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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][b]At uLittle, playing time really should be equal (but usually isn’t). There should be no “earned” playing time at that age. [/b]

For high level 11v11 (ECNL, GA, etc), it should 100% be earned. No preference for manager’s kid there. I haven’t seen that on my kid’s ECNL team.

For 11v11 mid-level or lower level (NCSL  & EDP lower divisions), I’m fine with the manager’s kid getting a little extra. [/quote]

There is absolutely earned time in club soccer, no matter what the age group. A good coach makes sure all the kids get plenty of minutes on the field, but travel soccer is different than rec, which is where equal time makes sense. [/quote]

Not at uLittle. Most clubs I know specifically call out equal playing time at that age.  Every kid’s learning curve is different, as is athleticism, growth, puberty timing, etc.

The #1 mistake I see coaches make at uLittle is trying to win now. Not playing the tall gangly kid as much because he’s uncoordinated, always playing the ball to the same few kids who can dribble well, etc. Not playing it out of the back because defenders turn it over and lose games.

I fell prey to this myself. It’s really easy to give the most playing time to your top 7 at 7v7, or top 9 at 9v9, but not developing the project kids early limits the team. Kids are still growing into their bodies, etc.  Not all of them will be stars, but some will.

Our 11v11 ECNL girls’ team has a number of players who will likely play in college, but were still projects on mid-level NCSL teams at 9v9. Conversely, there were a lot of players who were at the top of the stack early, but just plateaued. [/quote]

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