Anonymous
Post 06/27/2017 14:54     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.


All of these pretravel programs are built to transition from rec to travel. It's good that it either drives the kids to want more or something different, nothing wrong with playing baseball and they may find their way back to soccer. With the lower investment it's good to know at U8 than at U9 when you are paying 2-3X the amount.


Let me get this straight -- you're arguing that it's good to put 7-year-old kids in a serious training environment without much game play because it's better to find out their interests at age 7 than at age 8?


Did you think playing intersquad is any different than playing another club at that age? Get real.


I can't count the number of kids who quit soccer after Juniors citing this very reason. The kids do not feel that they are real games and Juniors can end up feeling like all work and no play. You may think it's fine to separate the "real" soccer players from the rest, but I think a lot of 6-7 year-olds just aren't developmentally ready yet for a serious training program ... even if that is theoretically best for their soccer development. A lot of very young kids need a fun element/reward to keep them motivated.


Can you explain the difference between the U8 pre-travel intersquad games and rec/house games? Both are play with kids within the same club, except one has more structured coaching overall. There are some really good volunteer coaches, but most are just volunteers. Kids get to play against other kids that are a bit more serious about soccer, that is the only difference. Some would argue that the pay to play u8 programs creates a path to travel which is a valid argument.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2017 06:15     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.


All of these pretravel programs are built to transition from rec to travel. It's good that it either drives the kids to want more or something different, nothing wrong with playing baseball and they may find their way back to soccer. With the lower investment it's good to know at U8 than at U9 when you are paying 2-3X the amount.


Let me get this straight -- you're arguing that it's good to put 7-year-old kids in a serious training environment without much game play because it's better to find out their interests at age 7 than at age 8?


Did you think playing intersquad is any different than playing another club at that age? Get real.


I can't count the number of kids who quit soccer after Juniors citing this very reason. The kids do not feel that they are real games and Juniors can end up feeling like all work and no play. You may think it's fine to separate the "real" soccer players from the rest, but I think a lot of 6-7 year-olds just aren't developmentally ready yet for a serious training program ... even if that is theoretically best for their soccer development. A lot of very young kids need a fun element/reward to keep them motivated.
Novafam
Post 06/26/2017 22:44     Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
I am all for the inter-squad games over the rec level games. I sat my DS down and gave him the choice after weighing the pros and cons of both, the juniors program and rec. He decided he wanted to do the juniors. At the end of the program he will be further ahead than he would have been in rec. While he was always happy to score a lot of goals and win in rec, he wanted to be challenged.

As far as the All-star rec tournament, I disagree with the poster the wrote it off. My DD just finished a U8 all-star tournament and absolutely loved it, which is the main point at this age, isn't it? She actually did learn, mostly from practicing and playing with her talented peers in the U8 age group. Also, the reason why I asked about the all-star was to see whether I would be able to gauge my DS development along with team chemistry versus another club, since he is now in the juniors program. I'd like to believe that would be a fair assessment.

I wouldn't mind it one bit if he decided he didn't want to continue with soccer after the program. While there are some sports that I kind of steer him towards solely because of my own familiarity with the sport, if he decides he wants to do something else, that's his decision. However, he does have a distinct passion for soccer so I don't see him wavering anytime soon. But anything can happen.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 17:29     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.


All of these pretravel programs are built to transition from rec to travel. It's good that it either drives the kids to want more or something different, nothing wrong with playing baseball and they may find their way back to soccer. With the lower investment it's good to know at U8 than at U9 when you are paying 2-3X the amount.


Let me get this straight -- you're arguing that it's good to put 7-year-old kids in a serious training environment without much game play because it's better to find out their interests at age 7 than at age 8?


Did you think playing intersquad is any different than playing another club at that age? Get real.


Make it a House league. Give the kids the team identities they want.

It can be done well. McLean doesn't.


+1

come winter they figure out what U8 juniors is, and what it is not. spring is when they just try to hold on until travel tryouts, where all but a handful of the players make one of the travel teams.

that's the only reason you do it. great coaches, but too many players
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 16:06     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.


All of these pretravel programs are built to transition from rec to travel. It's good that it either drives the kids to want more or something different, nothing wrong with playing baseball and they may find their way back to soccer. With the lower investment it's good to know at U8 than at U9 when you are paying 2-3X the amount.


Let me get this straight -- you're arguing that it's good to put 7-year-old kids in a serious training environment without much game play because it's better to find out their interests at age 7 than at age 8?


Did you think playing intersquad is any different than playing another club at that age? Get real.


Make it a House league. Give the kids the team identities they want.

It can be done well. McLean doesn't.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 15:28     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.


All of these pretravel programs are built to transition from rec to travel. It's good that it either drives the kids to want more or something different, nothing wrong with playing baseball and they may find their way back to soccer. With the lower investment it's good to know at U8 than at U9 when you are paying 2-3X the amount.


Let me get this straight -- you're arguing that it's good to put 7-year-old kids in a serious training environment without much game play because it's better to find out their interests at age 7 than at age 8?


Did you think playing intersquad is any different than playing another club at that age? Get real.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 13:05     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.


All of these pretravel programs are built to transition from rec to travel. It's good that it either drives the kids to want more or something different, nothing wrong with playing baseball and they may find their way back to soccer. With the lower investment it's good to know at U8 than at U9 when you are paying 2-3X the amount.


Let me get this straight -- you're arguing that it's good to put 7-year-old kids in a serious training environment without much game play because it's better to find out their interests at age 7 than at age 8?
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 10:23     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.


All of these pretravel programs are built to transition from rec to travel. It's good that it either drives the kids to want more or something different, nothing wrong with playing baseball and they may find their way back to soccer. With the lower investment it's good to know at U8 than at U9 when you are paying 2-3X the amount.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 09:42     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
I'm still a little skeptical of the McLean U8 program. I've known kids who gone to play in that program and turned out to be baseball players the next year.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 08:42     Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Novafam wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Novafam wrote:Does anyone have their kid trying out for the McLean Pre-travel Juniors program? Has anyone heard back? I know the second tryout for the (Jul-Dec 2010) players were cancelled twice because of the weather. They sent an email saying "please stay tuned for more information" and that was on Monday. Thanks!


Not sure of the answer, but this is a great program so good luck to you! Lots of focus on building technical skills (and WAY better than rec where you are coached by parents).


Thanks for your feedback about the program. That is exactly what I was looking forward to. My kid has eclipsed the level of talent for his age group in rec, so he'll appreciate the challenge. We heard back from the coaches and my kid made it. Do you know if they play in the recreational all-star tournaments in fall and spring?


They do not play in rec tournaments as far as I ama aware--in fact they dont play other teams at all which is one of the downsides. The kids practice together during the week, and then play each other on the weekends (coaches put them into 4 teams and they play each other for 'games').

Coming off rec, my dc missed the 'playing other teams' element--but honestly the play was much more challenging in juniors as you are playing other good kids vs a hodge podge of rec players (some decent, others not so much).



Yeah, give me a good game over a worthless trophy any day!

Focus on the development and if the previous poster is accurate your child will benefit more from the academy style of training which is train more and game less. The All stars tournaments are a joke, stay away. My kid is an academy player (not travel) for a local club and just guest played for the FPYC. I spent the following week unteaching her everything the volunteer coach taught. Long ball, no possession and some imaginary line where defensive player wasn't supposed to cross...Some clubs completely stacked teams with travel players.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2017 08:35     Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Novafam wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Novafam wrote:Does anyone have their kid trying out for the McLean Pre-travel Juniors program? Has anyone heard back? I know the second tryout for the (Jul-Dec 2010) players were cancelled twice because of the weather. They sent an email saying "please stay tuned for more information" and that was on Monday. Thanks!


Not sure of the answer, but this is a great program so good luck to you! Lots of focus on building technical skills (and WAY better than rec where you are coached by parents).


Thanks for your feedback about the program. That is exactly what I was looking forward to. My kid has eclipsed the level of talent for his age group in rec, so he'll appreciate the challenge. We heard back from the coaches and my kid made it. Do you know if they play in the recreational all-star tournaments in fall and spring?


They do not play in rec tournaments as far as I ama aware--in fact they dont play other teams at all which is one of the downsides. The kids practice together during the week, and then play each other on the weekends (coaches put them into 4 teams and they play each other for 'games').

Coming off rec, my dc missed the 'playing other teams' element--but honestly the play was much more challenging in juniors as you are playing other good kids vs a hodge podge of rec players (some decent, others not so much).



Focus on the development and if the previous poster is accurate your child will benefit more from the academy style of training which is train more and game less. The All stars tournaments are a joke, stay away. My kid is an academy player (not travel) for a local club and just guest played for the FPYC. I spent the following week unteaching her everything the volunteer coach taught. Long ball, no possession and some imaginary line where defensive player wasn't supposed to cross...Some clubs completely stacked teams with travel players.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2017 22:56     Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Novafam wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Novafam wrote:Does anyone have their kid trying out for the McLean Pre-travel Juniors program? Has anyone heard back? I know the second tryout for the (Jul-Dec 2010) players were cancelled twice because of the weather. They sent an email saying "please stay tuned for more information" and that was on Monday. Thanks!


Not sure of the answer, but this is a great program so good luck to you! Lots of focus on building technical skills (and WAY better than rec where you are coached by parents).


Thanks for your feedback about the program. That is exactly what I was looking forward to. My kid has eclipsed the level of talent for his age group in rec, so he'll appreciate the challenge. We heard back from the coaches and my kid made it. Do you know if they play in the recreational all-star tournaments in fall and spring?


They do not play in rec tournaments as far as I ama aware--in fact they dont play other teams at all which is one of the downsides. The kids practice together during the week, and then play each other on the weekends (coaches put them into 4 teams and they play each other for 'games').

Coming off rec, my dc missed the 'playing other teams' element--but honestly the play was much more challenging in juniors as you are playing other good kids vs a hodge podge of rec players (some decent, others not so much).

Novafam
Post 06/24/2017 16:14     Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:
Novafam wrote:Does anyone have their kid trying out for the McLean Pre-travel Juniors program? Has anyone heard back? I know the second tryout for the (Jul-Dec 2010) players were cancelled twice because of the weather. They sent an email saying "please stay tuned for more information" and that was on Monday. Thanks!


Not sure of the answer, but this is a great program so good luck to you! Lots of focus on building technical skills (and WAY better than rec where you are coached by parents).


Thanks for your feedback about the program. That is exactly what I was looking forward to. My kid has eclipsed the level of talent for his age group in rec, so he'll appreciate the challenge. We heard back from the coaches and my kid made it. Do you know if they play in the recreational all-star tournaments in fall and spring?
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2017 01:24     Subject: Re:Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Novafam wrote:Does anyone have their kid trying out for the McLean Pre-travel Juniors program? Has anyone heard back? I know the second tryout for the (Jul-Dec 2010) players were cancelled twice because of the weather. They sent an email saying "please stay tuned for more information" and that was on Monday. Thanks!


Not sure of the answer, but this is a great program so good luck to you! Lots of focus on building technical skills (and WAY better than rec where you are coached by parents).
Anonymous
Post 06/23/2017 18:39     Subject: Spring 2017 soccer club tryouts
Anonymous wrote:Some age groups are super competitive, so not making ADP (or travel) does not mean your kid sucks at soccer. Definitely continue with rec, but also consider looking into some private coaching. I think most of the tryouts are over now throughout the area, so your options are probably limited till next year anyway. Also, after next fall, look into the academy programs ASA is doing now, and maybe some soccer camps or clinics? Lots of training options around here.


The stats at 9 at ASA have driopped way down the rungs by 13 or burned out completely---or soccer dad pushed so hard the kid now hates the sport.

A kid's career is not over at 9.

In fact, the young superstars (minus maybe 1) I've seen over the years are mediocre at best down the line. Physical changes, kids starting later catching up and surpassing skill wise, natural competitiveness, etc.