shaka
Jr. Academy
Posts: 96
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Post by shaka on Oct 17, 2019 22:40:37 GMT -5
After reading a previous thread, I was wondering why the criticism of friendlies and tournament play for an Academy program? I understand the cost issue - what else would be the problem?
It made me wonder, how do other countries develop their Academy age soccer players? How much training versus games?
Typically younger players feel like it's a "real" game if they're wearing their uniform and there's a referee thus having official standings doesn't seem necessary at U12 & below. Does anyone have personal experience and knowledge?
Thinking of you FG...
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Post by atlfutboldad on Oct 18, 2019 9:38:17 GMT -5
I don't think anyone is disparaging friendlies and tournaments. I think it was more about having to TRAVEL for all of them. I'd agree that most academy players don't care about checking the standings.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Oct 18, 2019 9:44:17 GMT -5
shaka, for the most part, you and I are in agreement. However, where I have a problem with TH is in two areas. First, I'm unaware of this being told to the parents/players prior to committing to the team/club. Secondly and more importantly, we employ the pay 2 play model. I think you shouldn't be charging what you're charging, just to scrimmage teams within your own club year round, ALONE. Plus, you shouldn't have to shell out even more money to go play in tournaments. I'm not saying parents/players would have left, but at least they would have made an informed decision. Instead of the quiet grumblings currently festering under the surface. So to answer your question about the rest of the world, that I cannot answer. But my experience in Europe was like this. Academy teams are assembled as early as the age of 7. Usually till you're about 10 you practice 2/3 times per week. After 10 it goes up to 4 days a week of practice. You play other local clubs AND you scrimmage/play other teams within your club based on skills, etc. Based on age and skill-set, you also play in both local, domestic and international tournaments. Now, we have to insert the caveat that most of these youth development academies are associated with Pro Clubs so the costs are "free" Oh and they tend to play on the weekends. Using the U12 TH age group as an example, I do like what Ted is doing with the pool of players and constantly tweaking who should stay on Gold 1 or Gold 2, Milton, etc. I do like that he's challenging them by taking them to higher level tournaments like WAGs etc. I think it breeds a different type of player mentally and physically. However, find them a series of regular season weekly games against other clubs. Otherwise, it's like inbreeding since technically, all teams within a club should be playing the same style of soccer. If other clubs at U12 are scared to play them, then schedule games against their older age groups, or the 2nd, 3rd teams.
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shaka
Jr. Academy
Posts: 96
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Post by shaka on Oct 18, 2019 21:32:01 GMT -5
shaka, for the most part, you and I are in agreement. However, where I have a problem with TH is in two areas. First, I'm unaware of this being told to the parents/players prior to committing to the team/club. Secondly and more importantly, we employ the pay 2 play model. I think you shouldn't be charging what you're charging, just to scrimmage teams within your own club year round, ALONE. Plus, you shouldn't have to shell out even more money to go play in tournaments. I'm not saying parents/players would have left, but at least they would have made an informed decision. Instead of the quiet grumblings currently festering under the surface. So to answer your question about the rest of the world, that I cannot answer. But my experience in Europe was like this. Academy teams are assembled as early as the age of 7. Usually till you're about 10 you practice 2/3 times per week. After 10 it goes up to 4 days a week of practice. You play other local clubs AND you scrimmage/play other teams within your club based on skills, etc. Based on age and skill-set, you also play in both local, domestic and international tournaments. Now, we have to insert the caveat that most of these youth development academies are associated with Pro Clubs so the costs are "free" Oh and they tend to play on the weekends. Using the U12 TH age group as an example, I do like what Ted is doing with the pool of players and constantly tweaking who should stay on Gold 1 or Gold 2, Milton, etc. I do like that he's challenging them by taking them to higher level tournaments like WAGs etc. I think it breeds a different type of player mentally and physically. However, find them a series of regular season weekly games against other clubs. Otherwise, it's like inbreeding since technically, all teams within a club should be playing the same style of soccer. If other clubs at U12 are scared to play them, then schedule games against their older age groups, or the 2nd, 3rd teams. Good explanation & rationale. |
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