True will also take the best kids and cut, move down, or decrease playtime when a new player comes along that they think is better. The rosters change a lot- half the players each year are moved down or out if they have new talent trying to come in. These clubs are all following the same playbook. And the skills sessions they hype are really not worthwhile after a certain age and are just cheaper to run than team practices- less field time and less coaches to pay for.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First of all, ALL youth sports are money grabs. They ALL exist to make money outside of recreational teams. So accept that piece and move on. When deciding where to spend your money knowing ALL organizations are up to grab it depends on what you are looking for as one poster said. Status? Play time? organization? I'd argue that play time is the most important part of development for a kid so that's where you go. All teams will replace your kid at will if they aren't improving and they won't improve watching on the sidelines. However, if you can get decent play time for an elite team that's somewhat close to home then don't waste your time in a lower club even at a younger age. There's a reason they are at an elite level - they know what kids have potential and they know how to develop them.

I agree with everything you said except about player development. My experience with 3 kids who played on multiple different “elite” teams is that the clubs were not that great at player development. They basically collected the best players they could and when a better player was available they signed him and benched the incumbent. The development that did take place was really a function of the best kids playing and competing with other high caliber players. Madlax in particular did not do anything really special in practice and never practiced more than 2 or occasionally 3 times a week. It sort of make you wonder why we paid all that money.

So I understand what you are saying about player development but there is only so much a program can do with respect to player develop. Yes, the program should push kids to develop but some of it is on the kids themselves developing like going to the wall, extra shooting, running, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First of all, ALL youth sports are money grabs. They ALL exist to make money outside of recreational teams. So accept that piece and move on. When deciding where to spend your money knowing ALL organizations are up to grab it depends on what you are looking for as one poster said. Status? Play time? organization? I'd argue that play time is the most important part of development for a kid so that's where you go. All teams will replace your kid at will if they aren't improving and they won't improve watching on the sidelines. However, if you can get decent play time for an elite team that's somewhat close to home then don't waste your time in a lower club even at a younger age. There's a reason they are at an elite level - they know what kids have potential and they know how to develop them.

I agree with everything you said except about player development. My experience with 3 kids who played on multiple different “elite” teams is that the clubs were not that great at player development. They basically collected the best players they could and when a better player was available they signed him and benched the incumbent. The development that did take place was really a function of the best kids playing and competing with other high caliber players. Madlax in particular did not do anything really special in practice and never practiced more than 2 or occasionally 3 times a week. It sort of make you wonder why we paid all that money.

I have heard from other Madlax parents that they practice their plays in practice, but do not do much in development of skills.

Anonymous wrote:First of all, ALL youth sports are money grabs. They ALL exist to make money outside of recreational teams. So accept that piece and move on. When deciding where to spend your money knowing ALL organizations are up to grab it depends on what you are looking for as one poster said. Status? Play time? organization? I'd argue that play time is the most important part of development for a kid so that's where you go. All teams will replace your kid at will if they aren't improving and they won't improve watching on the sidelines. However, if you can get decent play time for an elite team that's somewhat close to home then don't waste your time in a lower club even at a younger age. There's a reason they are at an elite level - they know what kids have potential and they know how to develop them.

I agree with everything you said except about player development. My experience with 3 kids who played on multiple different “elite” teams is that the clubs were not that great at player development. They basically collected the best players they could and when a better player was available they signed him and benched the incumbent. The development that did take place was really a function of the best kids playing and competing with other high caliber players. Madlax in particular did not do anything really special in practice and never practiced more than 2 or occasionally 3 times a week. It sort of make you wonder why we paid all that money.

TC still exists and is a great option for robo/oakton/madison kids. Team Va. also has middle school teams and is a good option for kids just looking to get better at lacrosse. VLC is a total disaster. None of those teams are going to get your kid recruited. True is the only non elite club that has a chance to make a difference recruiting wise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:True NOVA is not any more of a money grab than any other program and there’s a strong case to be made that it’s the best value for money in local travel lax. My experience is that they provide great coaching, communications and fields. Way better than name brand programs. Don’t believe me ask you friends with kids on madlax or DCE where they are practicing.

The beat on True is that the best players go to where the other best players are. This gives a huge advantage to the established teams as a top nova kid won’t even consider playing on true over ml, NL or BLC/DCE. This is going to change over the next couple years. True is already out recruiting old mid tier programs like VLC, TC and hammers/team Virginia. My bet at the 31 class and after more and more of the better players will migrate to true

Does TC even exist? Don't see any team in HOCO. Same for Team VA, they are almost extinct. VLC is fading fast. Agree that True is probably taking those kids.

I know that TC/2028 is in the A division and Team VA/2028 is AA Division for HOCO.

Anonymous wrote:True NOVA is not any more of a money grab than any other program and there’s a strong case to be made that it’s the best value for money in local travel lax. My experience is that they provide great coaching, communications and fields. Way better than name brand programs. Don’t believe me ask you friends with kids on madlax or DCE where they are practicing.

The beat on True is that the best players go to where the other best players are. This gives a huge advantage to the established teams as a top nova kid won’t even consider playing on true over ml, NL or BLC/DCE. This is going to change over the next couple years. True is already out recruiting old mid tier programs like VLC, TC and hammers/team Virginia. My bet at the 31 class and after more and more of the better players will migrate to true

Does TC even exist? Don't see any team in HOCO. Same for Team VA, they are almost extinct. VLC is fading fast. Agree that True is probably taking those kids.

First of all, ALL youth sports are money grabs. They ALL exist to make money outside of recreational teams. So accept that piece and move on. When deciding where to spend your money knowing ALL organizations are up to grab it depends on what you are looking for as one poster said. Status? Play time? organization? I'd argue that play time is the most important part of development for a kid so that's where you go. All teams will replace your kid at will if they aren't improving and they won't improve watching on the sidelines. However, if you can get decent play time for an elite team that's somewhat close to home then don't waste your time in a lower club even at a younger age. There's a reason they are at an elite level - they know what kids have potential and they know how to develop them.

Anonymous wrote:How is True Loudoun?

It just started this spring. Likely for kids that aren't on teams (or parents really dissatisfied with their kid's current team). They'll probably do some skills practice and likely play 2-3 tournaments this summer even if they only have 10-12 kids in age group (they'll supplement with kids from other True programs) to play summer tournaments. They'll probably struggle given they are new. No idea what happens down the road.

The director (Blake Rodgers) is an assistant coach at PVI and supposedly a good guy and good coach. He played at Hopkins and seems to know what he's doing. That's all I've heard from others.

How is True Loudoun?

True NOVA is not any more of a money grab than any other program and there’s a strong case to be made that it’s the best value for money in local travel lax. My experience is that they provide great coaching, communications and fields. Way better than name brand programs. Don’t believe me ask you friends with kids on madlax or DCE where they are practicing.

The beat on True is that the best players go to where the other best players are. This gives a huge advantage to the established teams as a top nova kid won’t even consider playing on true over ml, NL or BLC/DCE. This is going to change over the next couple years. True is already out recruiting old mid tier programs like VLC, TC and hammers/team Virginia. My bet at the 31 class and after more and more of the better players will migrate to true

Anonymous wrote:A good AAA NVYLL team would beat True VA teams.

You sound a little bitter like maybe you can’t afford to pay for your child to play competitively and that’s your choice. But don’t think you know what you’re talking about when it comes to the level of skills of these kids compared to rec. We have been part of True for 3 years and have been pleased with the coaching and opportunities. People have made comments here that it’s a money grab but we have kids on our team that came from madlax and vlc and have said those teams were big money grabs. Regardless- playing travel lacrosse is a financial investment. On True - my son is always on the field and developing his skills during every tournament for the entire game. We love watching him play and love watching the team grow and develop together. Playing time is most important to us and every family has to make a decision what’s most important.

Players series in FL this weekend 25 and 26 teams. This is a big recruiting event.

Anonymous wrote:Why are True National teams in the B bracket this weekend? Are they not top ranked teams? Not a good look for college coaches.

What tournament and age are you talking about?

Why are True National teams in the B bracket this weekend? Are they not top ranked teams? Not a good look for college coaches.