Futbol6 wrote:DS's team qualified for a National tournament this summer in California. Support from our club has been nonexistent. Is it normal for them to pass on ALL the administrative duties to parents?

Clubs don't pay for anything. All costs are passed onto parents in one form or another. Some clubs/teams have one overall admin fee that covers travel other make parents pay as you go. Either way, you're paying for it all. Why would you think it is any different than this. If you're savvy the parents can try to find a sponsor (get logos on uni's) to help cover some of the costs.

Skills are developed at home thru repetition. Knowledge of how to play the game well is thru good coaching but also being a student of the game. Watch the pros. Look at their spacing, off the ball movement and positioning relative to the ball and the other players. It all matters.

Being a ref is not easy, but as you do it more often it does become easier. The key to being a good ref is to remember the game is not about you, or the parents, or the coaches. It is about the players only. Tune the other crap out and don’t get caught up in the petty complaining from off the field. Also, if you’ve never played before, go join an adult league so you understand the nuances of the game.

I don’t see any real soccer talk here yet. Just snipping.

So here’s some real soccer talk. What makes the following countries and really only the following countries so successful at soccer over recent history (last 30 years)? Culture? Success breeding success? Tradition? A combination?

Germany
Brazil
France
Spain
Italy
Argentina
England

Weah’s playing, therefore we are winning. Looks miserably cold up there. Fun.