"...he was able to beat the stronger team to tears by the end of winter (one of the strongest players literally cried because they lost by quite a few points),..."

So much to unpack here.

I think u need to step back from your son’s soccer development. You are too invested and probably giving your DS unrealistic expectations about what it takes to “make it”. He’s U9! He has a long journey ahead of him. You said he was given a scholarship because he was good, then if the club is investing in him, then let them develop him. If you’re not happy with how they are developing him, find another club. But if ur doing this already at U9, you will probably be a detriment to your DS bc no one wants to deal with a parent that thinks they know better about development.

Focus on what your Ds can control, his work ethic in and outside his club, and his mental resilience to deal with setbacks or the “grind.” There is so so so much more to learn past U9.

I'm confused because you say your kid has made a lot of progress on the lower team, because it's motivating, and also that he isn't motivated to play well because of the lower team.

Either way, it sounds like your kid doesn't have a lot of internal drive. That's a huge factor for kids' long term success. Changing it would be a top priority for a coach, and moving a kid in response to spoiled parent or child behavior would just make it worse.

Teach your kid to play his hardest where he is now.

Anonymous wrote:Your DS sounds like an athletic player at his age. Athleticism equals out when other kids grow/develop physically.

Use this opportunity playing in the back to develop his soccer IQ/positioning and be observant of what’s going on throughout the field. Soccer IQ is the most difficult skill to learn and he will be extremely thankful if he learns this when he’s older. He should also continue to develop his ball/technical skills. He is only 8-9 years old. Remember that the most athletic players play in the back at the young age.

thanks. he is very athletic, fastest on the team and can jump for the aerial ball too. he has solid ball skills and usually beats his teammates in 1v1 and other dribbling exercises. we also see playing defense as an opportunity for him to develop. he didn't complain and kept his head down working hard for the past 5 months. he was able to beat the stronger team to tears by the end of winter (one of the strongest players literally cried because they lost by quite a few points), although only once. but if he works in overdrive, he can at least equalize it leading the weak team. that's why it's puzzling to us why he hasn't been moved yet. the problem is in the weak team you don't get to develop coordination skills because they cannot take possession of the ball well. this frustrates him and is the main reason of concern to us. we don't care about winning so much but he plays to win, as everyone else does. perhaps it's both the club's need and a chance to develop from the back. just trying to make sense of it and keep him motivated.

for those attacking his scholarship, give it a rest pls. we have never said a word about it. he's a good teammate and always helps out the coach and others. and it wasn't the parents paying him. it was the club's choice. he was offered because he was good, and he was offered by another club too but we turned it down to join here. no one "needs" to play at the elite level at 8-9, and we didn't go through any application. it was a verbal offer materialized.

Curious to know what club this is at. Can OP share the club?

Anonymous wrote:Bro you lost me at 9 year old elite, scholarship player

This is true—as a parent with a 20 year old who played highest level club, at U9 you have no idea. A lot of kids we know who were “top” at that age never put in the work to develop their skills. The other kids catch up.

Bro you lost me at 9 year old elite, scholarship player

Winning =/= development

Stronger team =/= stronger player

The other parents are paying extra so your son can play. Even if he is better than every single player on the first team *unlikely, or he would have been put on that team to begin with*---you think they should bump a paying customer for your free ride kid?

You should graciously accept whatever team slot he is offered. Most clubs do not have scholarships at all, or offer small fee reducations, or expect your family to volunteer doing grounds keeping or selling concessions.

It’s nothing to do with scholarship. Coaches/clubs don’t care about individual players. Your current coach doesn’t want to lose a strong player and the higher level coach doesn’t want to deal with you as a parent or make changes during the season. And they all have favorites.

In our club the pain in the ass parents usually end up getting their kids moved up because we have weak-spined DOCs.

This!

The might have given you the scholarship because they need to fill that team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry to have to say this, but if your kid isn’t on the top team, it means he’s not as good as you think he is.
They’re being nice to say it’s about development…all they really care about is winning, and if he was good enough to be on the top team, he would be.
Scholarships are based on need as well as a skill, so just because they gave him a scholarship doesn’t mean they think he’s the best.

This and only this.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry to have to say this, but if your kid isn’t on the top team, it means he’s not as good as you think he is.
They’re being nice to say it’s about development…all they really care about is winning, and if he was good enough to be on the top team, he would be.
Scholarships are based on need as well as a skill, so just because they gave him a scholarship doesn’t mean they think he’s the best.

This and only this.

You said:

"wouldn't the club want the player they pay for"

I may be wrong but "the club' isn't paying your way for training (and possibly uniforms), it's the other parents at the club paying for your kid to play. Try going and crowing to them about how much "better" your son is and how their kids are beneath him and you.

Keep in mind if you leave, not all.clubs have the same guidelines for "scholarships." Some you may qualify for and others you may not.

"Welcome sir. You don't qualify. Cash only please."

I’m sorry to have to say this, but if your kid isn’t on the top team, it means he’s not as good as you think he is.
They’re being nice to say it’s about development…all they really care about is winning, and if he was good enough to be on the top team, he would be.
Scholarships are based on need as well as a skill, so just because they gave him a scholarship doesn’t mean they think he’s the best.

Your DS sounds like an athletic player at his age. Athleticism equals out when other kids grow/develop physically.

Use this opportunity playing in the back to develop his soccer IQ/positioning and be observant of what’s going on throughout the field. Soccer IQ is the most difficult skill to learn and he will be extremely thankful if he learns this when he’s older. He should also continue to develop his ball/technical skills. He is only 8-9 years old. Remember that the most athletic players play in the back at the young age.