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Post by egbbfb03 on Apr 28, 2021 6:09:12 GMT -5
Was speaking with a friend of mine about his kids club soccer. He is contemplating a club change for this reason but is still undecided. What are your thoughts.....
Current Club......they are out of state and son is U14. Currently plays on clubs 2nd team (ECRL) and most likely would be there again in the fall. Good competitive team but OK coach. He says this club at the 2nd level does not invest too much in individual player development but at the ECRL level he gets good competition.
Possible Club.....much smaller club and one team at his age group. Club plays in state league and a few out of state events. However, he says this coach invests solely in your kids development and is known to run great practices and do a giod job. He doesn't really care about games and results.
My friend is torn.....does he stay with the big club and in that type system or does he move to a tiny club with a different focus.
**they have no underlying issue at current club. Kid gets good playing time, etc.
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Post by footyfan on Apr 28, 2021 6:28:11 GMT -5
How do the travel times and costs compare?
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Post by egbbfb03 on Apr 28, 2021 6:42:05 GMT -5
Probably about the same maybe a bit less with smaller club.
For them travel is not a concern
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Post by footyfan on Apr 28, 2021 7:14:05 GMT -5
Some additional Qs if costs are same/less at smaller club:
How does the smaller club prove they develop kids, other than not being concerned about scores? Have they been around awhile and put kids in on varsity HS teams and/or college, and/or pros?
Do all the coaches follow a similar philosophy/curriculum?
Also, have they watched games or practice or had the child play with kids on the smaller club?
What does the child want from the sport? Dreams of pros or college: do they put in extra work at home on their own?
Dreams of HS Varsity: just goes to practice and is happy with that?
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Apr 28, 2021 8:37:19 GMT -5
Some additional Qs if costs are same/less at smaller club: How does the smaller club prove they develop kids, other than not being concerned about scores? Have they been around awhile and put kids in on varsity HS teams and/or college, and/or pros? Do all the coaches follow a similar philosophy/curriculum? Also, have they watched games or practice or had the child play with kids on the smaller club? What does the child want from the sport? Dreams of pros or college: do they put in extra work at home on their own? Dreams of HS Varsity: just goes to practice and is happy with that? Luv this, these are great questions parents n players should always ask themselves...👏👏👏 |
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Post by Brinker on Apr 28, 2021 18:01:54 GMT -5
With limited knowledge of all the specifics of your situation, I would probably stay with the big club. I think there is value in the structure and competition at ECNL or ECRL plus you get to play against all the other big programs in the region.
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Post by rifle on Apr 28, 2021 20:09:57 GMT -5
Playing competitive soccer with a coach who says he doesn’t care about the score. Honestly does not compute. And small clubs equal teams that often evaporate in a couple years.
If it were up to me, I’d stay on second team and ask to guest play on the first (if that’s desired). If the kid enjoys the current team, then STAY.
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Post by soccerparentx on Apr 29, 2021 7:49:10 GMT -5
I would make it a collaborative decision between parent and child. Ask the questions stated above about what the end game is. The majority of kids just want to play with their friends.
A lot of it could be also based on feel. So if you can observe practices or there is willingness to try and get into a different club's training session, that might help with the decision making as well.
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Post by wolves97 on Apr 30, 2021 6:17:30 GMT -5
Sort of funny because you hear the words “Coaching and Development” all the time as critical needs for a young player, but when it comes down to it most parents will take a bright shiny object in the form of an alphabet league each and every time. As if the league you’re playing in defines who you are, where you’re going, how you’ll end up there, or where you’ll eventually end up.
A coach who is truly invested in you and a good culture (assuming it also exists there) can really be something special.
A LOT of the recruiting process for soccer players is on the players themselves. The clubs (at least here) don’t do any of that for you unless you’re one of what we call “the chosen few”.
Don’t assume a small club coach isn’t capable of placing kids in colleges. I know a few who are extremely well connected and have placed kids in colleges at all levels play.
I’d say do what makes the kid happy. Either way he or she ultimately has to live with the decision.
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