'07 High School Soccer #2

So are Varsity teams mostly finalized by now? Are most HS coaches using the remainder of the week to decide between or to train teams already picked?

I've heard that a lot of teams are still not finalized. I'm not sure why it takes so long to make up an initial roster. Except for the incoming freshman, the majority of the kids should be known to the coaching staff from the prior year. Although kids grow, develop, etc. the process still seems pretty drawn out. Compare this to club soccer tryouts where they look at the kids during 1 or 2 90 min sessions. Furthermore, the HS rosters don't have to be frozen until tournament time so kids can be moved up and down freely during the season.

AB - boys and girls varsity are finalized and the trickle down is complete so JV and freshman should be done very soon.

I've heard that a lot of teams are still not finalized. I'm not sure why it takes so long to make up an initial roster. Except for the incoming freshman, the majority of the kids should be known to the coaching staff from the prior year. Although kids grow, develop, etc. the process still seems pretty drawn out. Compare this to club soccer tryouts where they look at the kids during 1 or 2 90 min sessions. Furthermore, the HS rosters don't have to be frozen until tournament time so kids can be moved up and down freely during the season.

Most kids know where they stand by now. If the school has both a JV and Freshman team it seems to take longer

AB - boys and girls varsity are finalized and the trickle down is complete so JV and freshman should be done very soon.

How many freshman made the varsity teams this year?

[MASC]

At youngest son's HS, Varsity still not determined. Freshmen have not reported. No freshmen allowed at varsity or JV tryouts.

Each school is different. At daughter's HS, Varsity and JV teams are known after second practice.

Local town HS has yet to determine varsity team.

the bs at AB has already started. Parent involvement, peer pressure etc. But they will win and everything will smell like roses

Boys - 1 freshman added - lots of seniors - 12 I think - so lots of downward pressure

Girls - Team is two-thirds juniors and seniors - two or maybe three freshmen made it and a couple of new sophomores were added to those already on the team.

I think there are still plenty of programs that don't start until the first Monday and run a week of doubles, they probably haven't finalized yet. Teams that started out on last Thursday and used the first three sessions as straight try-outs probably do have things wrapped up for varsity. Since most teams start the game season next week (as early as Wed.) It does mean that almost no time is available to work out the kinks as a team. Especially if that team is finalized until the previous Friday or Saturday. Bottom line is that MIAA needs to allow teams to start two weeks prior to Labor Day but severely restrict the length of sessions and number of doubles. Teams would be so much better off practicing for 3 days then get a day off then three more on then another day off and then four more on. With only one day of doubles allowed in each section (total of three). This would allow 13 sessions over two weeks but there would be a more consistent rest pattern. My oldest daughter played for a coach who did what he considered a killer week of doubles. All that came out of it were injuries and soarness and at the end of the week a varsity team that spent almost no time together on the field.

Reposting here, did not see this until I went back to the index.
I saw a scrimmage between SJP and Braintree on Tuesday. Overall I thought SJP played well. They are missing one of their midfielders due to a torn ACL. Due to graduation they also lost another important player in midfield.

Right now this is an area where the most work will have to be done. Learn how to maintain possession and move the ball to the forwards without rushing passes or causing the forwards to track back so much.

It also appears that some quality kids have moved up from last years JV and freshman teams.

I will be enjoyable to watch the season go by seeing how the kids bond and learn to play with each other. There are a group that has not lost a game at SJP since they were freshman and I am sure they will want to keep this run intact.

SJP has a scrimmage today at 3pm against Lynnfield. Anyone else have reports on how teams are shaping up?

Masco girls scrimmage Danvers today. From what I have heard Masco has picked their team but Danvers still has 30 + girls working out for the varsity. Two strong programs who have been big on the North Shore for years, both lost a strong group of seniors but have plenty coming back.

From the boys side, I remember the Danvers town teams in my son's age group and the one above being good. I imagine that a lot of those kids would be Jr/Sr's this year.

[MASoccer]

I think there are still plenty of programs that don't start until the first Monday and run a week of doubles, they probably haven't finalized yet. Teams that started out on last Thursday and used the first three sessions as straight try-outs probably do have things wrapped up for varsity. Since most teams start the game season next week (as early as Wed.) It does mean that almost no time is available to work out the kinks as a team. Especially if that team is finalized until the previous Friday or Saturday. Bottom line is that MIAA needs to allow teams to start two weeks prior to Labor Day but severely restrict the length of sessions and number of doubles. Teams would be so much better off practicing for 3 days then get a day off then three more on then another day off and then four more on. With only one day of doubles allowed in each section (total of three). This would allow 13 sessions over two weeks but there would be a more consistent rest pattern. My oldest daughter played for a coach who did what he considered a killer week of doubles. All that came out of it were injuries and soarness and at the end of the week a varsity team that spent almost no time together on the field.

I absolutely agree that teams can benefit from starting pre-season earlier. The drawback, however is the reluctance for families to give up that last summer vacation week.

Case in point...On my younger son's HS team one of the stronger sophomores showed up for the first time last night at the team scrimmage. Apparently he was away with his family vacationing in Florida the previous week. He had played baseball thoughout the summer and it was the only full week they could take their vacation before school started. Couple that with not having his blue card properly signed to begin pre-season, so he missed the first three days of training when he did finally return. His mother was beside herself when he played limited varsity minutes in the scrimmage and played the bulk of his time with the JV team. He certainly is a player that could contribute quality play to the varsity team, but the rumor is that he lost his spot because he didn't show up for the first full week of tryouts. When I spoke to this parent I had asked if she had considered not going away that week. Her response was adament that it was their family time and that was the priority. Although I feel for her, I can also understand the coach's position. This player missed the majority of the pre-season and only became eligible to play the night of the first scrimmage. Other less talented players were there from the beginning and endured some very tough sessions.

So who should be placed on varsity?

I think the coach did the right thing. The player could always be moved up to the varsity later in the season....

You make your choices and should expect to live with them.