Anonymous
04/24/2017 19:02
Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anyone with any insight on Maryland Rush Montgomery? How do they stack up in terms of training and cost with BSC and Potomac?
I'd like to know too, haven't heard much about them on here.
Anonymous
04/24/2017 18:10
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Great info thanks
Anonymous
04/24/2017 13:16
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:NP here - looking for thoughts on Bethesda Soccer vs. PPA vs. MSI Classic for a U9/U10 girl with reasonably good skills and a lot of passion for the game?
Has your DD had any formal coaching?
Bethesda has the best program and training, then PPA. MSI Classic is only loosely organized by MSI - you have to pass a not very hard skills test to be eligible for a Classic team. But then you have to either form your own classic team or try individually for other teams. The process for getting on a classic team is a major PIA because it is not coordinated. Classic teams find their own coach - either a parent or a paid coach that the team hires. So the coaching can be very, very good or not so good. It just depends. Same for cost of classic - if you have a parent volunteer coach, cost will be pretty low (but you often get what you pay for). The level of play on classic teams also varies widely - is it mostly friends or a former rec team that wants to stay together or is it team formed through talent? If you go the classic route, you should interview whoever is running each of the teams you try out for to understand its individual approach.
Agree with all of this. You nailed the description of MSI Classic!
Agree on all of this, too . Bethesda has very good training. Possible "downsides" at young age are 1). the logistics - practice locations can be tough and distance for games are far even for 'home' field in poolesville. I think PPA makes it much easier and classics tend to be more neighborhood basis . 2) The other part in Bethesda is that some parents can get anxious or competitive between on who is on the higher level teams (though far less than VA clubs) Those do not become issues for all parents - but just helpful to know before you commit
I am the PP who asked about these clubs for my DD. Thanks to all for your thoughtful responses. PPA sounds very appealing based on the feedback, because she does not have a group of friends from MSI Rec who would all be moving together (she'd basically be striking out on her own in search of a Classic team). We may still do the MSI tryout also, just to have options. Does anyone have info on the various annual costs for Bethesda and PPA? The websites don't have a lot of that information.
Pretty sure we pay around $375 a season for the basic package for PPA basketball (so, $375 for Fall, $375 for Winter, $375 for Spring). I don't know if the soccer fees are the same--our son plays soccer with Bethesda. I like PPA, but I think that fee is pretty high for what you get: 1 game and 1 practice each week of the season. For the Bethesda U8s, I believe the fee is around $1,350 for the year, which doesn't include uniforms. For that fee you get a minimum of 2 practices a week in fall, most of winter, and spring (you can do more if you like--they are flexible about letting kids attend other teams' practices) plus a game each weekend in fall and spring (with the opportunity to play additional games for other U8 and U9 teams). The coaches and training have been outstanding.
As another poster said, the fees for older kids at Bethesda are $2,300, except that the fees are lower and the travel costs are greater for kids playing in the DA at the high school ages.
Anonymous
04/24/2017 12:59
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous
04/24/2017 11:46
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
If not happpy with Arlington / McLean / VYS, this is right in Falls Church and VERY easy to make:
http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921
http://premierac.org/News.asp?org=PREMIERAC.ORG#481921
Anonymous
04/24/2017 09:29
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
I am the PP who asked about these clubs for my DD. Thanks to all for your thoughtful responses. PPA sounds very appealing based on the feedback, because she does not have a group of friends from MSI Rec who would all be moving together (she'd basically be striking out on her own in search of a Classic team). We may still do the MSI tryout also, just to have options. Does anyone have info on the various annual costs for Bethesda and PPA? The websites don't have a lot of that information.
Last year, BSC was around $2300 for the year. That covered basically everything except the kit - home and away game uniforms, 2 practice uniforms, socks warm up suit, backpack, ball - ($300, I think, good for 2 years). It also includes one week of summer camp. With some clubs, I understand tournament fees and winter training or futsal are not included so you have to factor those is if you are comparing pricing.
For MSI Classic, just remember that you have to first do the skills tryout which only makes you eligible to try out for the individual teams and you have to coordinate all that yourself. Unless you have an "in" with a particular team, I'd start doing the ground work to identify the close-to-you teams now. Maybe find out if there's a neighborhood team and see if they will let you attend a practice, just to get to know the coach. It can't be an official tryout because the individual classic teams aren't supposed to have tryouts until after all the skills tryouts are done. You also may be able to get some insight on whether the team expects to have an open spot or two. When we went through the process, the Classic team tryouts could not start until Memorial Day weekend - a number of teams held tryout during the course of the holiday weekend. But by that point all other travel clubs' tryouts were already complete and my kid had accepted a spot on a different travel team.
Anonymous
04/24/2017 09:06
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just to get this topic back on point . . .
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=274486
Did not know they were in Va.
This isn't the Northern Virginia thread.
Not the original poster but it is the tryout page and clearly what the poster was trying to show for Bethesda south. It has times but no dates. 06-07 is very good but EDP travel at that age may be too much.
For the 2006 Boys, both BSC and BSC South are in EDP 1st Division South. The travel is very manageable with the longest drive being SuperNova in the Harrisburg area. Most of the teams are in the Baltimore area (Pipeline, FC USA, SAC) or here (DCU, BSC). I think that is easier than NPL or CCL.
Any mandatory tournaments in EDP? I know some of these leagues tack on some ridiculous trips on top of regular league play.
BSC South does participate in a large number of tournaments but from what I've seen, they all seem to be local.
Anonymous
04/24/2017 08:36
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just to get this topic back on point . . .
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=274486
Did not know they were in Va.
This isn't the Northern Virginia thread.
Not the original poster but it is the tryout page and clearly what the poster was trying to show for Bethesda south. It has times but no dates. 06-07 is very good but EDP travel at that age may be too much.
For the 2006 Boys, both BSC and BSC South are in EDP 1st Division South. The travel is very manageable with the longest drive being SuperNova in the Harrisburg area. Most of the teams are in the Baltimore area (Pipeline, FC USA, SAC) or here (DCU, BSC). I think that is easier than NPL or CCL.
Any mandatory tournaments in EDP? I know some of these leagues tack on some ridiculous trips on top of regular league play.
Anonymous
04/24/2017 07:40
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:NP here - looking for thoughts on Bethesda Soccer vs. PPA vs. MSI Classic for a U9/U10 girl with reasonably good skills and a lot of passion for the game?
Has your DD had any formal coaching?
Bethesda has the best program and training, then PPA. MSI Classic is only loosely organized by MSI - you have to pass a not very hard skills test to be eligible for a Classic team. But then you have to either form your own classic team or try individually for other teams. The process for getting on a classic team is a major PIA because it is not coordinated. Classic teams find their own coach - either a parent or a paid coach that the team hires. So the coaching can be very, very good or not so good. It just depends. Same for cost of classic - if you have a parent volunteer coach, cost will be pretty low (but you often get what you pay for). The level of play on classic teams also varies widely - is it mostly friends or a former rec team that wants to stay together or is it team formed through talent? If you go the classic route, you should interview whoever is running each of the teams you try out for to understand its individual approach.
Agree with all of this. You nailed the description of MSI Classic!
Agree on all of this, too . Bethesda has very good training. Possible "downsides" at young age are 1). the logistics - practice locations can be tough and distance for games are far even for 'home' field in poolesville. I think PPA makes it much easier and classics tend to be more neighborhood basis . 2) The other part in Bethesda is that some parents can get anxious or competitive between on who is on the higher level teams (though far less than VA clubs) Those do not become issues for all parents - but just helpful to know before you commit
I am the PP who asked about these clubs for my DD. Thanks to all for your thoughtful responses. PPA sounds very appealing based on the feedback, because she does not have a group of friends from MSI Rec who would all be moving together (she'd basically be striking out on her own in search of a Classic team). We may still do the MSI tryout also, just to have options. Does anyone have info on the various annual costs for Bethesda and PPA? The websites don't have a lot of that information.
Anonymous
04/24/2017 06:58
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just to get this topic back on point . . .
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=274486
Did not know they were in Va.
This isn't the Northern Virginia thread.
Not the original poster but it is the tryout page and clearly what the poster was trying to show for Bethesda south. It has times but no dates. 06-07 is very good but EDP travel at that age may be too much.
For the 2006 Boys, both BSC and BSC South are in EDP 1st Division South. The travel is very manageable with the longest drive being SuperNova in the Harrisburg area. Most of the teams are in the Baltimore area (Pipeline, FC USA, SAC) or here (DCU, BSC). I think that is easier than NPL or CCL.
Anonymous
04/24/2017 06:49
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous
04/24/2017 06:43
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just to get this topic back on point . . .
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=274486
Did not know they were in Va.
This isn't the Northern Virginia thread.
Not the original poster but it is the tryout page and clearly what the poster was trying to show for Bethesda south. It has times but no dates. 06-07 is very good but EDP travel at that age may be too much.
Anonymous
04/23/2017 23:03
Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:NP here. Also new to all of this. U10 DD is currently doing MSI Classic, but as PPs have stated, the quality varies and unfortunately we're on one of the "you get what you pay for" teams completely lacking in player development. Thinking about trying out for one of the clubs and would love any thoughts comparing Bethesda Soccer, Potomac Soccer, and PPA. Would PPA be convenient for someone living in the North Potomac/Gaithersburg area? One of the things that Classic does have going for it is the chance to really build a relationship with the teammates and coach. I'm a little afraid of what I've read on here about Bethesda and getting lost in the shuffle. Is it similar at Potomac? Any other nearby clubs I should be considering? Would really prefer not to go too far (like over 30 mins) for practices at this age. Thanks!
I have a son at BSC. On the boys side my rank is BSC, Potomac then PPA. PPA is really just getting off the ground so while it has some good coaches, their player pool is not particularly deep. It also is seen as an alternative for kids who are not as serious which also impacts the type of players they have. I might rank some of the Potomac coaches below PPA but the Potomac player pool may be better. My kid is a rise to challenge type so the level of the player pool is important to him.
Logistics for BSC has been much better than I anticipated. Practices have been at a few different locations in N Bethesda but all within 20 minutes or less (depending on traffic) for us. Eg, Tilden and White Flint areas. It would be further for people that live inDC or closer to the border but I know lots of people carpool (usually there are multiple teams practicing at the same time at the same location so you have more than just the kids on your team as carpool options). Games are mostly 45 mins away (including home games in Poolesville). Parents are nice and behave themselves. Some are more relaxed and some more intense but everyone is friendly and gets along in my experience. Haven't felt like my son gets lost in the shuffle. There are a lot of kids but the coaches spend a lot of time with them and know them very well. We get very detailed written reviews and then a conference with the coach. My son's coach his first year with BSC knew him very, very well and knew how to motivate him.
BSC has a curriculum that the coaches follow but different coaches have different approaches. There are some yellers but I expect you find that anywhere. And I know from team conversations in my car that some kids like yellers (my son definitely does not).
We haven't experienced any of the negative behavior associated on here with BSC. My guess is that it is probably overblown but also applies more to the top team in older age groups. I could see how things could get pretty competitive and maybe even political. That has not been our experience so far.
While we have had a very good experience with BSC and my son and I are thrilled with his development, I will say that it is a lot of soccer for kids - about 5 hours of practice plus games per week, expectation of some training at home, and several weekend long tournaments. There also is pressure from coaches. It is not for kids who aren't committed and soccer crazed. If your kid enjoys soccer but is casual about it, she might burn out pretty quickly.
Thank you for the feedback!
Anonymous
04/23/2017 21:54
Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:NP here. Also new to all of this. U10 DD is currently doing MSI Classic, but as PPs have stated, the quality varies and unfortunately we're on one of the "you get what you pay for" teams completely lacking in player development. Thinking about trying out for one of the clubs and would love any thoughts comparing Bethesda Soccer, Potomac Soccer, and PPA. Would PPA be convenient for someone living in the North Potomac/Gaithersburg area? One of the things that Classic does have going for it is the chance to really build a relationship with the teammates and coach. I'm a little afraid of what I've read on here about Bethesda and getting lost in the shuffle. Is it similar at Potomac? Any other nearby clubs I should be considering? Would really prefer not to go too far (like over 30 mins) for practices at this age. Thanks!
I have a son at BSC. On the boys side my rank is BSC, Potomac then PPA. PPA is really just getting off the ground so while it has some good coaches, their player pool is not particularly deep. It also is seen as an alternative for kids who are not as serious which also impacts the type of players they have. I might rank some of the Potomac coaches below PPA but the Potomac player pool may be better. My kid is a rise to challenge type so the level of the player pool is important to him.
Logistics for BSC has been much better than I anticipated. Practices have been at a few different locations in N Bethesda but all within 20 minutes or less (depending on traffic) for us. Eg, Tilden and White Flint areas. It would be further for people that live inDC or closer to the border but I know lots of people carpool (usually there are multiple teams practicing at the same time at the same location so you have more than just the kids on your team as carpool options). Games are mostly 45 mins away (including home games in Poolesville). Parents are nice and behave themselves. Some are more relaxed and some more intense but everyone is friendly and gets along in my experience. Haven't felt like my son gets lost in the shuffle. There are a lot of kids but the coaches spend a lot of time with them and know them very well. We get very detailed written reviews and then a conference with the coach. My son's coach his first year with BSC knew him very, very well and knew how to motivate him.
BSC has a curriculum that the coaches follow but different coaches have different approaches. There are some yellers but I expect you find that anywhere. And I know from team conversations in my car that some kids like yellers (my son definitely does not).
We haven't experienced any of the negative behavior associated on here with BSC. My guess is that it is probably overblown but also applies more to the top team in older age groups. I could see how things could get pretty competitive and maybe even political. That has not been our experience so far.
While we have had a very good experience with BSC and my son and I are thrilled with his development, I will say that it is a lot of soccer for kids - about 5 hours of practice plus games per week, expectation of some training at home, and several weekend long tournaments. There also is pressure from coaches. It is not for kids who aren't committed and soccer crazed. If your kid enjoys soccer but is casual about it, she might burn out pretty quickly.
Anonymous
04/23/2017 20:37
Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just to get this topic back on point . . .
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=274486
Did not know they were in Va.
This isn't the Northern Virginia thread.