Anonymous
10/13/2020 09:16
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Obviously, if that comes at the expense of ever winning a game or even scoring a goal, then the coach probably needs to figure out some new tricks, because they will lose the team emotionally.
Right, we have won very, very few games this season. So it is an issue. I do think some overlap/cross training is a good thing, but when you are completely lacking someone who is a fit for certain positions on the team, I see that as a problem.
Anonymous
10/13/2020 09:09
Subject: Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
MY DC1 has played on a red Alexandria team for 3 years, usually plays 4 tournaments (two ASA, one in Richmond and another NOVA one). Also does futsal. Price seems comparable to other area clubs (we've priced them out).
My DC2 does club lacrosse and AAU basketball. Each are way more expensive than ASA fees for my DC1. AND both are way less organized and are totally mismanaged compared to how soccer is handled. I wish these other sports were run like ASA. Is ASA perfect, probably not, but it is night and day with how they run their soccer program compared to my DC2's club sports teams. Emails and voicemails fall into black holes, game changes in the middle of the night the day before, showing up to games at closed, locked venues, having to pay just to watch your kid play, massive fundraisers, mandatory parent volunteering, sketchy parent coaches. The issues I have had at my 3 years of ASA are not anywhere close to the nightmare of my kids other sports. Once you experience the total sh!t show of AAU basketball and lacrosse you will think ASA (and probably other soccer clubs) is great.
My DC2 does club lacrosse and AAU basketball. Each are way more expensive than ASA fees for my DC1. AND both are way less organized and are totally mismanaged compared to how soccer is handled. I wish these other sports were run like ASA. Is ASA perfect, probably not, but it is night and day with how they run their soccer program compared to my DC2's club sports teams. Emails and voicemails fall into black holes, game changes in the middle of the night the day before, showing up to games at closed, locked venues, having to pay just to watch your kid play, massive fundraisers, mandatory parent volunteering, sketchy parent coaches. The issues I have had at my 3 years of ASA are not anywhere close to the nightmare of my kids other sports. Once you experience the total sh!t show of AAU basketball and lacrosse you will think ASA (and probably other soccer clubs) is great.
Anonymous
10/13/2020 09:05
Subject: Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:and how this is a club issue I cant figure out.
Is this a trend? You not being able to figure stuff out? This problem may have been building for a while and you haven't really noticed it before. Perhaps you should take a test?
You took time out of your life for this post? nice contribution
Anonymous
10/13/2020 08:52
Subject: Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
I’m not sure that is as big a problem as you may think, other than getting beaten all the time is demoralizing, and could have negative consequences.
BUT, you really are better off having every kid on the field able to play every position (except keeper, obviously). For context, I have one child who is an “up top” player, and currently plays on a U16 GA team (formerly DA). She’s been playing either wing or 9 for most of her life, and right now, it really holds her back when she needs to overlap and fill in for a midfielder. I now regret not pushing her /getting her to push her coaches to play her in the middle more when she was younger.
If you read Cryuff and the whole concept of “Total Soccer”, then you should actually be happy that kids on the team are learning how to play with the ball at their feet regardless of where they are in the field.
Obviously, if that comes at the expense of ever winning a game or even scoring a goal, then the coach probably needs to figure out some new tricks, because they will lose the team emotionally.
BUT, you really are better off having every kid on the field able to play every position (except keeper, obviously). For context, I have one child who is an “up top” player, and currently plays on a U16 GA team (formerly DA). She’s been playing either wing or 9 for most of her life, and right now, it really holds her back when she needs to overlap and fill in for a midfielder. I now regret not pushing her /getting her to push her coaches to play her in the middle more when she was younger.
If you read Cryuff and the whole concept of “Total Soccer”, then you should actually be happy that kids on the team are learning how to play with the ball at their feet regardless of where they are in the field.
Obviously, if that comes at the expense of ever winning a game or even scoring a goal, then the coach probably needs to figure out some new tricks, because they will lose the team emotionally.
Anonymous
10/13/2020 08:06
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
I've got to be honest. My child has played for Alexandria for several years (not a top team) and I am getting pretty frustrated at the way that they assemble the teams. The kids are around the same level, that part is correct. But they seem to give no thought to whether they have the right mix of defenders, midfielders, goalkeepers, wings, etc. to field a decent team. The kids are not so little that this doesn't matter/shouldn't be clear. I'm not a person who is always on here hating on the club, but that aspect really feels like a money grab to me. It is demoralizing for the kids, because you can't have a team that is competitive within their own bracket/division if you have a kid who is a striker trying to play defender or vice versa.
So let me get this straight, your child plays on a lower level team and the problem is he/she is a "striker" and being used as a defender or is it vice versa?
either way, your youth player should not be designated a striker or specific to any one position especially on a lower level team. The same is true on a top team. If she is a girl take a look at Crystal Dunn. She led the NWSL in scoring only to make the USWNT and not play her NWSL position. Her versatility made her a complete player
I use her as an example but countless examples exist both male and female.
Your kid needs to work on their skill set at playing all positions not just "striker"
and how this is a club issue I cant figure out.
You're entitled to your opinion, but that certainly isn't the way the red or white team is run. So if it is such a great system, why don't they do it for the more competitive teams they care about? And the kids are not U littles any more, so sticking our striker (not my kid) in goal because we don't have one is BS.
Anonymous
10/12/2020 20:29
Subject: Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:and how this is a club issue I cant figure out.
Is this a trend? You not being able to figure stuff out? This problem may have been building for a while and you haven't really noticed it before. Perhaps you should take a test?
Anonymous
10/12/2020 19:53
Subject: Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:I've got to be honest. My child has played for Alexandria for several years (not a top team) and I am getting pretty frustrated at the way that they assemble the teams. The kids are around the same level, that part is correct. But they seem to give no thought to whether they have the right mix of defenders, midfielders, goalkeepers, wings, etc. to field a decent team. The kids are not so little that this doesn't matter/shouldn't be clear. I'm not a person who is always on here hating on the club, but that aspect really feels like a money grab to me. It is demoralizing for the kids, because you can't have a team that is competitive within their own bracket/division if you have a kid who is a striker trying to play defender or vice versa.
So let me get this straight, your child plays on a lower level team and the problem is he/she is a "striker" and being used as a defender or is it vice versa?
either way, your youth player should not be designated a striker or specific to any one position especially on a lower level team. The same is true on a top team. If she is a girl take a look at Crystal Dunn. She led the NWSL in scoring only to make the USWNT and not play her NWSL position. Her versatility made her a complete player
I use her as an example but countless examples exist both male and female.
Your kid needs to work on their skill set at playing all positions not just "striker"
and how this is a club issue I cant figure out.
Anonymous
10/12/2020 18:09
Subject: Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:I've got to be honest. My child has played for Alexandria for several years (not a top team) and I am getting pretty frustrated at the way that they assemble the teams. The kids are around the same level, that part is correct. But they seem to give no thought to whether they have the right mix of defenders, midfielders, goalkeepers, wings, etc. to field a decent team. The kids are not so little that this doesn't matter/shouldn't be clear. I'm not a person who is always on here hating on the club, but that aspect really feels like a money grab to me. It is demoralizing for the kids, because you can't have a team that is competitive within their own bracket/division if you have a kid who is a striker trying to play defender or vice versa.
Club First. Everything else isn’t important.
Anonymous
10/12/2020 16:27
Subject: Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
I've got to be honest. My child has played for Alexandria for several years (not a top team) and I am getting pretty frustrated at the way that they assemble the teams. The kids are around the same level, that part is correct. But they seem to give no thought to whether they have the right mix of defenders, midfielders, goalkeepers, wings, etc. to field a decent team. The kids are not so little that this doesn't matter/shouldn't be clear. I'm not a person who is always on here hating on the club, but that aspect really feels like a money grab to me. It is demoralizing for the kids, because you can't have a team that is competitive within their own bracket/division if you have a kid who is a striker trying to play defender or vice versa.
Anonymous
10/11/2020 16:44
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As in not 3.
They train 3 times
For an additional fee...
Anonymous
10/11/2020 16:16
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:As in not 3.
They train 3 times
Anonymous
10/11/2020 15:16
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
As in not 3.
Anonymous
10/11/2020 14:38
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Except for red (highest) team for girls, the other 2 levels of girls teams only play 1 tournament this Fall. On the White team under U13, we were charged $1600 for 2x practices/wk with optional additional fee for a 3rd practice day. I think it's priced lower than other clubs but I also think that the coaching and level of play for the younger girl players is also less competitive and hard core.
It's good in that the coaches are supportive and the program is not pressure filled but their style of play does not focus on winning games. It's more about learning basics (positioning), which depending on your overall goal for your kids, can drive you crazy because you will pretty much lose every single game. However, it's a great club to be at if your goals are tempered down. Personally, I wouldn't want to pay more for a sport DD enjoys playing but may or may never excel at her age. But to answer OP question, I do not feel that the price is heavy considering what other area travel clubs are at - but you also get what you pay for.
$1600 for 2 practices per week...Ouch.
2?
Anonymous
10/11/2020 09:42
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Anonymous wrote:Except for red (highest) team for girls, the other 2 levels of girls teams only play 1 tournament this Fall. On the White team under U13, we were charged $1600 for 2x practices/wk with optional additional fee for a 3rd practice day. I think it's priced lower than other clubs but I also think that the coaching and level of play for the younger girl players is also less competitive and hard core.
It's good in that the coaches are supportive and the program is not pressure filled but their style of play does not focus on winning games. It's more about learning basics (positioning), which depending on your overall goal for your kids, can drive you crazy because you will pretty much lose every single game. However, it's a great club to be at if your goals are tempered down. Personally, I wouldn't want to pay more for a sport DD enjoys playing but may or may never excel at her age. But to answer OP question, I do not feel that the price is heavy considering what other area travel clubs are at - but you also get what you pay for.
$1600 for 2 practices per week...Ouch.
Anonymous
10/11/2020 02:23
Subject: Re:Alexandria soccer bottom dollar
Except for red (highest) team for girls, the other 2 levels of girls teams only play 1 tournament this Fall. On the White team under U13, we were charged $1600 for 2x practices/wk with optional additional fee for a 3rd practice day. I think it's priced lower than other clubs but I also think that the coaching and level of play for the younger girl players is also less competitive and hard core.
It's good in that the coaches are supportive and the program is not pressure filled but their style of play does not focus on winning games. It's more about learning basics (positioning), which depending on your overall goal for your kids, can drive you crazy because you will pretty much lose every single game. However, it's a great club to be at if your goals are tempered down. Personally, I wouldn't want to pay more for a sport DD enjoys playing but may or may never excel at her age. But to answer OP question, I do not feel that the price is heavy considering what other area travel clubs are at - but you also get what you pay for.
It's good in that the coaches are supportive and the program is not pressure filled but their style of play does not focus on winning games. It's more about learning basics (positioning), which depending on your overall goal for your kids, can drive you crazy because you will pretty much lose every single game. However, it's a great club to be at if your goals are tempered down. Personally, I wouldn't want to pay more for a sport DD enjoys playing but may or may never excel at her age. But to answer OP question, I do not feel that the price is heavy considering what other area travel clubs are at - but you also get what you pay for.