Anonymous
Post 01/15/2019 22:05     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
They're kind of like ADP-ish level players
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2019 20:03     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Anonymous wrote:I saw the Dragons’ U10G team play last year. They are very good team. They played hard but very clean. They had a 7-1 record for the Spring 2018 Season. Unless you’re on a middle or above travel team, I don’t think it’s worth the money or the travel time.

I can say the same thing about being on middle or above Classic/Select Team. With a lower Classic Team, it’s better to stay on a Rec Team.


You again. Please stop saying the same thing over and over again. There's no way to tell if a Classic team is good or not at the beginning. Most of them at U10 are school teams which have a mix of decent and not so good players to toe the ball. IME they are all roughly the same. The players won't go in the wrong direction like in Rec but they aren't really playing soccer either.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2019 15:50     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Ah the mythical unicorn rec coach. It seemed like it was time to resurrect this dinosaur thread. Some of these threads seem to follow the lunar cycle.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2019 15:07     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
It depends on the club. Some clubs have deeper talent pools, so the C team isn't too bad. Bethesda/Arlington or other BIG clubs have pretty competitive C teams with qualified coaches. Other clubs may not.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2019 13:47     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
I saw the Dragons’ U10G team play last year. They are very good team. They played hard but very clean. They had a 7-1 record for the Spring 2018 Season. Unless you’re on a middle or above travel team, I don’t think it’s worth the money or the travel time.

I can say the same thing about being on middle or above Classic/Select Team. With a lower Classic Team, it’s better to stay on a Rec Team.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2019 13:00     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
I ran into a classic/select coach yesterday who confirms points made here earlier -- There are solid classic/select coaches out there but you have to look. The coach I met had coached several nationally ranked boys teams, including a dozen kids who went on to play in collegiately and professionally. He started a family and gave up travel but coaches his own kids. Puts them in tournaments (usually lower brackets) but I would argue that the experience is probably better than the C team experience at most large clubs and cheaper and less stressful (not traveling for games). U9-u12 in such a program and then move to travel. https://www.mdfusionsoccer.com/coaches
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 13:04     Subject: Re:How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Anonymous wrote:Also, nobody knows your kid better than you do. Know when to push, no when to pull back. Listen to your kid even when they are't saying it directly. If she wants to skip a practice once in a while let her. If she wants to shoot the ball after practice with you, let her.

*Know
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 13:03     Subject: Re:How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Also, nobody knows your kid better than you do. Know when to push, no when to pull back. Listen to your kid even when they are't saying it directly. If she wants to skip a practice once in a while let her. If she wants to shoot the ball after practice with you, let her.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 12:47     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
My friend, you really need to get out there and watch some games and watch different teams' style of play. If you are in Maryland, pick out the local clubs and build a list of teams that interest you.

Then, put together a schedule and go watch some home games up in Maryland this spring. By the time you watch the 10th game, you will have a pretty good idea of where teams stand, the overall level of the players and the quality of how the different teams play.

I'm sorry but there aren't many other ways to do this except go watch games. You can certainly show up for tryouts when it's that time of year but it does not give you a sense of how a team plays.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 12:44     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Moving on:

So what’s the best path for my U11 Girl to be an elite/DA player? She’s what I think is on a C or D team. I think she’s able to get on a B team but I understand that getting on an A team (DA, etc.) is a completely different league.


First and foremost, your kid needs to want to do it. If she has the desire, then she should be getting touches on the ball daily.

My daughter (not from your area) is a pre-ECNL U12 at a very large and nationally competitive club. I can tell you that even when you are a kid on the "A" team, you have to put in extra work. My daughter's current team practices 3 times per week. One day per week, 6-7 "practice players" who are on one of the "B" teams are invited to come train--all are talented and all are looking to take a spot from a kid that is already on the team. The club has 3 "B" teams (set up in different regions), that play against most clubs' "A" teams, so there is plenty of talent. Outside of training, my daughter gets touches on the ball every day. She plays for a futsal club (highly recommend if you can find a great futsal program and coach--this will make a huge difference with foot skills). She has one futsal training per week fall and spring, and 2 per week in the winter (in addition to her club practices). If she doesn't have a practice or game, she is juggling, working on specific moves, etc. on her own.

Her coaches constantly tell all of the girls that they have to work on their own if they want to play at a high level.

I say all of this because while people can give you advice (like I am) on extra touches, private trainers, futsal, etc., it really comes down to your daughter wanting to grab a ball and play as much as she can. It should be fun for her... Kids need to have the desire first, then you can help along the way...


Great post.

That's pretty standard for competitive DA players. Between team practices/games and supplemental stuff and training on their own, they play and/or train pretty much every single day. That's the lifestyle. Most days it's school - homework/soccer - eat - sleep, then repeat. If they get any screen time it may be in the car, but usually they're doing homework. Much of their "free time" on the weekends is spent making up the homework they can't possibly keep up with during the week, especially for high schoolers.

It can't be said enough: if your kid doesn't truly have a passion for this sport, don't send them on this path. It will only end in disappointment. If they do have that passion, buckle up and do everything you can to support them. And buy a fuel efficient car.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 11:11     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The MSI U11 Girls Classic Teams is no where near the Level of NCSL U11 Teams. Most girls on the U11 Classic team still “toe kicks” the ball and lacks ball control.

.....and NCSL is no where near CCL, EDP and DA.

ANYHOW, PLEASE LET’S MOVE ON. I’m more curious how my DD can one day play for an elite team. Thank you.


As folks have said touches, etc etc.

Find a good coach with quality players. Sorry but you will have to ask around for recommendations. Keep in mind that coaches are polarizing figures, half the parents love their coach and half hate their coach. That is pretty normal and it is mostly due to things like playing time and positions etc. But if there is a consensus opinion on the coach then it is probably accurate. You would be tempted to look at win loss records as a metric but don't. It can serve as a starting point but pay more attention to the practice and the quality of players. A good coach will be willing to sacrifice wins in order to make sure the purpose of the training is followed.

Play up when possible, play with boys when possible. Focus on comfort with the ball and be a student of the game. What a player does without the ball is as important than what they do with the ball. Watch pro soccer games and watch how the players without the ball move and stay a part of the play. In time there is only one ball for 22 kids so thinking and moving without the ball is critical because at 11v11 5 minutes could go by without ever even touching the ball.

You can provide the opportunities for your player but nobody makes the player elite but the player.


I would also add that you need to look for a quality coaching STAFF--not just one coach. Coaching changes happen frequently within a club--don't pick a club based on one coach.


Agree, but that fall under the reputation of the club as a whole. Is the club well run? Is it organized? Do the teams play a consistent style that is representative of a club philosophy? Etc...

But at U9-U11 those larger questions can wait until deciding on an elite team option.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 10:57     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The MSI U11 Girls Classic Teams is no where near the Level of NCSL U11 Teams. Most girls on the U11 Classic team still “toe kicks” the ball and lacks ball control.

.....and NCSL is no where near CCL, EDP and DA.

ANYHOW, PLEASE LET’S MOVE ON. I’m more curious how my DD can one day play for an elite team. Thank you.


As folks have said touches, etc etc.

Find a good coach with quality players. Sorry but you will have to ask around for recommendations. Keep in mind that coaches are polarizing figures, half the parents love their coach and half hate their coach. That is pretty normal and it is mostly due to things like playing time and positions etc. But if there is a consensus opinion on the coach then it is probably accurate. You would be tempted to look at win loss records as a metric but don't. It can serve as a starting point but pay more attention to the practice and the quality of players. A good coach will be willing to sacrifice wins in order to make sure the purpose of the training is followed.

Play up when possible, play with boys when possible. Focus on comfort with the ball and be a student of the game. What a player does without the ball is as important than what they do with the ball. Watch pro soccer games and watch how the players without the ball move and stay a part of the play. In time there is only one ball for 22 kids so thinking and moving without the ball is critical because at 11v11 5 minutes could go by without ever even touching the ball.

You can provide the opportunities for your player but nobody makes the player elite but the player.


I would also add that you need to look for a quality coaching STAFF--not just one coach. Coaching changes happen frequently within a club--don't pick a club based on one coach.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 10:38     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Anonymous wrote:The MSI U11 Girls Classic Teams is no where near the Level of NCSL U11 Teams. Most girls on the U11 Classic team still “toe kicks” the ball and lacks ball control.

.....and NCSL is no where near CCL, EDP and DA.

ANYHOW, PLEASE LET’S MOVE ON. I’m more curious how my DD can one day play for an elite team. Thank you.


As folks have said touches, etc etc.

Find a good coach with quality players. Sorry but you will have to ask around for recommendations. Keep in mind that coaches are polarizing figures, half the parents love their coach and half hate their coach. That is pretty normal and it is mostly due to things like playing time and positions etc. But if there is a consensus opinion on the coach then it is probably accurate. You would be tempted to look at win loss records as a metric but don't. It can serve as a starting point but pay more attention to the practice and the quality of players. A good coach will be willing to sacrifice wins in order to make sure the purpose of the training is followed.

Play up when possible, play with boys when possible. Focus on comfort with the ball and be a student of the game. What a player does without the ball is as important than what they do with the ball. Watch pro soccer games and watch how the players without the ball move and stay a part of the play. In time there is only one ball for 22 kids so thinking and moving without the ball is critical because at 11v11 5 minutes could go by without ever even touching the ball.

You can provide the opportunities for your player but nobody makes the player elite but the player.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 10:20     Subject: How good does a kid have to be to make travel
The MSI U11 Girls Classic Teams is no where near the Level of NCSL U11 Teams. Most girls on the U11 Classic team still “toe kicks” the ball and lacks ball control.

.....and NCSL is no where near CCL, EDP and DA.

ANYHOW, PLEASE LET’S MOVE ON. I’m more curious how my DD can one day play for an elite team. Thank you.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2018 10:03     Subject: Re:How good does a kid have to be to make travel
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agreed, which means you shouldn't rule either out. My only point is that classic/select has been a worthwhile alternative for many parents in the u10-12 range.


Yes, I believe everyone agrees on this point. The only point that playing a couple of years of Select/Classic was poo poo'd was when it was also described as viable pathway to ECNL/DA.

A kid can certainly play u9 through u12/u13 in select/classic and consistently[/i] make a travel soccer team. This is not an outrageous notion. It is a stretch to say that a kid can play select/classic through u12/u13 and consistently[i] make a DA/ECNL team. Making travel is not that hard considering the number of B/C/D/E teams out there. But going from Classic/Select soccer for 3 years to becoming one of the top 140 players in the region? Sorry, but select/classic is not a recommended pathway.

The reality is, most kids who play select/classic have there reasons ranging from just not ready talent wise for travel, multi-sport athletes who simply prefer another sport but are still great athletes, family/time constraints that keep otherwise talented players from being able to commit to the time demands of travel soccer, the financial barrier of travel soccer and many more.

Can we move on now?


Yes, let's move on but let's agree that the argument is not about going from classic/select to ECNL/DA. The argument is about the believe that you HAVE to do travel soccer at u9/u10. The argument is the gap between rec (u9/u10) and elite soccer (u14/15) and whether a parent has to enroll their kid in travel soccer @u9 to make it to ECNL by U14/u15. I believe that it is unnecessary and that a kid can do classic @ u10 thru u12/u13 and still make it to ECNL/DA by U14/U15. I have watched kids go from classic to travel to elite travel (DA/ECNL). I have also seen talented kids burn out after leaving rec for travel @ u9.

My biggest concern is the folks on this board who have bought into the industrial travel soccer complex. You don't have to enter travel soccer at u9 to become an elite player and play at the highest level and you don't have to be in ECNL/DA at u13 to play in ECNL/DA by u15. The reality is that ECNL does not really matter until you are doing showcases.

At the end of the day, it all depends in your kid but I push back against any suggestion that you need to pay $3,000/year and travel all over the DMV at U10 thru u12 to make it to elite soccer. The clubs want you to believe that but that is not the case. Do your homework. Ask around. My experience with kids who have gone through travel soccer and after speaking to friends who played college soccer and elite youth coaches and college coaches is that the benefits of travel really begin at u12/u13. Hell, the top kids on the top team at a top club @ u10 were not even playing soccer by HS.



I think everyone gets it, if you have kid who is a phenom they can skip travel at U9/U10 and end up on a really good team later. But I think for the vast majority of players, they won't ever get to the elite level teams unless they start at U9. It is very hard/impossible to make the A or B teams at U10, the best player or two might make the C or D team, everyone else is E or F. So then they are stuck starting travel out at U11/U12 on a C or D team at best. I don't know anything about MD programs like classic, but there is nothing comparable in VA except maybe ADP, but even that is filled with kids who did not make any of the 6 ASA travel teams. So much depends on geography too, who wants to drive 40 minutes to get to practice at a small club when the large club fields are right around the corner. Even then, the lowest teams at the big clubs are playing the B teams at the small clubs.