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Post by newguy on Aug 24, 2021 11:01:40 GMT -5
Piggybacking off the number of practice question, how long do/will you drive for practice (or did you for those with older kids)? How many options would be closer but you have reasons for driving further?
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on Aug 24, 2021 11:12:31 GMT -5
Piggybacking off the number of practice question, how long do/will you drive for practice (or did you for those with older kids)? How many options would be closer but you have reasons for driving further? We have practice 21 miles away (around 30-40 minutes). We have several that are closer, but 2 are simply undesirable to me and the others don't offer the level my daughter wants/needs. That being said, one of those latter clubs is fine for my younger daughter, so she's there for now. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Aug 24, 2021 11:33:59 GMT -5
I think there are three main factors that help determine how much more you are willing to drive - level of play, club potential and Coaching. Of course this is assuming your kid is at the top level but if you don't have a top tier program DA/ECNL/MLS/etc. club near you, you'd drive far. I've known folks who drive 2 hours each way from Alabama and other parts of Georgia to Metro Atlanta. Second is the club potential and what it can do for your boy/girl. So you see this with clubs like Atlanta United and Tophat. The potential for the pro-route, YNT or top notch college programs. Finally, Coaching. As many, many folks on here know, having the right coach with the relationship to your kid is key. Those rare coaches help your child blossom, build confidence, learn good footie and are just all around good teachers of the game. So I say all this to answer your core question with my willing to do a 2hr to 2hr. 15min trip each way... No More
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 24, 2021 11:35:09 GMT -5
40 minutes for younger.
1 hour to 1 hour 15 for older.
For younger two clubs closer. One doesn't have her age group and is generally not a strong club and did not do well for older kid. Many are closer for older but has been at two and left both for better fit with club/coach/team. Though many are closer really most are gonna be right around the hour mark depending on practice location. So when choosing between 5 of the big 6 the decision would be purely fit related.
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Post by soccerdad2021 on Aug 24, 2021 12:38:17 GMT -5
2.5 hrs one way.
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Post by fan on Aug 24, 2021 20:52:35 GMT -5
10 minutes each way. I’d be ok with 30 min and we have at least a few options that close. 2 hours each way wouldn’t work for our family.
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Post by bogan on Aug 24, 2021 21:10:29 GMT -5
1 1/4 hours each way.
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Post by rifle on Aug 25, 2021 7:45:24 GMT -5
I know traffic is bad in ATL but 1hr plus3-4x per week is insanity. Nothing like doing homework in the car.
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Post by bogan on Aug 25, 2021 8:01:07 GMT -5
I know traffic is bad in ATL but 1hr plus3-4x per week is insanity. Nothing like doing homework in the car. Yep-my son has a schedule: come home from school, work out, eat, we drive him to practice-he does his homework on the way. Usually sleeps on the way back (don’t get home until 11:00 some nights). Wash, rinse, repeat. Wish we had better (any) options where I live but no… |
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Post by flix on Aug 25, 2021 8:07:29 GMT -5
I know traffic is bad in ATL but 1hr plus3-4x per week is insanity. Nothing like doing homework in the car. I agree. A lot of people suggest the closest club when kids are younger but then drive 2 hours in middle or high school when homework is really difficult? Seems to me you drive longer distances when they are younger because school is easier and it’s more important where they to get the basics. I am very surprised to see clubs charging these ecnl fees and only have 3 practices a week, especially when there are Academy teams that train 3 times a week. Those extra hours add up in my opinion. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 25, 2021 9:50:19 GMT -5
I know traffic is bad in ATL but 1hr plus3-4x per week is insanity. Nothing like doing homework in the car. I agree. A lot of people suggest the closest club when kids are younger but then drive 2 hours in middle or high school when homework is really difficult? Seems to me you drive longer distances when they are younger because school is easier and it’s more important where they to get the basics. I am very surprised to see clubs charging these ecnl fees and only have 3 practices a week, especially when there are Academy teams that train 3 times a week. Those extra hours add up in my opinion. So there are a few problems with your plan. When they are younger there is less of a chance that they will stick it out. The practices are generally earlier so it may be impossible to drive that far and get them there on time and with both parents having a job. Many times the basics can be taught on their own at home or with a private trainer better than at practice where there are more distractions. When they are older the kids that want to play in college need to go where the better coaches/connections and history are so they can have better chance of being recruited where they want to. The quality of the players around you is very important nto developing speed of play. Better leagues unfortunately matter in recruiting. It may seem insanity to drive that far but many people have no choice depending on where they live. There are clubs in rural areas but when you outgrow that club you gotta move on. We know several girls from Jefferson who play at Tophat and GSA and Concorde all of which are quite a drive. We know girls from Conyers area that went to UFA. Kids from all over criss cross the city to find a good fit. It is a shame to drive that far but when you are told you are too small for GSA but UFA takes you because you have skills sometimes you just do it. That kid was under 100 lbs and about 5 feet tall at U14 and at U16 is 5 foot 8 and is a girl. So people do what they think is best for their kids. I think that girl did the right thing. |
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Post by flix on Aug 25, 2021 11:28:39 GMT -5
I agree. A lot of people suggest the closest club when kids are younger but then drive 2 hours in middle or high school when homework is really difficult? Seems to me you drive longer distances when they are younger because school is easier and it’s more important where they to get the basics. I am very surprised to see clubs charging these ecnl fees and only have 3 practices a week, especially when there are Academy teams that train 3 times a week. Those extra hours add up in my opinion. So there are a few problems with your plan. When they are younger there is less of a chance that they will stick it out. The practices are generally earlier so it may be impossible to drive that far and get them there on time and with both parents having a job. Many times the basics can be taught on their own at home or with a private trainer better than at practice where there are more distractions. When they are older the kids that want to play in college need to go where the better coaches/connections and history are so they can have better chance of being recruited where they want to. The quality of the players around you is very important nto developing speed of play. Better leagues unfortunately matter in recruiting. It may seem insanity to drive that far but many people have no choice depending on where they live. There are clubs in rural areas but when you outgrow that club you gotta move on. We know several girls from Jefferson who play at Tophat and GSA and Concorde all of which are quite a drive. We know girls from Conyers area that went to UFA. Kids from all over criss cross the city to find a good fit. It is a shame to drive that far but when you are told you are too small for GSA but UFA takes you because you have skills sometimes you just do it. That kid was under 100 lbs and about 5 feet tall at U14 and at U16 is 5 foot 8 and is a girl. So people do what they think is best for their kids. I think that girl did the right thing. I get everything you are saying however I still think there are a fair number of kids who behind the 8 ball by staying close to home at the younger ages. I haven’t seen too many parents who can’t get their kids to practice. You have clubs that have camp in the middle of the afternoon, so at times the only people who can get their kids there are people who are self employed or have a stay at home spouse. A lot of parents may not have extra money nor know where to find a trainer. I can see getting a trainer when you are older but why should you have to pay extra for young ages? I’m speaking about boys soccer and not girls as it may be different. The overall point is if you are willing to drive one or two hours when they are older, some people should consider this for younger ages also. I get it that everyone may not agree but then someone may not agree with driving two hours one way. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 25, 2021 11:43:36 GMT -5
So there are a few problems with your plan. When they are younger there is less of a chance that they will stick it out. The practices are generally earlier so it may be impossible to drive that far and get them there on time and with both parents having a job. Many times the basics can be taught on their own at home or with a private trainer better than at practice where there are more distractions. When they are older the kids that want to play in college need to go where the better coaches/connections and history are so they can have better chance of being recruited where they want to. The quality of the players around you is very important nto developing speed of play. Better leagues unfortunately matter in recruiting. It may seem insanity to drive that far but many people have no choice depending on where they live. There are clubs in rural areas but when you outgrow that club you gotta move on. We know several girls from Jefferson who play at Tophat and GSA and Concorde all of which are quite a drive. We know girls from Conyers area that went to UFA. Kids from all over criss cross the city to find a good fit. It is a shame to drive that far but when you are told you are too small for GSA but UFA takes you because you have skills sometimes you just do it. That kid was under 100 lbs and about 5 feet tall at U14 and at U16 is 5 foot 8 and is a girl. So people do what they think is best for their kids. I think that girl did the right thing. I get everything you are saying however I still think there are a fair number of kids who behind the 8 ball by staying close to home at the younger ages. I haven’t seen too many parents who can’t get their kids to practice. You have clubs that have camp in the middle of the afternoon, so at times the only people who can get their kids there are people who are self employed or have a stay at home spouse. A lot of parents may not have extra money nor know where to find a trainer. I can see getting a trainer when you are older but why should you have to pay extra for young ages? I’m speaking about boys soccer and not girls as it may be different. The overall point is if you are willing to drive one or two hours when they are older, some people should consider this for younger ages also. I get it that everyone may not agree but then someone may not agree with driving two hours one way. Maybe I misunderstood you. I am not saying you should NOT drive that far for younger ones if you can make it work. I thought you meant drive far for the young ones but NOT for the older ones. We drove our second kid 1 hour last year for a great coach. This year we are a little closer for a coach we think is a great fit, but I did drive her to a very far away club to check out their pre-tryout camp to see if it was a good fit. For me it is all about the fit. Coach fit. Team fit. Level fit in that order when young. |
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Post by rifle on Aug 25, 2021 16:26:27 GMT -5
I’d rather move….
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Post by bogan on Aug 25, 2021 16:41:28 GMT -5
If it were an option, I would…believe me. |
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Post by 0507coop23dad on Aug 25, 2021 18:30:27 GMT -5
If they’re being a pain in the arse, then maybe halfway.
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Post by atlfutboldad on Aug 26, 2021 9:12:36 GMT -5
Extra hours really do add up when you're talking about private training. Team training, not as much. An hour of private training is worth 3 hours of team training in terms of individual development.
We live an hour away from ATL, my kid has played at 3 clubs within 45 minutes of our home for academy and now at AFU for 3+ years (50-55 minute drive). AFU is a much better club than the other 3 and its still a long ways behind NTH and Concorde due to talent/skill levels, especially when the best kids leave every year. You do what you have to for your kids to have access to the best resources available that you can afford (speaking of which...TOCA prices are getting crazy).
I'm happy she's in HS this year and club ends in January.
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