OP Here,



Thank you everyone for their feedback thus far. I think we are having a healthy and open discussion about players, programs and expectations. For reference, I grew up playing soccer all my life either in rec or members of my ethnic community in the neighborhood and watching a ton on TV. Young 20’s made lot of friends who played D1-D3 college and learned a lot from them. I also could compete pretty much equally.

At the end of the day, I think everyone just wants their children to get better moderately and improve. And that the Club/Team/Coach can help that improvement throughout the season. I do not expect Champions League training or even have the goal for my child to make college.

I think there are a large number of factors here which I’m sure has been brought up in past discussions and soccer as whole in America. #1 We don’t have the culture of kids playing soccer for fun in general at school or at home in the neighborhood. While every other country, they live and breathe it in everyday life by playing and watching. Hence why most kids who have good footwork at young age have parents come from international families. #2 From parental view, we feel we pay too much and because of that may expect certain level of instruction. And the coaches/trainers likely aren’t paid enough to truly care or put effort to set up training, really work with each child 1 on 1, and deal with parents complaining.

And that brings us here to travel soccer. Its a mix and match of both a clubs culture and coaches but also thrown in wide varying of each players interest/love for game, skill level, technical abilities, and understanding of game. There are ton of difference coaching strategies and methods, there is no one right way. I was actually hoping this discussion, everybody could prove me wrong and this is the good path moving forward. This is not to speak negatively about any club or team, this is the situation we are all in. Just hoping to broaden my understanding of the youth soccer in our area today and everyone’s experiences so we could make the best decision to stay or go with another club for our child. Even if I left to a coach who “trains” better but the kids are not friendly on the team or coaches yell too much. If my kid does not have fun and wants to quit, then whats it for.

We are very lucky to have a coach who is committed and providing constant pointers. The kids are happy playing with each other. I do see the coaches on older age groups just sort of stand there which I don’t like. To address what others have commented. Yes their definitely has to be a certain level of fun to it, I agree. Without it, its too easy to lose interest and playing 5 days a week will burn out. Especially at this young age, they don’t understand. Doing drills all day is no fun. Running laps all day is no fun. Most adults wouldn’t like it



I can see small sided games be beneficial to practice what you have been taught before you do games. Even for boys who are not as good at this age, it allows them to get as many touches as they can and develop which is also important. I’m completely fine with that for my age, but my question is more leaning, is that still the best development moving forward in the coming years? Will 3 years of playing small sided games and scrimmages be productive? Which does beg the question, what am i paying for? What is the difference between anyone rounding up a group of kids and letting them play 3 on 3 and scrimmaging. I’m sure most parents can do that and provide small tips here and there. I can’t see that as developing children in soccer for next 3 years. And yes I know recreational is an option and I can coach myself, but it is a team sport and you need better kids to play with for my child to get better.

And if small sided games are the most important, when do you practice all the other aspects of the game as I mentioned. You certainly can not do that very well at home with parent and a child. Because soon in a game at a very basic level, it becomes, when to move, keep formation, learn to do some 1-2 passes, make triangle formations, have skills to beat 1 on 1. And if there is little to none of it as drills, how can they improve. Just telling a child to do any of these things and actually executive in a small scrimmage is not easy.

Luckily for my child, he has seen the benefit of training 1 v 1 at home with dad. He enjoys learning to get better and trying to understand the game. So in that sense, it doesn’t matter what the club is doing. Thank you everyone for contributing.

My child 7 years old (nearly 8) just joined a U9 travel team in the NOVA area. I was very open minded how a club would train kids at this age. Still very young or inexperienced in play in many regards. Its been nearly 2 months of practice, 3 days week. Every practice, 95% of the time, comprises of smalled sided games 3v3 or 4v4. Thats it. Then I started looking at other age groups/ both genders training (through U11) with this club and they all are also doing the same thing.

How can this be, is this normal? I understand the importance of small sided games. Just not all the time i think. I would think there be some combination 1v1, 2v1, 3v1, passing drills, dribbling drills/ moves, learning formations, defense, situational etc. I understand footskills can be done at home,

Can someone explain to me the logic of this training methodology and their thoughts? What are other clubs doing during training at this age?