Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The idea that our best players are switching from soccer to other sports in their teenage years seems to be one of those things that just gets tossed out there and often repeated even though it has no basis in reality.
Seriously, how many boys do any of you know who had legit pro potential - or even lets just say they were one of the most talented players on a top bracket level team at U9-U11, or DA team at U12-U13 - but then they gave it all up and are now playing football or basketball?
Nationally, I can think of O'Dell Beckham Jr, but that's about it. But locally - and I've been around the youth soccer scene in the DMV for over 15 years - I can't think of a single player who was a truly a standout at soccer going into their teenage years and then quit to play another sport.
I can think of quite a few kids who were great all-around athletes who did make the switch from soccer to play something else, but none of them were among the best of the best in soccer. Most of them switched to a sport where their raw athleticism would give them more of an advantage, after it became clear to them that they were never going to be a star in soccer because they didn't have the skill level of the kids who lived with a ball at their feat all the time.
Here is some evidence that elite athletes do switch out of soccer. First are two area players, and the last is a hodgepodge of nfl players. You can believe it or not. You can downplay it if you want. Up to you to leave your head in the sand. It is not coaching and it is not “rondos” that make the USMNT fail, it is the talent. The US women win and have the same coaching philosophies and USSF system, training, etc., yet they win. Why? Talent. Plain and simple.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Crittenden
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Pride
https://www.stack.com/a/9-nfl-stars-who-grew-up-playing-soccer
"My coach was pushing to try and get me on the national team and try out. At that age, you're 13, 14 years old, you know that to make it big in soccer you are probably going to have to go overseas.
Umm, yeah, Suh "chose football over soccer" SMH
OBJ
For me, it was soccer. And as I got older (and) into high school, my grandma sat me down and we thought about longevity and a professional career, then the right sport would be football. So I switched over and focused on football,"
His coach pushed to get him on the National Team. Apparently the US Soccer felt different. There is no proof that OBJ was ever scouted other than his coach pushed for it. Well, my mom thinks I'm the prettiest too.
Chad Johnson
"I really feel that (soccer has) helped with my footwork, getting in and out of breaks, and it seems like I can take a bunch of little steps in a very quick amount of time," Welker told Boston.com in 2009. "Your feet get put in some awkward positions in football, but I'm sort of used to that from playing soccer, from moving the ball around. I definitely think that's a big part of what has made me successful in the NFL."
Translation: you're better at football, I'm pretty sure the career lifespan of a pro soccer player is higher than that of a NFL player.
Wes Welker
Again, nothing that says how good a player he was, just that he played and how the game of soccer helped football.
I get what you are trying to get at but news flash, "Pro athlete tuned down a sport AS A KID to focus on the sport they are good at and passionate about.
Nothing in these descriptions said that these players were forced to choose between say playing in the MLS or the NFL. There are only a handful of Multi Sport pro athletes who had legitimate shots at going pro in another sport:
John Elway, NFL and MLB
Bo Jackson, actually played NFL and MLB. Only player to truly excel at both sports.
Dieon Sanders, played both NFL and MLB
Russell Wilson, NFL and was scouted for MLB
Tony Romo. NFL and currently working on his PGA card.
But in general the list isn't very long and there are others, mostly QB's who are being scouted to be pitchers.
Often times the sport actually chooses the player. John Elway could have pitched for the Yankees but deep down he knew his skill set was better suited for football. had he gone the Pro baseball route he likely would have had a much shorter career and not a HOF career as he had in football.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The idea that our best players are switching from soccer to other sports in their teenage years seems to be one of those things that just gets tossed out there and often repeated even though it has no basis in reality.
Seriously, how many boys do any of you know who had legit pro potential - or even lets just say they were one of the most talented players on a top bracket level team at U9-U11, or DA team at U12-U13 - but then they gave it all up and are now playing football or basketball?
Nationally, I can think of O'Dell Beckham Jr, but that's about it. But locally - and I've been around the youth soccer scene in the DMV for over 15 years - I can't think of a single player who was a truly a standout at soccer going into their teenage years and then quit to play another sport.
I can think of quite a few kids who were great all-around athletes who did make the switch from soccer to play something else, but none of them were among the best of the best in soccer. Most of them switched to a sport where their raw athleticism would give them more of an advantage, after it became clear to them that they were never going to be a star in soccer because they didn't have the skill level of the kids who lived with a ball at their feat all the time.
Here is some evidence that elite athletes do switch out of soccer. First are two area players, and the last is a hodgepodge of nfl players. You can believe it or not. You can downplay it if you want. Up to you to leave your head in the sand. It is not coaching and it is not “rondos” that make the USMNT fail, it is the talent. The US women win and have the same coaching philosophies and USSF system, training, etc., yet they win. Why? Talent. Plain and simple.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Crittenden
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Pride
https://www.stack.com/a/9-nfl-stars-who-grew-up-playing-soccer
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Rondos can be directional and tactical. I think people hear the word “rondo” and think it’s just monkey in the middle.
Right, it sounds like what US Soccer wants is to eliminate lazy Rondo drills. That drills must have a focused purpose.
Except there are numerous reports from coaches from different states from the East coast to the West coast that USSF instructors at the coaching courses tell coaches that they will fail the course if they try to use rondos. Either this boneheaded approach comes from the federation or from the people that the USSF picked to teach their coaching courses. Either way, it does not look good for the USSF.
Well, after all, who can possibly argue with "numerous reports" :/
![]()
Numerous reports, brought to you by an anonymous source on DCUM soccer forum.
What could possibly go wrong here.
I've read the same reports from many coaches on twitter, non- anonymous accounts.
I don't think US Soccer probably intended to start a "war on rondos", but that was definitely the effect, at least for a while, especially at the D level. I think more experienced coaches basically ignored it. By now it seems like US Soccer has clarified its message to instructors cause I haven't read any reports like that lately.
Berhalter obviously uses romdos. So does Tab Ramos. As previously mentioned, most of the DAs include different types of rondos into their training. Also as previously mentioned, sometimes these are directional, sometimes not, depending on the purpose and intent. Not doing rondos is not the problem for US Soccer.
Moving on, ... I like what Berhalter is doing so far, but Ecuador sitting back like they did was not a real good test. If we can build out of the back and control possession tonight against Chile that will be very encouraging.
Thank you for your post. That was a good transition into tonight's game. I wonder if he will make any strategical changes.
Anonymous wrote:The idea that our best players are switching from soccer to other sports in their teenage years seems to be one of those things that just gets tossed out there and often repeated even though it has no basis in reality.
Seriously, how many boys do any of you know who had legit pro potential - or even lets just say they were one of the most talented players on a top bracket level team at U9-U11, or DA team at U12-U13 - but then they gave it all up and are now playing football or basketball?
Nationally, I can think of O'Dell Beckham Jr, but that's about it. But locally - and I've been around the youth soccer scene in the DMV for over 15 years - I can't think of a single player who was a truly a standout at soccer going into their teenage years and then quit to play another sport.
I can think of quite a few kids who were great all-around athletes who did make the switch from soccer to play something else, but none of them were among the best of the best in soccer. Most of them switched to a sport where their raw athleticism would give them more of an advantage, after it became clear to them that they were never going to be a star in soccer because they didn't have the skill level of the kids who lived with a ball at their feat all the time.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Rondos can be directional and tactical. I think people hear the word “rondo” and think it’s just monkey in the middle.
Right, it sounds like what US Soccer wants is to eliminate lazy Rondo drills. That drills must have a focused purpose.
Except there are numerous reports from coaches from different states from the East coast to the West coast that USSF instructors at the coaching courses tell coaches that they will fail the course if they try to use rondos. Either this boneheaded approach comes from the federation or from the people that the USSF picked to teach their coaching courses. Either way, it does not look good for the USSF.
Well, after all, who can possibly argue with "numerous reports" :/
![]()
Numerous reports, brought to you by an anonymous source on DCUM soccer forum.
What could possibly go wrong here.
I've read the same reports from many coaches on twitter, non- anonymous accounts.
I don't think US Soccer probably intended to start a "war on rondos", but that was definitely the effect, at least for a while, especially at the D level. I think more experienced coaches basically ignored it. By now it seems like US Soccer has clarified its message to instructors cause I haven't read any reports like that lately.
Berhalter obviously uses romdos. So does Tab Ramos. As previously mentioned, most of the DAs include different types of rondos into their training. Also as previously mentioned, sometimes these are directional, sometimes not, depending on the purpose and intent. Not doing rondos is not the problem for US Soccer.
Moving on, ... I like what Berhalter is doing so far, but Ecuador sitting back like they did was not a real good test. If we can build out of the back and control possession tonight against Chile that will be very encouraging.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Rondos can be directional and tactical. I think people hear the word “rondo” and think it’s just monkey in the middle.
Right, it sounds like what US Soccer wants is to eliminate lazy Rondo drills. That drills must have a focused purpose.
Except there are numerous reports from coaches from different states from the East coast to the West coast that USSF instructors at the coaching courses tell coaches that they will fail the course if they try to use rondos. Either this boneheaded approach comes from the federation or from the people that the USSF picked to teach their coaching courses. Either way, it does not look good for the USSF.
Well, after all, who can possibly argue with "numerous reports" :/
![]()
Numerous reports, brought to you by an anonymous source on DCUM soccer forum.
What could possibly go wrong here.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Rondos can be directional and tactical. I think people hear the word “rondo” and think it’s just monkey in the middle.
Right, it sounds like what US Soccer wants is to eliminate lazy Rondo drills. That drills must have a focused purpose.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This whole thing didn't have to have 20 posts either. I would have made my little comment and moved on, but being told in a way or another to shut up will definitely give me something to say.
SHUT UP AND MOVE ON
Why are you so defensive? Do you work for them? I watched the game, I've seen US Soccer and the entire system evolve. Shout and stomp your feet all you want. Then let the adults speak.
No i do not work for them but Rondos are not outlawed. Find a club that meets your kids training needs and be happy.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This whole thing didn't have to have 20 posts either. I would have made my little comment and moved on, but being told in a way or another to shut up will definitely give me something to say.
SHUT UP AND MOVE ON
Why are you so defensive? Do you work for them? I watched the game, I've seen US Soccer and the entire system evolve. Shout and stomp your feet all you want. Then let the adults speak.