This has nothing to do with millenials vs boomers vs anyone else. "Dinosaur" doesn't refer to the age of a coach or fan, but to their knowledge of the game. Some old guys have learned a few things since their days of playing, others haven't--and some young coaches are just as eager to play boot scoot and shoot as their grandfathers.
The big problem is--11 isn't really a good age to be picking the top talent and narrowing the funnel. Take note of who the prospects are, certainly--but know they are going to change. Picking the strongest, fastest, most coordinated 11 year olds is ridiculous. Some kids at that age will have had an early start on puberty (moreso for girls, but some boys too); I've seen a few U11s and U12s who looked old enough to shave. Not many, but they exist. Other kids at that age are still getting their motor skills down. And even if one focuses only on "touch" and tries to exclude things like size, strength, and speed, there is going to be a LOT of variability and developmental effects.
Really, the Timbers ought not be having a U13 or U14 academy team at all--instead they should be providing supplemental training, maybe 2 nights a week (and at different parts of town), for a larger number of kids, with some additional kids invited to come in less often for evaluation. Perhaps a few scrimmages of these supplemental training groups, either with each other, or with older OYSA club teams--but no travel and no organized games. Kids in this program would remain with their clubs. A bit like ODP, but throughout the year, and free.
But the notion that we should entertain Grandma's opinion as to which sixth grader ("why, the big fast one, dear!") is best, or pay any attention to athletic attributes at this age, is ridiculous.
This has nothing to do with millenials vs boomers vs anyone else. "Dinosaur" doesn't refer to the age of a coach or fan, but to their knowledge of the game. Some old guys have learned a few things since their days of playing, others haven't--and some young coaches are just as eager to play boot scoot and shoot as their grandfathers.
The big problem is--11 isn't really a good age to be picking the top talent and narrowing the funnel. Take note of who the prospects are, certainly--but know they are going to change. Picking the strongest, fastest, most coordinated 11 year olds is ridiculous. Some kids at that age will have had an early start on puberty (moreso for girls, but some boys too); I've seen a few U11s and U12s who looked old enough to shave. Not many, but they exist. Other kids at that age are still getting their motor skills down. And even if one focuses only on "touch" and tries to exclude things like size, strength, and speed, there is going to be a LOT of variability and developmental effects.
Really, the Timbers ought not be having a U13 or U14 academy team at all--instead they should be providing supplemental training, maybe 2 nights a week (and at different parts of town), for a larger number of kids, with some additional kids invited to come in less often for evaluation. Perhaps a few scrimmages of these supplemental training groups, either with each other, or with older OYSA club teams--but no travel and no organized games. Kids in this program would remain with their clubs. A bit like ODP, but throughout the year, and free.
But the notion that we should entertain Grandma's opinion as to which sixth grader ("why, the big fast one, dear!") is best, or pay any attention to athletic attributes at this age, is ridiculous.
Yawn, your content is at best plagiarism, since it's all been shared here before by others ....yes, indeed a scammer alert.
Meanwhile, the "Girls Academy League" has released their conferences for 2020/21. No Northwest conference. Meaning Thorns and Reign can choose between ECNL or their state leagues. Or just play each other 10-20 times a season. Can't wait to see EL and his interns spin this as anything other than the complete failure it is.
Meanwhile, the "Girls Academy League" has released their conferences for 2020/21. No Northwest conference. Meaning Thorns and Reign can choose between ECNL or their state leagues. Or just play each other 10-20 times a season. Can't wait to see EL and his interns spin this as anything other than the complete failure it is.
They do not belong in oysa - they are for-profits.
Meanwhile, the "Girls Academy League" has released their conferences for 2020/21. No Northwest conference. Meaning Thorns and Reign can choose between ECNL or their state leagues. Or just play each other 10-20 times a season. Can't wait to see EL and his interns spin this as anything other than the complete failure it is.
To be clear I don't think they belong in ECNL, both skillwise (kids cut from high school teams) and because Oregon in general and Portland specifically is not a big enough market to support 3 ECNL teams. I think their players should be invited to try out for the other ECNL club teams and they should dissolve. But there's no money in that.
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