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Jungas wrote:Unless your kid is a real standout, the chances of making an Arlington Travel team in future seasons are pretty low. That age group has huge numbers - more than 100 boys showed up to try out this year for the few spots that are open on the current teams, and only about 15-20 actually got a look from the coaches (they were known to the coaches before the tryouts).
Unfortunately, this age group and club are a prime example of the craziness around youth sports in general. If your boy didn't try out the first year tryouts were held (which I think was last year for this age), he's essentially boxed out, unless lots of kids already in the program drop the sport.
That said, if the goal is Arlington and Arlington only, ADP is probably your best shot. At least he'd be getting a few looks from ASA coaches through the season. Among the others, we've heard good things about PAC, though it's clearly a step down from ASA, intensity-wise, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your perspective.
It is interesting to hear this as it seems to be the case across many clubs for 2014 boys. I wonder why this age group is so large? It seems like 2013 and 2015 are not quite as big. I am glad we had our son try out for travel last year and at least get into the system (not in Arlington). I assume numbers will get smaller over time as kids drop out?
Quality of coaching or quality of the peer/training group?
Our son has the opportunity to stay on the same team at his travel club, with the same coach and at least some of the same kids depending on who accepts. He is on the B team of a large club so each team has kids who are similar in level/development. We deal with all the pros and cons of a large club.
He also has an offer to join the only team in the age group at a small club. The coaching and development plan seem excellent, but the team is likely to have a wider range of ability with a few kids more on par with our current club's C/D/E teams.
We have been somewhat frustrated with the current coach/club. Our son has learned a lot, but the team often struggles to win. It feels like they don't work enough on game scenarios or spacing. We don't expect to win every time but sometimes we lose games that feel winnable due to poor strategy/coaching during games. It's easy to be tempted by the new club and the potential for better coaching. Of course we don't know if the grass (turf) is actually greener.
We will need to decide soon and not sure what to do. Son seems equally fine with either choice. Help!
Our son has the opportunity to stay on the same team at his travel club, with the same coach and at least some of the same kids depending on who accepts. He is on the B team of a large club so each team has kids who are similar in level/development. We deal with all the pros and cons of a large club.
He also has an offer to join the only team in the age group at a small club. The coaching and development plan seem excellent, but the team is likely to have a wider range of ability with a few kids more on par with our current club's C/D/E teams.
We have been somewhat frustrated with the current coach/club. Our son has learned a lot, but the team often struggles to win. It feels like they don't work enough on game scenarios or spacing. We don't expect to win every time but sometimes we lose games that feel winnable due to poor strategy/coaching during games. It's easy to be tempted by the new club and the potential for better coaching. Of course we don't know if the grass (turf) is actually greener.
We will need to decide soon and not sure what to do. Son seems equally fine with either choice. Help!