NOVASoccerCoach wrote:Hello everyone I am NOVASoccerCoach. Some of you may remember me a couple months ago, where I did a Q&A and shared my insight on a couple of threads. Obviously a lot has changed since I was last on this forum and I just wanted to share some of my frustrating opinions about the landscape of youth soccer as well as offer you some insight.

1. No Tryout BS
A lot of clubs seem to be guaranteeing spots to players and doing this "no tryouts" thing. All I'm going to say is that its total bs. Players are now getting placed on teams without tryouts and there's an ABSURD amount of behind-the-scenes recruiting going on. I've even heard some directors/coaches have conducted "Social Distancing Tryouts" where they go to the kids' house and they do a ball mastery tryout. It's absolutely ridiculous and sad. Kids who have spent years at the club are getting dropped without a proper tryout for these outside club players who just had an illegal "social distancing" tryout.

Clubs are just robbing people
First off, clubs should be refunding parents for the spring. It's absolutely ridiculous. The "virtual season" does not count as a season. It should not be awarded a % credit or stipend or anything. It's bs. I can really dive into this but clubs, tournaments, etc. are just robbing families that have been loyal to clubs for so long. It's f*cked up. I don't want to even get into how they are handling the fall season...


If you have a coach that you are fond of, really lean and tap into those coaches in this time. Ask them to be honest with you and they will. Coaches unfortunately are stuck in the middle right now between the bs upper leadership is doing and actually caring for what's best for the kid. Most of the time, I would hope the coach will tell you his/her honest opinion on what's best for your kid.

1. No Tryout BS
A lot of clubs seem to be guaranteeing spots to players and doing this "no tryouts" thing. All I'm going to say is that its total bs. Players are now getting placed on teams without tryouts and there's an ABSURD amount of behind-the-scenes recruiting going on. I've even heard some directors/coaches have conducted "Social Distancing Tryouts" where they go to the kids' house and they do a ball mastery tryout. It's absolutely ridiculous and sad. Kids who have spent years at the club are getting dropped without a proper tryout for these outside club players who just had an illegal "social distancing" tryout.

Anonymous wrote:This story smells to actions done by coaching director who tends to use bias in these matters. He has power over other directives and coaches and influences them on his nasty decisions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story smells to actions done by coaching director who tends to use bias in these matters. He has power over other directives and coaches and influences them on his nasty decisions.

Lol “his nasty decisions”. How dramatic.