Anonymous
Post 01/31/2021 10:28     Subject: Re:08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
Re: PAC vs ARL. My Daughter played ADP for 2 years after rec. then she tried out for travel and did not make it (lesson learned that in Arlington of you don’t try out for travel the first year your child is eligible which for most is 2nd/3rd grade, it’s extremely difficult to make a team). We went to PAC and have had a great experience. My kid is unlikely to play in college at any level and we are fine with that. But she loves soccer, I want her to stay active and develop her skills, and the more robust schedule and consistency of club soccer has been great. This summer one of the best players on her PAC team moved on to ARL red. My daughter started thinking maybe she should try to make an move so we called the coach and she did a tryout and was offered a spot on the white team. Ultimately she decided against making the move because she loves her current team and decided she would rather have more playing time than become one of the bottom players on white.

We’ve been very happy on PAC. The travel experience just offers so much more playing and practice time than rec.
Anonymous
Post 01/31/2021 06:27     Subject: Re:08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
There's really no difference between the best rec players and the kids on the bottom club teams, especially in arlington or alexandria where there are a million travel teams.


The only times I have seen this happen is when the rec players have been coached by a parent volunteer who is a former soccer player (college or elsewhere) or when the rec players used to play travel themselvves. That isn't to say that the players don't have as much or more potential, but being properly coached makes a big difference.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2021 22:10     Subject: 08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
I would say that the best rec players can step on a soccer field with the lower-end travel teams but you observe them and you can clearly see that their technique has not been coached or refined, and neither has their speed of play and decision-making.

But, they have potential... they can improve and bridge the gap if someone works with them who knows how to develop players. There is a learning curve.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2021 21:28     Subject: 08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
Anonymous wrote:There's really no difference between the best rec players and the kids on the bottom club teams, especially in arlington or alexandria where there are a million travel teams.


Sorry, that's just not true. It may be true that there are some exceptions in the rec leagues, but for the most part the travel players are selected because they showed themselves better. Once selected they are receiving professional coaching and training more, more touches on the ball. Sure there are some good rec players, but for the most part it is a pretty clear pyramid from rec to entry level travel to A-team travel.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2021 19:28     Subject: 08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
There's really no difference between the best rec players and the kids on the bottom club teams, especially in arlington or alexandria where there are a million travel teams.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2021 08:41     Subject: Re:08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
Anonymous wrote:You've got plenty of time for your kid to improve. Let him take a shot if he wants to do it, but also condition his expectations (this will take some time and work for results to come, with some frustration between now and then) and let him know there is a substantial chance for upward mobility with focus, intelligence and commitment. Suggest that he gives it 2-3 years to see how it goes. He won't have trouble making a team, and with good coaches, motivation and talent, he can enjoy himself. Key is fun and the longer view. His prior experience in rec should give him confidence - he's obviously not picking up soccer for the first time at this age. An earlier post suggested PAC if convenient, and I agree strongly. My kid was there in his earliest years, but top to bottom, the program is run with good coaching, good families, and realistic expectations, along with the acknowledged possibility of mobility within the club and beyond it. I'd get him out of a context where people are more likely to judge him because he comes from rec. Sometimes starting with a fresh slate and strangers is really the right call, but that really depends on your kid and situation.


Totally agree PAC is one of the most underrated clubs in the entire area. They develop very well in a way where every coach in the club knows every player U9-U18 by name. They have produced many college and a few pro players. They are honest with the player if they need to go to another club to get to the next level they are supportive and will help to place them. No ego and ignorance from the staff their goal is to help they player be the best they can be.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 19:19     Subject: Re:08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
You've got plenty of time for your kid to improve. Let him take a shot if he wants to do it, but also condition his expectations (this will take some time and work for results to come, with some frustration between now and then) and let him know there is a substantial chance for upward mobility with focus, intelligence and commitment. Suggest that he gives it 2-3 years to see how it goes. He won't have trouble making a team, and with good coaches, motivation and talent, he can enjoy himself. Key is fun and the longer view. His prior experience in rec should give him confidence - he's obviously not picking up soccer for the first time at this age. An earlier post suggested PAC if convenient, and I agree strongly. My kid was there in his earliest years, but top to bottom, the program is run with good coaching, good families, and realistic expectations, along with the acknowledged possibility of mobility within the club and beyond it. I'd get him out of a context where people are more likely to judge him because he comes from rec. Sometimes starting with a fresh slate and strangers is really the right call, but that really depends on your kid and situation.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 19:15     Subject: 08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
Anonymous wrote:Try-outs are for suckers.
Pick a program, call a coach/age group director, and ask if your kid can train with a team for a few days.
They'll probably say yes, and everyone will get a much better sense on where/if he fits in.


This. Lots of PAC and Arlington love on this thread. PAC 08 boys and Arlington Black 08 (mentioned earlier) play in the same NCSL division

http://ncsl-soccer.com/_element_display/#%2F80738%2Fteams%2F98944822%2F84160916-98944925%2FTEAM.html%3Frnd%3D1611965310031

You can go to each team page there for coach and team manager info.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 18:31     Subject: 08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
Try-outs are for suckers.
Pick a program, call a coach/age group director, and ask if your kid can train with a team for a few days.
They'll probably say yes, and everyone will get a much better sense on where/if he fits in.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 18:12     Subject: Re:08 Upper level rec player - possible to break into travel at age 12?
The 08 scene was tough this year for ASA travel. They had all of the kids who were aging out of ADP but couldn’t hold regular tryouts at the time for travel, so they created a silver team and basically gave any of the ADP players who were interested in travel spots on that team (I think one was also offered a spot on black, but not sure about that). It didn’t leave much room for anyone who wasn’t in travel or ADP previously.

I would second the recommendation to look into PAC. It’s a great program, and if your son still wants to play for ASA, there are kids who move from PAC to ASA every year. You could also look into private coaching to help him develop his skills for spring tryouts.