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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 20, 2024 9:00:55 GMT -5
I have a player who took off the year after a disappointing season at the ECNL-R level. Team was strong in the league, but not a fun environment with a coach who is non-stop yelling and talking--during practices and games--and too much time standing around listening to his sermons rather than actually doing anything with the ball at practices. Kid lost spot and we couldn't make it work and didn't think it was worth the effort to play down given our logistics as a family. Kid has always indicated wanting to try again next year. Played Fall middle school soccer with a team comprised of many club players. This year had growth spurt, ran track, and plays futsal. Strongly prefers to rejoin previous team. I reached out to this coach to ask to join practices as a discovery player to get ready for ID and tryouts so player could be evaluated. Coach was pleasant but non-commital, wait and see sort of response. This is same coach described above, although he won't be the coach next season. Not sure what to do. Reach out again for a firm answer or write it off and look elsewhere? Who would I reach out to for a trial ahead of ID sessions? Only interested in ECNL/RL. Given he's not playing anywhere currently, there should be no issues with "tampering".
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Post by newguy on Mar 20, 2024 9:42:28 GMT -5
I have a player who took off the year after a disappointing season at the ECNL-R level. Team was strong in the league, but not a fun environment with a coach who is non-stop yelling and talking--during practices and games--and too much time standing around listening to his sermons rather than actually doing anything with the ball at practices. Kid lost spot and we couldn't make it work and didn't think it was worth the effort to play down given our logistics as a family. Kid has always indicated wanting to try again next year. Played Fall middle school soccer with a team comprised of many club players. This year had growth spurt, ran track, and plays futsal. Strongly prefers to rejoin previous team. I reached out to this coach to ask to join practices as a discovery player to get ready for ID and tryouts so player could be evaluated. Coach was pleasant but non-commital, wait and see sort of response. This is same coach described above, although he won't be the coach next season. Not sure what to do. Reach out again for a firm answer or write it off and look elsewhere? Who would I reach out to for a trial ahead of ID sessions? Only interested in ECNL/RL. Given he's not playing anywhere currently, there should be no issues with "tampering". My two cents, which is more than it’s worth, you have a very reasonable and compelling story here and I would think the DOC would likely agree. That should take it out of the coaches hands. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Mar 20, 2024 10:22:36 GMT -5
I would also add: If possible, find out from the DOC who the coach is going to be next season. Once you do, reach out to them with the same offer. This way, they get to see your son play and can truly evaluate him. It shows initiative & commitment, and you're more likely to get an honest assessment and maybe even an offer prior to the hullabaloo of tryouts. Good Luck...
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 20, 2024 10:24:32 GMT -5
I have a player who took off the year after a disappointing season at the ECNL-R level. Team was strong in the league, but not a fun environment with a coach who is non-stop yelling and talking--during practices and games--and too much time standing around listening to his sermons rather than actually doing anything with the ball at practices. Kid lost spot and we couldn't make it work and didn't think it was worth the effort to play down given our logistics as a family. Kid has always indicated wanting to try again next year. Played Fall middle school soccer with a team comprised of many club players. This year had growth spurt, ran track, and plays futsal. Strongly prefers to rejoin previous team. I reached out to this coach to ask to join practices as a discovery player to get ready for ID and tryouts so player could be evaluated. Coach was pleasant but non-commital, wait and see sort of response. This is same coach described above, although he won't be the coach next season. Not sure what to do. Reach out again for a firm answer or write it off and look elsewhere? Who would I reach out to for a trial ahead of ID sessions? Only interested in ECNL/RL. Given he's not playing anywhere currently, there should be no issues with "tampering". My two cents, which is more than it’s worth, you have a very reasonable and compelling story here and I would think the DOC would likely agree. That should take it out of the coaches hands. I appreciate the response. This is where things get complicated. The DOC and this coach are very intertwined. Not sure how to navigate that without it looking like I went over his head. |
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 20, 2024 10:52:05 GMT -5
I would also add: If possible, find out from the DOC who the coach is going to be next season. Once you do, reach out to them with the same offer. This way, they get to see your son play and can truly evaluate him. It shows initiative & commitment, and you're more likely to get an honest assessment and maybe even an offer prior to the hullabaloo of tryouts. Good Luck... Thanks for the reply. An honest assessment is all I'm asking for. Like I told newguy, the problem with going to the DOC is he has a symbiotic relationship with the current coach, who hasn't given me a yes or no to joining practices yet. I doubt I will get an answer on who the next coach will be, although there are rumors it could be a coach we previously had. I've thought about reaching out that coach but I don't know if it would be awkward since he hasn't been announced he'll be the coach for the team we're wanting to re-join. |
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Post by playfromtheback on Mar 20, 2024 12:44:09 GMT -5
Understanding that the DOC and the former coach have their relationship, could you reach out to the DOC and acknowledge that you reached out to coach x, but in thinking about it could your son train with who ever will be coaching that team next season so that he/she can see the progress he has made?
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 20, 2024 13:19:35 GMT -5
I'm a bit leery of stepping on the toes of current coach. He hasn't said no, just pushed it off and I don't know how long I should wait before I move on and try reaching out to another club.
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on Mar 20, 2024 13:31:14 GMT -5
I'm a bit leery of stepping on the toes of current coach. He hasn't said no, just pushed it off and I don't know how long I should wait before I move on and try reaching out to another club. I would ask again. Do not be afraid to be your child’s advocate because no one else will be and these coaches simply don’t care unless you push. Once you ask again, if he’s not clear in his answer to you, that’s when you go to the DOC. “Hey I’ve asked a few times and just not sure where we stand, can you help?” |
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Post by mightydawg on Mar 20, 2024 15:28:54 GMT -5
I would give it a few weeks. Those teams are still in season, competing for playoff spots, etc. Mid-April and May is when players normally start coming to practices. For most teams, the spring season just started 2 weeks ago.
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Mar 20, 2024 15:39:04 GMT -5
Why not look at a different club?
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 20, 2024 17:43:44 GMT -5
Why not look at a different club? I’m open to it. Kid would prefer to be with old team. Would reaching out to the DOC of other clubs be the best way? |
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Post by randomparent on Mar 20, 2024 23:26:49 GMT -5
I have a player who took off the year after a disappointing season at the ECNL-R level. Team was strong in the league, but not a fun environment with a coach who is non-stop yelling and talking--during practices and games--and too much time standing around listening to his sermons rather than actually doing anything with the ball at practices. Kid lost spot and we couldn't make it work and didn't think it was worth the effort to play down given our logistics as a family. Kid has always indicated wanting to try again next year. Played Fall middle school soccer with a team comprised of many club players. This year had growth spurt, ran track, and plays futsal. Strongly prefers to rejoin previous team. I reached out to this coach to ask to join practices as a discovery player to get ready for ID and tryouts so player could be evaluated. Coach was pleasant but non-commital, wait and see sort of response. This is same coach described above, although he won't be the coach next season. Not sure what to do. Reach out again for a firm answer or write it off and look elsewhere? Who would I reach out to for a trial ahead of ID sessions? Only interested in ECNL/RL. Given he's not playing anywhere currently, there should be no issues with "tampering". Just a thought, don't hate me for it. But when your kid is a bubble player every year is a chore, every year is anxiety driven, every year you question what is fair and right, every year is a struggle to keep your head above water. This comes from a parent with multiple boys playing ECNL down to SCCL. Just go play SCCL close to home. After a month you will forget about RL/NL. Or change clubs. Make an RL team or MLS Next team somewhere else, hopefully not but many people that do this drive two hours to practice every night and in a year regret it and just go play SCCL closer to home or quit all together. Last strategy is to hire the DOC to do private training lol, money is always a great motivator and way to get access and have doors opened for you. if your kid has made that much of an improvement maybe that is the trick. That is usually not the case but sometimes it is. |
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 21, 2024 6:07:05 GMT -5
I have a player who took off the year after a disappointing season at the ECNL-R level. Team was strong in the league, but not a fun environment with a coach who is non-stop yelling and talking--during practices and games--and too much time standing around listening to his sermons rather than actually doing anything with the ball at practices. Kid lost spot and we couldn't make it work and didn't think it was worth the effort to play down given our logistics as a family. Kid has always indicated wanting to try again next year. Played Fall middle school soccer with a team comprised of many club players. This year had growth spurt, ran track, and plays futsal. Strongly prefers to rejoin previous team. I reached out to this coach to ask to join practices as a discovery player to get ready for ID and tryouts so player could be evaluated. Coach was pleasant but non-commital, wait and see sort of response. This is same coach described above, although he won't be the coach next season. Not sure what to do. Reach out again for a firm answer or write it off and look elsewhere? Who would I reach out to for a trial ahead of ID sessions? Only interested in ECNL/RL. Given he's not playing anywhere currently, there should be no issues with "tampering". Just a thought, don't hate me for it. But when your kid is a bubble player every year is a chore, every year is anxiety driven, every year you question what is fair and right, every year is a struggle to keep your head above water. This comes from a parent with multiple boys playing ECNL down to SCCL. Just go play SCCL close to home. After a month you will forget about RL/NL. Or change clubs. Make an RL team or MLS Next team somewhere else, hopefully not but many people that do this drive two hours to practice every night and in a year regret it and just go play SCCL closer to home or quit all together. Last strategy is to hire the DOC to do private training lol, money is always a great motivator and way to get access and have doors opened for you. if your kid has made that much of an improvement maybe that is the trick. That is usually not the case but sometimes it is. First off, I have nothing but love for this post, so no worries. LOL. I agree with everything you wrote. If kid wants to play club and is cool with SCCL, it would have to be closer to home. With another kid at the current club it would not be feasible as it's already a hike and practices would definitely be even further away for SCCL and who knows what days. There aren't a lot of options nearby unfortunately. I really just want a fair and honest evaluation. If kid looks like a good candidate to make the team, we'll be at ID/Tryouts. If not, thanks for your time. I've told kid that it's not realistic to just show up at any ID cold unless you are a head taller and built like a tank, which isn't the case. Wherever we decide to tryout I want to make contact first to join a practice and get some honest feedback. Thanks for the response! |
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Post by randomparent on Mar 21, 2024 8:40:59 GMT -5
Just a thought, don't hate me for it. But when your kid is a bubble player every year is a chore, every year is anxiety driven, every year you question what is fair and right, every year is a struggle to keep your head above water. This comes from a parent with multiple boys playing ECNL down to SCCL. Just go play SCCL close to home. After a month you will forget about RL/NL. Or change clubs. Make an RL team or MLS Next team somewhere else, hopefully not but many people that do this drive two hours to practice every night and in a year regret it and just go play SCCL closer to home or quit all together. Last strategy is to hire the DOC to do private training lol, money is always a great motivator and way to get access and have doors opened for you. if your kid has made that much of an improvement maybe that is the trick. That is usually not the case but sometimes it is. First off, I have nothing but love for this post, so no worries. LOL. I agree with everything you wrote. If kid wants to play club and is cool with SCCL, it would have to be closer to home. With another kid at the current club it would not be feasible as it's already a hike and practices would definitely be even further away for SCCL and who knows what days. There aren't a lot of options nearby unfortunately. I really just want a fair and honest evaluation. If kid looks like a good candidate to make the team, we'll be at ID/Tryouts. If not, thanks for your time. I've told kid that it's not realistic to just show up at any ID cold unless you are a head taller and built like a tank, which isn't the case. Wherever we decide to tryout I want to make contact first to join a practice and get some honest feedback. Thanks for the response! My thought then is the only thing coaches love more than development is Venmo. I would ping whoever runs this little fiefdom remind them who the big G is. LOL. Come up with some politically correct soccer blah blah about, "I want my son to develop and you have a really cool low letter alphabet soccer license and all the parents that are afraid of your power say amazing things about you, please help my son get ready for tryouts and was looking to get him some private training, are you available. Follow up with, I was hoping if you give me some feedback as to whether you think my son can get an invite to the VIP section of the ID session of XYZ." This whole charade will probably cost you about $500 bucks, but if we are doing club soccer we are all ballers right. Just don't tell them you only want to do privates for 2 months, you got to dangle the carrot. All these coaches got to pay off that new F150 they splurged on. If you do the above soon, I would rate the odds at high that your son gets looks.  |
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Post by footballer on Mar 21, 2024 9:13:30 GMT -5
My thought then is the only thing coaches love more than development is Venmo. I would ping whoever runs this little fiefdom remind them who the big G is. LOL. Come up with some politically correct soccer blah blah about, "I want my son to develop and you have a really cool low letter alphabet soccer license and all the parents that are afraid of your power say amazing things about you, please help my son get ready for tryouts and was looking to get him some private training, are you available. Follow up with, I was hoping if you give me some feedback as to whether you think my son can get an invite to the VIP section of the ID session of XYZ." This whole charade will probably cost you about $500 bucks, but if we are doing club soccer we are all ballers right. Just don't tell them you only want to do privates for 2 months, you got to dangle the carrot. All these coaches got to pay off that new F150 they splurged on. If you do the above soon, I would rate the odds at high that your son gets looks. Ha! Love the "who the big G is" approach - gotta keep the financial ecosystem of club soccer thriving, right? But in all seriousness, that strategy might backfire a bit. Coach McScreamer might see through the private training smokescreen. Plus, shelling out big bucks for short-term training (while tempting!) might not be the most sustainable option. Here's an alternative: Reach out to the rumored new coach directly. Explain your son's situation - the disappointment, the growth spurt, the futsal, and his strong desire to rejoin the team. New coach might be open to a fresh start and see the potential in your son. You may also learn a thing or two about said new coach. If the new coach isn't a go, then it's time to explore other ECNL/RL options. Reach out to other clubs in your area, explain the situation, and see if they're open to a pre-tryout evaluation. Focus on finding a team that fosters development and a positive environment and also back your son with your CHEST out, plus this club soccer isn't free. Good luck! |
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Post by futdad on Mar 28, 2024 22:29:41 GMT -5
Revisit with the coach without qualms about annoying him.
Meanwhile, go guest train at other club that allows it now, no harm, for perspective and perhaps a pleasant unexpected possibility
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 29, 2024 6:16:01 GMT -5
Revisit with the coach without qualms about annoying him. Meanwhile, go guest train at other club that allows it now, no harm, for perspective and perhaps a pleasant unexpected possibility Ha, literally just followed this advice last night. Sent a follow up email with old coach while kid was guest training at other club. |
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Post by blu on Mar 29, 2024 14:10:02 GMT -5
ECNL/RL ID Clinics will start in early May. Go to them at several clubs if possible. Meet the coaches.
Coaches like NEW players. Seen it happen many times, they can't recognize the development of their own players for some reason...
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 30, 2024 16:01:49 GMT -5
ECNL/RL ID Clinics will start in early May. Go to them at several clubs if possible. Meet the coaches. Coaches like NEW players. Seen it happen many times, they can't recognize the development of their own players for some reason... Actually did do this last year, but it was clear that there were kids who had been working in with the teams already. Coaches knew their names and they were put with the top group immediately. Kids who just showed up were randomly put together and given a cursory look. That's why I knew to reach out ahead of ID this time. In general I agree with your last line. |
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Post by futbolhero on Mar 30, 2024 16:09:57 GMT -5
If player is in X league why not just go up to a coach at another club in same X league and tell them you are interested in making a switch and does said player have a shot. What harm is there in doing this? Could player or coach get in trouble and not be allowed to play following season? Does player risk getting blackballed?
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Post by futbolhero on Mar 30, 2024 16:10:40 GMT -5
ECNL/RL ID Clinics will start in early May. Go to them at several clubs if possible. Meet the coaches. Coaches like NEW players. Seen it happen many times, they can't recognize the development of their own players for some reason... Actually did do this last year, but it was clear that there were kids who had been working in with the teams already. Coaches knew their names and they were put with the top group immediately. Kids who just showed up were randomly put together and given a cursory look. That's why I knew to reach out ahead of ID this time. In general I agree with your last line. Sounds as if you did not make a switch. Any negative consequences? Player moved down? |
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 30, 2024 16:34:22 GMT -5
Actually did do this last year, but it was clear that there were kids who had been working in with the teams already. Coaches knew their names and they were put with the top group immediately. Kids who just showed up were randomly put together and given a cursory look. That's why I knew to reach out ahead of ID this time. In general I agree with your last line. Sounds as if you did not make a switch. Any negative consequences? Player moved down? Didn't end up trying out at either of the other clubs we did ID camps with. |
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Post by paytoplay on Mar 30, 2024 16:55:45 GMT -5
Recommend how specific you are if backlash is a concern because it is clear you are talking about CoachC. Try to get training before I'd camp. CoachN will probably be the coach next year. Best wishes
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Post by atlnoleg on Mar 30, 2024 17:44:38 GMT -5
Recommend how specific you are if backlash is a concern because it is clear you are talking about CoachC. Try to get training before I'd camp. CoachN will probably be the coach next year. Best wishes Good point, and thanks. |
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