Am I asking too much?

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We are at a small club and my daughter (U12) is in the bottom third of the team as far as skills. This is also my first kid in soccer and I never played in the past.
I haven't seen much improvement over this past season (the team did improve though), though she did improve in the fall/winter. As we begin tryouts this week I wonder if the bigger clubs with many teams at different levels would be a better fit? Do those clubs typically do any individual coaching to help kids improve in the areas they are weak? I feel like we get "team" training but not necessarily any focus on the individual except if they do something wrong in a game.
Just wondering what is typical coaching and training?

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bigger isn't always better. ask around in your area for recommendations for clubs with good coaching for your child's age. it could be big, it could be anther small club.

[Unregistered]

We are at a small club and my daughter (U12) is in the bottom third of the team as far as skills. This is also my first kid in soccer and I never played in the past.
I haven't seen much improvement over this past season (the team did improve though), though she did improve in the fall/winter. As we begin tryouts this week I wonder if the bigger clubs with many teams at different levels would be a better fit? Do those clubs typically do any individual coaching to help kids improve in the areas they are weak? I feel like we get "team" training but not necessarily any focus on the individual except if they do something wrong in a game.
Just wondering what is typical coaching and training?

Your kid isn't going to get a lot of individual instruction at any club through the team coach. There just isn't enough time at practice for them to do that realistically. If your club, or a bigger club you might be looking at, offers clinics specializing in areas your player has a weakness, that's what you should be looking at. Typically, these clinics have a much better coach/player ratio, usually between 4-8 players, and your daughter can get some really good individual feedback. Usually comes at a cost, though, and aren't included in club fees.

[Unregistered]

Your kid isn't going to get a lot of individual instruction at any club through the team coach. There just isn't enough time at practice for them to do that realistically. If your club, or a bigger club you might be looking at, offers clinics specializing in areas your player has a weakness, that's what you should be looking at. Typically, these clinics have a much better coach/player ratio, usually between 4-8 players, and your daughter can get some really good individual feedback. Usually comes at a cost, though, and aren't included in club fees.

OK thanks. This is what I am looking for as far as a reality check. At most, she will want to play in high school which is possible since our school is not D1. She really loves to play but is not super serious. Unfortunately our town soccer is not good enough, but unless she improves soon I have a sense that club will get tough for her. We shall see where the ball lands.

[Unregistered]

Assuming this is a legit post, I have recently seen lots of high school seniors and college athletes home for the summer posting on Facebook in a group in our town offering their services as individual coaches to younger players in a variety of sports, not just soccer. I think this a great way for a younger player (U12 or U13 max IMO) to get some individual instruction at an affordable price.

Beyond that your kid needs to get out and get touches on the ball on their own if they want to improve, not just at organized practice. Kick against a wall, practice dribbling around obstacles, passing to friend/mom/dad/sibling.

Check out the Coerver method. Our library had copies of the videos/DVD that my kid used to watch and practice on her own. You could see a difference in her skills on the ball

[Unregistered]

There's lots of training on line she can do in the backyard on her own, with you or a sibling. Try and help her organize some playing time at the park with a few other teammates. Or as someone suggested split the cost for a trainer with three other players over the summer. Club coaches can only do much - players have to want to improve and the good ones (not even college level but just players who love the sport) are motivated to do so. Think about it - if she's only practicing a few hours a week at her club, probably not getting tons of playing time, how much will she improve that way?

[Unregistered]

Your kid isn't going to get a lot of individual instruction at any club through the team coach.

This is not necessarily true. I have a son and daughter at a club and the coach routinely talks to them on what they should work on and things they can do on their own to work on those things that need improvement. I see it throughout the club and with all of the teams.

[Unregistered]

Assuming this is a legit post, I have recently seen lots of high school seniors and college athletes home for the summer posting on Facebook in a group in our town offering their services as individual coaches to younger players in a variety of sports, not just soccer. I think this a great way for a younger player (U12 or U13 max IMO) to get some individual instruction at an affordable price.

Beyond that your kid needs to get out and get touches on the ball on their own if they want to improve, not just at organized practice. Kick against a wall, practice dribbling around obstacles, passing to friend/mom/dad/sibling.

Check out the Coerver method. Our library had copies of the videos/DVD that my kid used to watch and practice on her own. You could see a difference in her skills on the ball

Yes it's legit. I just had a conversation with her stressing this as well. If she wants to continue with club she will need to put more time in on her own. I understand a coach can not perform miracles but I needed the reality check.

[Unregistered]

By far the best thing you could do is buy a book and spend a couple hours a week one on one to compliment the minimal training she will get out of any club.

[Unregistered]

A coach doesn't have the time to focus on individual players, just reality. She can practice by herself on off days. Wall ball, juggling, shooting can all be done in the back yard. Have her do soccer camps over the summer and in the off season, as well. Most clubs have personal training as well, which can be pricey. Again, best bet have her practice on her own.

[Unregistered]

Yes it's legit. I just had a conversation with her stressing this as well. If she wants to continue with club she will need to put more time in on her own. I understand a coach can not perform miracles but I needed the reality check.

Doesn't sound like she is motivated. What makes you think she wants to play club? And How can she be too good for town if she isn't good at low level club and you make a reference to being lucky your high school isn't Division 1 (whatever that means)? Why is any of this even a question for you? Or is that the point of the thread?

[Unregistered]

Doesn't sound like she is motivated. What makes you think she wants to play club? And How can she be too good for town if she isn't good at low level club and you make a reference to being lucky your high school isn't Division 1 (whatever that means)? Why is any of this even a question for you? Or is that the point of the thread?

Not the thread poster but sometimes simply finding the right coach for that players can make a huge difference. It won't turn them into a stud, but the right fit either with the team or the coach can greatly ramp up the motivation.

That said, plenty of kids drop things in middle school and move to other things that interest them more. It's a normal part of development. As they get older they have to want it more to succeed.

[Unregistered]

Yes it's legit. I just had a conversation with her stressing this as well. If she wants to continue with club she will need to put more time in on her own. I understand a coach can not perform miracles but I needed the reality check.

I say you drop her off at a soccer field on any Friday night in Chelsea or Revere and let her play with the people that actually know about futbol.

[Unregistered]

BTNT got what he wanted out of this thread, so after the formality of a denial that will be a wrap.

[Unregistered]

BTNT got what he wanted out of this thread, so after the formality of a denial that will be a wrap.

Thread title is usually a dead giveaway