Ban travel for games > 1 hour away until at least U15.

Unlimited subs / rotation until U16

Ban headers, at least on goalie punts.

No tournaments.

Anonymous wrote:Don't go to 11v11 until U15.

This one should win the unpopular opinion competition. 7v7 was ok, but I hated 9v9 on the same field. Not enough space. U-13 or U-14 are way too big for that size space. I was so happy when DS transitioned to the big field.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Futsal sucks

What sucks is your FOMO sickness. Don’t sign up for everything that other people do. Or else don’t complain.

Not pp, Our club signs up the whole team, so no actual signing up. This year we’re just not participating and it is great

Anonymous wrote:Unpopular opinion: That parents know that paying a lot of money for travel soccer is not a good investment.

Popular opinion, we don’t see it as an investment. If you do, that probably means it’s too expensive

Anonymous wrote:Futsal sucks

What sucks is your FOMO sickness. Don’t sign up for everything that other people do. Or else don’t complain.

Unpopular opinion: That parents know that paying a lot of money for travel soccer is not a good investment.

Hello. I am the PP who put forth my perspective as a soccer wife/mom. I didn't meant offend with that information.

We were asked for our opinions and that was mine based on what I have heard, seen and observed from someone who sees how the sausage is made and has to make it too.

Here is more reading:

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/07/the-downsides-of-americas-hyper-competitive-youth-soccer-industry/565109/

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-youth-soccer-solutions-pay-to-play-20180816-story.html

https://www.developingthefuture.club/post/the-corona-effect-exposing-the-insanity-of-elite-leagues

https://www.yahoo.com/now/the-privilege-of-play-why-the-worlds-game-is-a-white-game-in-the-us-150024228.html?

Clubs should upgrade their coaching training curriculum. For example revisit defense principles and stop coming up with excuses about not having talented players. Most Players have played since they were very young. Every player should be able to play any given position exception with the GK. It is a coach and director who need to teach how to cover big gaps and spaces in the field as a team (compactness etc) it is not a single players responsibility… this among many other aspects of upgrading.

Futsal sucks

Anonymous wrote:Winning records for u-littles don't matter in the long run and scores should not be reported before u13.

You're probably right. But I think I remember most scores (or at least the result) for every game my u-little child has played this year. Yes, I know I'm a little crazy.

Anonymous wrote:Nearly all kids are better off on lower level travel teams with younger and more enthusiastic coaches who are ambitious. The top team isn't a great place for development until maybe the U16 level, and maybe not even then.

Rec is a waste of time.

Tournaments are fun family experiences, but should only happen maybe twice a year max.

Rec is great! Not all kids want to be Soccer Players. Not all kids are going to be great, or play in college, or whatever, but they can still learn some skills, be able to participate in pickup games or otherwise play for fun, learn some teamwork, get some exercise, etc.

Games and scrimmages are just not that useful for younger players. They should focus almost exclusively on individual technical ability (ball skills, first touch, foot surfaces) up until, say, U12. Let them play games with their friends; use organized training to get better with the ball.

Heading should be taught properly at u9 and be a legal play.

Team manager should be a club employee not a parent.


Girls should not be permitted to play on boys team without boys being permitted to play on girls teams.


Coach should not be allowed to schedule any conflicts between multiple teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't go to 11v11 until U15.

But at u11 the kids are already too big for the little fields

Agree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole system is messed up. I say this as a wife of someone who is a lifelong soccer player, national collegiate champion, and youth coach ever since. As well as a mom to 3 players.

End of thread for the rest of us. Hold your opinions and let's just listen to Ms. National Collegiate Champion!

I think you means Mrs National Champion because pp’s husband was the champion. She just married him.