Reply to Achilles - how hard to make a U10 team?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think there's only one team of the current U9s.  No telling whether there will be two U10 teams in the Fall.  Think carefully about joining the club if not on the top team.  Also be aware that the head coach moves kids off teams frequently so you may be told one thing one day, but find that it has changed later (with no notice or communication).[/quote]

That doesn't seem like much fun....[/quote]

The last Achilles game I watched, there were 12 kids on the team. Only 8 got into the game (7v7), the other four kids just sat. 
Not saying that you shouldn't join Achilles, just be aware that they might be the most hyper-competitive squad in the area. [/quote]

My son is on an achilles 09 team and couldn't be happier.  There are a few teams, depending on kids levels. But it's not like other clubs. You don't sign up for the red, white or blue team- you're on the club or you aren't and then you're placed on a certain team at a certain time based on playing ability.  There is always a top team, for sure, but rosters change from week to week and any kid who's playing well can get called up to #1 or a kid who's not gets sent to #2.  It can literally change week to week and I've seen a lot of the kids move up and down- and not just within one age group. Some 09s play 08 and 07 top teams from time to time, and '10s and a '11 sometimes play with the top '09s. It's very dynamic. But the kids who make the top teams are the kids who don't miss practice and who play in their spare time and they're mostly very skilled!  They're super friendly to one another, but they're also all competitors.

The comment above about 8 of 12 playing in a game flat out doesn't make sense.  But again, it's not like other clubs.  Playing time is pretty even on the lower teams, but not on the top ones.  On the top teams kids who played well will play more.  Frankly, the kids prefer it because they know they're earning their playing time.  There's no "everybody gets a medal," well, there kind of is because the younger teams do really well.

Point is, you should bring your son to Achilles tryouts in May, and go watch practice yourself before that if you can. Your son will fit in and love it or he won't.  If he fits in, he'll love practices and he'll get much better quickly, if he doesn't, it wasn't for him.  But you'll probably have a good idea after seeing a practice.[/quote]

When I read this, I had to laugh. Whoever wrote this is being totally and completely disingenuous. I wouldn't even be surprised if the author is working for the club.  I will try to cut through the bs and shed some light on the truth. The current 09 team (rising 10 team) is very good. No child trying out should expect to make that team (or the #1 team if there are 2) unless they are an incredibly strong player. I don't know if the current 09s (rising 10s) have a second team. However, if they do, it will be a SAM Select team---meaning, there is pretty much no comparison between the two teams. The EDP team will get all of the focus and best practice times and the SAM team will receive good training, but not much else despite paying the same amount. There is barely any movement between #1 team and #2 team ever. The head coach tells parents that to placate them. From the get go, he has pretty much determined who is on the #1 team and who will never be. And, yes, it is completely true that the rosters are too big that and several kids are not likely to get any play time, particularly if it is a competitive game. Trust me--there might not be a "red, white or blue team" but unless kids are oblivious, they "know their place". [/quote]

I won’t sugarcoat, because Achilles coaches won’t either.  They’re looking for kids who can play at the highest level this area has. They aren’t necessarily looking for big, fast or strong kids, but they are looking for kids who’ll practice hard, compete intensely, and play tough possession based soccer.  Many current Achilles kids were too small, too slow, or too something that prevented them from starring at another area club. Many of those same kids are now playing at a higher level than the kids at the other clubs.

To a previous poster’s point, it’s not for everyone. It’s intense. It’s demanding. They play a style that values playing their way sometimes over winning, which will be hard for some kids and parents. But my son and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Achilles training is great and the coaches are tough. But they all know and really appreciate all the kids they’re improving.

Go to practice and check it out. Find a random parent and ask them (maybe you’ll get me). Find a random kid and ask them. The 07 roster is really tight, but ever other age group has room for kids who can play at a high level or who are dedicated to get there.

Tryouts start May 13, so you’ve got a week to check out practice before that.

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