Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Especially since they're not all that big on substitutions. When you add the fact that 2 players will be redshirted every game, seems like there's people who are there just for the status of being on the team.

The 18 people will change, and most likely are rotated through. I imagine you can gauge your perceived progress in the team by how consistently you're started or substituted in vs. reserve list.

Well yeah. Most girls DA programs in this area have massive rosters. Some DA coaches have a core 11 that play 90% of the minutes, leaving players lower on the depth chart to rot. And there are DA coaches that rotate more evenly, attempting to develop an entire bench. Regardless of where your player is on the depth chart, you should know what the history is. Fortunately, you can get this info by reviewing the playing minutes which are online. Contrary to the USSDA mantra that development is all done in training, game time is a key element on the mental side. If you're evaluating coaches/DA programs, this is a component.

Very true. I love that the starting percentages, games played, game reports (which show minutes played), and other stats are publicly reported. The transparency is helpful in evaluating programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Especially since they're not all that big on substitutions. When you add the fact that 2 players will be redshirted every game, seems like there's people who are there just for the status of being on the team.

The 18 people will change, and most likely are rotated through. I imagine you can gauge your perceived progress in the team by how consistently you're started or substituted in vs. reserve list.

Well yeah. Most girls DA programs in this area have massive rosters. Some DA coaches have a core 11 that play 90% of the minutes, leaving players lower on the depth chart to rot. And there are DA coaches that rotate more evenly, attempting to develop an entire bench. Regardless of where your player is on the depth chart, you should know what the history is. Fortunately, you can get this info by reviewing the playing minutes which are online. Contrary to the USSDA mantra that development is all done in training, game time is a key element on the mental side. If you're evaluating coaches/DA programs, this is a component.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Especially since they're not all that big on substitutions. When you add the fact that 2 players will be redshirted every game, seems like there's people who are there just for the status of being on the team.

The 18 people will change, and most likely are rotated through. I imagine you can gauge your perceived progress in the team by how consistently you're started or substituted in vs. reserve list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2007 boy living in Reston wants to try out for DA. Which one has the shortest or fastest commute for weekday practices? What’s the ball park annual costs? Thanks.

I would avoid VDA. I have not heard good things about their coach. Personally, I would go w/loudoun....my son has benefited greatly at this program. I just hope they can expand their DA program in the near future. If Loudoun is not an option, Coach Oscar with Arlington is a great choice.

Anonymous wrote:My experience with Loudoun teams are that they're nothing more than glorified long-ball merchants, although I've only had experience against their older age groups.

Anonymous wrote:2007 boy living in Reston wants to try out for DA. Which one has the shortest or fastest commute for weekday practices? What’s the ball park annual costs? Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd say wait til he's going into 11v11 (U13-14) to put him in DA.

I agree. Though we are pushing it after U-14. My kid is a young birth year (late Fall). So at U14, he is still 13 almost the entire year.

He is getting really fantastic training now and takes many overseas trips for training and tournaments. He would not be able to do that if he were with DA and their restrictions. The European coaches we've talked to said they wouldn't make any moves prior to age 16--that goes for any residential academies or anywhere with long commutes, etc---provided the training is quality.

He has many friends that jumped into pre-DA teams at U11 and now at U13 many of those kids have not progressed as far as the boys with more varied training.

Perhaps you've figured it out my friend. Can you kindly let us eager parents know if those overseas training trips were paid for by you or were there invitations?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd say wait til he's going into 11v11 (U13-14) to put him in DA.

I agree. Though we are pushing it after U-14. My kid is a young birth year (late Fall). So at U14, he is still 13 almost the entire year.

He is getting really fantastic training now and takes many overseas trips for training and tournaments. He would not be able to do that if he were with DA and their restrictions. The European coaches we've talked to said they wouldn't make any moves prior to age 16--that goes for any residential academies or anywhere with long commutes, etc---provided the training is quality.

He has many friends that jumped into pre-DA teams at U11 and now at U13 many of those kids have not progressed as far as the boys with more varied training.

Anonymous wrote:Especially since they're not all that big on substitutions. When you add the fact that 2 players will be redshirted every game, seems like there's people who are there just for the status of being on the team.