DAP worth the drive?

[Unregistered]

Yes I would just say be honest with yourself on his potential. That's all. If you're honest with yourself... truly honest with yourself, then you already know the answer either way.

Love this post. Should be an automated response to 90% of the posts on TS.

[Unregistered]

We have just done a spell in your proposed situation. My son is one of several on his team who is driving 2 plus hours to practice. As others have said it depends - how important is soccer to the family? (And not just your son - as it is a family commitment.) There is no doubt the soccer is better than any club around us. He loves practice and being part of the team. He loves playing with a group of guys who can really control the ball and are smart in their play. College coaches love it. I have done the driving, so for the most part it hasn't impacted his school work. If my son continues, he has several options with D1 colleges. BUT it has taken a toll on our family life. His high school coach is an incredible man and role model for our son. So we are struggling with the decision of continuing. Son is not the top player for the position he wants to play. (DAP Coach told him he would be a starter for a defensive position, but he doesn't want it.) From what I know of others that drive as far - the ones that have stuck it out are the top-top players (national pool, full scholarships to top D1). But I have heard mumbling from them. " Is it worth it?" will depend on your situation. As with most things in life, figure out your priorities and realize you will probably not get to have it all.

Another outstanding post.

[Unregistered]

It is a nice problem to have.
Congratulations on whichever decision you make.

[ForzaAzzurri]

Nice to see some constructive dialogue on TS for a change. (And in a thread that can’t possibly—or am I delusional?—be overwhelmed by the girls’ contingent) ;)

In any case, I can’t even pretend to answer the OP’s question, but coincidentally I was somewhat thinking the same thing tonight (not that my children would ever consider or be considered for DAP).

To wit, this afternoon I went to Gillette to observe the U14s train as part of the Coaching Development Night. At 4pm exactly, I was at the interchange of 128 & 93 in Woburn, and 65+ minutes later I was walking through the Bank of America gate and into the main concourse of the stadium (I live a further 8.5 miles/14 minutes away from the interchange). Parts of 128 were running well, while other sections were “slow” but not quite stalled. 95 was slow at first, but then opened up. In all, about 80 minutes door-to-door. Returning (at 7pm) was much better, of course, and I was home about 50 minutes later.

[An aside: I live 48 miles away. At $3.50/gallon (I wish!) and at 25 mpg, it takes 3.8 gallons of gas, or $13.50 per round trip. I’m not sure how many practices/games are held each week (it was said it is 3-4) or when during the year they begin and end, or take a break, but assuming an avg of 3 trips per week for (only?) 36 weeks translates into $1,450 for gas, so what might be a “free” program might not be so much (for us)].

Obviously, if there were car pool options, the time commitment (for me, the parent)—and the cost of gas!—comes down…maybe (possibly big maybe since who knows where other players live) by as much as two-thirds. But…in any case that would be somewhat offset by adding more time for pick-up and drop-off at a meeting place, not to mention leaving sufficiently early enough for the worst-case scenario of traffic, as one can’t risk being late for practice…especially if you are responsible for someone else’s kid.

Additionally, besides my kids’ time away from schoolwork (and his friends...and HS sports), there is the issue of my time…i.e., on top of the drive time…and losing a further 90 minutes of my day at Gillette while my kid practices. (And going to the stores at Patriot Place is NOT appealing to me). Since I enjoy the game, watching the practices would be an acceptable way to help alleviate that concern...but that is not an option since the training sessions are ordinarily closed to parents (per the DOC tonight).

My apologies for the “negative” stance, but just sharing my stream of consciousness as I watched the players and then drove home and thought about doing that on a regular basis. Clearly, by my tone, “it” would not be worth it to our family, no matter how potentially rewarding the experience might be or is…simply because we’d never even get past the logistical element of “the drive”. But as the poster before me said, nice predicament to be in, and best wishes to those who take or are afforded the opportunity.

[Unregistered]

My kid has been offered a spot on a DAP team ( no, I won't say which), but training facility is about 2 hours away. So, I'm looking at 14-16 hours a week in the car. Can anyone with experience with DAP tell me if its worth it?

That will cost about 100 dollars per week (+/-) in gas alone or about 5000 per year. While I might be overestimating with regard to the gas dollars if you thrown in other travel expenses for games........I might be underestimating it.
.....Then there are many other costs that you add to this.
Maybe this will add some perspective.

[Unregistered]

That will cost about 100 dollars per week (+/-) in gas alone or about 5000 per year. While I might be overestimating with regard to the gas dollars if you thrown in other travel expenses for games........I might be underestimating it.
.....Then there are many other costs that you add to this.
Maybe this will add some perspective.

I think that's a pretty drastic over statement, ForzaAzzurri did the math for you. $13.50 per round trip. Even if you drove 7 days a week that would still be less than $100 (7x13.5=94.5).

[Unregistered]

Local choice?

I think that's a pretty drastic over statement, ForzaAzzurri did the math for you. $13.50 per round trip. Even if you drove 7 days a week that would still be less than $100 (7x13.5=94.5).

That's correct, excluding wear and tear, the fuel costs would be approximately $55 per week x 40 weeks = $2,200. So gas and transport costs are a real issue, particularly if you have an option with a local DAP program. Unless your kid is a certifiable pro prospect local is always the better choice if you have it. OP doesn't mention if they have a local DAP option but if so then look at the college commitments of your two choices and see if there are big differences (I bet there won't be), do the same for national team placements, etc. Most DAP players will do equally well regardless of what program they are in, and at high school age much of their success starts to come from their own drive and work ethic. Be warned though that a bad coach can set back a good player in a very short amount of time, so look carefully at the reputation of your coaching choices. On that account they are not all equal.

[Unregistered]

Nice to see some constructive dialogue on TS for a change. (And in a thread that can’t possibly—or am I delusional?—be overwhelmed by the girls’ contingent) ;)

In any case, I can’t even pretend to answer the OP’s question, but coincidentally I was somewhat thinking the same thing tonight (not that my children would ever consider or be considered for DAP).

To wit, this afternoon I went to Gillette to observe the U14s train as part of the Coaching Development Night. At 4pm exactly, I was at the interchange of 128 & 93 in Woburn, and 65+ minutes later I was walking through the Bank of America gate and into the main concourse of the stadium (I live a further 8.5 miles/14 minutes away from the interchange). Parts of 128 were running well, while other sections were “slow” but not quite stalled. 95 was slow at first, but then opened up. In all, about 80 minutes door-to-door. Returning (at 7pm) was much better, of course, and I was home about 50 minutes later.

[An aside: I live 48 miles away. At $3.50/gallon (I wish!) and at 25 mpg, it takes 3.8 gallons of gas, or $13.50 per round trip. I’m not sure how many practices/games are held each week (it was said it is 3-4) or when during the year they begin and end, or take a break, but assuming an avg of 3 trips per week for (only?) 36 weeks translates into $1,450 for gas, so what might be a “free” program might not be so much (for us)].

Obviously, if there were car pool options, the time commitment (for me, the parent)—and the cost of gas!—comes down…maybe (possibly big maybe since who knows where other players live) by as much as two-thirds. But…in any case that would be somewhat offset by adding more time for pick-up and drop-off at a meeting place, not to mention leaving sufficiently early enough for the worst-case scenario of traffic, as one can’t risk being late for practice…especially if you are responsible for someone else’s kid.

Additionally, besides my kids’ time away from schoolwork (and his friends...and HS sports), there is the issue of my time…i.e., on top of the drive time…and losing a further 90 minutes of my day at Gillette while my kid practices. (And going to the stores at Patriot Place is NOT appealing to me). Since I enjoy the game, watching the practices would be an acceptable way to help alleviate that concern...but that is not an option since the training sessions are ordinarily closed to parents (per the DOC tonight).

My apologies for the “negative” stance, but just sharing my stream of consciousness as I watched the players and then drove home and thought about doing that on a regular basis. Clearly, by my tone, “it” would not be worth it to our family, no matter how potentially rewarding the experience might be or is…simply because we’d never even get past the logistical element of “the drive”. But as the poster before me said, nice predicament to be in, and best wishes to those who take or are afforded the opportunity.

Forza thanks for your input and point of view however like anything else over time you learn to find value in the drive back and forth with your son and everything else that may change a little connected with the commitment to something new. It becomes a part of who you are along with the rest of the committed families. Its what makes the team work and with out it won't. You said you got to see the 14's practice? What did you think of the team?

[Unregistered]

I think that's a pretty drastic over statement, ForzaAzzurri did the math for you. $13.50 per round trip. Even if you drove 7 days a week that would still be less than $100 (7x13.5=94.5).

Use the 50 cents a mile the govt gives you as a guide to wear and tear....We have a fried who drives about an hour and a half for hockey and the kids grades went up as he had a ton more time for school studies!

[Unregistered]

Use the 50 cents a mile the govt gives you as a guide to wear and tear....We have a fried who drives about an hour and a half for hockey and the kids grades went up as he had a ton more time for school studies!

We do books on CD (from the library) and language CDs for soccer commutes. I don't know. Maybe we are dorky but the kids actually enjoy the soccer commute.

[Unregistered]

My kid has been offered a spot on a DAP team ( no, I won't say which), but training facility is about 2 hours away. So, I'm looking at 14-16 hours a week in the car. Can anyone with experience with DAP tell me if its worth it?

Another element of this decision is, what's the alternative? If the alternative is a non-DAP club team that is good enough to potentially win State Cup and play in Region I and NEP, that's one thing. And if his HS team is a good D1 team in a good league with a respectable coach, that's one thing. But if the alternative club option is not compelling, and his particular HS environment is small, then take a shot with DAP. Maybe it will work well and maybe not, but you don't have to project it into a multi-year commitment when, though it could evolve into that, for now it's a commitment for one season.

[Unregistered]

I think that's a pretty drastic over statement, ForzaAzzurri did the math for you. $13.50 per round trip. Even if you drove 7 days a week that would still be less than $100 (7x13.5=94.5).

ForzaAzzurri did the math for his ride. The original poster said he/she lives TWO HOURS away from the training facility. Assuming that is 120 miles (assuming all highway, which is MORE fuel efficient), that would be 5-6 gallons gas each way depending on your vehicle....or 10-12 gallons each day.....35-42 dollars each day.....for 3 to 4 days per week, I would say that is more than 100 dollars per week.....4 days per week is 140 to to 168 dollars per week.....or well more than 5,000 per year. I suppose if you have a prius then ForzaAzzurri would be accurate.....

[Unregistered]

ForzaAzzurri did the math for his ride. The original poster said he/she lives TWO HOURS away from the training facility. Assuming that is 120 miles (assuming all highway, which is MORE fuel efficient), that would be 5-6 gallons gas each way depending on your vehicle....or 10-12 gallons each day.....35-42 dollars each day.....for 3 to 4 days per week, I would say that is more than 100 dollars per week.....4 days per week is 140 to to 168 dollars per week.....or well more than 5,000 per year. I suppose if you have a prius then ForzaAzzurri would be accurate.....

If you were really going to break down the cost of travel, I would look at the full depreciation expense of the mileage which is roughly $.50/ mile

Lets say a 200 RT. $100 per ride. That is the true cost of driving. Tires, brakes, oil changes, etc. are not free and are not factored into ForzaAzzurri analysis.

Then there is your time value. How will this impact your career? Does it impact money you could be making? This might be even more than the $100/ride

And then how does that compare to the end game and training alternatives.

[Unregistered]

If you were really going to break down the cost of travel, I would look at the full depreciation expense of the mileage which is roughly $.50/ mile

Lets say a 200 RT. $100 per ride. That is the true cost of driving. Tires, brakes, oil changes, etc. are not free and are not factored into ForzaAzzurri analysis.

Then there is your time value. How will this impact your career? Does it impact money you could be making? This might be even more than the $100/ride

And then how does that compare to the end game and training alternatives.

And you have to factor in food/drink. You can be super vigilant and pack all your meals, but even those quick stops for coffee and an extra soda or water can start to add up. Even with great planning and good intentions, its hard not avoid the occasion fast food/or restaurant stop.

[Unregistered]

It is a one year commitment. My son does DAP. Has been a wonderful experience for him so far. Is it a pain getting there three times a week...yes, but he has gotten some of the best training around and you can't put a value on the exposure he's gotten. As with club soccer you are going to have your ups and downs. Just simply find the best fit for your child. Right now my best fit is DAP for my child and I'm willing to do what it takes to get him where he wants to go with soccer. As long as grades are good….I’ll drive however far it takes. It is putting miles on my car and filling up often, but I’m willing to make that sacrifice. We have had some great experiences in club soccer and some bad.
Your kids can't succeed in life if you first don't let your kids fail.