My thoughts. Look to see where teams finished their respective seasons in HoCo and fall/summer tournaments as well as if a team has a high concentration of kids from a specific school. Teams that did well or have a school concentration will have fewer spots open if any, teams that were not at the top or winning or playing for tournament championships will likely have open spots. Anyone who has been through the grind of club lacrosse likely knows the local players in the club scene and it is not too difficult to find out where your son stands in regards to making a team. Even if you cannot find out from the club then ask yourself how much did your son play in their last season and at what level, this is generally a pretty good guide as to movement (top B player can make the jump to A, A player who is not top 16+ on their team has the potential to get moved down or lateral to another not as strong A team). This is based on experience with BLC, NL and Madlax over the past few years and seeing the movement that happens. Now at the 6, 7 and 8th grade level we are seeing more "holdbacks", this throws a bit of a wrench into this process and is a bit of the wild card. Not sure really how to account for this.

If you have a new player coming into the club grind it is likely you will have to pay for clinics, etc. to get seen by the coaches and clubs. I think most of the clubs are pretty honest about where your kid stands and starting on a B team to get experience and more playing time in front of coaches is not a bad thing. I am not one of those people who looks down on B teams, I think they provide a good place for kids who want to get into the sport, get better and play competitive lacrosse above a rec league. Some will say money grab but it is only a grab if you let them take it. End of the day you get to decide on the investment you want to make. If you have a B player that is not a top player at that level right now their ability to move up will be hard but if your son loves the game, his team, his coaches, etc. then it might be an investment you want to make. The top team at any club get's the majority of focus but it does not mean that B is bad. In addition kids grow and mature a lot at this age and just because you are B now does not mean you cannot grow into A. Just take a look at the full HoCo divisions, the vast majority of kids are not playing at the "Elite" level. So either all these parents and kids have been scammed or they have made a decision they feel is in the best interest (love of the game, good coaching, team environment, playing a competitive sport, etc) for their family. With all the information available on the these boards and a little bit of self awareness it is hard to accept people are being scammed.

Reality is I don't think it is any secret the clubs are businesses that are focused on winning and they act as such.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same is true for all clubs

Not all clubs but nice try to rationalize the money grab.

Which clubs will hold tryouts in August for 9th and 10th graders that actually have multiple spots and intend to kick kids off if better kids show up to the tryout?

My son use to say...it's so sad to watch all these really great kids try out and not one is going to make the team because there are not spots.

Not DCExpress ... another club... and at soccer tryouts too.

he is in college now playing D1 but this has always been the big lie told that there are spots at tryouts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same is true for all clubs

Not all clubs but nice try to rationalize the money grab.

Unless we are talking about 3rd and 4th grade teams which would not apply to DCE what team does NOT offer a spot to the majority of returning players? If that were not the case what does that say about the club? Therefore, ALL clubs are really only adding about 2-3 additional players at most and HS probably less. The really skilled players that move to a new club are known by the club through other players on the team or they played against that player. DCE also does have some B teams so they will take players for those teams. Are you saying they are cutting kids from the B team?

Anonymous wrote:The same is true for all clubs

Not all clubs but nice try to rationalize the money grab.

The same is true for all clubs

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCE owners and coaches get unfairly attacked on this forum. Wonder how many of these ad hominem attacks emanate from the delicate hands of the ca-bull. Must hurt to know these dudes are surgically removing MD from your gravy train.

They are not getting unfairly attacked. When you present yourself and you club as wanting to develop kids and then the reality is its all BS, many kids and parents felt taken.

Their behavior is what is speaking. When you bounce from school to school, try to force out a Coach and run sham tryouts, what do you think is going to happen? I have more respect for them as a club if they would hold invite only tryouts so you knew it was a "real" tryout. When you go and see firsthand that they have already picked a team, it leaves a bad taste.

Unless I am mistaken DCE does not start teams until 8th grade? I hate to break this to you but by 8th grade all teams are set. Many kids have been playing together much longer. They might need to adjust a few players here and there but no tryout is going to be "open." That would not even make sense. How would they not take most of the current players? It would be worse for the club if they got rid of half the team. If you are talking HS or 2021 you are really delusional. This is a year where kids are the most active on the recruiting front and should already be known by coaches. Club teams should be making very few changes to 2021 team rosters. Of course they will post an open tryout but NO team should be "developing" a rising Junior. You should speak with a club beforehand some may even tell you what positions are open. If a kid is a real impact player a coach will take him regardless of the HS team. However that kid is 99.9% of the time already on another top club team and may move for a reason. HS club lacrosse tryouts are NOT tryouts for any club they are paid pre season practices.

Exactly my point. DC Express knows which kids from Bethesda they want for their teams. So why imply that they are holding an "open" tryout or imply that going to the pre tryout camp will help at the tryout. Only one reason - to make money. I would have more respect for the process if it was invite only. I am not talking about 10th or 11th grade players.

All good points.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCE owners and coaches get unfairly attacked on this forum. Wonder how many of these ad hominem attacks emanate from the delicate hands of the ca-bull. Must hurt to know these dudes are surgically removing MD from your gravy train.

They are not getting unfairly attacked. When you present yourself and you club as wanting to develop kids and then the reality is its all BS, many kids and parents felt taken.

Their behavior is what is speaking. When you bounce from school to school, try to force out a Coach and run sham tryouts, what do you think is going to happen? I have more respect for them as a club if they would hold invite only tryouts so you knew it was a "real" tryout. When you go and see firsthand that they have already picked a team, it leaves a bad taste.

Unless I am mistaken DCE does not start teams until 8th grade? I hate to break this to you but by 8th grade all teams are set. Many kids have been playing together much longer. They might need to adjust a few players here and there but no tryout is going to be "open." That would not even make sense. How would they not take most of the current players? It would be worse for the club if they got rid of half the team. If you are talking HS or 2021 you are really delusional. This is a year where kids are the most active on the recruiting front and should already be known by coaches. Club teams should be making very few changes to 2021 team rosters. Of course they will post an open tryout but NO team should be "developing" a rising Junior. You should speak with a club beforehand some may even tell you what positions are open. If a kid is a real impact player a coach will take him regardless of the HS team. However that kid is 99.9% of the time already on another top club team and may move for a reason. HS club lacrosse tryouts are NOT tryouts for any club they are paid pre season practices.

Exactly my point. DC Express knows which kids from Bethesda they want for their teams. So why imply that they are holding an "open" tryout or imply that going to the pre tryout camp will help at the tryout. Only one reason - to make money. I would have more respect for the process if it was invite only. I am not talking about 10th or 11th grade players.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Happy my son plays for DCE—great coaching and he is getting better.

And plays for total scumbags. 2021 is the only good team they have? Have you seen how bad the 2020 team is?

I am pretty sure the 2020 and 2021 graduation year teams were first 2 years of teams that DCE launched with. At the time, the 2020's were already in 9th grade and most elite teams were formed. So, in fairness, a bit of a tough spot to judge and entire club on. From 21 on down, DCE teams range from elite to good, depending on year. Some years are better than others, but I think that is pretty consistent reality with any fo the other elite club programs in DMV.

2022 DCE is best team in DMV

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Happy my son plays for DCE—great coaching and he is getting better.

And plays for total scumbags. 2021 is the only good team they have? Have you seen how bad the 2020 team is?

2023 team is solid made the HOCO playoff's and are the second best team in the DMV area and close to the top team.

Anonymous wrote:Ray and Brian are great coaches and role models.

Who tried to get the Bullis coach fired, and are now on their 4th HS team. Great role models.

Ray and Brian are great coaches and role models.

Anonymous wrote:Happy my son plays for DCE—great coaching and he is getting better.

And plays for total scumbags. 2021 is the only good team they have? Have you seen how bad the 2020 team is?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCE owners and coaches get unfairly attacked on this forum. Wonder how many of these ad hominem attacks emanate from the delicate hands of the ca-bull. Must hurt to know these dudes are surgically removing MD from your gravy train.

They are not getting unfairly attacked. When you present yourself and you club as wanting to develop kids and then the reality is its all BS, many kids and parents felt taken.

Their behavior is what is speaking. When you bounce from school to school, try to force out a Coach and run sham tryouts, what do you think is going to happen? I have more respect for them as a club if they would hold invite only tryouts so you knew it was a "real" tryout. When you go and see firsthand that they have already picked a team, it leaves a bad taste.

Unless I am mistaken DCE does not start teams until 8th grade? I hate to break this to you but by 8th grade all teams are set. Many kids have been playing together much longer. They might need to adjust a few players here and there but no tryout is going to be "open." That would not even make sense. How would they not take most of the current players? It would be worse for the club if they got rid of half the team. If you are talking HS or 2021 you are really delusional. This is a year where kids are the most active on the recruiting front and should already be known by coaches. Club teams should be making very few changes to 2021 team rosters. Of course they will post an open tryout but NO team should be "developing" a rising Junior. You should speak with a club beforehand some may even tell you what positions are open. If a kid is a real impact player a coach will take him regardless of the HS team. However that kid is 99.9% of the time already on another top club team and may move for a reason. HS club lacrosse tryouts are NOT tryouts for any club they are paid pre season practices.

Happy my son plays for DCE—great coaching and he is getting better.