Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Advice from the father of a pro soccer player - Practice juggling with a ball every day on your own.

As for teams, you can't beat location and nice kids. Chances of making it to college are slim from around here.

When did your kid start doing this on their own vs your encouragement? I agree with this perspective and while my kid practices everyday in varying capacities (formal and informal) (sometimes just knocking the ball against the couch for 5 mins before school, etc.), rarely do I see her choosing to juggle.

I should have clarified that I am not the father of the pro soccer player, but that was advice given to me by one. My own DD was a good fast player but didn't go the extra mile to practice foot skills outside of the team very often, although she did have additional classes and private lessons during off-seasons. Eventually (in high school) her foot skills were visibly below that of the best kids who were getting recruited. I think juggling would have made a big difference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Advice from the father of a pro soccer player - Practice juggling with a ball every day on your own.

As for teams, you can't beat location and nice kids. Chances of making it to college are slim from around here.

When did your kid start doing this on their own vs your encouragement? I agree with this perspective and while my kid practices everyday in varying capacities (formal and informal) (sometimes just knocking the ball against the couch for 5 mins before school, etc.), rarely do I see her choosing to juggle.

Because it's hard at first. Not juggling is a problem. It is the easiest activity to do on your own and shows determination and perseverance because it isn't easy at first, especially with non-dominant foot.

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

This. Also don't be the parent who yells (positive or otherwise) from the sideline, don't watch practice past U6 or 7, and don't put pressure on them. If it's not about them, they will resent it eventually. I saw a few very talented girls quit and over involved parents were a commonality with both of them. Also accept that soccer is a starter sport- your kid may end up playing something else all together. The same hold for they teammates. Kids also leave clubs and join clubs. Don't let your friend circle become the parents you see every weekend and don't let your kid's friend circle get reduced to their team. Both pressure them to stay longer than they otherwise would or leave them to resent families who choose to move on

For all girls, keep it fun. If the fun is sucked out of the sport, they may quit. I see some parents putting a sh#t ton of pressure on young girls at that age. It usually doesn't go well when they choose to continue playing or not.

For the more elite girls, juggling the ball with the feet seems to be a discriminator in selections later down the line. If you kid can show up early to a tryout and showcase their juggling skills, the coaches notice!

Anonymous wrote:Advice from the father of a pro soccer player - Practice juggling with a ball every day on your own.

As for teams, you can't beat location and nice kids. Chances of making it to college are slim from around here.

When did your kid start doing this on their own vs your encouragement? I agree with this perspective and while my kid practices everyday in varying capacities (formal and informal) (sometimes just knocking the ball against the couch for 5 mins before school, etc.), rarely do I see her choosing to juggle.

Anonymous wrote: This is advise I have heard from others as well. Assuming a high level player, when do you make the choice for a longer drive for more competitive team and/ or more established club?

Not until they are playing 11v11, or possibly a year or two earlier if you feel the need to break in wiith a certain club.

Anonymous wrote:Pick a club that practices close to your house and stick with them. The grass is not greener at whatever flavor of the month everyone is trying to play for. It just takes longer to get there.

This is advise I have heard from others as well. Assuming a high level player, when do you make the choice for a longer drive for more competitive team and/ or more established club?

If you are not skilled at soccer yourself, you will need private trainers. This is even true for making varsity at better high schools, not just college or pro as PP is talking about.

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

+100 and size. If they are small, it hurts their chances.

Advice from the father of a pro soccer player - Practice juggling with a ball every day on your own.

As for teams, you can't beat location and nice kids. Chances of making it to college are slim from around here.

Pick a club that practices close to your house and stick with them. The grass is not greener at whatever flavor of the month everyone is trying to play for. It just takes longer to get there.

Don't discourage if they want to play pro. Let them dream and try to achieve. But even if on ECNL if they are not getting looks to national team pool or other such things pro is not realistic. This comes up in the college selection process. You have to consider both soccer and what she will do. CST had a post the other day that said don't let four years of college diminish the next 40 years of your life.

Our rule was no to any college that she otherwise would not have attended except for soccer. Of course if it was better than she could attend without soccer -- that was ok. She was very focused in saying no to D1s where she would not otherwise attend. That is risky since maybe no one else wants you but that is the way she wanted to play it and it worked out great.

Having fun matters most. Play every position. Go out every week with your DD and play at the park; don't rely on just team practices. Don't make the - ugh - half-time or full-time snack the best thing of the game. Enjoying the game matters most. (my DD now heading to ACC played since able to walk)

Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

To those of you with older girls that have gone through the various systems in the DMV, if you could have done it differently, what would change starting at age 9/10/11? This is in the context of decisions you made, training, etc. Thanks