Anonymous wrote:I am a big fan of this message board and was hoping for some feedback. I am debating whether to move my 2014 boy from a big academy in Montgomery county to another academy.
Basically, my kid loves the game, he practices 3 times per week with his team and 2 times per week with a private coach. He is currently in the 4th team in his age group. He is the starting offensive midfielder. In practices, he is the type of player that will consistently finish running exercises a lap ahead of anyone else and go all out during drills. We just played the Southampton Cup and he scored the game winner in the final and was also awarded the player of the match. During the tournament.
I inquired with the coach about him trying out with a higher level team within the academy. The coach responded that, unfortunately, the teams are full. (I have been involved in competitive sports for 30 years and know that there is always space if there is enough talent. Maybe my son has it, maybe he doesn't but I am amazed they will not even look). Also, he said that, at best, next Fall he would make the 3rd team.
At this point, I have reached the conclusion that despite my son's best efforts, we cannot convince the coach that he can perform at higher levels. Since this coach also has a major influence in the make up of the higher level teams, I feel that the writing is on the wall that we need to move on.
I am sure some of you have dealt with situations such as this one so any suggestions are welcomed by me.
Happy Holidays!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

Anonymous wrote:I am a big fan of this message board and was hoping for some feedback. I am debating whether to move my 2014 boy from a big academy in Montgomery county to another academy.
Basically, my kid loves the game, he practices 3 times per week with his team and 2 times per week with a private coach. He is currently in the 4th team in his age group. He is the starting offensive midfielder. In practices, he is the type of player that will consistently finish running exercises a lap ahead of anyone else and go all out during drills. We just played the Southampton Cup and he scored the game winner in the final and was also awarded the player of the match. During the tournament.
I inquired with the coach about him trying out with a higher level team within the academy. The coach responded that, unfortunately, the teams are full. (I have been involved in competitive sports for 30 years and know that there is always space if there is enough talent. Maybe my son has it, maybe he doesn't but I am amazed they will not even look). Also, he said that, at best, next Fall he would make the 3rd team.
At this point, I have reached the conclusion that despite my son's best efforts, we cannot convince the coach that he can perform at higher levels. Since this coach also has a major influence in the make up of the higher level teams, I feel that the writing is on the wall that we need to move on.
I am sure some of you have dealt with situations such as this one so any suggestions are welcomed by me.
Happy Holidays!

Anonymous wrote:I am a big fan of this message board and was hoping for some feedback. I am debating whether to move my 2014 boy from a big academy in Montgomery county to another academy.
Basically, my kid loves the game, he practices 3 times per week with his team and 2 times per week with a private coach. He is currently in the 4th team in his age group. He is the starting offensive midfielder. In practices, he is the type of player that will consistently finish running exercises a lap ahead of anyone else and go all out during drills. We just played the Southampton Cup and he scored the game winner in the final and was also awarded the player of the match. During the tournament.
I inquired with the coach about him trying out with a higher level team within the academy. The coach responded that, unfortunately, the teams are full. (I have been involved in competitive sports for 30 years and know that there is always space if there is enough talent. Maybe my son has it, maybe he doesn't but I am amazed they will not even look). Also, he said that, at best, next Fall he would make the 3rd team.
At this point, I have reached the conclusion that despite my son's best efforts, we cannot convince the coach that he can perform at higher levels. Since this coach also has a major influence in the make up of the higher level teams, I feel that the writing is on the wall that we need to move on.
I am sure some of you have dealt with situations such as this one so any suggestions are welcomed by me.
Happy Holidays!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

Are you sure they pay the same? Do you know their team fee and whether the supplemental indoor fitness costs more but if we don't pay it she worries about keeping her spot?

The published base fee for the 1st and 2nd team for our age group is the same. Of course extras (like tournaments and winter activities are extra. All players are expected to pay for the tournaments, but winter activities are usually optional). Each club runs those things a bit different.

But yes, the 1st team has more sessions for the same price and more opportunities. Hypothetically, If triplets had a slot on each level of team and all other things being equal, the triplet on the 1st team would be a much better player after 1 year. That’s a good enough reason to try to move a kid up, even if they are not at that level currently.

No coach or club is going to move up a kid if they are not at the level just because the parent wants to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

Are you sure they pay the same? Do you know their team fee and whether the supplemental indoor fitness costs more but if we don't pay it she worries about keeping her spot?

The published base fee for the 1st and 2nd team for our age group is the same. Of course extras (like tournaments and winter activities are extra. All players are expected to pay for the tournaments, but winter activities are usually optional). Each club runs those things a bit different.

But yes, the 1st team has more sessions for the same price and more opportunities. Hypothetically, If triplets had a slot on each level of team and all other things being equal, the triplet on the 1st team would be a much better player after 1 year. That’s a good enough reason to try to move a kid up, even if they are not at that level currently.

No coach or club is going to move up a kid if they are not at the level just because the parent wants to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are implying that your kid should not be on the 4th or 3rd team, but on the 2nd/1st? Does your kid clearly stand out as a mistake in player placement? Because to make that jump at a top club you need to really be dominating and standing out. You could always shop around and see what the results are. You can also try to fit into a smaller club with less talent that plays in a top competition. Maybe your kid could make a top team there and then you can really see how much talent they have.

Its all about being realistic...maybe the offer of being on the 3rd team is right?

It’s also about realizing higher teams have better training, better coaching, better competition and better events.

We’re on the 2nd team, we pay as much as the 1st team, but they get priority in all of the above areas. We’re start back 2 days a week, but they start back with 3 days per week. They are in a big tournament, we are not. They are doing more and it develops the players a ton more.

It’s worth it to try to get on the best team if given the chance, not withstanding a 9-10-11-12 year old’s skill level, because they could blossom if given the same opportunities.

But this is why teams should demote players also. If a player doesn’t perform w the best training, then make room for other kids.

Are you sure they pay the same? Do you know their team fee and whether the supplemental indoor fitness costs more but if we don't pay it she worries about keeping her spot?

The published base fee for the 1st and 2nd team for our age group is the same. Of course extras (like tournaments and winter activities are extra. All players are expected to pay for the tournaments, but winter activities are usually optional). Each club runs those things a bit different.

But yes, the 1st team has more sessions for the same price and more opportunities. Hypothetically, If triplets had a slot on each level of team and all other things being equal, the triplet on the 1st team would be a much better player after 1 year. That’s a good enough reason to try to move a kid up, even if they are not at that level currently.