Big clubs have a forced ranking. Top 20%, Bottom 20% and everyone in between. If your bottom 20%, you are expendable and subject to being relegated to team 2. Team 2 top 20%, get a chance to move up to top team. Without this, what is the motivation for the kid to work hard at their craft?

Anonymous wrote:Kid is a consistent starter on the highest level team for their age and gender and usually plays 60 percent of minutes, but Coach is not a great communicator about where they stand. Is it fair to assume the spot is safe going into next year or should they look to try out elsewhere just in case?

Are they having fun?
Developing/improving?
Getting feedback/a personal development plan?
Are practices and games relatively convenient?

If yes to all, stay put. If any are no, try out elsewhere

It's always better to have options than to not. Even if you don't have any real intention to switch, things happen and it costs nothing but time to research and have other options.

Depends on how big the shake up is this season. Plenty of rumors about a new MLSN team or two. On the girls, there is also talk of clubs switching to GA. If you have multiple clubs within a reasonable driving distance, you should always have them tryout at different clubs.

If the kid has been there multiple years, usually they are safe. If it's the first year, tryout elsewhere so you have a backup plan

I would ask where he stands on the team. Also, what age is this? If you are not at 11v11 yet, the team will keep growing, which means more kids to pull up or you can expect more kids at tryouts. Any of those kids could be added to the roster and ultimately take time away from your son's minutes.

Be realistic, are you at a smaller club with no high end teams? If so, you're probably safe. Are you at a club with a high end team like MLS or ECNL? Then, lots of kids will try out to make those teams, you're not as safe.

Anonymous wrote:Kid is a consistent starter on the highest level team for their age and gender and usually plays 60 percent of minutes, but Coach is not a great communicator about where they stand. Is it fair to assume the spot is safe going into next year or should they look to try out elsewhere just in case?

you could ask, you know what assuming does

Anonymous wrote:Kid is a consistent starter on the highest level team for their age and gender and usually plays 60 percent of minutes, but Coach is not a great communicator about where they stand. Is it fair to assume the spot is safe going into next year or should they look to try out elsewhere just in case?

If another kid tries out and the coach likes them, your kid will lose out. Always have a plan and never trust the coach, other parents or the club. They do not give a sh#t about your kid.

If he’s on an MLSNext or ECNL team, I suppose he’s safer since it’s harder to make those teams and starting with 60 mins is pretty good.

If he’s not on one of those teams, and you haven’t gotten a vibe that your coach thinks he’s a rockstar, then I wouldn’t feel safe. So many kids end up leaving MSLNext teams for lack of playing time or for a lesser grind and can end up many first teams of other clubs.

But you really shouldn’t feel safe anywhere really.

He's safe as long as your payment clears each
month

Anonymous wrote:Kid is a consistent starter on the highest level team for their age and gender and usually plays 60 percent of minutes, but Coach is not a great communicator about where they stand. Is it fair to assume the spot is safe going into next year or should they look to try out elsewhere just in case?

Sure...your kid is safe...

What an outrageous question. NO POSITION IS SAFE. Some kid could move into the area tomorrow, tryout for your team, and take your kid's spot.

Kid is a consistent starter on the highest level team for their age and gender and usually plays 60 percent of minutes, but Coach is not a great communicator about where they stand. Is it fair to assume the spot is safe going into next year or should they look to try out elsewhere just in case?