We are leaving a big club this Summer due to a toxic environment not only on the team, but from what we've seen with the half-dozen or so coaches we've experienced. It seems to have a culture of mean-spirited sniping at one another. Not the competitive criticism design to inspire, but more of the lockerroom snideness and vindictiveness that runs through the coaching culture and is picked up by kids. It's been a very toxic year for one of my son's teams, and my other son, while on a very good and friendly team, would probably end up with a poor coach next year mixed together from another team that has a very poor reputation.

No, it's not BRYC.

Anonymous wrote:Not that it matters, but my guess is McLean.

To answer your question, I think you look for a coach who can connect with the players, who want them to be good players and good people. Who want to win, but even more want them to play well. Great coaches show respect and dignity, model good behavior, and are true to their word. They are consist with rules and expect more of themselves than they do of their players.

I have yet to find one in youth soccer.

You've described my son's coach.

Anonymous wrote:Not that it matters, but my guess is McLean.

To answer your question, I think you look for a coach who can connect with the players, who want them to be good players and good people. Who want to win, but even more want them to play well. Great coaches show respect and dignity, model good behavior, and are true to their word. They are consist with rules and expect more of themselves than they do of their players.

I have yet to find one in youth soccer.

My DS had a coach like that for a couple years. Everyone on the team grew a lot under him.

Not that it matters, but my guess is McLean.

To answer your question, I think you look for a coach who can connect with the players, who want them to be good players and good people. Who want to win, but even more want them to play well. Great coaches show respect and dignity, model good behavior, and are true to their word. They are consist with rules and expect more of themselves than they do of their players.

I have yet to find one in youth soccer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the most important things to look for in a team/coach at this age? DS plays travel for very competitive club on a B team where the environment is somewhat toxic (no team camaraderie, lots of criticism of each other) and is in process of trying out for other clubs.

Leave as fast as you can and don't look back. You're leaving BRYC right?

OP here - no not BRYC

Anonymous wrote:This could describe our former team and it wasn’t Bethesda. 13-year old boys can be asses.

This was the case for our U13 team, U14 has been much improved. New team, new coach and half the team is new. It made me realize just how miserable U13 was - so just as you are looking for what you want, you have to think about what you don't want. I we wanted a team our kid could play on and not be benched - more time with the ball - more player development. We wanted fitness and ball handling along with technical play and strategy. Its hard in a quick try out to really know but we talked to the parents there, watched how the kids interacted, the coaches technics etc.

Anonymous wrote:This could describe our former team and it wasn’t Bethesda. 13-year old boys can be asses.

Or Bryc

This could describe our former team and it wasn’t Bethesda. 13-year old boys can be asses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the most important things to look for in a team/coach at this age? DS plays travel for very competitive club on a B team where the environment is somewhat toxic (no team camaraderie, lots of criticism of each other) and is in process of trying out for other clubs.

Leave as fast as you can and don't look back. You're leaving BRYC right?

Why is every negative comment about a club assumed to be BRYC?

Because the dysfunction within is so profound. Most parents who actually know the inner dynamics are afraid to speak bad for fear of their DC being demoted

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the most important things to look for in a team/coach at this age? DS plays travel for very competitive club on a B team where the environment is somewhat toxic (no team camaraderie, lots of criticism of each other) and is in process of trying out for other clubs.

Leave as fast as you can and don't look back. You're leaving BRYC right?

Why is every negative comment about a club assumed to be BRYC?

Anonymous wrote:What are the most important things to look for in a team/coach at this age? DS plays travel for very competitive club on a B team where the environment is somewhat toxic (no team camaraderie, lots of criticism of each other) and is in process of trying out for other clubs.

Leave as fast as you can and don't look back. You're leaving BRYC right?

seems like you have the boxes that need to be checked covered.

What are the most important things to look for in a team/coach at this age? DS plays travel for very competitive club on a B team where the environment is somewhat toxic (no team camaraderie, lots of criticism of each other) and is in process of trying out for other clubs.