Anonymous
10/09/2021 21:51
Subject: Re:U9 reevaluated at U16
\Anonymous wrote:OPs statement seems to claim that the bigger, faster kids being on U16 rosters as proof that choosing them at the U9 level was the right decision. I'd counter and say that we're still dealing with the same mentality at U16 as we were at U9. If that mentality never goes away, isn't the system naturally going to continue to support the same kids? Could it be that the U9-13 coach has basically driven technically-skilled smaller kids out of the game before they reach U16? This size fetish in America is really baffling and pathetic. ECNL is starting to look like a damn cage match as a result. If I wanted to watch a bunch of collisions for 90 minutes, I'd go to a demolition derby and not a soccer match. Coaches are taking the easy path. By taking the big kids, they can just play kickball and steamroll opponents - or at least try. When everybody is taking the same approach, it's monkey see - monkey do. If everyone took a timeout and agreed to do their tryouts and rosters based upon skills, athleticism, PASSING ABILITY, vision, game awareness, and work rate...we'd have a better quality of soccer in this country. Right now, we're lacking. Big time.
There are clubs and coaches in this area that don't do this. Just send your kid to one of them.
Anonymous
10/09/2021 19:42
Subject: Re:U9 reevaluated at U16
Anonymous wrote:OPs statement seems to claim that the bigger, faster kids being on U16 rosters as proof that choosing them at the U9 level was the right decision. I'd counter and say that we're still dealing with the same mentality at U16 as we were at U9. If that mentality never goes away, isn't the system naturally going to continue to support the same kids? Could it be that the U9-13 coach has basically driven technically-skilled smaller kids out of the game before they reach U16? This size fetish in America is really baffling and pathetic. ECNL is starting to look like a damn cage match as a result. If I wanted to watch a bunch of collisions for 90 minutes, I'd go to a demolition derby and not a soccer match. Coaches are taking the easy path. By taking the big kids, they can just play kickball and steamroll opponents - or at least try. When everybody is taking the same approach, it's monkey see - monkey do. If everyone took a timeout and agreed to do their tryouts and rosters based upon skills, athleticism, PASSING ABILITY, vision, game awareness, and work rate...we'd have a better quality of soccer in this country. Right now, we're lacking. Big time.
At U16 bigger does not necessarily equal faster.
Depends on style of play. If you are going to play kickball size is more important. In possession soccer, footskills, soccer IQ more important.
Most of girls in our area have neither the speed or the foot skills to play on a national team.
Anonymous
10/09/2021 17:40
Subject: Re:U9 reevaluated at U16
OPs statement seems to claim that the bigger, faster kids being on U16 rosters as proof that choosing them at the U9 level was the right decision. I'd counter and say that we're still dealing with the same mentality at U16 as we were at U9. If that mentality never goes away, isn't the system naturally going to continue to support the same kids? Could it be that the U9-13 coach has basically driven technically-skilled smaller kids out of the game before they reach U16? This size fetish in America is really baffling and pathetic. ECNL is starting to look like a damn cage match as a result. If I wanted to watch a bunch of collisions for 90 minutes, I'd go to a demolition derby and not a soccer match. Coaches are taking the easy path. By taking the big kids, they can just play kickball and steamroll opponents - or at least try. When everybody is taking the same approach, it's monkey see - monkey do. If everyone took a timeout and agreed to do their tryouts and rosters based upon skills, athleticism, PASSING ABILITY, vision, game awareness, and work rate...we'd have a better quality of soccer in this country. Right now, we're lacking. Big time.