Reply to youth soccer participation down 23.5% in key 6-12 year age group...

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Too few clubs offer an alternative for U9-U12s.  Rec teams are not even serious and treated as a joke, and few selection-based teams offer something in between rec and full blown NCSL travel  ---- where we are with its big tourneys, winter practices, etc.

Can anyone name a VA club that has a U9-U12 select or travel-lite team that:

does not require a year commitment

practices only twice a week within 30 minutes of DC

plays in maybe one tourney a season

has all its home and away games within an hour drive of DC

has professional coaches

costs half of the usual $3K a year ---- because it doesn't have any DOCs, etc., etc.

[/quote]

YES. SFL and ODSL. Google them. TONS of clubs (BRYC and FPYC for example) in NoVa have teams in those leagues. They cost way less than travel leagues, require less commitment, etc., etc...all those things you mentioned... [/quote]

ODSL is still travel soccer, and the clubs certainly charge travel soccer fees.  I think what you mean is that the competition and quality of play is expected to be lower than that of NCSL and certainly VPL/CCL so the coaches shouldn't expect families and players to have as high a commitment to the team as they would if the players were to play in the top leagues or D1-D3 NCSL.  Of course this is a terrible way of teaching your kids commitment and hardwork paying off, if you're not able to commit and play for soccer at a intermediate level for your age, just do rec.  There would not be anything wrong with rec if the players that really cared about soccer but were on the 4th-6th travel team were to join rec.[/quote]

The real crux of the problem, for the PP, is that they want a Goldielocks situation. They want the commitment of Rec with the variety and organization of travel. Basically, they want to play other clubs but not have a regular travel commitment. Frankly, that just doesn’t exist outside of ODSL and registering through or joining a VISTA club (mileage in VISTA can vary as some teams are very good and very serious).

At 8-10 years old my best recommendation is to find the level of play and then try and work the schedule out with the coach. My kid was and played with multi sport kids at those ages and it was never a problem. Any reasonable coach will ultimately be in coaching to teach kids anyway and if all it takes to keep Johnny involved in the sport is making two practices instead of three is a small price to pay. [/quote]

When FCBEscola was having their "tryouts", they mentioned that missing practices was "never" going to be an issue and the player wouldn't lose his/her place on the team.  Also, they aren't in any leagues so the "place" I imagine wouldn't matter as much.  You're going to pay quite a bit, and uniform is pricey, so missing out on a practice is going to be costly, but I think ultimately that is what the pp is looking for.  What's not being mentioned here is that if the player isn't that good to begin with, a coach my be ambivalent when it comes to missing games and practices as the player might slow down the drill and would be a weak link on the pitch.[/quote]

Agree. FCBescola did say if a player routinely misses they aren't going to develop--they won't be penalized--but due to continual absences they most likely won't progress as quickly.  However, if the player is still succeeding and has higher ability, the player will earn a spot/play in a match, etc.  What I found is that my kid never wants to miss.  He loves the training and the environment.  It is 90-minutes of no BS and no breaks.  The younger kids do only have 60 minute practices--2008 and below--for age appropriate reasons.  My kid said as intense as training can be, it's 'fun'.  Hard work and success is also recognized.

Player development is talked about in terms of years, not season to season.  It's about the player and not about making a certain team, etc.  They are carefully watching each player's individual progression and noticing things about each kid that wouldn't be apparent to any casual observer. It's not 'what player is right for this team, this position, this year' which is a completely wrong way to develop players.  They are definitely looking long term.

The program runs a long time (stretches longer than travel clubs) and we have definitely missed some training here and there and it hasn't been an issue. I feel zero guilt about missing for an important family matter/event because they don't make you or the kid feel bad about it.  In fact, it feels much more 'family-oriented' which I attribute to also the Spanish culture to begin with.  That is refreshing.

FCB has numerous different training groups so if a player starts becoming a weak link they will most likely move groups.  Conversely, a player that is excelling can continue to move up age groups, etc. It's very non-traditional concept for Americans.  Unlike travel, movements occur all of the time, not just once a year---and they can float back and forth.  There is no feeling of it being a 'stigma', a 'demotion'.  All the trainers work with every group, every age on a rotating basis. It contributes to a much healthier environment for kids and parents and there isn't one iota of politics or favoritism.  [/quote]

Do you work for FCB?  Not a snarky remark, truly want to know.[/quote]

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