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[quote=NOVASoccerCoach][quote=Anonymous][quote=NOVASoccerCoach][quote=Anonymous]Thanks for starting this thread, Coach!

I think you answered my question in your earlier comments, but I want to get your thoughts. I'm a parent of an undersized, technical U14 boy who has played for higher level EDP club that has increasingly bloated rosters. Although my son has been fortunate to be picked to be on the rosters, he comes in off the bench and does not always get that much playing time.  Some boys on the team do not get selected for game day rosters at all. Worse still, the club will have its top players from a younger age group play up, so that in a weekend, these boys play for their own team and then start for the older age group as well, while other players get limited playing time or don't even make the roster at all. I can understand if this is a DA club, but it isn't.

The training is good, and the coaches tell parents that training, which includes scrimmages, is more important that playing time in actual games. Do you agree with this?  It seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy that the "better" kids keep getting better, and the mid-tier kids fall farther behind when they don't play.  For smaller kids who have yet to hit their growth spurts, can team training advance development if there is little playing time in games?  In retrospect, I wish he had moved on a year ago because he's so afraid of making mistakes and getting benched that he looks like he isn't playing hard.

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Nah, that's bullshit and I hate that type of crap clubs try to pull. Scrimmages are great but nothing replicates the actual game environment against opposition where both teams know the game matters more than a scrimmage. I don't want to know what club this is because it's awful that some kids don't even get selected for a game day roster.....this is youth soccer! If this was at the DA or ECNL level I could understand, but as you said it's not. Also the fact that they are playing their youngers getting more game time than the players that are actually in that age group is terrible. I'd leave that club ASAP and find a club to get your kid some playing time come game day.

For players to get better they need to be playing in training, learning from training then practicing what they learned in the game environment. Get your kid out of that club asap. What a shitshow of a club. Apologies for my language as your account of what that club does really pissed me off and is what's wrong with soccer in this area.

Edit: Didn't even read your last comment. If your player is afraid of making mistakes at U14 because he thinks it may get him benched, get him out of that club. Players need to make mistakes to learn, it's the only way and if that is going to jeopardize playing time at U14, that is utterly ridiculous. [/quote]

This was my son’s experience at his former club, almost to the letter. (In fact, we may know each other). Coach, I appreciate your advice and outrage! Had we not already switched clubs, we would have taken your advice and cut bait. Everything you’ve said about this is spot on. DS is far happier now, more confident and no longer wants to quit the sport altogether. Keep up the great thread - you have some very helpful, even-handed things to say and it’s appreciated. [/quote]

Thanks so much, just want to help. I'm glad your DS is having a fun time playing soccer now. Glad you all escaped the toxic clubs and found a nice home to play a great sport. Appreciate the love.[/quote]

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