Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2023 19:07:35 GMT -5
What's the deal with UFA threatening players who go to other ECNL or club ID Sessions? All I hear is how players are scared because they may get dropped, especially on the girls side. Just wondering what everyone's experiences are and how can we fix this as parents?
|
|
|
|
Post by greenmonkey on May 10, 2023 19:21:53 GMT -5
What's the deal with UFA threatening players who go to other ECNL or club ID Sessions? All I hear is how players are scared because they may get dropped, especially on the girls side. Just wondering what everyone's experiences are and how can we fix this as parents? Yes this happens although our experience was with the ECRL coach not ECNL but definitely “threats” made about players being dropped and calls made directly to players from coach to make a decision immediately or the player would be dropped. No idea how to fix it. We have had team meetings with Club Directors in prior years with no changes to the outcome. |
|
|
|
Post by Whistledown on May 10, 2023 19:57:44 GMT -5
What's the deal with UFA threatening players who go to other ECNL or club ID Sessions? All I hear is how players are scared because they may get dropped, especially on the girls side. Just wondering what everyone's experiences are and how can we fix this as parents? All clubs do that. |
|
|
|
Post by jamsoccer on May 10, 2023 20:43:58 GMT -5
What's the deal with UFA threatening players who go to other ECNL or club ID Sessions? All I hear is how players are scared because they may get dropped, especially on the girls side. Just wondering what everyone's experiences are and how can we fix this as parents? record them- get them to put it in writing and stir up other parents who feel trapped too- appealing to the public is the best way to deal w corruption when it starts at the top- goes for any bad behavior at any club |
|
|
|
Post by coffee on May 10, 2023 20:52:08 GMT -5
What's the deal with UFA threatening players who go to other ECNL or club ID Sessions? All I hear is how players are scared because they may get dropped, especially on the girls side. Just wondering what everyone's experiences are and how can we fix this as parents? Yes this happens although our experience was with the ECRL coach not ECNL but definitely “threats” made about players being dropped and calls made directly to players from coach to make a decision immediately or the player would be dropped. I can confirm this incident. This is 100% true. In that particular incident, a player from the UFA team relayed back to the coach specific names of girls she talked to that made the mistake of admitting to their teammate that they were at the AFU ID camp. If you’re not openly telling your club (as we did) that you’re playing the same game they are and getting looks at other clubs, you had better practice good OpSec (operational security). Tell the other girls from your team that show up at the other club to ‘tell no one.’ I long ago stopped being frightened of that threat. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. It’s a free market, as far as I’m concerned. Having said that, I realize that maybe easier when you create highlight videos to send to coaches. Actual results may vary. |
|
|
|
Post by soccer888 on May 10, 2023 21:25:57 GMT -5
All the big clubs do it. They will drop players, threaten parents, and begin recruiting outside the club starting in late April. They all hold tryouts at the same time to make sure your options are limited, despite the fact that you are the paying customer. "They all do it" doesn't mean it's right, but it's awfully hard to fight against. Be prepared to walk away from your current club if you're looking around in May - because people always find out. If testing the waters is what's best for your player, then so be it. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by coffee on May 10, 2023 21:59:39 GMT -5
All the big clubs do it. They will drop players, threaten parents… Maybe, but there has been only one that we’ve witnessed, and we’ve been with Rush, Tophat, UFA, and AFU. I believe that this isn’t a club thing as much as a coach thing. I think it’s specific coaches that’ll do it. It’s not systemic in clubs. |
|
|
|
Post by atlrumors on May 10, 2023 22:44:59 GMT -5
They know players are on the fence, especially the oldest three ages in ecnl. The only way to try and keep them is through fear. RED FLAG. Best of luck playing for those types of coaches.
Almost as bad as SSA last year making players commit before tryouts. I think there was a thread about that too…
|
|
|
|
Post by Oceanready on May 10, 2023 22:58:13 GMT -5
Unfortunately this also happens at other clubs, but I feel that it is a coach thing but at the end of the day, the coach represents the club. I find that attending other clubs’ ID Clinics or training sessions gets the most discussion and don’t think for a second that it will not get back to your coach, because it will. Be aware that coaches talk to each other and everyone knows everyone. This should not deter any parent from allowing their child to exercise their options, because clubs are not hesitant when they make decisions that affect our children. It would be ideal (I know I am dreaming) if coaches would offer spots (and some do) early and communicate to the players not offered spots the reasons why. That way players know where they stand ahead of time.
|
|
|
|
Post by soccernoleuk on May 11, 2023 5:52:05 GMT -5
All the big clubs do it. They will drop players, threaten parents… Maybe, but there has been only one that we’ve witnessed, and we’ve been with Rush, Tophat, UFA, and AFU. I believe that this isn’t a club thing as much as a coach thing. I think it’s specific coaches that’ll do it. It’s not systemic in clubs. I witnessed it at AFU last year. I have also witnessed players from outside the club attending training sessions starting in mid-April (so much for that May 1 date). I don't know that this is club wide, but certain coaches certainly do this. |
|
|
|
Post by atlnoleg on May 11, 2023 5:59:59 GMT -5
We reached out to our coach prior to ID camps to ask point blank about our kid's status and he wouldn't say either way. If the coach can't commit to your kid, they have zero standing to complain if you look at other clubs.
|
|
|
|
Post by kidsocceruber on May 11, 2023 7:55:03 GMT -5
It's not just the big clubs, even Ambush does it to a degree. Some coaches just get butt hurt that you're thinking about playing elsewhere and will hold it against you. We know they all schedule tryouts on the same nights to limit you and force your hand, with the (idle?) threat you MUST ATTEND ALL THREE NIGHTS of tryouts, and if you did miss one to go somewhere else you're on their $hit list.
|
|
|
|
Post by soccer888 on May 11, 2023 8:14:26 GMT -5
The only way to try and keep them is through fear. RED FLAG. Best of luck playing for those types of coaches. Almost as bad as SSA last year making players commit before tryouts. I think there was a thread about that too… Not just last year. Their deadline to accept an early offer (supposedly about half of each team) is next week. |
|
|
|
Post by mightydawg on May 11, 2023 9:07:29 GMT -5
The only way to try and keep them is through fear. RED FLAG. Best of luck playing for those types of coaches. Almost as bad as SSA last year making players commit before tryouts. I think there was a thread about that too… Not just last year. Their deadline to accept an early offer (supposedly about half of each team) is next week. I have no problem with what SSA is doing. In fact, I wish all clubs would do that. They are giving offers so that if you want to be on that team you can accept the offer and your spot is secure. This lets both the club and player know exactly where they stand going into tryouts. If you are not happy with the team that you are offered, you are free to decline the offer and tryout for a new team. How is this a bad thing? Isn't that what many people in the thread are asking for--to know exactly where they stand before tryouts? |
|
|
|
Post by atlnoleg on May 11, 2023 9:22:08 GMT -5
Not just last year. Their deadline to accept an early offer (supposedly about half of each team) is next week. I have no problem with what SSA is doing. In fact, I wish all clubs would do that. They are giving offers so that if you want to be on that team you can accept the offer and your spot is secure. This lets both the club and player know exactly where they stand going into tryouts. If you are not happy with the team that you are offered, you are free to decline the offer and tryout for a new team. How is this a bad thing? Isn't that what many people in the thread are asking for--to know exactly where they stand before tryouts? If they are as candid with the kids they are going to drop as they are with the ones they want to keep, then I think it's great. |
|
|
|
Post by mightydawg on May 11, 2023 9:43:33 GMT -5
I have no problem with what SSA is doing. In fact, I wish all clubs would do that. They are giving offers so that if you want to be on that team you can accept the offer and your spot is secure. This lets both the club and player know exactly where they stand going into tryouts. If you are not happy with the team that you are offered, you are free to decline the offer and tryout for a new team. How is this a bad thing? Isn't that what many people in the thread are asking for--to know exactly where they stand before tryouts? If they are as candid with the kids they are going to drop as they are with the ones they want to keep, then I think it's great. Clubs should place kids into one of three areas: 1. we want you back and you have an offer. 2. you are on the bubble, here is what you need to work on or what we need to see from you 3. you are not going to be on the same team, here is what you need to work on. If SSA is giving out early offers and you do not receive one, you know you fit into bucket 2 or 3. It would be nice if they would tell you what bucket you are in but at least you know you need to have options. The worst thing a club can do is lead a kid to believe they have a spot on the same team and then drop them after 3 days of tryouts. |
|
|
|
Post by atlnoleg on May 11, 2023 10:02:26 GMT -5
If they are as candid with the kids they are going to drop as they are with the ones they want to keep, then I think it's great. Clubs should place kids into one of three areas: 1. we want you back and you have an offer. 2. you are on the bubble, here is what you need to work on or what we need to see from you 3. you are not going to be on the same team, here is what you need to work on. If SSA is giving out early offers and you do not receive one, you know you fit into bucket 2 or 3. It would be nice if they would tell you what bucket you are in but at least you know you need to have options. The worst thing a club can do is lead a kid to believe they have a spot on the same team and then drop them after 3 days of tryouts. If the club/coach is directly telling each player this information then all is good. If it's all rumor, word of mouth from parents who say their kid got an offer or didn't, then no bueno. If SSA is doing the former, then I think that's all any parent can ask for. |
|
|
|
Post by soccer888 on May 11, 2023 10:02:43 GMT -5
Not just last year. Their deadline to accept an early offer (supposedly about half of each team) is next week. I have no problem with what SSA is doing. In fact, I wish all clubs would do that. They are giving offers so that if you want to be on that team you can accept the offer and your spot is secure. This lets both the club and player know exactly where they stand going into tryouts. If you are not happy with the team that you are offered, you are free to decline the offer and tryout for a new team. How is this a bad thing? Isn't that what many people in the thread are asking for--to know exactly where they stand before tryouts? I get your point for sure, I guess it just seems odd to commit when you don't know what the team will look like yet. By June 1, the make up of players could be completely different than what you thought it would be, if the top 9-10 don't also early commit. It just feels rushed to me, I guess? The few people I know over there seem to be more stressed vs less. I don't have a stake in it either way, though. Just sharing info. |
|
|
|
Post by dabe on May 11, 2023 10:10:43 GMT -5
If they are as candid with the kids they are going to drop as they are with the ones they want to keep, then I think it's great. Clubs should place kids into one of three areas: 1. we want you back and you have an offer. 2. you are on the bubble, here is what you need to work on or what we need to see from you 3. you are not going to be on the same team, here is what you need to work on. If SSA is giving out early offers and you do not receive one, you know you fit into bucket 2 or 3. It would be nice if they would tell you what bucket you are in but at least you know you need to have options. The worst thing a club can do is lead a kid to believe they have a spot on the same team and then drop them after 3 days of tryouts. I've always wondered how bucket 2 or 3 works when someone is an ECNL/GA player that made nationals. I feel in those instances coaches need to be telling families a couple months before tryouts. "Hey don't spend a million dollars on a trip to California, because your kid isn't coming back next year" or maybe kids who get cut still go? |
|
|
|
Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on May 11, 2023 10:20:24 GMT -5
I have no problem with what SSA is doing. In fact, I wish all clubs would do that. They are giving offers so that if you want to be on that team you can accept the offer and your spot is secure. This lets both the club and player know exactly where they stand going into tryouts. If you are not happy with the team that you are offered, you are free to decline the offer and tryout for a new team. How is this a bad thing? Isn't that what many people in the thread are asking for--to know exactly where they stand before tryouts? I get your point for sure, I guess it just seems odd to commit when you don't know what the team will look like yet. By June 1, the make up of players could be completely different than what you thought it would be, if the top 9-10 don't also early commit. It just feels rushed to me, I guess? The few people I know over there seem to be more stressed vs less. I don't have a stake in it either way, though. Just sharing info. They should ask the coach - who have you offered and which ones have committed? Who else do you plan to offer? And talk to the parents - ask returning players if they plan to stay, ask new players if they’ll take a spot if it’s offered, etc. They don’t have to disclose that they got an offer when they do this, BTW. You can usually get a sense of who is genuinely interested in being on the team by how much you see them at practices. |
|
|
|
Post by mightydawg on May 11, 2023 11:18:33 GMT -5
Clubs should place kids into one of three areas: 1. we want you back and you have an offer. 2. you are on the bubble, here is what you need to work on or what we need to see from you 3. you are not going to be on the same team, here is what you need to work on. If SSA is giving out early offers and you do not receive one, you know you fit into bucket 2 or 3. It would be nice if they would tell you what bucket you are in but at least you know you need to have options. The worst thing a club can do is lead a kid to believe they have a spot on the same team and then drop them after 3 days of tryouts. I've always wondered how bucket 2 or 3 works when someone is an ECNL/GA player that made nationals. I feel in those instances coaches need to be telling families a couple months before tryouts. "Hey don't spend a million dollars on a trip to California, because your kid isn't coming back next year" or maybe kids who get cut still go? Nationals is a tough deal period. For the boys, you have a week in Greensboro, NC. If you are lucky enough to make it out of the playoffs to the ECNL finals, that is another 4 or 5 days in Norco, CA on less than 2 weeks notice. For the girls, it is a week in San Diego and then another 4 or 5 days in Richmond. It is an expensive proposition for all families. Even though a player makes a commitment to a team, if a player is not going to be back with the team, it is tough to justify that amount of time and money. |
|
|
|
Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on May 11, 2023 12:09:07 GMT -5
If they are as candid with the kids they are going to drop as they are with the ones they want to keep, then I think it's great. Clubs should place kids into one of three areas: 1. we want you back and you have an offer. 2. you are on the bubble, here is what you need to work on or what we need to see from you 3. you are not going to be on the same team, here is what you need to work on. If SSA is giving out early offers and you do not receive one, you know you fit into bucket 2 or 3. It would be nice if they would tell you what bucket you are in but at least you know you need to have options. The worst thing a club can do is lead a kid to believe they have a spot on the same team and then drop them after 3 days of tryouts. That would never happen. It is a money making business. If you tell kid 1 they arent going to make it they will immediately go elsewhere and you lost that revenue. They would rather keep them around long enough so when cut from team 2 they have to stay there for team 3 or whatever. |
|
|
|
Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on May 11, 2023 12:12:30 GMT -5
Clubs should place kids into one of three areas: 1. we want you back and you have an offer. 2. you are on the bubble, here is what you need to work on or what we need to see from you 3. you are not going to be on the same team, here is what you need to work on. If SSA is giving out early offers and you do not receive one, you know you fit into bucket 2 or 3. It would be nice if they would tell you what bucket you are in but at least you know you need to have options. The worst thing a club can do is lead a kid to believe they have a spot on the same team and then drop them after 3 days of tryouts. I've always wondered how bucket 2 or 3 works when someone is an ECNL/GA player that made nationals. I feel in those instances coaches need to be telling families a couple months before tryouts. "Hey don't spend a million dollars on a trip to California, because your kid isn't coming back next year" or maybe kids who get cut still go? You are still part of the team that made it to national. Might be awkward but you can still go. If you are new to a club making nationals I heard something about another date and needing your old club to release you before going to nationals with new team. Granted the team has space for the new player. |
|
|
|
Post by oraclesfriend on May 11, 2023 13:02:07 GMT -5
I get your point for sure, I guess it just seems odd to commit when you don't know what the team will look like yet. By June 1, the make up of players could be completely different than what you thought it would be, if the top 9-10 don't also early commit. It just feels rushed to me, I guess? The few people I know over there seem to be more stressed vs less. I don't have a stake in it either way, though. Just sharing info. They should ask the coach - who have you offered and which ones have committed? Who else do you plan to offer? And talk to the parents - ask returning players if they plan to stay, ask new players if they’ll take a spot if it’s offered, etc. They don’t have to disclose that they got an offer when they do this, BTW. You can usually get a sense of who is genuinely interested in being on the team by how much you see them at practices. So many parents do not tell the truth about whether they are staying or going so that can be an issue getting the knowledge that you want. Also what if you think you might want to leave? Sometimes people are not sure. If this is truly about what is best for kids (it isn’t from the clubs’ standpoint as they are there to make a buck) then the current club should give the offer ahead of time but not tell them that they have to decide before tryouts. Maybe tell them they need to say yes or no after the first night of tryouts? That lets them know they are wanted at their current club but gives them a chance to see if another place would be better for them. In my experience, at the GA/ECNL level for U16 and up, most kids stay at their current club if they are wanted/getting adequate playing time unless the coach is a true jerk. You might have a couple that move but over 80% stay. This is not as true from U13-15 where people will sometimes move for other reasons. It is funny because those 2-4 kids that move cause such a ripple effect |
|
rotgg
Jr. Academy
Posts: 90
|
Post by rotgg on May 12, 2023 7:09:46 GMT -5
Every year your child should tryout for at least two clubs even if your not thinking of moving!!
|
|
|
|
Post by geauxsoccer on May 12, 2023 11:43:47 GMT -5
Has this been known to happen at all levels or is it specific to certain age groups/levels? My daughter really enjoyed the UFA ID clinic so this is very unfortunate to hear.
|
|
|
|
Post by kickinondaweekend on May 12, 2023 12:43:27 GMT -5
It unfortunately happens at every level and at all of the major clubs in the Atlanta area, but it is occurs the most from U13 and older and especially within the ENCL/ENCL-R levels. It occurs because the Directors care more about protecting their 6-figure paychecks than about why these clubs were first started...for player development! It also occurs because parents refuse to take the necessary steps to hold coaches, directors and Club Management accountable for the actions or lack of development. Bottom line...it comes down to the fact that all of the clubs these days lack one major thing...accountability!
|
|
|
|
Post by soccer888 on May 12, 2023 12:54:58 GMT -5
It can also depend on the status of the team that year. Did they do well? Did they do awful? Are a lot of players leaving? At U13-U15, there is often a ton of movement and (just based on my observations) it seems like coaches are frantically trying to keep the good players and save face for themselves if it was a bad year. They don't really care much about the customers who are paying all the $ into this out-of-control big business that is youth soccer.
|
|
|
|
Post by boysoccermom on May 12, 2023 13:15:15 GMT -5
I am a former UFA mom and this is why we left. My experience was not about player development at all rather recruit and replace.
|
|
|
|
Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 12, 2023 13:23:19 GMT -5
Every year your child should tryout for at least two clubs even if your not thinking of moving!! Sorry not Sorry, but I disagree. Like Bosses, Coaches have the most massive of egos. The moment you start looking elsewhere (and the snitches do what they do best) they are ready to write you off. Not something I would risk. Now, just like work, you should not wait till tryouts to know where you stand with the coach, team, club. If you are unsure, have a calm informational gathering meeting with the coach and be honest about wanting to stay or leave based on the feedback you get from your kid and the coach. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the parents have all the power. Some of us are just very reluctant to use it for fear of repercussions. Piggybacking off of this, the question you should be asking is why are you looking to leave? Is it to get on a higher level team? Is it to get on a winning team? Is it to play with friends? Is it to be trained and learn from a particular coach, etc.? I am a firm believer in doing your homework prior to arriving at a club. Now I realize that there are sometimes extenuating circumstances, but I say if you're playing in a top league and you're getting good playing time and you're developing and there are no abuses, stay put. The grass is not always greener and sometimes soccer echoes life. There will always be challenges to overcome... p.s. For the record, no one owns your kid, not even the pro-clubs 🤭 |
|
