My daughter plays on an ECNL team and if it's a 1 goal differential game in the 2nd half, bench players don't expect to come in. Maybe 2 subs will get 10 minutes in the 2nd half when the games are like this. Her coach is all about winning. Playing time is very unevenly distributed so expect that going in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Not true at all -- at least on the girls side. Almost everyone get plenty of playing time. Sub rules do not apply at showcases. Not a big deal.

Absolutely true for our girls team (different poster). Our coaches have at least been completely honest and told kids with offers this year that they will effectively be a practice squad.

The only difference for our club between RL and NL are the tournaments/ID. NL goes to a couple more than RL.

And this folks is what’s wrong with youth soccer practice squad hahahaha

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Not true at all -- at least on the girls side. Almost everyone get plenty of playing time. Sub rules do not apply at showcases. Not a big deal.

Absolutely true for our girls team (different poster). Our coaches have at least been completely honest and told kids with offers this year that they will effectively be a practice squad.

The only difference for our club between RL and NL are the tournaments/ID. NL goes to a couple more than RL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Not true at all -- at least on the girls side. Almost everyone get plenty of playing time. Sub rules do not apply at showcases. Not a big deal.

completely true on boys side the 11 play 90% of game

Agreed on boys side. And there’s no outperforming the top 11 in your token 10 min a game.

and typically will roster over 20 and only 18 can dress for games. If your kid wasn’t actively recruited or offered on first day of IDs… really think about how good your kid is. Again if it’s FVU I wouldnt do it.

Hopefully it’s not FVU. Your kid’s uniform wont need to be washed all season if so

Anonymous wrote:If he outperforms the current player, will he receive more playing time? 😊

Not always. ECNL is diluted talent and is more about who you know. Very few are Elite on ECNL boys side in NOVA. If he's elite then it will be obvious, but at same point he would be on an academy team if that was true.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Not true at all -- at least on the girls side. Almost everyone get plenty of playing time. Sub rules do not apply at showcases. Not a big deal.

completely true on boys side the 11 play 90% of game

Agreed on boys side. And there’s no outperforming the top 11 in your token 10 min a game.

and typically will roster over 20 and only 18 can dress for games. If your kid wasn’t actively recruited or offered on first day of IDs… really think about how good your kid is. Again if its FVU I wouldnt do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Not true at all -- at least on the girls side. Almost everyone get plenty of playing time. Sub rules do not apply at showcases. Not a big deal.

completely true on boys side the 11 play 90% of game

Agreed on boys side. And there’s no outperforming the top 11 in your token 10 min a game.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Not true at all -- at least on the girls side. Almost everyone get plenty of playing time. Sub rules do not apply at showcases. Not a big deal.

completely true on boys side the 11 play 90% of game

Anonymous wrote:Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Not true at all -- at least on the girls side. Almost everyone get plenty of playing time. Sub rules do not apply at showcases. Not a big deal.

If he outperforms the current player, will he receive more playing time? 😊

Biggest change will be the sub rules. You have to be in the starting 11 to make an ECNL NL team worth the commitment. And since you're new and taking a step up, expect a lot of bench time. You likely filled a spot of a kid on the bench who was frustrated about the lack of playing time and left the club.

Long Bridge Park

Expect to spend more time around dedicated and often more committed families. We have a little experience moving from RL to NL on the girls side. The RL was fine, but the commitment to spending more time and resources on soccer gets out of hand in the NL. Extra training, extra fitness, private training and spending $3,000 for a fly away tournament weekends is almost expected.

Hardly anyone wanted to spend the time or money to participate in extra activities in RL. Now, it is like what are you not doing? You almost can't do enough. We had committed parents to now we have some crazy parents.

All the kids are borderline excellent. My kid went from playing most of the game to only getting sub time. It has been a big adjustment.

Which club? Hopefully not FVU… Expect more practices. If your kid is number not a star, minimal playing time. You can be subbed once per half. Kids play alot faster. Quicker decision making.

My son previously played in ECNL Regional League (RL) and has now committed to an ECNL National League (NL) team. What are the key differences between RL and NL, and what should we expect in terms of the game schedule? Any advice for navigating this transition effectively?
Thank you