Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard a lot about the younger boys age groups at Alexandria and heard about how they play a pretty good possession style game. How about the older age groups?

Do they also follow the same style of play? Haven't heard much about them, was wondering if anyone had any insight into the older teams. Do they play ccl1 or edp? Are they competitive outside of the DC metro area?

The club plays the same style, however, as kids get older U13 and up, kids start moving clubs. I am not in Alexandria but my son plays them every year in CCL and I know a lot of the older boys come from other clubs. Not many have been there from the start. Not sure what happens to the players or what it says about the club's playing style. Just an observation.

There’s really nothing unique about them at the older age groups. The top talent has left by U15, most of the kids are there to keep sharp for HS, and their results are average. Although they’ll profess otherwise, the style of play is not too different than most clubs in the area. If you see them playing a very direct opponent, it may seem like they are different but they are not. The majority of teams in the DMV play possession style.

For the OP, you can go and watch for yourself. The style at earlier ages is markedly different than all but a handful of clubs/teams in the area. At older ages, kids at top clubs and teams are taught how to play properly, so there is less difference at older ages, meaning that other kids are finally being taught like they can actually do something beyond kicking and chasing the ball. Starting with this younger is helpful for most kids because there is a bunch of garbage that older kids have to unlearn after they have been coached poorly. But playing within this kind of structure can undoubtedly limit the willingness and ability of individual players to express themselves as freely as they want.

I thought it was pretty universally acknowledged that enforcing a rigid of system of play at young ages kills creativity and is ultimately detrimental

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard a lot about the younger boys age groups at Alexandria and heard about how they play a pretty good possession style game. How about the older age groups?

Do they also follow the same style of play? Haven't heard much about them, was wondering if anyone had any insight into the older teams. Do they play ccl1 or edp? Are they competitive outside of the DC metro area?

The club plays the same style, however, as kids get older U13 and up, kids start moving clubs. I am not in Alexandria but my son plays them every year in CCL and I know a lot of the older boys come from other clubs. Not many have been there from the start. Not sure what happens to the players or what it says about the club's playing style. Just an observation.

There’s really nothing unique about them at the older age groups. The top talent has left by U15, most of the kids are there to keep sharp for HS, and their results are average. Although they’ll profess otherwise, the style of play is not too different than most clubs in the area. If you see them playing a very direct opponent, it may seem like they are different but they are not. The majority of teams in the DMV play possession style.

For the OP, you can go and watch for yourself. The style at earlier ages is markedly different than all but a handful of clubs/teams in the area. At older ages, kids at top clubs and teams are taught how to play properly, so there is less difference at older ages, meaning that other kids are finally being taught like they can actually do something beyond kicking and chasing the ball. Starting with this younger is helpful for most kids because there is a bunch of garbage that older kids have to unlearn after they have been coached poorly. But playing within this kind of structure can undoubtedly limit the willingness and ability of individual players to express themselves as freely as they want.

So if teams end up looking the same at the older ages, what value is there in stifling creativity and exploration at the younger years in this more restrictive structure?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard a lot about the younger boys age groups at Alexandria and heard about how they play a pretty good possession style game. How about the older age groups?

Do they also follow the same style of play? Haven't heard much about them, was wondering if anyone had any insight into the older teams. Do they play ccl1 or edp? Are they competitive outside of the DC metro area?

The club plays the same style, however, as kids get older U13 and up, kids start moving clubs. I am not in Alexandria but my son plays them every year in CCL and I know a lot of the older boys come from other clubs. Not many have been there from the start. Not sure what happens to the players or what it says about the club's playing style. Just an observation.

There’s really nothing unique about them at the older age groups. The top talent has left by U15, most of the kids are there to keep sharp for HS, and their results are average. Although they’ll profess otherwise, the style of play is not too different than most clubs in the area. If you see them playing a very direct opponent, it may seem like they are different but they are not. The majority of teams in the DMV play possession style.

For the OP, you can go and watch for yourself. The style at earlier ages is markedly different than all but a handful of clubs/teams in the area. At older ages, kids at top clubs and teams are taught how to play properly, so there is less difference at older ages, meaning that other kids are finally being taught like they can actually do something beyond kicking and chasing the ball. Starting with this younger is helpful for most kids because there is a bunch of garbage that older kids have to unlearn after they have been coached poorly. But playing within this kind of structure can undoubtedly limit the willingness and ability of individual players to express themselves as freely as they want.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard a lot about the younger boys age groups at Alexandria and heard about how they play a pretty good possession style game. How about the older age groups?

Do they also follow the same style of play? Haven't heard much about them, was wondering if anyone had any insight into the older teams. Do they play ccl1 or edp? Are they competitive outside of the DC metro area?

The club plays the same style, however, as kids get older U13 and up, kids start moving clubs. I am not in Alexandria but my son plays them every year in CCL and I know a lot of the older boys come from other clubs. Not many have been there from the start. Not sure what happens to the players or what it says about the club's playing style. Just an observation.

There’s really nothing unique about them at the older age groups. The top talent has left by U15, most of the kids are there to keep sharp for HS, and their results are average. Although they’ll profess otherwise, the style of play is not too different than most clubs in the area. If you see them playing a very direct opponent, it may seem like they are different but they are not. The majority of teams in the DMV play possession style.

For the OP, you can go and watch for yourself. The style at earlier ages is markedly different than all but a handful of clubs/teams in the area. At older ages, kids at top clubs and teams are taught how to play properly, so there is less difference at older ages, meaning that other kids are finally being taught like they can actually do something beyond kicking and chasing the ball. Starting with this younger is helpful for most kids because there is a bunch of garbage that older kids have to unlearn after they have been coached poorly. But playing within this kind of structure can undoubtedly limit the willingness and ability of individual players to express themselves as freely as they want.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard a lot about the younger boys age groups at Alexandria and heard about how they play a pretty good possession style game. How about the older age groups?

Do they also follow the same style of play? Haven't heard much about them, was wondering if anyone had any insight into the older teams. Do they play ccl1 or edp? Are they competitive outside of the DC metro area?

The club plays the same style, however, as kids get older U13 and up, kids start moving clubs. I am not in Alexandria but my son plays them every year in CCL and I know a lot of the older boys come from other clubs. Not many have been there from the start. Not sure what happens to the players or what it says about the club's playing style. Just an observation.

There’s really nothing unique about them at the older age groups. The top talent has left by U15, most of the kids are there to keep sharp for HS, and their results are average. Although they’ll profess otherwise, the style of play is not too different than most clubs in the area. If you see them playing a very direct opponent, it may seem like they are different but they are not. The majority of teams in the DMV play possession style.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard a lot about the younger boys age groups at Alexandria and heard about how they play a pretty good possession style game. How about the older age groups?

Do they also follow the same style of play? Haven't heard much about them, was wondering if anyone had any insight into the older teams. Do they play ccl1 or edp? Are they competitive outside of the DC metro area?

The club plays the same style, however, as kids get older U13 and up, kids start moving clubs. I am not in Alexandria but my son plays them every year in CCL and I know a lot of the older boys come from other clubs. Not many have been there from the start. Not sure what happens to the players or what it says about the club's playing style. Just an observation.

Anonymous wrote:I've heard a lot about the younger boys age groups at Alexandria and heard about how they play a pretty good possession style game. How about the older age groups?

Do they also follow the same style of play? Haven't heard much about them, was wondering if anyone had any insight into the older teams. Do they play ccl1 or edp? Are they competitive outside of the DC metro area?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so you suggesting because a team doesnt have a one position covered by a high end skilled player the club should abandon their curriculum and training.
The intent is to teach a style of play not cater to one player. As noted it is tough to watch early on but as the players grow in age and skill it shows that the team can possess, build from the rear and control the game.

Yes a bad goalkeeper will impact that but why scrap a plan because one player sucks? You teach and they raise their game.

that's fine if the kids don't care about winning. When you pass back to a goalie who gets the ball stolen or a pass intercepted a third of the time, it looks really bad.

Passing a ball across the center of the goal with attackers close isn't a good strategy even for elite possession-based professional Clubs. My kids have always played at barca-style, okay to go back-type Clubs....BUT that is still a fatal mistake to pass it across the goal on auto-pilot.

We have the problem of the players thinking their first option is back. It's been a challenge to drill it into their head to go FORWARD if there is a good forward option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so you suggesting because a team doesnt have a one position covered by a high end skilled player the club should abandon their curriculum and training.
The intent is to teach a style of play not cater to one player. As noted it is tough to watch early on but as the players grow in age and skill it shows that the team can possess, build from the rear and control the game.

Yes a bad goalkeeper will impact that but why scrap a plan because one player sucks? You teach and they raise their game.

that's fine if the kids don't care about winning. When you pass back to a goalie who gets the ball stolen or a pass intercepted a third of the time, it looks really bad.

Anonymous wrote:so you suggesting because a team doesnt have a one position covered by a high end skilled player the club should abandon their curriculum and training.
The intent is to teach a style of play not cater to one player. As noted it is tough to watch early on but as the players grow in age and skill it shows that the team can possess, build from the rear and control the game.

Yes a bad goalkeeper will impact that but why scrap a plan because one player sucks? You teach and they raise their game.

Anonymous wrote:yes they follow the same exact style of play. The club follows a format/curriculum that emphasizes possession and building from the back. This you will see across all the age groups and both genders. Its painful to watch with the young teams as they struggle to do so and often get pressed high and cough the ball up leading to a lot of goals/losses. That said as they mature and learn it becomes very effective and it results in solid play. I'm just a parent that stuggled watching it early on but now I appreciate the style and what they put them through to learn it.

Anonymous wrote:yes they follow the same exact style of play. The club follows a format/curriculum that emphasizes possession and building from the back. This you will see across all the age groups and both genders. Its painful to watch with the young teams as they struggle to do so and often get pressed high and cough the ball up leading to a lot of goals/losses. That said as they mature and learn it becomes very effective and it results in solid play. I'm just a parent that stuggled watching it early on but now I appreciate the style and what they put them through to learn it.