Cruzado
05/10/2022 09:28
Subject: Which Club for U9B
You didn't mention anything about your view of the coaches at Club B.
My first impression after reading through your list of pros/cons is that they're both good options, but I'd go with Club B.
- Having his best friend on the same team will be fun for your son;
- being able to carpool to practices/games will be nice for you; and
- 3 practices a week will give him more touches on the ball, which you seem to recognize is a good thing.
I would completely ignore anything about "loyalty" -- this is kids' sports and not that big of a deal. (Some of my kids play for one club, while some of them play for another club that's a better fit for them ... it's not a big deal at either club.) My kids don't go to school with any of the kids on their travel soccer teams, so that's not a big deal either. People move around a lot anyway in this area.
They both sounds like good options, but the fact that you don't really care for the coach at Club A was a big factor in my analysis.
My first impression after reading through your list of pros/cons is that they're both good options, but I'd go with Club B.
- Having his best friend on the same team will be fun for your son;
- being able to carpool to practices/games will be nice for you; and
- 3 practices a week will give him more touches on the ball, which you seem to recognize is a good thing.
I would completely ignore anything about "loyalty" -- this is kids' sports and not that big of a deal. (Some of my kids play for one club, while some of them play for another club that's a better fit for them ... it's not a big deal at either club.) My kids don't go to school with any of the kids on their travel soccer teams, so that's not a big deal either. People move around a lot anyway in this area.
They both sounds like good options, but the fact that you don't really care for the coach at Club A was a big factor in my analysis.
greypanther
05/10/2022 06:13
Subject: Re:Which Club for U9B
A. Your ds will enjoy the friends. Convenience with older dd. At U9 the best boys are doing supplement training. Do a 3rd day with a personal session or small group to work on individual deficits and he will move up. B sounds like weaker club. Regardless if it's a middle team or bottom team, he is still playing with players of similar skill.
GirlsFutbolRules
05/09/2022 20:23
Subject: Re:Which Club for U9B
You mention nothing about the coaches. Research that if you have not and go with the one that will leave him loving soccer the most after the season. If it's too close to call, go with the team that practices 3 times a week IF he shows a passion and ability to develop. But, if he's on the fence, consider the possibility of burnout at a young age.
westsidesoccer
05/09/2022 20:21
Subject: Which Club for U9B
Mannschaft wrote:Choosing between two clubs for a 2014 boy. I have an older daughter that had a good experience starting travel at U9, so assume that I am going to choose one of these (ie. don't want to continue playing house). Both clubs are approximately the same driving distance to practice and games (very close).
Club A
Pros:
- Older daughter has played at every level of the club, and has generally had a good experience.
- Club is pretty large, and has probably twice as many 2014s trying out. I think the age group will be strong top to bottom as they age.
- Club is our local club, and my son goes to public school. He will have friends and classmates who play for the club, and will likely be in the same school (at some point) with his teammates.
Cons:
- I think there is a good chance my son will be placed on the bottom team.
- I'm not a fan of the bottom team coach. I like the other coaches in the age group, though.
- Only the top team practices 3 days a week. My son will get 2 days a week of practice, potentially widening the gap between him and the top team.
Club B:
Pros:
- Friends play for this club on the boys side, and like it.
- My son's best friend will likely play for this club's team. We could carpool, at least to practice.
- I suspect my son would play for one of their middle teams (ie. not the bottom).
- All kids at the club practice 3 days a week.
- We have attended camps at this club before, and liked them better than the camps at our current club.
Cons:
- Close by, but most of the club's kids will likely be in a different school pyramid than mine.
- About half as many 2014 boys, so the club may not be as competitive as they age.
- I feel a little disloyal putting my son in a rival club (they will play each other).
Thoughts?
B - better friends, better likely development, and probably better experience for him. At U9, plenty of smaller boys clubs are very competitive in this area - roster depth and potential player pool means a lot less 7 v 7.
Mannschaft
05/09/2022 15:56
Subject: Which Club for U9B
Choosing between two clubs for a 2014 boy. I have an older daughter that had a good experience starting travel at U9, so assume that I am going to choose one of these (ie. don't want to continue playing house). Both clubs are approximately the same driving distance to practice and games (very close).
Club A
Pros:
- Older daughter has played at every level of the club, and has generally had a good experience.
- Club is pretty large, and has probably twice as many 2014s trying out. I think the age group will be strong top to bottom as they age.
- Club is our local club, and my son goes to public school. He will have friends and classmates who play for the club, and will likely be in the same school (at some point) with his teammates.
Cons:
- I think there is a good chance my son will be placed on the bottom team.
- I'm not a fan of the bottom team coach. I like the other coaches in the age group, though.
- Only the top team practices 3 days a week. My son will get 2 days a week of practice, potentially widening the gap between him and the top team.
Club B:
Pros:
- Friends play for this club on the boys side, and like it.
- My son's best friend will likely play for this club's team. We could carpool, at least to practice.
- I suspect my son would play for one of their middle teams (ie. not the bottom).
- All kids at the club practice 3 days a week.
- We have attended camps at this club before, and liked them better than the camps at our current club.
Cons:
- Close by, but most of the club's kids will likely be in a different school pyramid than mine.
- About half as many 2014 boys, so the club may not be as competitive as they age.
- I feel a little disloyal putting my son in a rival club (they will play each other).
Thoughts?
Club A
Pros:
- Older daughter has played at every level of the club, and has generally had a good experience.
- Club is pretty large, and has probably twice as many 2014s trying out. I think the age group will be strong top to bottom as they age.
- Club is our local club, and my son goes to public school. He will have friends and classmates who play for the club, and will likely be in the same school (at some point) with his teammates.
Cons:
- I think there is a good chance my son will be placed on the bottom team.
- I'm not a fan of the bottom team coach. I like the other coaches in the age group, though.
- Only the top team practices 3 days a week. My son will get 2 days a week of practice, potentially widening the gap between him and the top team.
Club B:
Pros:
- Friends play for this club on the boys side, and like it.
- My son's best friend will likely play for this club's team. We could carpool, at least to practice.
- I suspect my son would play for one of their middle teams (ie. not the bottom).
- All kids at the club practice 3 days a week.
- We have attended camps at this club before, and liked them better than the camps at our current club.
Cons:
- Close by, but most of the club's kids will likely be in a different school pyramid than mine.
- About half as many 2014 boys, so the club may not be as competitive as they age.
- I feel a little disloyal putting my son in a rival club (they will play each other).
Thoughts?