Anonymous
04/23/2021 10:41
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain the DC soccer landscape to my? My kids are young (first grade and fourth grade girls) and we are new here (NWDC). Am trying to get my head wrapped around how things work / what to expect. Interested in competitive play but also meeting local community/friends.
Inside NWDC-Stoddert, DCYFC, PPA. Stoddert is expensive and coaching/program not the best, describe as a club of convenience(ie practice can be 6 minutes from your house). DCYFC does well with the younger ages but is very small. They also offer a program for pre u9 that is age appropriate and fun for the kids. PPA don’t have any experience with hear it is hit or miss.
Upper NW Maryland- Potomac and BSC are the big ones. BSC is the bigger name but practices can be in upper Montgomery County, technical emphasis, boys side very competitive. Potomac is a step up from stoddert. There are a few small clubs that do a good job in lower Montgomery just do not remember their names.
Lower NW Virginia -Arlington- close to practice fields and home game, lot of teams per age group, known for athleticism not technical skills at older ages*. McLean little further out, heavier emphasis on technical skills. Seems to be a little turmoil at the club right now.
All the clubs are looking for aggressive kids who are fast, physical or big for their age for their top team. Look for a club that is convenient and teaches technical skills at u9-u12. Do not believe the hype if your kid makes a top team. It is not elite soccer. If the coach screams or belittles the kids leave and go to another club.
* There are two basic philosophies for development that are practiced. One they get the best athletes and max them out through conditioning and strength training. The other takes the best athletes and makes them the best they can be technically. Each club leans one way or the other but all the clubs do both- ie club A will devote more practice time to physical conditioning vs technical development. Club B will spend more time on technical drill vs conditioning. Each favors a certain type of kid because the style of play is dependent on which type of development is emphasized. Match your kid to the style of play.
Note that the descriptions of Arlington vs McLean may be correct for girls - I don't know. But it would be 100% the other way around for the boys where Arlington focuses heavily on technical skills.
Definitely not what I have seen from Arlington boys at those ages. Kick, run fast, charge hard, repeat.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 10:38
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain the DC soccer landscape to my? My kids are young (first grade and fourth grade girls) and we are new here (NWDC). Am trying to get my head wrapped around how things work / what to expect. Interested in competitive play but also meeting local community/friends.
Inside NWDC-Stoddert, DCYFC, PPA. Stoddert is expensive and coaching/program not the best, describe as a club of convenience(ie practice can be 6 minutes from your house). DCYFC does well with the younger ages but is very small. They also offer a program for pre u9 that is age appropriate and fun for the kids. PPA don’t have any experience with hear it is hit or miss.
Upper NW Maryland- Potomac and BSC are the big ones. BSC is the bigger name but practices can be in upper Montgomery County, technical emphasis, boys side very competitive. Potomac is a step up from stoddert. There are a few small clubs that do a good job in lower Montgomery just do not remember their names.
Lower NW Virginia -Arlington- close to practice fields and home game, lot of teams per age group, known for athleticism not technical skills at older ages*. McLean little further out, heavier emphasis on technical skills. Seems to be a little turmoil at the club right now.
All the clubs are looking for aggressive kids who are fast, physical or big for their age for their top team. Look for a club that is convenient and teaches technical skills at u9-u12. Do not believe the hype if your kid makes a top team. It is not elite soccer. If the coach screams or belittles the kids leave and go to another club.
* There are two basic philosophies for development that are practiced. One they get the best athletes and max them out through conditioning and strength training. The other takes the best athletes and makes them the best they can be technically. Each club leans one way or the other but all the clubs do both- ie club A will devote more practice time to physical conditioning vs technical development. Club B will spend more time on technical drill vs conditioning. Each favors a certain type of kid because the style of play is dependent on which type of development is emphasized. Match your kid to the style of play.
Note that the descriptions of Arlington vs McLean may be correct for girls - I don't know. But it would be 100% the other way around for the boys where Arlington focuses heavily on technical skills.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 10:36
Subject: DC soccer landscape
"Bethesda" is a team that practices everywhere from Bethesda to Silver Spring to Germantown and all the places in between. Getting there from NWDC in rush hour can be a chore. Our BSC coach lives near the zoo and he often says he has 45-minute drives to practices in Rockville. Potomac can be similar. Depends of course on where in NWDC.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 08:48
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Bethesda and Arlington are your best bets. Big clubs with lots of options as kids gets older. Good fields/facilities.
I would add that McLean probably isn't any farther from many spots in NWDC than Arlington, but certainly at this age I would try and find somewhere closest to home to get started as you learn the soccer landscape and determine your willingness and ability to fight weeknight traffic to get the kids to practice.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 07:47
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Bethesda and Arlington are your best bets. Big clubs with lots of options as kids gets older. Good fields/facilities.
Neither is necessarily or likely to be the best bet for 95% of kids. This is advice for parents who know nothing about soccer and simply take comfort among other lemmings when they make decisions. It is also how clubs can maintain five or six “elite” travel teams. Don’t be a sucker unless you are sucker. Look for the best fit for your kid given their skills and potential and the coaching and development you see on the field.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 06:45
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Bethesda and Arlington are your best bets. Big clubs with lots of options as kids gets older. Good fields/facilities.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 06:40
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Thanks to the PP. very helpful.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 06:39
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain the DC soccer landscape to my? My kids are young (first grade and fourth grade girls) and we are new here (NWDC). Am trying to get my head wrapped around how things work / what to expect. Interested in competitive play but also meeting local community/friends.
Inside NWDC-Stoddert, DCYFC, PPA. Stoddert is expensive and coaching/program not the best, describe as a club of convenience(ie practice can be 6 minutes from your house). DCYFC does well with the younger ages but is very small. They also offer a program for pre u9 that is age appropriate and fun for the kids. PPA don’t have any experience with hear it is hit or miss.
Upper NW Maryland- Potomac and BSC are the big ones. BSC is the bigger name but practices can be in upper Montgomery County, technical emphasis, boys side very competitive. Potomac is a step up from stoddert. There are a few small clubs that do a good job in lower Montgomery just do not remember their names.
Lower NW Virginia -Arlington- close to practice fields and home game, lot of teams per age group, known for athleticism not technical skills at older ages*. McLean little further out, heavier emphasis on technical skills. Seems to be a little turmoil at the club right now.
Very helpful!
All the clubs are looking for aggressive kids who are fast, physical or big for their age for their top team. Look for a club that is convenient and teaches technical skills at u9-u12. Do not believe the hype if your kid makes a top team. It is not elite soccer. If the coach screams or belittles the kids leave and go to another club.
* There are two basic philosophies for development that are practiced. One they get the best athletes and max them out through conditioning and strength training. The other takes the best athletes and makes them the best they can be technically. Each club leans one way or the other but all the clubs do both- ie club A will devote more practice time to physical conditioning vs technical development. Club B will spend more time on technical drill vs conditioning. Each favors a certain type of kid because the style of play is dependent on which type of development is emphasized. Match your kid to the style of play.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 05:48
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain the DC soccer landscape to my? My kids are young (first grade and fourth grade girls) and we are new here (NWDC). Am trying to get my head wrapped around how things work / what to expect. Interested in competitive play but also meeting local community/friends.
Inside NWDC-Stoddert, DCYFC, PPA. Stoddert is expensive and coaching/program not the best, describe as a club of convenience(ie practice can be 6 minutes from your house). DCYFC does well with the younger ages but is very small. They also offer a program for pre u9 that is age appropriate and fun for the kids. PPA don’t have any experience with hear it is hit or miss.
Upper NW Maryland- Potomac and BSC are the big ones. BSC is the bigger name but practices can be in upper Montgomery County, technical emphasis, boys side very competitive. Potomac is a step up from stoddert. There are a few small clubs that do a good job in lower Montgomery just do not remember their names.
Lower NW Virginia -Arlington- close to practice fields and home game, lot of teams per age group, known for athleticism not technical skills at older ages*. McLean little further out, heavier emphasis on technical skills. Seems to be a little turmoil at the club right now.
All the clubs are looking for aggressive kids who are fast, physical or big for their age for their top team. Look for a club that is convenient and teaches technical skills at u9-u12. Do not believe the hype if your kid makes a top team. It is not elite soccer. If the coach screams or belittles the kids leave and go to another club.
* There are two basic philosophies for development that are practiced. One they get the best athletes and max them out through conditioning and strength training. The other takes the best athletes and makes them the best they can be technically. Each club leans one way or the other but all the clubs do both- ie club A will devote more practice time to physical conditioning vs technical development. Club B will spend more time on technical drill vs conditioning. Each favors a certain type of kid because the style of play is dependent on which type of development is emphasized. Match your kid to the style of play.
This was a nice overview. Just enough info
Anonymous
04/23/2021 05:43
Subject: Re:DC soccer landscape
At the OP’s kids ages, just go to the closest club. OP can form her/his own opinion from the first year experience. The kids are way too young to be subjected to the opinion and bias getting shoveled in this thread and on this website.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 04:58
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:https://rantingsoccerdad.com/guide-to-youth-soccer/youth-soccer-area-guide-the-dmv-washington-d-c-plus-suburbs-and-exurbs/
Beyond outdated (was when written) and likely would be far more confusing than helpful.
Anonymous
04/23/2021 00:33
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain the DC soccer landscape to my? My kids are young (first grade and fourth grade girls) and we are new here (NWDC). Am trying to get my head wrapped around how things work / what to expect. Interested in competitive play but also meeting local community/friends.
Inside NWDC-Stoddert, DCYFC, PPA. Stoddert is expensive and coaching/program not the best, describe as a club of convenience(ie practice can be 6 minutes from your house). DCYFC does well with the younger ages but is very small. They also offer a program for pre u9 that is age appropriate and fun for the kids. PPA don’t have any experience with hear it is hit or miss.
Upper NW Maryland- Potomac and BSC are the big ones. BSC is the bigger name but practices can be in upper Montgomery County, technical emphasis, boys side very competitive. Potomac is a step up from stoddert. There are a few small clubs that do a good job in lower Montgomery just do not remember their names.
Lower NW Virginia -Arlington- close to practice fields and home game, lot of teams per age group, known for athleticism not technical skills at older ages*. McLean little further out, heavier emphasis on technical skills. Seems to be a little turmoil at the club right now.
All the clubs are looking for aggressive kids who are fast, physical or big for their age for their top team. Look for a club that is convenient and teaches technical skills at u9-u12. Do not believe the hype if your kid makes a top team. It is not elite soccer. If the coach screams or belittles the kids leave and go to another club.
* There are two basic philosophies for development that are practiced. One they get the best athletes and max them out through conditioning and strength training. The other takes the best athletes and makes them the best they can be technically. Each club leans one way or the other but all the clubs do both- ie club A will devote more practice time to physical conditioning vs technical development. Club B will spend more time on technical drill vs conditioning. Each favors a certain type of kid because the style of play is dependent on which type of development is emphasized. Match your kid to the style of play.
Anonymous
04/22/2021 23:51
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain the DC soccer landscape to my? My kids are young (first grade and fourth grade girls) and we are new here (NWDC). Am trying to get my head wrapped around how things work / what to expect. Interested in competitive play but also meeting local community/friends.
You need to move. NWDC is a bad place.
Anonymous
04/22/2021 23:18
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Anonymous
04/22/2021 23:13
Subject: DC soccer landscape
Can someone please explain the DC soccer landscape to my? My kids are young (first grade and fourth grade girls) and we are new here (NWDC). Am trying to get my head wrapped around how things work / what to expect. Interested in competitive play but also meeting local community/friends.