Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what is the order of current u11/rising u12 teams? DS would probably end up on a team somewhere in the middle (not pre-academy for sure) and there seem to be so many team colors that I can’t figure it out.

They typically list the order on their website with coaches names.

The coach list was updated since I checked a few days ago. There is going to 8 teams in U11 boy! Consider the roster is going to be bigger also(change from 7vs7 to 9vs9), that is a lot kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do all kids on a team get at least some playing time during games or do some sit the bench? Currently at a club where the latter is a sad fact (not my kid but still)...

I think this is a function of whether or not the league limits substitutions.

DA only allows 3 stoppages and no re-entry once a player subs off. So in DA, some starters play the entire game (typically the defenders and goalie) and other starters get subbed out about 75% of the way into the game (typically wingers that do a lot of running and are expected to support both the offense and the defense on a full size field). For U14/15 the subs usually start 60 minutes into an 80 minute game. Many coaches save their third stoppage for the last 5-10 minutes of the game just in case someone gets injured and, if no injuries, they make the last sub. So if you are a starter, you get a lot of playing time and if you are a sub you might get 5-20 minutes of playing time (or none at all depending on how the game is going).

If not playing DA, most leagues allow unlimited subs and also allow re-entry so coaches are more likely to give the entire bench minutes as they can always switch players out and get whatever mix of talent they want on the field with no restrictions.

Just to add, this means there are situations where kids travel to Philly or New York to play and sit the bench. You can see the frustration rising on them and their parents.

So helpful! Thanks for the info

Anonymous wrote:So what is the order of current u11/rising u12 teams? DS would probably end up on a team somewhere in the middle (not pre-academy for sure) and there seem to be so many team colors that I can’t figure it out.

They typically list the order on their website with coaches names.

So what is the order of current u11/rising u12 teams? DS would probably end up on a team somewhere in the middle (not pre-academy for sure) and there seem to be so many team colors that I can’t figure it out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do all kids on a team get at least some playing time during games or do some sit the bench? Currently at a club where the latter is a sad fact (not my kid but still)...

I think this is a function of whether or not the league limits substitutions.

DA only allows 3 stoppages and no re-entry once a player subs off. So in DA, some starters play the entire game (typically the defenders and goalie) and other starters get subbed out about 75% of the way into the game (typically wingers that do a lot of running and are expected to support both the offense and the defense on a full size field). For U14/15 the subs usually start 60 minutes into an 80 minute game. Many coaches save their third stoppage for the last 5-10 minutes of the game just in case someone gets injured and, if no injuries, they make the last sub. So if you are a starter, you get a lot of playing time and if you are a sub you might get 5-20 minutes of playing time (or none at all depending on how the game is going).

If not playing DA, most leagues allow unlimited subs and also allow re-entry so coaches are more likely to give the entire bench minutes as they can always switch players out and get whatever mix of talent they want on the field with no restrictions.

Just to add, this means there are situations where kids travel to Philly or New York to play and sit the bench. You can see the frustration rising on them and their parents.

Anonymous wrote:Do all kids on a team get at least some playing time during games or do some sit the bench? Currently at a club where the latter is a sad fact (not my kid but still)...

I think this is a function of whether or not the league limits substitutions.

DA only allows 3 stoppages and no re-entry once a player subs off. So in DA, some starters play the entire game (typically the defenders and goalie) and other starters get subbed out about 75% of the way into the game (typically wingers that do a lot of running and are expected to support both the offense and the defense on a full size field). For U14/15 the subs usually start 60 minutes into an 80 minute game. Many coaches save their third stoppage for the last 5-10 minutes of the game just in case someone gets injured and, if no injuries, they make the last sub. So if you are a starter, you get a lot of playing time and if you are a sub you might get 5-20 minutes of playing time (or none at all depending on how the game is going).

If not playing DA, most leagues allow unlimited subs and also allow re-entry so coaches are more likely to give the entire bench minutes as they can always switch players out and get whatever mix of talent they want on the field with no restrictions.

PP with former BSC player, all kids had playing time. Not sure about older ages after u14.

Do all kids on a team get at least some playing time during games or do some sit the bench? Currently at a club where the latter is a sad fact (not my kid but still)...

BSC parent of a blue kid and an Academy kid and we have seen only one move up from the Green team. No one moved down despite several players that should have moved down.

Several DAs were sent down but a few just quit or found other clubs. Some of our kids/parents were frustrated at no promotion or limited playing time and quit midyear. They only took a couple kids 'part time' to the DA and they were mostly just head down run really really fast kind of players rather than good footballers. The DA did bring in a couple of other ex-DA from other teams rather than promote from within which only frustrated people further.

Anonymous wrote:Boys side the top team is DA at that age. Very competitive. and not a lot of movement unless someone departs.

DA is a totally different thing than the normal travel teams. Getting on one of those teams is a completely different discussion.

Speaking to BSC regular Blue, Green, and White, there is definitely movement up and down. Every coach wants to win so if the kid shows skill for a particular level they will move him there. BSC has quality coaches at every level but certainly you can find a bad apple here and there. Some bad apples at Blue also but less likely. Even if he finds himself on a lower team, there is plenty of opportunity to practice with and/or play with the next highest team. The kid has to have inner strength and desire to move up however, since the coaches don't really have time to train them individually nor need to since they have so many kids.

Also, at the White level, even if the coach is good, you can find that players are there just because their parents want them to play "something". White teams are equivalent to rec teams in that regard. The Green level is generally for kids who really like or love the sport but just need to work on some aspect of the game to get to the Blue level. Green teams can be very rewarding. A kid that loves the game but just needs to work on something can benefit from being on a Green team over a Blue because they can get much more play time and make more of an impact on the team. Only go to a White team if you just want the kids to do "something". Don't expect much from White Teams.

Boys side the top team is DA at that age. Very competitive. and not a lot of movement unless someone departs.

Politics is still a factor. They will likely take someone from the outside before drafting from the B or C team.

BSC likes to promote from within. I have seen it on the girls side for sure. But keep in mind that rosters at U15 are pretty much set and it is difficult bump someone off the roster...if not impossible unless you are a superstar.

Former BSC but left before U14. In our experience there was some movement up and down but not every year. Your DC will need to really shine on Green to move up to Blue. On the plus side the coaches at different levels do provide good quality training.

Son is thinking of trying out for BSC U14 - coming from another competitive club but likely won’t make Blue...Does anyone have info about whether kids actually move up if they are capable, and if so, is there movement from season to season or year to year? I ask because my son wants to believe he’s actually working toward something, rather than trying to become the best player he can be only to be stuck at a certain level because club management either plays favorites or is more likely to bring in outside players than promote from within. I’ve heard a lot from disgruntled BSC parents but are there any positive experiences with the club out there?