Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How hard would it be for my 14 year old daughter to make a Stoddert travel roster? She's a goalkeeper in rec and gets told she's a good player often, but she says she doesn't "want to go and embarrass herself" should I invest in a coach?

reach out to the travel director/age group coordinator and have her go to a few practices and see how she does. Goalkeeper's are hard to find so she may do just fine on one of their travel teams. She'll also understand how well she'll do and whether she is interested in continuing to go out in the future.

Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:How hard would it be for my 14 year old daughter to make a Stoddert travel roster? She's a goalkeeper in rec and gets told she's a good player often, but she says she doesn't "want to go and embarrass herself" should I invest in a coach?

reach out to the travel director/age group coordinator and have her go to a few practices and see how she does. Goalkeeper's are hard to find so she may do just fine on one of their travel teams. She'll also understand how well she'll do and whether she is interested in continuing to go out in the future.

How hard would it be for my 14 year old daughter to make a Stoddert travel roster? She's a goalkeeper in rec and gets told she's a good player often, but she says she doesn't "want to go and embarrass herself" should I invest in a coach?

You can tell very early if a player is excited about playing soccer (or not) - even as young as 5. It helps when the kid has someone that is playing with them at home - sibling, parent, etc. and spending time with them or have a goal in the backyard. Then, when they are around other kids, they get very excited just to play. At age 5, there are some kids that see a soccer ball as something they can "play" with, and other kids look at it as an object from another planet. Soccer is a lot more fun when you know how to do things with the ball - dribble, shoot, etc. And, for some kids, just getting to kick something is fun! Its the only time they are every allowed to kick anything as hard as they can, and be encouraged to do so.

You have to start somewhere... but as a coach looking at players, you can tell as early as 5 which have a natural excitement and which don't yet. It can always be developed though, even with shy or uninterested children if the instructor sets up the right amount of fun and learning for the kids.




How often should a year group change coaches? I see some clubs try to change every year or two.

No magic formula here - soccer development is the same as school... you have a curriculum that you want the kids to master at certain ages that includes different components.
At younger ages, it is about mastering basic skills, developing basic foot skills, small-sided play (1v1-4v4 situations). Some coaches have a lot of experience teaching this and are better with the younger kids.

At older ages it becomes more about decision-making, speed of play, advanced skills, role within a formation, developing physical and mental strength/competitiveness, which is a completely set of concepts to teach. Some coaches are better at working with older players than younger ones.

So it comes down to the coach - some coaches want to stay with their team as it advances through the age groups, which is good experience for the coach, plus he/she knows the players well already. But sometimes the coach will go through trial and error if teaching a new concept or needs to take another level coaching license to understand how to design a particular type of training session. Some clubs make coaches rotate every 2 years - so you would coach a team for U9 and U10, then be reassigned somewhere else, or take on another 2 years with a new U9 team. There's no magic formula, but every coach has their strengths and usually is better with a particular age group than another. So you want your coach to have strong ability in the age group where your player is.

Some of the best coaches at older age groups (even former college coaches) are not all that great when they coach teams of younger players because they expect too much too fast. But they have a reputation to stand on.



Any reason behind why coaches don't start certain players in games? DC rarely starts in games but does end up with a lot of playing time...if that makes sense. Thanks

Most coaches will start what they think are their strongest players in each game. Why? because they think the other team is going to start THEIR strongest lineup, so they don't want to put their lesser developed players out there and have a couple of quick goals scored on the team in the first 10 minutes. Once the flow of the game starts, eventually the opponent's strong players will come out, and the coach will feel a little more confident in putting his lesser developed players into the game without exposing his team.

You never want to match up your least developed players directly with a group of the other team's best lineup... it goes downhill very quickly.

There are a couple of ways to start games:

1. Strongest lineup (the best players in their best positions) - for competitive tournaments or against opponents you know will cream you unless you maximize your team's strengths (not good for long term development, but a good experience once in a while)
2. Semi-strong (best players in rotated/mixed positions) - when playing a strong opponent in a league game, less developed players still play but limited and their weaknesses are counterbalanced by other stronger players on the field
3. Mixed (combination of strong and lesser developed players on the field) - best "default" for most games - this is where you allow your players to really develop more evenly across the board
4. Semi-weak (least developed players in strongest positions) - when playing a lower end team that is equivalent to your lesser developed players (if you have them) - let them play without as much pressure - they can afford to make mistakes and learn from them
5. Weakest lineup (the "least developed players" in their weakest positions) - when playing a team obviously weaker than yourself or that plays in a much lower league, or younger age group scrimmage situation

So the coach probably sees your player as a reliable contributor, but would not be a part of the "best" starting lineup for the team. It just means that your player hasn't proven himself yet as "better" than the other players who are starting. That comes down to what the player is doing in practice in comparison to those other players... coaches take mental notes all of time of how players do in practice. It's impossible for everyone to be on the starting lineup, so it's good that your player is playing a lot. So, you don't need to worry about anything.




What do you think about players from other places who are quite obviously older than the rest of the children playing soccer? (i.e.: teams from some areas are enormous in height and weight, and sometimes look more like adult rugby players, than youth soccer players).


I think you see the disparity more on the boys side, with towering 11 year olds that have mustaches while others are still "little kids". There's not much you can really do about it when teams play each other - can you picture a team of boys all born in January 2006 playing a team of boys all born in December 2006? I'm sure it happens all the time. With pre-teenage boys you have to look at if the speed, skill, and physical level of the game and see if your son is in the right setting. Too easy or too hard, and he won't benefit. And it changes every year as the kids grow.

Eventually it evens out, but from 11-15 or so, you can't compare players by physical ability to see who is "better". you have too look at what they can do with the ball, which is not genetic. A 16 year old super athlete with no ball skills or touch cannot play at a highly competitive U17 team except as a backup goalie.

One of the best ways measure or evaluate players is TIPS (from the Dutch) - Technique, Insight, Personality, Speed.
Not size, strength, or kicking power. Often the 6-foot mustache kid is not developing technique, decision-making, or other elements of soccer because he's getting away with mowing kids over, and its working for now. But that won't work when every other kid also has their growth spurt.

Anonymous wrote:What do you think about players from other places who are quite obviously older than the rest of the children playing soccer? (i.e.: teams from some areas are enormous in height and weight, and sometimes look more like adult rugby players, than youth soccer players).

Check their player passes/birth certificates.

There are some teams notoriously for cheating---switching in players.

What do you think about players from other places who are quite obviously older than the rest of the children playing soccer? (i.e.: teams from some areas are enormous in height and weight, and sometimes look more like adult rugby players, than youth soccer players).

Any reason behind why coaches don't start certain players in games? DC rarely starts in games but does end up with a lot of playing time...if that makes sense. Thanks

How often should a year group change coaches? I see some clubs try to change every year or two.

Anonymous wrote:Coach, at what point is it obvious that a player is there only because Mom and or Dad have insisted and have paid for private coaching, camps, etc? Can you spot genuine love of the game?

Our trainer and past coaches have told me they can tell my kid cares because he gets so upset after a loss or in a training session when they are trying something new and struggling or miss a goal by something small and get angry and kick a ball across the field.

They said most parents can't watch that and let the kid go through the emotions---but he see's it as a sign the kid really cares and is a competitor.

Look at the faces of the kids on the field and what dad is doing on the sidelines. It starts to become obvious who is showing up because they feel it makes dad happy and who really wants to be out there (and, yes, win). I really have started to notice the kids that just don't have the drive or competitiveness by around U12/13. They can be down by just a goal or so and they won't even run to get the ball when it goes out of bounds. There is no urgency. They will move slow like they just don't give a shit. My kid played up with some of these kids---and while some had really great technical skill there was zero passion in their play. They didn't have any fight or competiveness. When things got tough or heated, there was no motivation. I would rather have a kid that is going to give it 120% and make an impact that a highly talented kid that never works to his potential or just doesn't care when he's out on the field.

My kids have always burst into tears after a loss young. It's been a struggle getting them to learn how to handle it. The older one can now make it to the car or blink back the tears in the handshake line--but it was a long lesson. The toughest losses are the ones where they've fought tooth and nail until the last minute and that frustration bubbles over. It can be embarrassing as a parent, but I can't tell you how many dads have come up to me and told me they wish their kid cared half as much as that. Without passion and a competitive drive, all the talent in the world won't amount to much.

Anonymous wrote:Coach, at what point is it obvious that a player is there only because Mom and or Dad have insisted and have paid for private coaching, camps, etc? Can you spot genuine love of the game?

You do realize that a kid can love the game so much that they love the private training or any outside work. Or they love competing so much that they not only love extra training but they also love to play other sports.

It is so annoying to hear this myth about the drudgery of kids who's parents take them to practice or training. You can't really, seriously make a kid do something that they do not want to do. Kids that work hard away from the game will improve. Kids that do not work hard away from the game will not improve. It is unfortunate that economics can play such a large role but there are many free ways kids can improve their game away from the team.

Coach, at what point is it obvious that a player is there only because Mom and or Dad have insisted and have paid for private coaching, camps, etc? Can you spot genuine love of the game?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At younger ages, the coach is far more important to your player's development than the club itself. Don't leave a team unless you are really dissatisfied with the coach or if the players are not developing much, if at all. It's ALL on the coach at the younger ages.


At the older ages once players have started to come into their own more, the club plays a role in getting them into higher competitive leagues, tournaments, and all of that. Most coaches that meet a minimum threshold of experience and have their licenses can step in and work with a team for a season (or a couple of seasons) but there are not that many coaches that can develop a player all the way from 4v4/5v5 U8 recreational level soccer (or "competitive rec") swarm ball (or crossover league) to playing 11v11 U13 soccer on a full sized field.

Couldn't agree more. My kid is fortunate to have found a coach that he has been with since he was U5 (now U11) and they are on their way to playing u13 in a couple of years. 3 from U5 team are still together and 4 that joined at U7. All of the kids are strong technically and challenge each other daily. I think that playing at a smaller club allowed the players to grow and develop together as a team. I wonder if sometimes is better for young players to stay together until all growth has been maximized versus club hopping. It would be great if everyone could stay together as long as possible but I guess it's asking for too much. You know of any coaches that have been able to keep their team until high school ages at a competitive level?

Random poster here. I know of two teams that play/played in the National league that have a core group of players who stayed with the same coach from the time they were little through the start of high school. One team was Baltimore-based, and most of the kids eventually followed their coach to the Armour DA. The other is McLeans top boys ream, now U17.

I think these teams perform very well in part due to the chemistry they've built up through the years, but the coaches in this case are very good too, which obviously helps. I will be interested to see if the kids are able to perform as well once they are on different teams with coaches and teammates who don't know them so well. I do think that in this scenario you lose out on the growth opportunities that come from trying out for new teams and facing potential failure, and you lose out on learning from coaches who may have different training styles and perspectives. Probably more likely to have life-long friends from the experience though.

Great points about the different opportunities to learn and go through the trials of the game. If the kids have been taught well and are skilled, I would think that they would be able to adapt and play with other players or coaches. I think if they remain with same team for a long time, it's important to try other things such as ODP, High School team, Summer training with other coaches, etc. but if they have a good thing going, continue with it as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At younger ages, the coach is far more important to your player's development than the club itself. Don't leave a team unless you are really dissatisfied with the coach or if the players are not developing much, if at all. It's ALL on the coach at the younger ages.


At the older ages once players have started to come into their own more, the club plays a role in getting them into higher competitive leagues, tournaments, and all of that. Most coaches that meet a minimum threshold of experience and have their licenses can step in and work with a team for a season (or a couple of seasons) but there are not that many coaches that can develop a player all the way from 4v4/5v5 U8 recreational level soccer (or "competitive rec") swarm ball (or crossover league) to playing 11v11 U13 soccer on a full sized field.

Couldn't agree more. My kid is fortunate to have found a coach that he has been with since he was U5 (now U11) and they are on their way to playing u13 in a couple of years. 3 from U5 team are still together and 4 that joined at U7. All of the kids are strong technically and challenge each other daily. I think that playing at a smaller club allowed the players to grow and develop together as a team. I wonder if sometimes is better for young players to stay together until all growth has been maximized versus club hopping. It would be great if everyone could stay together as long as possible but I guess it's asking for too much. You know of any coaches that have been able to keep their team until high school ages at a competitive level?

Random poster here. I know of two teams that play/played in the National league that have a core group of players who stayed with the same coach from the time they were little through the start of high school. One team was Baltimore-based, and most of the kids eventually followed their coach to the Armour DA. The other is McLeans top boys ream, now U17.

I think these teams perform very well in part due to the chemistry they've built up through the years, but the coaches in this case are very good too, which obviously helps. I will be interested to see if the kids are able to perform as well once they are on different teams with coaches and teammates who don't know them so well. I do think that in this scenario you lose out on the growth opportunities that come from trying out for new teams and facing potential failure, and you lose out on learning from coaches who may have different training styles and perspectives. Probably more likely to have life-long friends from the experience though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At younger ages, the coach is far more important to your player's development than the club itself. Don't leave a team unless you are really dissatisfied with the coach or if the players are not developing much, if at all. It's ALL on the coach at the younger ages.


At the older ages once players have started to come into their own more, the club plays a role in getting them into higher competitive leagues, tournaments, and all of that. Most coaches that meet a minimum threshold of experience and have their licenses can step in and work with a team for a season (or a couple of seasons) but there are not that many coaches that can develop a player all the way from 4v4/5v5 U8 recreational level soccer (or "competitive rec") swarm ball (or crossover league) to playing 11v11 U13 soccer on a full sized field.

Yep. And don't go to a Club because of their perceived Eliteness. Been there, done that. Shitty training and development. Highly inconsistent coaching staff and 'we don't give a shit' attitude to anyone not on first team.

The younger years--all you should care about is who is training your kid and how they are developing. You don't go in thinking at 8---we want them on the DA team so we are going with this Club that has one. You need to be the best player you can be. Often the training/development at these places isn't as personal or as good. They are great at recruiting/drawing players though. A kid can show up at 14 and if he has better skill he will make it over the kid that has been with the Club since 8. Seniority doesn't mean anything. Nobody cares where the kid played in his infancy as a player. The only care about the product at that point in time. I also know some parents that view the same thing about HS soccer teams---some of the Coaches are the same at the HS--so at 8 they are grooming them to play HS there. Nope. If the training ain't good---develop elsewhere and move at a late age if needed.

Anonymous wrote:At younger ages, the coach is far more important to your player's development than the club itself. Don't leave a team unless you are really dissatisfied with the coach or if the players are not developing much, if at all. It's ALL on the coach at the younger ages.


At the older ages once players have started to come into their own more, the club plays a role in getting them into higher competitive leagues, tournaments, and all of that. Most coaches that meet a minimum threshold of experience and have their licenses can step in and work with a team for a season (or a couple of seasons) but there are not that many coaches that can develop a player all the way from 4v4/5v5 U8 recreational level soccer (or "competitive rec") swarm ball (or crossover league) to playing 11v11 U13 soccer on a full sized field.

Yep. And don't go to a Club because of their perceived Eliteness. Been there, done that. Shitty training and development. Highly inconsistent coaching staff and 'we don't give a shit' attitude to anyone not on first team.