|
|
Post by soccermom4 on May 1, 2023 8:27:01 GMT -5
For a player entering the key u17 recruiting year next year, what do you think matters more—quality of team or playing time? And do you think GA vs ECNL matters?
Without being too specific, my daughter has played on a top GA team for her age group and has had pretty good playing time. We are a little concerned that her playing time might be reduced next year as it seems like he is bringing in more players (large roster). She might have an opportunity to play for an ecnl team. Their record is pretty bad. I’m fairly certain she would get a lot of time on that team. Thoughts?
|
|
|
|
Post by diamondmid on May 1, 2023 8:51:38 GMT -5
There is no coach out there that cares about your club or high school record. Who cares about a player that sat on the bench for a championship team? Play. Play. Play. Coaches seem to scout both GA and ECNL so if your player is playing in one of those leagues- getting lots of time on the field- and doing well… that’s what they will see. Don’t worry about the record. (We’ve heard this from multiple college coaches.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 1, 2023 9:03:47 GMT -5
You hit the nail on the head when you referred to this as the "recruiting year." To me, the two most essential factors in recruitment are playing time and being on a team in the top tier, aka ECNL and GAL. College coaches and scouts do not recruit a complete squad, no matter how "stacked" it is. In my opinion, the most crucial thing is to get a lot of playing time. Being a starter is preferable. I can't speak for GAL because it is still in its early stages, but I know ECNL attracts a lot of colleges and scouts with their showcases across the country. In my opinion, GAL in the southeast is super top-heavy and does not provide as much of a challenge to opponents week in and week out compared to the ECNL...
p.s. Please don't cancel me for my GAL comments🫥
|
|
|
|
Post by soccer888 on May 1, 2023 10:26:48 GMT -5
Agreed, ECNL will get more notice than GAL in our area (unless you are TH Gold) but that's not to say a GAL standout can't get noticed. It may just take more work on your end. Team record does not necessarily matter, but it may be harder to get noticed if your ECNL or GAL team isn't in one of the top few brackets at a showcase. It seems like there is always a much larger crowd of college scouts at the bracket a, b, c games than at the bracket e, f, g games, for example. Find the right balance of a good team, lots of playing time, and a coach who cares about your player's future goals and is willing to help her achieve them.
|
|
|
|
Post by wolves97 on May 1, 2023 11:58:44 GMT -5
Not to muddy the water but serious question for those who may know…
What about a U17 who’s a 2026 Grad year (So entering Sophomore year)
Is this year as critical as it is for 2025 Grads?
|
|
|
|
Post by 04gparent on May 1, 2023 12:13:24 GMT -5
Not to muddy the water but serious question for those who may know… What about a U17 who’s a 2026 Grad year (So entering Sophomore year) Is this year as critical as it is for 2025 Grads? Things to consider for the original poster. Yes U17 year is important year for 2026s, however most colleges start tracking players before then. 1. Is the new club recruiting you? Do you have assurances of playing time? Does your kids skill match the playing style of the new club? 2. Yes colleges recruit players on the team, but if your team attracks coaches they will notice other players that are on the team as well. I have seen this impact multiple players. Good luck. Recruiting is NOT an exact science. Every player/parent has their own experience. Also for the parent asking about a fall birthday u17 you're in a great spot... IMO you have a leg up as essentially your daughter is playing up. Coaches will come to scout the 25s but will also notice the 26s that are on the field as well. Enjoy the process... |
|
|
|
Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 1, 2023 12:17:36 GMT -5
Not to muddy the water but serious question for those who may know… What about a U17 who’s a 2026 Grad year (So entering Sophomore year) Is this year as critical as it is for 2025 Grads? Aka the trap player. That is tough. I would say, work as hard as your peers to garner the recognition and familiarity with colleges and college coaches. What is great, is you get a front row seat to see what it takes to get noticed, since some of your current teammates are going through it. Additionally, I would use this year to experience that journey to learn what works and what doesn't. Chat with parents of other players to see how their journey is going and what advice or suggestions they can give you. Finally, try to perform with your peers so that even though coaches can't speak with you yet, force your performance make them wish they could chat. Sometimes, first impressions can be lasting impressions. It sets you up for success the next June 15th when they can begin chatting... Good-Luck!!! |
|
|
|
Post by wolves97 on May 2, 2023 15:52:38 GMT -5
Not to muddy the water but serious question for those who may know… What about a U17 who’s a 2026 Grad year (So entering Sophomore year) Is this year as critical as it is for 2025 Grads? Aka the trap player. That is tough. I would say, work as hard as your peers to garner the recognition and familiarity with colleges and college coaches. What is great, is you get a front row seat to see what it takes to get noticed, since some of your current teammates are going through it. Additionally, I would use this year to experience that journey to learn what works and what doesn't. Chat with parents of other players to see how their journey is going and what advice or suggestions they can give you. Finally, try to perform with your peers so that even though coaches can't speak with you yet, force your performance make them wish they could chat. Sometimes, first impressions can be lasting impressions. It sets you up for success the next June 15th when they can begin chatting... Good-Luck!!! Thank you!! |
|
og
Rec
Posts: 3
|
Post by og on May 2, 2023 23:50:54 GMT -5
1. Playing time matters
2. Quality of team will always make players look better so that matters
3. Style of play matters. College coaches have said it’s hard to recruit a player that only shows to be able to do one thing even if they are capable of doing more. Example: A center back needs to be seen composed and not just playing long balls, a center mid needs to be able to do more than just cover the space (work rate), etc. club coaches can influence this.
4. Your coach is key. Some coaches do a lot behind the scenes to help players be seen and get connected. College coaches receive thousands of emails so if a coach is putting in work or has more relationships built with coaches it’s likely your email is seen over others. Plenty club coaches don’t do that work and leave parents/players on their own.
5. Bad record doesn’t really matter but you will be seen more being on a better team due to more interest in more players, higher placement in showcases, tournaments, playoffs. This is a fact. Tophat Gold/Navy & Concorde Plat/Prem will always attract coaches because of the name. College coaches know how certain clubs and teams play.
This is for the average player. A stud on a team will always stand out regardless what team they are on and who is around them but they will benefit more by having better quality around them.
|
|
|
|
Post by soccermom4 on May 3, 2023 9:24:32 GMT -5
4. Your coach is key. Some coaches do a lot behind the scenes to help players be seen and get connected. College coaches receive thousands of emails so if a coach is putting in work or has more relationships built with coaches it’s likely your email is seen over others. Plenty club coaches don’t do that work and leave parents/players on their own. 5. Bad record doesn’t really matter but you will be seen more being on a better team due to more interest in more players, higher placement in showcases, tournaments, playoffs. This is a fact. Tophat Gold/Navy & Concorde Plat/Prem will always attract coaches because of the name. College coaches know how certain clubs and teams play. This is for the average player. A stud on a team will always stand out regardless what team they are on and who is around them but they will benefit more by having better quality around them. The whole list is helpful. Question about #4. And is it reasonable to expect your coach to be aware of which colleges are looking at your player? Or is that unusual? Also, it sounds like it’s rare for the club coaches to reach out on their behalf to the college coaches? I know the brunt of recruiting falls on the player. The player needs to email, send video highlights, reach out, etc. Also, my observation this year is that ecnl showcases attract more coaches. We have friends on bottom ecnl teams with very, very few wins who this year (10th grade year so I know it’s normal not to be as many) had 30 or more coaches at most showcase games. My daughter’s GA team (not tophat but highly ranked for their age group—only 1 loss in league play) usually had 5-15 coaches at most showcase games so far. It does make me wonder if being on an ecnl team is more important than being on a good team. |
|
|
|
Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 3, 2023 9:51:33 GMT -5
The whole list is helpful. Question about #4. And is it reasonable to expect your coach to be aware of which colleges are looking at your player? Or is that unusual? Also, it sounds like it’s rare for the club coaches to reach out on their behalf to the college coaches? I know the brunt of recruiting falls on the player. The player needs to email, send video highlights, reach out, etc. Also, my observation this year is that ecnl showcases attract more coaches. We have friends on bottom ecnl teams with very, very few wins who this year (10th grade year so I know it’s normal not to be as many) had 30 or more coaches at most showcase games. My daughter’s GA team (not tophat but highly ranked for their age group—only 1 loss in league play) usually had 5-15 coaches at most showcase games so far. It does make me wonder if being on an ecnl team is more important than being on a good team. Regarding #4, it is not reasonable to expect your coach to be aware of college interest. If your coach has a relationship with them or takes the time to reach out, maybe, otherwise they may be none the wiser. Now if you have a college recruitment coach on staff(only AU and AFU have one) colleges may reach out. Regarding coaches on the sideline, it comes down to a collective decision by ALL the players to reach out to colleges. If all 15-18 players choose to look at the list of college attendees at a showcase, then take the time to come up with 5-10 or more to contact, telling them about themselves and inviting them to their games, that generates quite a bit of interest. Players have different college needs, academic, location, conference, financial, legacy, etc. So even though college coach A comes to watch a teammate, they may notice you or someone else on the team and vice versa. I would recommend, you all get together, create an individual and team page on IG-Twitter-FB-TT, start following colleges n coaches. Post your accomplishments, team + individual from club play, tournament play and even high school play. Like each other's posts and gin up some interest. Goodluck... |
|
og
Rec
Posts: 3
|
Post by og on May 3, 2023 13:46:03 GMT -5
That’s fair. Maybe it’s just my experience. Two kids have gone through the process (1 girl and 1 boy) and have one more left that just finished her second select year u14 going u15. We were lucky to have coaches that went out of their way to help and reach out to coaches and set attainable goals based on level. We’ve also had previous coaches not be involved at all in the process. Safe to say we’re very grateful to the two coaches that helped through the whole process and had a good relationship with my kids to know their interests.
Best of luck
|
|
