Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the consensus is play at a club and level where you can get 1/2 a game or more of playing time.

Yes.

Agreement on a internet forum! Who knew??

Especially DCUM!

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the consensus is play at a club and level where you can get 1/2 a game or more of playing time.

Yes.

Agreement on a internet forum! Who knew??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a player who would be a bench player at a strong DA or ECNL team or a starter with a weaker DA or ECNL team, which option should you choose? Assume there's quality coaching at both. Clearly it's good to train with top level players day to day but if you only see 10 minutes a game, that's not good. Thoughts?

Minutes in a game are important as well, but if a player is playing 1/2 a game or more, I believe they are good IF the training is at the absolute elite level. Playing an entire game, a player may get 20-40 touches a game. While being able to learn tactically some, a player would get the exact same exposure during a high level practice if the team scrimmages.

For a practice, a player may get as much as 5,000 touches. Much more important.

At the end of the day the game is more fun when it is being played. Sorry, but unless you are practicing with the the first team at Man City and not playing there is little joy to be gained by high level training if it is not met with meaningful game time. It is even worse if there are no set goals from the coach that the bench player can train to achieve in order to get more minutes without an injury happening.

This is still youth soccer and to think that there are kids out there who will spend the best part of four years being a sub on a youth soccer club because the team wins and the "training" is great, they will most likely look back on their time as a waste. When at some point the realization sets in that the training is not great enough to move themselves up the roster it is usually to late.

Looks like the consensus is play at a club and level where you can get 1/2 a game or more of playing time.

Anonymous wrote:If you have a player who would be a bench player at a strong DA or ECNL team or a starter with a weaker DA or ECNL team, which option should you choose? Assume there's quality coaching at both. Clearly it's good to train with top level players day to day but if you only see 10 minutes a game, that's not good. Thoughts?

Minutes in a game are important as well, but if a player is playing 1/2 a game or more, I believe they are good IF the training is at the absolute elite level. Playing an entire game, a player may get 20-40 touches a game. While being able to learn tactically some, a player would get the exact same exposure during a high level practice if the team scrimmages.

For a practice, a player may get as much as 5,000 touches. Much more important.

Do you grow much as a player by watching your DD play from sidelines? Same goes for the bench players.

At the very least the game is meant to be played. Always go to where you can start or at least play no less than half a game. If that means dropping a level or moving laterally then that is what you should do. Let other kids ride the bench of a winning club if they want.

Anonymous wrote:If you have a player who would be a bench player at a strong DA or ECNL team or a starter with a weaker DA or ECNL team, which option should you choose? Assume there's quality coaching at both. Clearly it's good to train with top level players day to day but if you only see 10 minutes a game, that's not good. Thoughts?

I would go where my DD would be a starter. There is no substitution for getting minutes in games. Also being on the weaker team means the games will be more challenging for my DD. If you are only getting 10 minutes a game are you really growing much as a player? Who cares about winning a game if you did not play much. There is no substitution for minutes in actual games. None of these clubs run anything close to games in practice.

You could argue that training with top level players is important but quality coaching can do things to ensure your DD will be challenged in practice, playing vs older kids, etc. So IMHO, I would go based on minutes in games.

If you have a player who would be a bench player at a strong DA or ECNL team or a starter with a weaker DA or ECNL team, which option should you choose? Assume there's quality coaching at both. Clearly it's good to train with top level players day to day but if you only see 10 minutes a game, that's not good. Thoughts?

There is no substitute for playing against the best the area has to offer every day. Coaching is part of it, but competing and getting comfortable playing against the best tactically, technically, athletically is really key.

And that is why ECNL/DA can be a really great platform for elite players -- Ypu practice with hi-level players every practice.

Anonymous wrote:Question from a rookie parent that never played soccer:

Prior to trying out for ECNL/DA, were there signs or indicators (talents, etc) your DD displayed that that made you think she had a good chance in making these teams?

I’m not asking about size or speed. If my DD was the biggest and fastest player, then I wouldn’t be asking this question. Thank you.

The girls on my daughter's team who went on to ECNL were the ones who were clearly dominating the game on our CCL team. They were making the plays, controlling the game. Making stuff happen--and all with a lot of intensity. They were as I like to say "go after the ball like a dog goes after a ball" types. I.e. they had a passion for getting the ball that was clearly different than the other kids. They completely stood out in this regard and looking back, did so from a very early age (U9 really).

DA/ECNL is more about clear potential to play at the next level. That potential at u13/u14 is about the first ouch, speed of play, ball control, passing and striking. If you can consistently beat a player 1v1 or can strike the ball accurately or can tackle, you will get the attention of coaches. Size and speed matter but only if you have some of the other tools.

Also, not playing ECNL/DA will not preclude you have from playing DI soccer but will open more doors. If your kid is on a string team that can complete with ECNL/DA team, you will absolutely play at the top showcases.

Question from a rookie parent that never played soccer:

Prior to trying out for ECNL/DA, were there signs or indicators (talents, etc) your DD displayed that that made you think she had a good chance in making these teams?

I’m not asking about size or speed. If my DD was the biggest and fastest player, then I wouldn’t be asking this question. Thank you.