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Post by ajmama on Mar 25, 2021 20:36:14 GMT -5
Our U9 son wants to try out for a new academy for next year, and we're not sure how that works. He went from rec to academy at his current club based on a coach's recommendation, so we've never really looked at other academies. Since they all have tryouts at the same time, does he have to check them out ahead of time and choose one to try out with? Are we allowed to email the clubs with questions if he's on another academy team right now? How do we know if a given club is likely to have space in its u10 academy next year? These are probably stupid questions, but we would appreciate any guidance anyone can offer. Many thanks.
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Post by justwatching on Mar 26, 2021 9:34:23 GMT -5
Our U9 son wants to try out for a new academy for next year, and we're not sure how that works. He went from rec to academy at his current club based on a coach's recommendation, so we've never really looked at other academies. Since they all have tryouts at the same time, does he have to check them out ahead of time and choose one to try out with? Are we allowed to email the clubs with questions if he's on another academy team right now? How do we know if a given club is likely to have space in its u10 academy next year? These are probably stupid questions, but we would appreciate any guidance anyone can offer. Many thanks. Yes, you can and should email questions to the club director to get information. They likely will not be able to speak specifically about your kid but can give you some information. You also should go and watch the club's coaches you are interested in. Watch their training session and games if you can. Hopefully, you narrow your list based on your observations and then at tryouts you can go to the couple that you are interested in. |
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Post by soccerparent02 on Mar 28, 2021 12:01:08 GMT -5
Please do your research. Also know your goals for your child and what your vhild desires for soccer as these impact where you go. Kids in it only for fun, rec is good. Kids wanting a little more competition, a bigger club program may be needed. Will say by u13/14, best players in state gravitate to the big 5 clubs as their teams tend to be tops in age group in southeast and US. Good luck!
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Post by rifle on Mar 28, 2021 13:00:35 GMT -5
Please do your research. Also know your goals for your child and what your vhild desires for soccer as these impact where you go. Kids in it only for fun, rec is good. Kids wanting a little more competition, a bigger club program may be needed. Will say by u13/14, best players in state gravitate to the big 5 clubs as their teams tend to be tops in age group in southeast and US. Good luck! This is the absolute truth although I see a lot of kids moving to destination clubs a bit later. There are numerous options in between that can be a great fit for a LOT of players - but 90% of the top dogs end up in the destination clubs by the time they are 16. |
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Post by ajmama on Mar 29, 2021 15:38:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. We're trying to do our research, though I am not sure exactly what we should be asking. I would say our son is between rec and academy. His ball skills are pretty good, but he was born at the end of December, and he's also small for his age, so he gets knocked down a lot. He also gets outrun by the bigger kids, and he finds that discouraging. My husband and I had been thinking that he should switch to rec, but he's been doing a lot of training sessions since November and has improved dramatically (more than he'd improved in the prior couple years). I wish we'd realized the importance of private training sessions earlier because I think smaller, younger players have to be more skilled than their peers just to feel average. So now our son wants to try a different club (hopefully one more focused on development and one that uses positive coaching techniques), and because he's been working so hard, we're inclined to let him. So far, Rush Union looks like what we're looking for, but we haven't found any other clubs that look right. We would welcome suggestions. The Buckhead fields are closer to us (with AIS being closest to our house), but we're willing to drive an extra 20 minutes (the amount of extra time required to get to and from Rush Union, according to Google maps) a day for a positive environment for our son. Thanks so much!
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Post by oraclesfriend on Mar 29, 2021 16:01:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. We're trying to do our research, though I am not sure exactly what we should be asking. I would say our son is between rec and academy. His ball skills are pretty good, but he was born at the end of December, and he's also small for his age, so he gets knocked down a lot. He also gets outrun by the bigger kids, and he finds that discouraging. My husband and I had been thinking that he should switch to rec, but he's been doing a lot of training sessions since November and has improved dramatically (more than he'd improved in the prior couple years). I wish we'd realized the importance of private training sessions earlier because I think smaller, younger players have to be more skilled than their peers just to feel average. So now our son wants to try a different club (hopefully one more focused on development and one that uses positive coaching techniques), and because he's been working so hard, we're inclined to let him. So far, Rush Union looks like what we're looking for, but we haven't found any other clubs that look right. We would welcome suggestions. The Buckhead fields are closer to us (with AIS being closest to our house), but we're willing to drive an extra 20 minutes (the amount of extra time required to get to and from Rush Union, according to Google maps) a day for a positive environment for our son. Thanks so much! Sounds like you are on the right track. Looking for a positive environment and focus on development. Those two things are the most important. If they aren't having fun and/or it is hurting their confidence then you are not in the right environment. Small kids and end of age group kids have the hardest time especially if they don't have serious speed and skills. Keep him working on skills and getting in the right place are key. Good luck! |
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Post by Keeper on Mar 29, 2021 20:33:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. We're trying to do our research, though I am not sure exactly what we should be asking. I would say our son is between rec and academy. His ball skills are pretty good, but he was born at the end of December, and he's also small for his age, so he gets knocked down a lot. He also gets outrun by the bigger kids, and he finds that discouraging. My husband and I had been thinking that he should switch to rec, but he's been doing a lot of training sessions since November and has improved dramatically (more than he'd improved in the prior couple years). I wish we'd realized the importance of private training sessions earlier because I think smaller, younger players have to be more skilled than their peers just to feel average. So now our son wants to try a different club (hopefully one more focused on development and one that uses positive coaching techniques), and because he's been working so hard, we're inclined to let him. So far, Rush Union looks like what we're looking for, but we haven't found any other clubs that look right. We would welcome suggestions. The Buckhead fields are closer to us (with AIS being closest to our house), but we're willing to drive an extra 20 minutes (the amount of extra time required to get to and from Rush Union, according to Google maps) a day for a positive environment for our son. Thanks so much! You’re on the right track if you’re leaning towards Rush Union / old Chiefs FC. They’re on the smaller side but all about development over academy wins. They still follow the Chiefs way which is all inclusive, no cuts in Academy / take everyone who wants to play, and pool style with a lot of roster movement. So for a smaller Fall/Winter Bday it’s a good spot as it’s about teaching and not just winning. That can be tough for some parents which is why they’re small and struggle to keep kids out of Concorde though. Good friend of mine coaches there and he talks about how the staff feels like a family. I’ve been trying to drag him out of there for years but he’s too invested in the relationships he’s built with the players and families if that helps give you a little more insight into them. |
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Post by newguy on Mar 30, 2021 19:24:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. We're trying to do our research, though I am not sure exactly what we should be asking. I would say our son is between rec and academy. His ball skills are pretty good, but he was born at the end of December, and he's also small for his age, so he gets knocked down a lot. He also gets outrun by the bigger kids, and he finds that discouraging. My husband and I had been thinking that he should switch to rec, but he's been doing a lot of training sessions since November and has improved dramatically (more than he'd improved in the prior couple years). I wish we'd realized the importance of private training sessions earlier because I think smaller, younger players have to be more skilled than their peers just to feel average. So now our son wants to try a different club (hopefully one more focused on development and one that uses positive coaching techniques), and because he's been working so hard, we're inclined to let him. So far, Rush Union looks like what we're looking for, but we haven't found any other clubs that look right. We would welcome suggestions. The Buckhead fields are closer to us (with AIS being closest to our house), but we're willing to drive an extra 20 minutes (the amount of extra time required to get to and from Rush Union, according to Google maps) a day for a positive environment for our son. Thanks so much! Given your apparent location have you looked into the Buckhead SSA team? That’s where we are leaning but as my username says, I’m far from knowing anything about this yet. |
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Post by ajmama on Mar 30, 2021 20:06:28 GMT -5
We have SSA Northside on our list (along with UFA Metro and Concorde-AIS) just based on proximity to our house. Rush Union is the only one so far that looks like what our son needs, though. That said, we need to do more research. Do you know where SSA Northside academy teams practice? They have a bunch of fields listed, but I imagine most of those are for rec. What do you like about SSA?
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Post by newguy on Mar 30, 2021 21:25:25 GMT -5
We have SSA Northside on our list (along with UFA Metro and Concorde-AIS) just based on proximity to our house. Rush Union is the only one so far that looks like what our son needs, though. That said, we need to do more research. Do you know where SSA Northside academy teams practice? They have a bunch of fields listed, but I imagine most of those are for rec. What do you like about SSA? We are in Buckhead and as you know options are a little limited if you want to stay close. We started there for pre academy and ours enjoyed it. We also have several neighbors who play there at various levels both boys and girls and have not heard any serious complaints other than dealing with a lot of rainouts. It feels to us like a good “middle ground” with the benefits of being part of a bigger club with a little less pressure as we try and figure out how good a player we have. Main field is Galloway with Sutton MS and Wieuca Baptist being in the rotation. I’m sure others will have more information that I guarantee is more informed but hope this helps and thanks to those who have paved these trails for giving any advice to us newbies because it’s a damn confusing landscape out there. |
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