Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to add as your kids go through the proces sof tryouts and cuts.

Be committed to the team and sport if they make it. Too many kids think that just because they are on the team all is good. It isn't. Coaches need the kids to be committed as do the other players.

Is your kid club soccer ready? Ask them this, if Johnie or Suzy have a birthday party and you have a game scheduled, which would you pick?

I think you understand where I am going with this.

Year after year players get on teams saying they are committed but soon start to fade.

YES. We have kids whose parents were so gung-ho at the beginning and now can barely be bothered to bring their kid five minutes before a game starts. And they don't apologize; they act like they don't know or don't give a crap how it affects the team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone tryout for U9 boys for more than one team? How were the other teams looking. We did the Arlington Tryouts - but now considering ADP or maybe other local travel teams that may not be as competitive.

A lot of people I know check out a big competitive club (Arlington or McLean) and a smaller less competitive club (Premier AC and so on). That is what we are planning.

My son tried out in Arlington and 2 others. We are new to travel soccer and wanted to sample some other programs in the area, the big competitive clubs and the smaller clubs. Also wanted to see what the commutes and coaching staff were like, and how competitive the players are. We truly had an open mind, since my wife stays home and could handle most practice locations. Arlington does take a long time to provide final results, and we did pass on one solid offer for a slot on an "A" team on a smaller team. Son wanted bragging rights to play on an A team, we are overruling him to have him play with his friends most likely on a lower level Arlington team. Great experiences overall and we were really able to gauge our son's abilities through multiple tryouts to make an informed decision on where and at what level. Now, just waiting for Arlington to release results.

I don't know of any small Clubs in the area that have started tryouts yet. Ours just started Sunday, but there are 3 more and they don't make any offers--even for "A" team early.

Where was this small club?

Nice. You might have just called the PP's bs.
No small club near Arlington has given out offers for A team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can any Arlington posters tell me about their family's experience in the ASA U9 boys travel program? I'm trying to get a sense of the environment for the U9 boys. Also interested in what a typical week looks like (how many practices? How many games? How much actual travel?). I've read the ASA commitment letter, but I don't know how that abstract "commitment" translates in a real life basis.

My first grader DS particulated in the ASA U9 tryouts, and he's been offered a roster spot. We've got 48 hours (less now) to accept or decline. We're completely new to the travel soccer scene, and it seems like a big commitment. I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth it for DS (who is a good player, but not gifted, and really enjoys soccer - and competition, generally- but also has other activities and interests). I'm open to the idea of travel soccer, but I do have significant reservations. I'm considering ADP (if DS gets through the tryout) as an alternative.

DS is really excited to have "made the travel team" but he has no idea what he's signing up for. I've asked him to consider what he'd be willing to give up tone on the travel team (other sporting activities? Birthday parties for friends? Hanging out with neighborhood kids after school some nights?).

Any input from more experienced parents would be much appreciated!

you really have to try it for at least a season to know whether it's worth it for your family.

Agree. Out of our friends it's 50-50 on what kids want to do it again at u10. Two former soccer-loving kid's friends are quitting after first year. The other 2 are going back.

It's a lot for a 2nd grader. Everyone used to start in 3rd, but birth year change has pushed it into even younger grades. You can always try it, bit if you see it is too much--just sit them out one of the 3 practices and drop to ADP following year.

Don't let others scare you into thinking doors close if you don't accept. By U12-there are a ton of free roster spots again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to add as your kids go through the proces sof tryouts and cuts.

Be committed to the team and sport if they make it. Too many kids think that just because they are on the team all is good. It isn't. Coaches need the kids to be committed as do the other players.

Is your kid club soccer ready? Ask them this, if Johnie or Suzy have a birthday party and you have a game scheduled, which would you pick?

I think you understand where I am going with this.

Year after year players get on teams saying they are committed but soon start to fade.

YES. We have kids whose parents were so gung-ho at the beginning and now can barely be bothered to bring their kid five minutes before a game starts. And they don't apologize; they act like they don't know or don't give a crap how it affects the team.

At what age does interest start to fade? My kid is all gungho about it now but I could see how as they get older interests change.

every age every team has kids that are not committed, when you get to u15 and up you have fewer but still there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone tryout for U9 boys for more than one team? How were the other teams looking. We did the Arlington Tryouts - but now considering ADP or maybe other local travel teams that may not be as competitive.

A lot of people I know check out a big competitive club (Arlington or McLean) and a smaller less competitive club (Premier AC and so on). That is what we are planning.

My son tried out in Arlington and 2 others. We are new to travel soccer and wanted to sample some other programs in the area, the big competitive clubs and the smaller clubs. Also wanted to see what the commutes and coaching staff were like, and how competitive the players are. We truly had an open mind, since my wife stays home and could handle most practice locations. Arlington does take a long time to provide final results, and we did pass on one solid offer for a slot on an "A" team on a smaller team. Son wanted bragging rights to play on an A team, we are overruling him to have him play with his friends most likely on a lower level Arlington team. Great experiences overall and we were really able to gauge our son's abilities through multiple tryouts to make an informed decision on where and at what level. Now, just waiting for Arlington to release results.

I don't know of any small Clubs in the area that have started tryouts yet. Ours just started Sunday, but there are 3 more and they don't make any offers--even for "A" team early.

Where was this small club?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to add as your kids go through the proces sof tryouts and cuts.

Be committed to the team and sport if they make it. Too many kids think that just because they are on the team all is good. It isn't. Coaches need the kids to be committed as do the other players.

Is your kid club soccer ready? Ask them this, if Johnie or Suzy have a birthday party and you have a game scheduled, which would you pick?

I think you understand where I am going with this.

Year after year players get on teams saying they are committed but soon start to fade.

YES. We have kids whose parents were so gung-ho at the beginning and now can barely be bothered to bring their kid five minutes before a game starts. And they don't apologize; they act like they don't know or don't give a crap how it affects the team.

Anonymous wrote:One thing to add as your kids go through the proces sof tryouts and cuts.

Be committed to the team and sport if they make it. Too many kids think that just because they are on the team all is good. It isn't. Coaches need the kids to be committed as do the other players.

Is your kid club soccer ready? Ask them this, if Johnie or Suzy have a birthday party and you have a game scheduled, which would you pick?

I think you understand where I am going with this.

Year after year players get on teams saying they are committed but soon start to fade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to add as your kids go through the proces sof tryouts and cuts.

Be committed to the team and sport if they make it. Too many kids think that just because they are on the team all is good. It isn't. Coaches need the kids to be committed as do the other players.

Is your kid club soccer ready? Ask them this, if Johnie or Suzy have a birthday party and you have a game scheduled, which would you pick?

I think you understand where I am going with this.

Year after year players get on teams saying they are committed but soon start to fade.

We have kids not showing up and dropping out and can barely field a team now. U12

Anonymous wrote:One thing to add as your kids go through the proces sof tryouts and cuts.

Be committed to the team and sport if they make it. Too many kids think that just because they are on the team all is good. It isn't. Coaches need the kids to be committed as do the other players.

Is your kid club soccer ready? Ask them this, if Johnie or Suzy have a birthday party and you have a game scheduled, which would you pick?

I think you understand where I am going with this.

Year after year players get on teams saying they are committed but soon start to fade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:14:28 - I kind of agree. We're only about halfway through our season, but we're waiting to see if we even have a second weekly practice time right now. It's kind of frustrating - our girls need to be practicing together or we have no shot against a couple of the teams we're playing in the next few weeks.

Maybe they figure the end of the school year is super crazy and they're trying to get everything done before then?

Talent grab. They want to force kids to commit. Messes up Spring season.

Was just talking about this with a Vienna parent. Apparently that club holds theirs in like April and gives kids 48 hours. Seems desperate. I know in U9 there were coaches from other teams scouting players on our small club team at the spring opening tournament. Really annoying and absolutely took focus away knowing that half our team was not going to be back in fall. WORST are the teams that do make early offers and then require players to attend their spring practices before the player's current club season has even ended!

Unless this is a rising U9 team literally no club requires new players to attend practices in the spring before the season has ended.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:14:28 - I kind of agree. We're only about halfway through our season, but we're waiting to see if we even have a second weekly practice time right now. It's kind of frustrating - our girls need to be practicing together or we have no shot against a couple of the teams we're playing in the next few weeks.

Maybe they figure the end of the school year is super crazy and they're trying to get everything done before then?

Talent grab. They want to force kids to commit. Messes up Spring season.

Was just talking about this with a Vienna parent. Apparently that club holds theirs in like April and gives kids 48 hours. Seems desperate. I know in U9 there were coaches from other teams scouting players on our small club team at the spring opening tournament. Really annoying and absolutely took focus away knowing that half our team was not going to be back in fall. WORST are the teams that do make early offers and then require players to attend their spring practices before the player's current club season has even ended!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:14:28 - I kind of agree. We're only about halfway through our season, but we're waiting to see if we even have a second weekly practice time right now. It's kind of frustrating - our girls need to be practicing together or we have no shot against a couple of the teams we're playing in the next few weeks.

Maybe they figure the end of the school year is super crazy and they're trying to get everything done before then?

Talent grab. They want to force kids to commit. Messes up Spring season.

Was just talking about this with a Vienna parent. Apparently that club holds theirs in like April and gives kids 48 hours. Seems desperate. I know in U9 there were coaches from other teams scouting players on our small club team at the spring opening tournament. Really annoying and absolutely took focus away knowing that half our team was not going to be back in fall. WORST are the teams that do make early offers and then require players to attend their spring practices before the player's current club season has even ended!