PP here...To add if your coach isn't scheduling inter-club scrimmages with other teams in your club then again you aren't getting your money's worth. My kid's team which is the Boys ECNL team for the age group constantly scrimmages both boys/girls older ECNL teams and 2nd teams throughout the year to get them more playing time.

When you get to U13 where it goes to a bigger field and 11v11, playing time will drop off a little for players that don't start. But if your coach is smart s/he will have picked players where the level of play does not drop off when a sub comes in so subs are getting at least 30-40% playing time.

Most of all, it's not all about getting game time. Practice makes perfect and if your coach isn't having at least 3 to 4 practices a week where the real development happens, then you're not getting your money's worth.

At U13, kid's are still developing their abilities and grow at different rates so you need to stress to your kid that if they're not putting 110% in practice, then they're slacking. PRACTICE is where the real growth happens and if your kid doesn't take practice seriously, they'll never reach their full potential.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is one of the best players on a bad team. He plays the entire game. It is fine. If he were on the next team above, he would not get as much playing time, because he would be towards the middle or botton of the team. So it is better for him to be where he is, so that he can get the experience.

This is not necessarily a goos thing. My ds is also in position and i would somewhat prefer the less playing time on a stronger team. The practices are with better players and the competition is tougher. Its easy to stand out amongst weaker opponents.

DD is only goalie for a U14 team that is lower level big club. We held off on moving her up because she plays the whole game and actually is a better goalie because her team is, well not as good.

If a goalie is used to making saves in a game it becomes easier and they adapt and learn the mental fortitude to continue or move to a new position. If they have an excellent defense and rarely need to make a save...watch them crumble in the big moments and not be able to shake off a loss.

Of course there are exceptions before I get a 1000 responses from parents of amazing goalies whose defenses are superb.

I think you are smart and see the bigger picture. You can do all the extra GK training you want. You still cant replicate game experience. Its only making your DD better by taking more shots in a game situation. Even better she has weak team If she's improving on shape and form for saves, directing her defensive backs, setting of walls and corner set pieces, and focussing on her distribution. All that is how you measure her season. That way when she gets to a good team. The game will slow down for her and her confidence will rise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is one of the best players on a bad team. He plays the entire game. It is fine. If he were on the next team above, he would not get as much playing time, because he would be towards the middle or botton of the team. So it is better for him to be where he is, so that he can get the experience.

This is not necessarily a goos thing. My ds is also in position and i would somewhat prefer the less playing time on a stronger team. The practices are with better players and the competition is tougher. Its easy to stand out amongst weaker opponents.

DD is only goalie for a U14 team that is lower level big club. We held off on moving her up because she plays the whole game and actually is a better goalie because her team is, well not as good.

If a goalie is used to making saves in a game it becomes easier and they adapt and learn the mental fortitude to continue or move to a new position. If they have an excellent defense and rarely need to make a save...watch them crumble in the big moments and not be able to shake off a loss.

Of course there are exceptions before I get a 1000 responses from parents of amazing goalies whose defenses are superb.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is one of the best players on a bad team. He plays the entire game. It is fine. If he were on the next team above, he would not get as much playing time, because he would be towards the middle or botton of the team. So it is better for him to be where he is, so that he can get the experience.

This is not necessarily a goos thing. My ds is also in position and i would somewhat prefer the less playing time on a stronger team. The practices are with better players and the competition is tougher. Its easy to stand out amongst weaker opponents.

Not starting will not build confidence. Not starting means when you get in the games you play not to make a mistake which pushes you down the depth chart. Not starting mean you are not really a part of the team. You are an after thought at practice with the coach spending his/her time with the top players. Your kid is off in the corner at practice ignored by the coaches and teammates.

I guess your kid needs to get better on his own then. Stop blaming the team for your kids lack of confidence and development. I he doesn't want to put the work in on his own he really doesn't want it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is one of the best players on a bad team. He plays the entire game. It is fine. If he were on the next team above, he would not get as much playing time, because he would be towards the middle or botton of the team. So it is better for him to be where he is, so that he can get the experience.

This is not necessarily a goos thing. My ds is also in position and i would somewhat prefer the less playing time on a stronger team. The practices are with better players and the competition is tougher. Its easy to stand out amongst weaker opponents.

Not starting will not build confidence. Not starting means when you get in the games you play not to make a mistake which pushes you down the depth chart. Not starting mean you are not really a part of the team. You are an after thought at practice with the coach spending his/her time with the top players. Your kid is off in the corner at practice ignored by the coaches and teammates.

This sounds sad. Sorry for your bad experience. This is not normal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is one of the best players on a bad team. He plays the entire game. It is fine. If he were on the next team above, he would not get as much playing time, because he would be towards the middle or botton of the team. So it is better for him to be where he is, so that he can get the experience.

This is not necessarily a goos thing. My ds is also in position and i would somewhat prefer the less playing time on a stronger team. The practices are with better players and the competition is tougher. Its easy to stand out amongst weaker opponents.

Not starting will not build confidence. Not starting means when you get in the games you play not to make a mistake which pushes you down the depth chart. Not starting mean you are not really a part of the team. You are an after thought at practice with the coach spending his/her time with the top players. Your kid is off in the corner at practice ignored by the coaches and teammates.