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Post by soccerloafer on Mar 15, 2023 14:49:00 GMT -5
"Another thing that has become more important for us as our kids have gotten older and goals have changed- i.e., no desire to play soccer in college even if they were good enough (which they could be at a lower-level school)- is to be on a team where the players (and parents) get along and enjoy being around each other, both on & off the field. Certainly makes the out-of-town tournaments a lot more fun. These kids spend a lot of time together, so if the chemistry and comradery on the team is strong, it makes the experience a whole lot more fun. Even if it means potentially playing a level down from where you might be able to play (but the competition is still good), it can be worth it."
Agreed. One of my kid's last year was on a good team full of kids not going to college. It was a traveling social club that played soccer between meals and barhopping (parents, not kids). Much better experience than previous years on the grind.
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Post by atlsoccer123 on Mar 19, 2023 2:56:29 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! Lots of great replies. My child wants to go all the way (ECNL). He may or may not be good enough. I really have no idea, but we are the ones that are hesitant to spend all that money and travel time. My hope is he can be on a SCCL team and be happy where he is at and not terribly frustrated...a happy medium  Another thing that has become more important for us as our kids have gotten older and goals have changed- i.e., no desire to play soccer in college even if they were good enough (which they could be at a lower-level school)- is to "be on a team where the players (and parents) get along and enjoy being around each other, both on & off the field. Certainly makes the out-of-town tournaments a lot more fun. These kids spend a lot of time together, so if the chemistry and comradery on the team is strong, it makes the experience a whole lot more fun. Even if it means potentially playing a level down from where you might be able to play (but the competition is still good), it can be worth it." I couldn't agree more. The team bond with players (and parents) makes a huge difference. If the player thinks their teammates suck and the parents complain about how the parents suck - how can that be fun for anyone?? I don't think coaches/clubs look at this but it's a huge factor in the experience and how the players interact on the pitch. |
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Post by soccerdad76 on Mar 22, 2023 16:47:17 GMT -5
Took a little time away from the forum. For 2+ pages this seems like one of the friendlier threads for what could have turned ugly… really appreciate all of the comments.
I too was a rec coach and made sure every kid played about the same time and at all positions. I even tracked where they played (goalie, defense, mid, forward) and at the end of the season everyone had (nearly) the same shifts. I’m good with spreadsheets I guess.
Maybe that focus then on being fair has made me hyper aware of playing time still today. I started tracking time when at u7 or u8 my kid was splitting time at goalie (where they were never going to end up) and then wouldn’t play the entire other half in the field, so some games would only get 10-15 minutes in the field. I just got used to tracking and never stopped.
So to bring it all home, the funny thing is that my kid is not as discouraged as I am. Not over the moon, but they want to keep playing at the top level possible, and I’m more in favor of them moving down even if they make the ecnl team. I look at it as more of an analytical value proposition: what I’m putting in for fees, travel, and time vs what I’m getting out on the field. Me and the Reyna’s, right?!?
Again, I never expected it to be equal at this level, I just wish the coach would have been more up front with how “bad” it could possibly get. One kid averaging only 10 minutes a game is awful; I’m sure they weren’t told they would hardly play… who would have accepted that?
Thanks again friends 👍
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Post by diamondmid on Mar 22, 2023 17:23:12 GMT -5
I would consider moving clubs. Sometimes all it takes is fresh eyes…
It’s that time of year. If there are clubs you’d consider moving to, reach out to the coach — better yet, have your son reach out to the coach. Tell the coach where he plays, level, etc and he’s thinking about leaving. Ask the coach if he could come train and get a look. Again- it’s that time of year and it’s happening now.
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