What to do when merger blows up a team?

[Unregistered]

And just for the record - there is much more money being offered by colleges for academics than there is for athletics...especially soccer!

My daughter runs cross country and plays basketball, as well as playing soccer. And is an A+ student.

Between the two, I am banking on the academics. . . not the athletics.

While I know that athletics is an important piece of being a well-rounded student, it's always academics first in our household.

[Unregistered]

What exactly is your complaint? Sounds like there are several, but I don't want to put words into your mouth.

1. The record this fall isn't as good as the previous years.
2. The new coach has a different style than the previous coach.
3. The quality of the game is down.

Well, if you've just brought in a bunch of new players that haven't played together for 5 years, and you have a new coaching style that all the players need to adapt to, then perhaps you need to be a little patient?

As a previous poster said, what is it that you want your daughter to get out of her soccer experience?

Complaint: None really, just a general malaise recently with the whole soccer experience. It used to be an enjoyable activity -- both watching and for my player to be involved in. Now it's gone political and "business". Even parents who were really close before are posturing and jockeying for position.

Perhaps patience, as you mention, is called for.

To answer your points:

(1) Our philosophy has always been, "Put in the hard work, play your best/give it your all on game day, and most importantly, have fun!". Fortunately, the team has been successful up to this point. But I understand that losing can build character and aid developoment too. Our fall experience was akin to someone turning off the light switch -- from playing very well and being successful to not so much.

(2) Coaching style is definitely different. I don't see this as necessarily a bad thing, but it will take some time for the players to adjust to it. In the meantime, it's hard to watch games, especially when original team players are being positioned in spots they're unaccustomed to (strikers on defense, etc.). Ultimately, the current (new) coach probably has more experience as a player/coach, which hopefully will lead to better developed players in the long run.

(3) Game/play quality is definitely down. There is little "team" play and there are definite "cliques" developing -- where certain players either refuse to pass to a player outside of their "clique" or they play as individuals. Overall, this is leading to dissention among the players, whereas before they really stuck together. Effective players in year's past are becoming ineffective because of this division. . .

Ultimately my hope is for my player to continue to develop, feel like a valuable part of the team, and to learn something from youth sports that help build a more rounded adult.

Guess we'll have to see what the spring brings. . .

[Unregistered]

Given all the great stuff your daughter is into, all you have to do is give it one last try in the spring and then move on if it doesn't work. She'll have her other sports and her HS soccer team to enjoy

Another thought is that if there is enough discontent on the team, there will be a shake up after spring tryouts with people moving on. That change in roster might break up the teams cliques and create a better team culture for the following year.

[Unregistered]

4swthf

[QUOTE=Unregistered;430753]Complaint: Now it's gone political and "business". Even parents who were really close before are posturing and jockeying for position.


This might have happened without the merger... I have witnessed this in teams/clubs that merged and in others that did not , but had the natural modest changeover that occurs on every team. Just like in professional sports every year is different and no two teams (year to year) are the same even with the same personnel... just listen to Belichek's thoughts on that. I realize this is not pro sport, but hopefully you get what I mean. You and your family no doubt are paying not an insignificant sum for the experience and it ought to fun, educational and providing a hopefully positive life lesson - if not then why do it?

Hope it works out for you (your family) and your player.

[Unregistered]

Thanks all for the positive comments.

[Unregistered]

(3) Game/play quality is definitely down. There is little "team" play and there are definite "cliques" developing -- where certain players either refuse to pass to a player outside of their "clique" or they play as individuals. Overall, this is leading to dissention among the players, whereas before they really stuck together. Effective players in year's past are becoming ineffective because of this division. . .

I'm a coach. Not passing, or not supporting fellow team members, earns a quick spell on the bench. Period. I'll warn once, early in the pre-season, but after that, watch out. I've sat my best players. Nothing brings a team together quicker than them all knowing they are expected to play and treat each other equally. I don't always give equal playing time, and I handle different temperments, differently, but this rule is applied equally and strictly to all. I know no other way.