Anonymous wrote:IF you can find a roster of 18 or less in a team that is good fit - lucky you. too big rosters are hands down the number one issue causing frustration and team friction because it exacerbates playing time issues by definition. not good. Try to avoid.

Also know that even if you find a roster of 18, the playing time may still be quite limited for the weakest members of the team. Explore this issue in detail before you commit. Some players are told they will not play much and accept anyway which is fine I guess (mine would be miserable in this but I wont speak for others).

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Anonymous wrote:Roster size is only important for players near the back half of the roster. Large rosters will affect these players much more so than the starting 11. Most of these clubs will give the majority of playing time to the starting 11.

It also affects the quality of the training environment, which affects everyone.

Entire team is affected. Find rosters of 18 or less if you can. much more desirable for every player involved.

+100. Bloated rosters don't make anyone happy except the clubs getting the checks. None of the players enjoy it, not even the top player playing every minute of every game.

Bloated rosters do suck but their existence is a two way street. Friends don't let friends sign their bench player up to be kid 20 on a soccer team.

1. Be realistic about your kids abilities AND potential. (Very different)
2. Look at the roster sizes at the prospective club for your age group now. Also look at the other age groups relative to your kid. Is there a trend of expanding or declining?
3. Ask the coach straight forward where your kid fits in.
4. Ask the coach straight forward how many will be rostered.

Make your own decision. You don't have to accept an offer if the situation is sketchy to you from the get go.

Don't buy in to the most idealistic scenario because it makes you feel good. Look at the actual most likely scenario.

But the reality is people join bloated rosters willingly because they fear that it is the last plane out for their kid and they have bigger questions to be answered about their kids playing future and potential.

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Anonymous wrote:Roster size is only important for players near the back half of the roster. Large rosters will affect these players much more so than the starting 11. Most of these clubs will give the majority of playing time to the starting 11.

It also affects the quality of the training environment, which affects everyone.

Entire team is affected. Find rosters of 18 or less if you can. much more desirable for every player involved.

+100. Bloated rosters don't make anyone happy except the clubs getting the checks. None of the players enjoy it, not even the top player playing every minute of every game.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roster size is only important for players near the back half of the roster. Large rosters will affect these players much more so than the starting 11. Most of these clubs will give the majority of playing time to the starting 11.

It also affects the quality of the training environment, which affects everyone.

Entire team is affected. Find rosters of 18 or less if you can. much more desirable for every player involved.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roster size is only important for players near the back half of the roster. Large rosters will affect these players much more so than the starting 11. Most of these clubs will give the majority of playing time to the starting 11.

It also affects the quality of the training environment, which affects everyone.

Anonymous wrote:Roster size is only important for players near the back half of the roster. Large rosters will affect these players much more so than the starting 11. Most of these clubs will give the majority of playing time to the starting 11.

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Anonymous wrote:What situations would make you consider switching clubs for your DS/DD once they hit recruiting years? Seems like all the DA/ECNL clubs are having ID sessions including these age groups but I wonder how much movement there really is?

Not in order of importance:
1. We'd move from ECNL to DA I'd given the chance and we weren't already DA. There's a lot more preparation for showcases because of the way the league. Spending the year with her team, not having high school interfere, showcases spread throughout the year, and so on.

2. Bloated rosters. We wouldn't stay with a club that does that.

3. Better coaching, better players to train with. All that raises the quality of environment.

4. A real interest in my DD as a player. Based on experience, coaches that really want and are interested in her will give more to her in the training sessions, better feedback in the games, more time on the field, and they will talk her up, not down, to perspective colleges.

What is a bloated roster?

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Anonymous wrote:What situations would make you consider switching clubs for your DS/DD once they hit recruiting years? Seems like all the DA/ECNL clubs are having ID sessions including these age groups but I wonder how much movement there really is?

Not in order of importance:
1. We'd move from ECNL to DA I'd given the chance and we weren't already DA. There's a lot more preparation for showcases because of the way the league. Spending the year with her team, not having high school interfere, showcases spread throughout the year, and so on.

2. Bloated rosters. We wouldn't stay with a club that does that.

3. Better coaching, better players to train with. All that raises the quality of environment.

4. A real interest in my DD as a player. Based on experience, coaches that really want and are interested in her will give more to her in the training sessions, better feedback in the games, more time on the field, and they will talk her up, not down, to perspective colleges.

What is a bloated roster?

More then 18 players.

yikez! I hate to ask but which club is known for doing this? next when we try out for ECNL should I ask the coach if they are bloated or will they lie to me?

Anonymous wrote:VDA has about 35+ players per age group

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Anonymous wrote:What situations would make you consider switching clubs for your DS/DD once they hit recruiting years? Seems like all the DA/ECNL clubs are having ID sessions including these age groups but I wonder how much movement there really is?

Not in order of importance:
1. We'd move from ECNL to DA I'd given the chance and we weren't already DA. There's a lot more preparation for showcases because of the way the league. Spending the year with her team, not having high school interfere, showcases spread throughout the year, and so on.

2. Bloated rosters. We wouldn't stay with a club that does that.

3. Better coaching, better players to train with. All that raises the quality of environment.

4. A real interest in my DD as a player. Based on experience, coaches that really want and are interested in her will give more to her in the training sessions, better feedback in the games, more time on the field, and they will talk her up, not down, to perspective colleges.

What is a bloated roster?

More then 18 players.

yikez! I hate to ask but which club is known for doing this? next when we try out for ECNL should I ask the coach if they are bloated or will they lie to me?

BRYC does. I would count current rosters. If they are doing it now, they will do it next year.

Mclean has 20+ on every roster

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What situations would make you consider switching clubs for your DS/DD once they hit recruiting years? Seems like all the DA/ECNL clubs are having ID sessions including these age groups but I wonder how much movement there really is?

Not in order of importance:
1. We'd move from ECNL to DA I'd given the chance and we weren't already DA. There's a lot more preparation for showcases because of the way the league. Spending the year with her team, not having high school interfere, showcases spread throughout the year, and so on.

2. Bloated rosters. We wouldn't stay with a club that does that.

3. Better coaching, better players to train with. All that raises the quality of environment.

4. A real interest in my DD as a player. Based on experience, coaches that really want and are interested in her will give more to her in the training sessions, better feedback in the games, more time on the field, and they will talk her up, not down, to perspective colleges.

What is a bloated roster?

More then 18 players.

yikez! I hate to ask but which club is known for doing this? next when we try out for ECNL should I ask the coach if they are bloated or will they lie to me?

BRYC does. I would count current rosters. If they are doing it now, they will do it next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What situations would make you consider switching clubs for your DS/DD once they hit recruiting years? Seems like all the DA/ECNL clubs are having ID sessions including these age groups but I wonder how much movement there really is?

Not in order of importance:
1. We'd move from ECNL to DA I'd given the chance and we weren't already DA. There's a lot more preparation for showcases because of the way the league. Spending the year with her team, not having high school interfere, showcases spread throughout the year, and so on.

2. Bloated rosters. We wouldn't stay with a club that does that.

3. Better coaching, better players to train with. All that raises the quality of environment.

4. A real interest in my DD as a player. Based on experience, coaches that really want and are interested in her will give more to her in the training sessions, better feedback in the games, more time on the field, and they will talk her up, not down, to perspective colleges.

What is a bloated roster?

More then 18 players.

yikez! I hate to ask but which club is known for doing this? next when we try out for ECNL should I ask the coach if they are bloated or will they lie to me?