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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 20, 2014 15:45:34 GMT -5
As I said previously I don't think teams should play up unless it's a very special circumstance, I don't see any top u 12 team consistently beating everyone of comparable competition by four or five goals every week. Most people in their late 30's or 40's remember playing 11 v 11 when they were 10 years or so, I know I did. It wasn't until a decade or so ago that teams were mandated to play 8 v 8 at U12 and 6 v 6 at U10, because of that our young players are much further along today technically/tactically versus a decade ago. Think about a female goalkeeper at 11 or 12 being asked to defend the same area/goal size that Hope Solo does, they lack the vertical range and height to do so, too many games on the wrong side of a 5-0 loss because balls are going past her that realistically she can't save, she will probably get demoralized and quit soccer.
As I said above unless it's a very special circumstance, kids should play within their own age group, a U13 classic 3 team is not the same quality of a top u 12 team. I've been in coaching 12 years and I can say maybe two teams I've ever seem could have realistically played up: The current TH 17 Gold team: they haven't lost to an in state team in three or four years I believe, they played a year up in Athena A a few years ago and finished in 1st or 2nd I think, the other was Terry Wilson's old U10/U11 TYSA boys team back in the early 2000's, the team was a very special group that was National level. I don't know of any teams of Georgia that are comparable to that level. Gaucho's U14 team at UFA which won the National Championship is maybe another but don't know if they ever played up.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 20, 2014 13:49:43 GMT -5
We were told that the ODP field selection is awarded to the cheapest bidder. Driving to Canton ODP sessions from Savannah on Sundays was challenging. Driving there on a Friday was brutal, taking over six hours regardless of the route we took. GA Soccer had complete disregard for the geographic challenge. I'm not sure that's the case, I'm sure most clubs don't want 4 or 5 teams practicing on their fields on a Friday night after they spent the entire day lining the fields in preparation for games the next day, or hosting 3 to 4 teams on a Sunday with a crowded game schedule. As far as the travel to Metro Atlanta is concerned I may be mistaken but I think players in Savannah can try for Florida ODP, I know when I was with the 97 Boys we had a player that lived in Chattanooga and played club in Chattanooga on the GA team.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2014 22:44:47 GMT -5
I don't think GA Soccer determines the venues, I believe it's the clubs that offer their locations and open them up to the ODP teams, maybe clubs don't offer due to field space or not wanting additional impact on their fields. My first year in ODP the boys practiced at the East Cobb YMCA, then next year a few sessions were at Silverbacks Park, then two years at South Forsyth Complex (UFA) and we've been at RYSA the last two years, I believe the girls were in Gainesville last year. I will say last year we practiced on Friday nights at RYSA and trying to get out there by 7pm in 5:00pm traffic was a tall order.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2014 17:27:44 GMT -5
I'm in Greenville, SC this weekend coaching multiple games so do I get extra credit for two and a half hours travel each way?
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2014 17:25:48 GMT -5
Whew that is a lot to cover. I'll start with my philosophy that unless you are at the very top of the hierarchy, then everything up to U19 or so should be about developing players. Winning games should be secondary -- not that it isn't important, but that you should not do so at the cost of developing players. With that philosophy, I'm not a fan of guest players JUST for helping the team win, ESPECIALLY at the cost of playing time for the players that were selected for the team. I'm also not a fan of leaving your best players on the field for the entire game while some players don't even get a half game of time. We have coaches out there with Classic 2 teams who act like this is professional soccer. They forget that these kids all have hopes and dreams and feelings, and that winning games definitely isn't everything to them. I agree with all you've said. Even though my child is on a top level team, I want to see her develop. She is in her last year of youth soccer, and I want to see her continue to learn. Thankfully, her coach is concerned about the development of all of his players, not just a few of them. Here's a question for the coaches. How do you balance your relationship with the parents? I've seen some coaches get to familiar, but others are so distant. Our club must direct the coaches to keep parents at arms length. I can't think of many coaches over the course of several years that I feel the least bit comfortable around. I don't need them to be my friend, but I would like to feel as I know my child and know a little bit about soccer. I try to have a balance in regards to off field interactions with parents and players mainly due to perceptions of fairness, speaking for myself I'm not from Atlanta nor do I have any family here so these players and parents are almost like a second family to me, it's hard not to have some form of emotional investment into the players after being with a group for three to four years. I've been to my players Letter of Intent Signings at their High Schools, reached out to colleges on their behalf, organized a team visit when one of them tore her ACL, we all stopped by her house to lift her spirits after her surgery, even when you have to make those hard decisions as a coach and make changes within the team I have always tried to help players secure a spot on a new team even at a different club. I try to do right by people as best as I can, forget the wins and losses, your integrity/character as a coach I believe is the biggest defining attribute. As far as the parents go we hang out in the lobby at tournaments or go out to eat as a team, I'm always available to talk with them about their child and answer any questions, but try to keep the off field socialization at arms length, mainly to protect perceptions and myself. I know some coaches that avoid parents like the plague, one even said "parents are good for two things: getting their kids to practice and writing the check"....I couldn't believe it, I guess I'm just old school, I don't view my players as commodities.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2014 12:51:32 GMT -5
Happy 1 year anniversary to the forum, since we were asked to contribute a topic that would generate many responses for the monthly contest I thought I would start this one. What qualities are important in a coach are important to you as a parent? In disclosure I've been a club, high school, college and ODP coach for the last 12 years and I'm always amazed as to what parents will accept from a coach, especially if it's a high level winning team, that in a normal relationship that they would probably not allow. Off the top of my head here are some examples: Verbal Abuse- what do you allow and what do you interpret as verbal abuse, motivation or "tough love" Is the character of a coach relevant to his/her coaching ability? Many will say that what they do off the field is their own business and that as long as it's doesn't impact the team/kids that's it's not their concern. I would say for some kids that their parents/coaches may be their primary role models because they may lack a tangible example at home. I played and traveled extensively growing up and honestly I don't remember the trophies, wins, etc but I do remember the life lessons/teachable moments my coaches imparted on me and those moments had more impact on me as a person outside the athletic arena. I've seen some parents act apathetic in regards to a coaches arrest for DUI's and/or behavior issues, some with multiple offenses, since it's away from the field does that matter or no? Would you be happy with a player that never practiced with the team but started every game because she was an impact player and helped the team win, even if it was at your child's expense? If your team had scholarship player(s) that were well off financially but because they were an impact player were allowed to have a free ride, would you be ok with that? What if the additional team fees for those scholarship players were being passed onto the parents without their knowledge/consent? If your team has 15 players, all are healthy and your coach wants to bring in three guest players for a tournament which displaces your child and their playing time, how would you react to that? What message does that send? What if your daughter is on a ECNL club second team and they bring in five ECNL players to play with them and they have 18 players? How patient are you as a parent in regards to a club/coach philosophy? True development takes time maybe at the expense of initially winning games, not to say development and winning are mutually exclusive but what are your expectations as a parent?I know some players that have been at three clubs in three years and haven't even reached the age of 14 yet. The reality is that most coaches are judged on wins/losses and if the team isn't winning then parents will seek other options even if everyone on the team is improving. In order for players to get better they have to be allowed to take risk and make mistakes, those mistakes may impact the result but many coaches will not allow their players that freedom and micro manage every aspect of the game. A simple example: someone mentioned in a previous post about young defenders and the ODP selection progress, many club coaches will not allow defenders to build out of the back or learn to switch the point of attack because he/she may lose possession in front of the goal and result in a goal, so instead they just "boot it" upfield which typically results in a 50/50 situation. Even at the ODP level we have to work on this because many players aren't allowed to do so on their club teams. The beauty of ODP is that it's not results based and geared to individual player exposure so they are allowed that freedom without fear of mistakes. Well that's a start, feel free to chime in accordingly
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 19, 2014 12:12:38 GMT -5
Clubs and/or teams do this under the assumption that they need to transition to 11 v 11 at U12 to prepare for the following u13 season or that they need to do it for competitive purposes, smaller clubs may do it because they maybe lack the depth to field two competitive teams at that age but can have one stronger team. As a coach unless it's a very special circumstance I don't really agree with that philosophy, is there not enough competition between all the area clubs that one or two U12 teams are vastly superior to everyone else? I'm not sure that's the case. If it's for 11 v 11 purposes why not just stay at U12 and schedule games for your top team for 11 v 11 and the other teams stay at 8 v 8 at least for the Fall season. Don't take this the wrong way as I'm not maligning c2/c3 soccer but other than the physical element in playing against kids a year older, the speed and technical ability between a top u12 c1 team versus a classic 3 U13 team is vastly different....the speed of play/thought, technical ability, first touch, tactical acumen etc is night and day. That would be like the U12 Gold team at Tophat playing the U13 White team (Athena C), the U12 team would probably not get any benefit from that game.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 18, 2014 14:21:04 GMT -5
A couple of suggestions: Ask the coach what he/she felt your son did well in addition to areas of improvement, this will give you tangible things to work on next year if he wants to try out again, I'm surprised many parents do not take advantage of this opportunity to get feedback that could benefit their child, maybe you did, not to imply you didn't but in my experience in ODP parents don't seem to ask. Some kids don't show well in a tryout setting for various reasons, some of which may not be of their own doing however I would encourage kids to make themselves visible, be vocal (in a positive way), be proactive during games (not waiting for something to happen) and maximize every opportunity to be productive when they get the ball. Some players may be passive during the game and that's the only real opportunity they have to make an impression. As much as the coaches try to get it right players can get overlooked, it happens at all levels of sports, even in the pro's when they have done background checks and scouted players for years. There are opportunities to get a second look once the teams are picked, I would encourage your coach and or DOC to reach out if you feel your son is capable. We had three boys make the state pool after getting a second look and one was an impact player. Parents complain about politics and lobbying but in my six years of being involved in ODP no one has ever told me I had to take a particular player, additionally a coaches credibility is on the line if he/she recommends someone and they don't deliver, coaches will be less likely to take input from that individual in the future. Just remember every situation is an opportunity for personal growth, even the setbacks, framed correctly a potential roadblock can be a catalyst to push a player beyond what he/she may think they are capable of. Hopefully everything will work out and best of luck I am so glad that I read your post. I tracked down the lead evaluator and he remembered exactly who my daughter was! He gave very positive feedback. He was extremely helpful and his feedback was just what my daughter needed to hear (that she was noticed and now needs to get that "stand out" factor working). Tryouts was a very positive experience and a great life's lesson for her. Thanks again! I'm glad I could help and that your daughter had a positive experience at tryouts. I know people question some coaches selection process but having been involved with ODP the last six years I can honestly say that most of the coaches I know and myself always want to try "to get it right" and don't have any ulterior motives/agenda. It's not a perfect science, kids mature physically and emotionally at different rates, some may be a super star at 11/12 and fall back to the pack by the time they reach 14/15, conversely I've seen some late bloomers really shine once they reach high school age. I encourage players to get feedback during the tryout process and really focus on those areas in case they want to try out again next year, like I said before every hurdle is an opportunity to get better provided it's framed in the proper manner.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 10, 2014 14:26:01 GMT -5
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 9, 2014 14:53:23 GMT -5
I read about this yesterday I was very disturbed especially in regards to the cover up in the aftermath of the event. Siri Mullinix who is the Clemson assistant is a former UNC alum and GK for the US Women's National team, needless to say she will probably never get a college coaching job again.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 8, 2014 15:10:32 GMT -5
Good luck and hope everything goes well for your daughter
To answer your questions:
players are asked not to wear any club affiliated clothing to ODP tryouts, she will get a T shirt to tryout in, plain black shorts or any solid color is fine.
Tryout for the position that will provide the best opportunity for success, at the ODP level you typically don't see field/GK players, I've coached a few that did both for their club team but if you make ODP as a goalkeeper that's where you will play, if you are attending multiple sessions you could one night tryout in the field and one night in the goal, if you are only attending one tryout session I would ask the evaluators at your session for their advice, they typically take the GK's by themselves and put them through technical sessions and then rejoin for the games.
As for additional pointers see the post below this one "01-03 ODP process....." I posted a few suggestions in that post.
again as I said above, pick the position that gives your daughter the best opportunity for success, not sure what age group your daughter is trying out for but most ODP teams typically carry three to four goalkeepers and thirty plus field players.
Best of luck to you and hope it works out
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 8, 2014 13:51:17 GMT -5
A couple of suggestions:
Ask the coach what he/she felt your son did well in addition to areas of improvement, this will give you tangible things to work on next year if he wants to try out again, I'm surprised many parents do not take advantage of this opportunity to get feedback that could benefit their child, maybe you did, not to imply you didn't but in my experience in ODP parents don't seem to ask.
Some kids don't show well in a tryout setting for various reasons, some of which may not be of their own doing however I would encourage kids to make themselves visible, be vocal (in a positive way), be proactive during games (not waiting for something to happen) and maximize every opportunity to be productive when they get the ball. Some players may be passive during the game and that's the only real opportunity they have to make an impression.
As much as the coaches try to get it right players can get overlooked, it happens at all levels of sports, even in the pro's when they have done background checks and scouted players for years. There are opportunities to get a second look once the teams are picked, I would encourage your coach and or DOC to reach out if you feel your son is capable. We had three boys make the state pool after getting a second look and one was an impact player. Parents complain about politics and lobbying but in my six years of being involved in ODP no one has ever told me I had to take a particular player, additionally a coaches credibility is on the line if he/she recommends someone and they don't deliver, coaches will be less likely to take input from that individual in the future.
Just remember every situation is an opportunity for personal growth, even the setbacks, framed correctly a potential roadblock can be a catalyst to push a player beyond what he/she may think they are capable of.
Hopefully everything will work out and best of luck
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 8, 2014 9:22:18 GMT -5
Best answer I can give- Anyone can have a kid, not everyone can be a good parent. Fortunately of all the teams I've been involved with we've never had this type of behavior from the parents.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Sept 6, 2014 14:39:34 GMT -5
Heard TH Gold beat Roswell today 7-0 not sure if that is,correct or not
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Post by soccerfan30 on Aug 27, 2014 7:18:34 GMT -5
UFA Fall Classic would probably be your best bet for post season fall tournament.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Aug 26, 2014 11:30:17 GMT -5
As a coach I'm of the belief that fitness should be incorporated with the ball, if the sessions are set up properly and the level is kept high throughout the players will improve their aerobic and anaerobic fitness base. Obviously there will be some occasional down time when going over tactics, positions, formations, etc but over the course of 90 minutes to two hours for a session the players should be getting what they need. Nothing makes me cringe more than a coach running players for an hour, doing hills, etc all the time but neglect the technical aspects. At our club we have a certified strength and conditioning coach that teams can go to once a week where they do more fitness oriented work: beep test, ladders, parachutes, hurdles, agility and such.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Jun 1, 2014 15:24:12 GMT -5
TH should be right back near the top for the coming year, TC is taking over the team with several confirmed new additions for next year.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Apr 30, 2014 10:45:03 GMT -5
I guess the fact that the goalkeeper got beat near post was lost on the writer as well.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Apr 11, 2014 7:52:53 GMT -5
Why do teams seem surprised by spring Break? Schedule around it from the beginning, and play the games. Not sure with your team but we have eight different schools represented on our team, both public and private schools with varying weeks of Spring Break. Since GA Soccer only allows you to blackout three days (not weekends) you can't cover every weekend to accommodate the players and families, many families plan/pay for these vacations months in advance and are not going to cancel it, although it's frustrating. So if we have 5 to 7 players out for each of those spring breaks and we cannot club pass players due to the rules, we simply cannot "just play the game" with 8 to 10 players.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Apr 10, 2014 11:55:48 GMT -5
See the GA Soccer Rules regarding club passing players www.georgiasoccer.org/assets/pdfs/Club_Pass_Policy.pdfnote item #4- U12 Academy players can only club pass to their respective clubs U13 first and second team. If you are on the third or fourth team and don't have a team below you to draw from you are out of luck unfortunately. I think the rule needs to be changed, most families on Athena A and/or B teams are typically more committed and will forego other activities to make all if not most of the games. Many families on third and fourth teams tend to be less committed and do other sports during the soccer season, those are the teams that probably need the help the most in terms of player availability.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Apr 9, 2014 16:52:51 GMT -5
Saw that TopHat Blue in Athena D didn't make the trip to Savannah this weekend and forfeited the game. We made the trip last weekend. Tophat didn't forfeit because they didn't want to make the trip, due to public school break they only had nine players out of 16 to play. Since TH Blue is their fourth team they cannot club pass to help with numbers, per GA Soccer rules U12 Academy players can only club pass to a clubs first or second U13 team, since Savannah was reluctant to try to work reschedule even after the season has been extended a week, the team didn't have any recourse but to forfeit, which wasn't what the team wanted to do.
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