ECNLDD wrote:

soccermom4608 wrote:For kids who are not likely to be playing at the ECNL or similar level (more like a division 1 NCSL team), does the recommendation still hold to reach out to other clubs directly rather than waiting for open tryouts, especially for a goalkeeper for whom open tryouts may not be as useful? If so, at what point during the year do people recommend starting to contact other clubs?

Always reach out to coach directly, especially for GK; GKs are like qbs, only 1 per team that will be the starter. Most big clubs have GK trainings, so best to attend one of those weekly sessions. Top teams are always looking to upgrade; what you need to do is identify the top teams in the area, in this order, ECNL, GA, and then everyone else and see if your dc can make one of the top local teams and be their starter.

soccermom4608 wrote:For kids who are not likely to be playing at the ECNL or similar level (more like a division 1 NCSL team), does the recommendation still hold to reach out to other clubs directly rather than waiting for open tryouts, especially for a goalkeeper for whom open tryouts may not be as useful? If so, at what point during the year do people recommend starting to contact other clubs?

Mdmom22 wrote:OP here. Thank you everyone!

So it sounds like big clubs are responsive to an email asking to practice? We know a former coach at one of the clubs we're interested and he said he'll arrange it for us but the other ones, we have no contacts/connection. I assume they get lots of similar emails and I was wondering what information they need to see in these emails? I'm assuming where the kid currently plays at and what their soccer background is? Any thing else? Do they care what the kids' goals are, etc.? For context, I have one kid who is hoping to make it to a top team and another who is likely going to be on a B/C squad depending on how many teams the age group fields.

DCpetunia wrote:

ECNLDD wrote:

DCpetunia wrote:

ECNLDD wrote:"new" to the boards, but feel like we need to get this board more active again. I understand that many do not want to out themselves and being tracked by usernames allows that to potentially occur.

to the pp; if your DD was trying out for months, you should know whether or not she would have a chance at making an upper tier team v. the lowest team that club had offered.

Practicing with other clubs is great in theory; just be prepared, as for the upper level players, it's a small world and don't think for a second that it will not get back to your home club, so be prepared to have that conversation; if you choose to not have it prior to practicing.

Club shopping/hopping happens all the time, but not always greener pastures. If you're not happy with DC playing time, position, club style, culture, etc then you need to do what's best for your kid.

Glad to start contributing to the boards!

"to the pp; if your DD was trying out for months, you should know whether or not she would have a chance at making an upper tier team v. the lowest team that club had offered."

PP here. How? Would the coach have said something to her/me, so that allowing her to continue to practice should not have been read as a sign that she has a shot? She was practicing wih the middle team (3 teams total in the age group). Note that another club that she had been practicing with said specifically that she would make X team at their club, which was very helpful feedback.

Did you watch any of the sessions? Did your DD provide you with any feedback? After 1-2 sessions coach would have good idea where to place your dd. If after a week of sessions and no feedback from coach, then you should meet with them prior to or after session and you would probably get all the info you needed.

Which is exactly what I told the OP - have the conversation and force them to give you an indication. This is what I did not do, assuming that no news (and inviting her back) was good news. But your post suggested that "one can just tell" which is not what you ultimately came around to. [/qu

Honestly if you were attending sessions for a couple of months then the only question needed to be asked would be "hey coach, looking for a home for dd next season, when are you making a decision, can we expect an offer?" If you dont get the answer you want, then it's time to look at other clubs.