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Post by footy on Sept 23, 2016 19:32:25 GMT -5
For high school age players who want to might play in college or possibly pro, does DA trump non-DA in that it is year-round and offers multiple exposures to scouts? I would say No, and that it depends on the quality of the DA team, but I've heard others disagree. On the flip side, many quality players with college hopes turn down chances at DA for various reasons.
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Post by alacrity174 on Sept 26, 2016 8:17:45 GMT -5
Good question and one which I don't see a definitive answer for. If you are an exceptional player (The only ones who realistically have a chance of going pro), then I would hope you are playing on an MLS DA team. If you are a good player and have a wish to play in college then DA of any flavor or NPL/RPL is still a good option, lots of exposure to college coaches and chances to play at a high level. You can still achieve college exposure at Classic 1 level but it takes a lot more work contacting college coaches and getting yourself infront of them.
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Post by guest on Sept 26, 2016 8:21:15 GMT -5
Let's keep the political postings to the other forum (ha, ha)
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 26, 2016 8:36:38 GMT -5
Too hard to give an overall blanket answer. If kids work hard enough and are quality players they can play in college. The question is on what level given their are so many options. Playing pro is another complete story and I would never tell anyone or a kid not to chase their dreams, but at some point one needs to be realistic.
For the top tier player the superstar, the phenom, there is no question DA is where you need and want to be. US soccer scouts are at every game and often attend training sessions. Regardless if they never make a US youth national roster, they develop a name and are recognized, especially if there teams move on to the playoffs.
In my experiences at the end of the day, kids want to play, so regardless of what level the team is or isn't, kids want to play in the game, and play more than 1/2 a game. DA substitution rules are restrictive. Each kid needs to make that decision, less playing time on a better team vs more playing time on a lesser team. Its typically an easy decision for the top players, they play a lot of minutes and get the majority of starts. Its much harder for players 12-16 on a DA roster, where maybe they are better suited for a RPL or classic team but still are great players.
At the end of the day, we has parents and kids as players soon all realize there is more to life than soccer. The question is at what age do the kids and parents figure that out!
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coop
Jr. Academy
Posts: 12
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Post by coop on Sept 26, 2016 10:37:51 GMT -5
My opinion: Yes, any DA is better than no DA with the exception of senior year in high school. Reasoning: -Most of the best players in each age group will be playing DA; -Most of the best coaching will be in DA; -Most of the best training will be in DA; -The best college and pro exposure will be in DA; -And most importantly, there is less risk of injury playing DA: -There is more of an emphasis on stretching, conditioning, and nutrition in DA; -Non-DA players will typically play club soccer and middle school/high school soccer at the same time (there is no outside soccer participation of any kind allowed for DA players); -More games and more practices increase injury risk (especially playing with/against lower skill-set players); -An elite 6th grader in middle school or 9th grader in high school will undoubtedly make the "A" team at his/her school but the physical differences between an 11 year old 6th grader and a 13/14 year old 8th grader in middle school and a 14 year old 9th grader and an 18/19 year old 12th grader are immense. Couple the sheer size and power of these players with lower skills and body control and you have a recipe for injury. Two additional points on this: -Currently DA programs are a year off, skewed to the older side, from academy age groups, meaning DA begins at U12 for 2004s (twelve year olds) while academy U12 is 2005s (eleven year olds). Hopefully that will change next year with equivalent alignment throughout and 6th grade elite players will be protected from middle school soccer (yes, a handful of 2005s made DA this year and it was wise for them to accept!). -We made the wrong decision on this, so I speak from experience: Son made a DA team as a 2005 but opted to stay with his own team/coach for one more year and play middle school soccer for one season. He was the only 6th grader (11 year old) to make the "A" team, loaded with 13/14 year old 8th graders from CF and Alianza. Second practice - broken ankle blocking the most powerful shot he'd ever come up against from 5 feet away. He'll finally be back in another week or two, at least in time for Orlando. More than half his top academy 2005 U12 team is made up of likely DA players next year (and at least 3 that should have been on one this year) and they are all playing soccer right now at their respective middle schools. I really can only hope they stay injury free. Had the powers that be realigned DA age groups this year or had some clubs wisely offered more (or any) 2005s a spot (especially one certain club), these players would have been protected. The less big decisions they can leave to idiot parents like me the better!
With all of that said, I would make the exception for senior year high school players for these reasons: -The player has most likely been through the DA pipeline and therefore is already a known quantity and knows his/her future; -The player would be at the top of his/her physical development relative to the other players, limiting injury risk; -It would most likely be the last time the player would be able to enjoy playing the sport with friends and possibly siblings -The player would still be able to improve his/her elite skills in targeted high level camps, ODP participation, etc.
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2316
Jr. Academy
Posts: 66
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Post by 2316 on Sept 26, 2016 12:41:27 GMT -5
I looked at the list of teams for the Disney junior showcase and saw 13 u12 DA teams playing in the tournament. Does anyone have any knowledge how these teams are allowed to play in the tournament because my understanding was sense the tournament was not following the da rules of one game a day that da teams could not play. Any insight is appreciated
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 26, 2016 12:52:45 GMT -5
I heard the same thing that a few local u12 DA teams inquired but were told they would not be allowed to go nor that they would have a separate DA division for the 12s. Now that was very early on, and I never spoke to anyone else about the subject again. team list: events.gotsport.com/events/teamlist.aspx?eventid=52945
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Post by allthingsoccer on Sept 26, 2016 14:58:11 GMT -5
I heard that they decided to do it and was waiting on permission from USSAF. They got the permission so they now have 03' DA and 04' DA brackets. For the 04's, depending on the teams, I heard two shorter games on Friday and standard one on Sunday. They will try to mix it up so you dont play anyone from your state.
We already got accepted and hotel.
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