS expectations from soccer. Don't impart your beliefs or goals. Support him don't think for him. My DD actually likes demanding, yelling, coaches on the other hand Mom doesn't see things the same way. Know what he wants.
At 11 or 12 there should be a good mix of discussions, some the coach should have with parent and child some with just the child. As above, many times the kids won't say what they are really thinking because mom or dad is hovering around.
Don't settle, each year passes is another year gone. Know how you want to proceed with his soccer and stick too it.
Ultimately there are about 5 or 6 decent coaches in each age group. Search them out.
Oh, and I forgot...size and ethnicity have zero to do with soccer. Even as a defender.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djalma_Santos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipp_Lahm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Baresi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_Alves
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Carlos
Just my .02
1. Club soccer in VA is a mirror of the parents, their expectations, and their competitiveness.
2. Because of #1 the bells and whistles of a club sometimes outweigh the substance.
3. Again because of #1, the expectations and limits of how hard coaches and clubs push is below other states and other areas. I know of teams, ECNL teams where the coach was replaces because he or she was too "mean".
4. 1+2+3 = generally poor or uncaring coaches.
5. This area is affluent.
6. Affluent parents don't care if they waste $4500, many look at club soccer as others stated, a nice daycare where my kid can run around and get cool stuff.
7. Clubs are in it for the money, getting kids scholarships makes parents think theirs will get one and be willing to pay without asking questions. I bet the average parent spend more time asking questions about a $40 bottle of wine around here than asking questions about their coach and club.
8. Coaches are in it for the money, yea I know they don't get paid much but when a coach is checking their emails on the sideline it's pretty obvious.
9. Typically if your kid is driven they will need additional coaching. Remember the club coach gets paid per player so there is an incentive to pad the roster spots. Most will coach to the least common denominator.
Enough of a rant...
Given the issue with your Son I would keep in mind that at the U12 level the number one thing you and your son should be worrying about is ball skills. If he can't control the ball he will never be good. Too many players on too many teams around here can't control a ball, cant pass correctly, can't dribble with their eyes up. By the time they're older the coach is trying to teach tactics meanwhile Johnny is turning the ball over every 2 out of 3 touches.
Find him a good technical coach. Check their license, contrary to popular belief holding a high license is not easy and in some ways harder through US Soccer than other countries. However a B or A license doesn't equate to a good coach by itself. Speak with parents.
The other posts stating defenders don't have to be as skilled as other positions are simply wrong. A forward makes a mistake and it's a turnover, a defender makes a mistake, hits a poor ball, can't use both feet and suddenly the ball is in the box heading on net. Top coaches always build their teams from the back for a reason. I won't even get into the fact that most defenders are also utilized on the offensive side of the ball as well. And besides the CAM and the GK they're probably the smartest on the field.
If the coach rotates positions don't worry, live and learn. Worry about it in 2-3 years. Many college players switch positions when the get on campus, different coaches see different things. Being able to adapt is crucial. IIRC Hope Solo didn't play GK until she went to UW, she was a striker.
Find him a good coach and follow the coach, club doesn't matter.
Know HIS expectations from soccer. Don't impart your beliefs or goals. Support him don't think for him. My DD actually likes demanding, yelling, coaches on the other hand Mom doesn't see things the same way. Know what he wants.
At 11 or 12 there should be a good mix of discussions, some the coach should have with parent and child some with just the child. As above, many times the kids won't say what they are really thinking because mom or dad is hovering around.
Don't settle, each year passes is another year gone. Know how you want to proceed with his soccer and stick too it.
Ultimately there are about 5 or 6 decent coaches in each age group. Search them out.
Oh, and I forgot...size and ethnicity have zero to do with soccer. Even as a defender.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djalma_Santos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipp_Lahm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Baresi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_Alves
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Carlos
Anonymous wrote:^not in the slightest.
One coach of 11 years at loudoun has signed for a neighboring club. Two ECNL coaches have interviewed but their economical demands are absurdly high.
Loudoun isn’t all that you phony parents think it is.
2 ECNL? Yikes. Based on the fact non ECNL coaches are typically whomever they can find...
Anonymous wrote:I think maybe he meant that your daughter “doesn’t have to drive” because she plays at LSC like “doesn’t have to drive 4 hours to play against really weak teams in NJ”
No worries about LSC driving anywhere...or any further than Richmond. Took the money and cancelled out of state tournaments. You'd think coaches at places like Mary Washington would know the players by first name they've watched so many times.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are the 07 or 08 FCV girls looking to move? Maybe one here or there but that's normal for every team. No indication of mass exodus.
Wishful thinking.
New OP. This doesn’t effect my kid one bit. However, i don’t believe that any rational person thinks that GA clubs are going to be able to hold their talent together over the next few years. Guess we will see...
I keep seeing constant bashing of GA? Why is this?
I have two girls playing at Loudoun but by no means they are superstars nor have that kind of drive either. I do acknowledge FCV develops and delivers in a constant fashion (the proof is in the committed players and professional and national players - which my club doesn’t).
But I simply don’t understand the bashing of GA and FCV?
Something to think about. Do your girls not have drive because they play with L$C? The club is more about collecting money and keeping everyone happy. Those with drive and talent are secretly drugged so they don't realize the disservice being perpetrated. And yes I'm a parent that was suckered in.