To bioband or not to bioband….that is the question

[Guest]

True, but in the long run will this really help the development of a player? or is it just another way for coaches to keep that tuition around? I mean I would rather have my kid fight his way with the big guys than be the best playing with younger kids

The issue is that the mlsn teams get the best coaching and training. If you want your kid to be coached by the best coach then that is with an mlsn a academy. Also a younger mlsn team is going to play a way better, faster more technical brand of soccer than a year older nal or edp team.

[Guest]

The issue is that the mlsn teams get the best coaching and training. If you want your kid to be coached by the best coach then that is with an mlsn a academy. Also a younger mlsn team is going to play a way better, faster more technical brand of soccer than a year older nal or edp team.

That isn't an issue, that's just how it works. It's a pyramid in terms of talent and resources. The issue being discussed is how to develop players who are younger/smaller than their age cohort - or if they should be treated differently at all.

I see it as more a matter of confidence not necessarily skill. A smaller player is more likely to get frustrated being pushed around, so in theory playing with younger players may help build confidence. But I know my kids would have HATED playing with younger kids. It's similar in some ways to deciding to hold a kid back in school to catch up. That happens most often with kids who are the youngest in the class. But unlike academics wherr you can catch up, what if the player is destined to always be small? They will always have to play against bigger players. Is it better to let them figure out ways to deal with bigger players?

I agree with above that size is different than skill. In an ideal world players would be banded by skill level. Executing that isn't easy because it involves coach judgement, and, well yeah our coaches For sure parents would moan because they can't imagine Colton isn't as skilled as the rest of his friends. At least if its an age/size thing it might be an easier pill to swallow if a club recommends it. If a family wants it, again it may not build the confidence they think it would. Maybe their kid just isn't that good.

[Guest]

agree with you, it might help but most likely will kill his confidence when he gets back to his age group, its better to let him work with he has and prepare for what he will face most of the time in soccer games in the future.

That isn't an issue, that's just how it works. It's a pyramid in terms of talent and resources. The issue being discussed is how to develop players who are younger/smaller than their age cohort - or if they should be treated differently at all.

I see it as more a matter of confidence not necessarily skill. A smaller player is more likely to get frustrated being pushed around, so in theory playing with younger players may help build confidence. But I know my kids would have HATED playing with younger kids. It's similar in some ways to deciding to hold a kid back in school to catch up. That happens most often with kids who are the youngest in the class. But unlike academics wherr you can catch up, what if the player is destined to always be small? They will always have to play against bigger players. Is it better to let them figure out ways to deal with bigger players?

I agree with above that size is different than skill. In an ideal world players would be banded by skill level. Executing that isn't easy because it involves coach judgement, and, well yeah our coaches For sure parents would moan because they can't imagine Colton isn't as skilled as the rest of his friends. At least if its an age/size thing it might be an easier pill to swallow if a club recommends it. If a family wants it, again it may not build the confidence they think it would. Maybe their kid just isn't that good.

[Guest]

agree with you, it might help but most likely will kill his confidence when he gets back to his age group, its better to let him work with he has and prepare for what he will face most of the time in soccer games in the future.

So do you thinks better to play on a less skilled older team that is less technical and plays slower with worse coaching than to play down a year on the top academy team?

[Guest]

So do you thinks better to play on a less skilled older team that is less technical and plays slower with worse coaching than to play down a year on the top academy team?

Don't be ridiculous now you are mixing apples and oranges. Discuss biobanding or not within one club not across leagues. If you think the coaching on team A is poor then don't do it regardless, but chances are they're not good enough for academy and size isn't the reason

[Guest]

Don't be ridiculous now you are mixing apples and oranges. Discuss biobanding or not within one club not across leagues. If you think the coaching on team A is poor then don't do it regardless, but chances are they're not good enough for academy and size isn't the reason

Size is explicitly the reason for biobanding. Why do pro academies do it all the time?

[Guest]

Don't be ridiculous now you are mixing apples and oranges. Discuss biobanding or not within one club not across leagues. If you think the coaching on team A is poor then don't do it regardless, but chances are they're not good enough for academy and size isn't the reason

That is the discussion- play on a younger, technically stronger team with academy coaching or play your age on a second team with bigger kids who are not as strong technically.

[Guest]

Size is explicitly the reason for biobanding. Why do pro academies do it all the time?

The poster was comparing young MLS vs age appropriate EDP or other.

I will say not all MLS is the same. Some of it is very good, some of it utter crap. Some non MLS teams are pretty solid. Really depends on what they're considering.

If the op has a younger kid maybe wait a year to see if they hit their growth spurt? Besides, all offers are out and deposits paid. What are they "considering" at this point?

[Guest]

The poster was comparing young MLS vs age appropriate EDP or other.

I will say not all MLS is the same. Some of it is very good, some of it utter crap. Some non MLS teams are pretty solid. Really depends on what they're considering.

If the op has a younger kid maybe wait a year to see if they hit their growth spurt? Besides, all offers are out and deposits paid. What are they "considering" at this point?

In Massachusetts the mls next academies are far better than edp. It's not even close. The training environment is superior as is the weekly competition.