Many people here say it’s about the coach, not the club. But there’s no way for parents to really know what a good coach looks like. If your kid likes the coach that could mean they are nice but are they good at developing? If the team is always winning, does that reflect coaching? There must be a club that has a better reputation for great coaching. Age of kid and level of team must also factor. We are u14, not on top team, second team girls side. All coaches seem nice, kid seems happy, and Coach not a ***** like others complain about some coaches. But what are parents really looking for to spot a coach especially when some of us don’t hang out at practices. Heck many of us don’t even know if our kids are “developing.”
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It’s stated here on multiple threads over many years that NEFC players defect to Stars and Scorps as they player gets older. They take a roster spot from a players that’s been on the team for a few years. I’d do the math, if a player is trained at NEFC and decides to move because of league choice, and they are able to walk in and take a roster spot….then we know where the development happens. Stars uses the league to recruit players, NEFC defectors regularly take spots from existing players. NEFC is a superior club in developing soccer players, Stars (blue) is in the best position to eventually be the best team at older age groups. -
if true, not unusual. Many European teams don't rate their own acadamies and raid smaller clubs for personnel (some exceptions of course). The goal is to strive for a balance: develop and elevate your own players (on the cheap) and bring in expensive transfers to fill in the gaps.Originally posted by Guest View Post
The same principle applies here, but for different reasons (obviously, nobody getting paid here). Develop your own players and bring in others to fill in gaps from other clubs who MAY develop better. I know that's how we were convinced to come across: there was a need in a position my kid could fill, so it was a natural fit. The increased exposure as a result gave her the ability to achieve the goal she was looking for. It also leaves her parent with a moral dilemma: who gets the credit for a kid who know plays in college? The developing club, the exposing club, the parent who dished the cash...or (best answer?) the kid who put the work inComment
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The culture at practice says a lot about the coach (and the players). Do the players make good use of time, work hard, do effective training? Or is it fun time for the kids, lots of chatting and goofing around? That's real sweet, especially with U13 and under girls. But every year of that is a lost opportunity from a soccer perspective. So decide which one is important. (It's OK to say fun/social is a priority or that soccer is not the kid's priority.)
Unfortunately, the kids for whom soccer is a priority will leave the "fun" club starting at U13-U14. So the soccer part starts to work less well and the whole thing is less fun after that.
Playing time is of course very important to development as well.
Also, if your player develops, it is because they are committed, working hard and in a good environment with other players who do the same. But it's best to assume that YOUR CLUB AND COACH WILL NOT DEVELOP YOUR PLAYER. They think about what they need to do for the club and the team. Player development is something you and the player need to drive.Comment
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Team always winning is pretty much a result of what bracket they choose to play in.Comment
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Agreed always winning means not challenged as well too and challenge in competition is important for growth. Always winning is a coach sales play to parents that want to brag my kid team won a tournament. It’s just marketing not development.Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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I'm in the minority but I've always said my hope is for my kid's team to go .500 and every game within 2 goals. Win some, lose some, draw some. Play every game close. You learn to win, learn to lose, how to play on the front foot, how to play from behind. They get nothing from a 7-0 blowout, win or loss.Originally posted by Guest View Post
I know, I'm crazy.Comment
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This is pretty much the conventional wisdom. Though more for a tournament than a league, as it is fun to be at the top of the table and advance to the higher level tournaments.Originally posted by Guest View Post
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Agreed, and I guess I should clarify...LOVE to win every game, but I want them to be close. If not, it means they are in the wrong league.Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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Best two clubs for development. SSS and NEFC. U14.
(But by high school time to make the switch.)
Best two clubs for exposure Stars & Scorpions as they are the only two ECNL clubs, age 15 and up.
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I agree with a lot of this, but you are making a common mistake when you refer to training environments of fun vs "good use of time, work hard, effective training". It has been scientifically proven, across gender and age groups, that it's essential for kids to have fun in order to develop. Moreover, many people don't understand what kids consider "fun" to be in sports. I could expand, but I'll just say that fun is not chatting and goofing around... no kid considers that as fun.Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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Did you read about “kids” in a book? Because it’s clear you have never actually seen any girls soccer teams.Originally posted by Guest View Post
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BS at JuveComment
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