Roster sizes

[Unregistered]

It's very dependent on age. Younger team rosters should never be large. Once you hit the HS ages injuries happen regularly so you need more backups - but no more than 20 is needed (worse comes to worse bring up a younger player or from the B team). More than 20 it's a money grab, but clubs do it and parents put up with it. Of course, most times clubs aren't upfront about roster sizes either. ALWAYS ASK. They may or may not tell you the truth but it's worth an ask.

I'd be absolutely furious if we carried a roster of 20 players who expected to play.

[Unregistered]

I'd be absolutely furious if we carried a roster of 20 players who expected to play.

Yes. But what to do? If you have somewhere to go then great. So few good choices. Youth soccer is about avoiding the worst, not finding anything good.

[Unregistered]

Yes. But what to do? If you have somewhere to go then great. So few good choices. Youth soccer is about avoiding the worst, not finding anything good.

Probably not much you can do if you show up and that's the case. The mistake was made 3 months earlier when you signed up for such a club.

[Unregistered]

I'd be absolutely furious if we carried a roster of 20 players who expected to play.

If 3-4 are injured, as is often the case, it's not an issue. Good luck junior and senior year when kids have college visits, testing and a whole lot of life happening. Sometimes you're lucky you have 14. Once you're in HS PT is earned (for league games; showcases should be equal). If you get upset by that you're not going to make it in college where rosters are 25-35.

[Unregistered]

If 3-4 are injured, as is often the case, it's not an issue. Good luck junior and senior year when kids have college visits, testing and a whole lot of life happening. Sometimes you're lucky you have 14. Once you're in HS PT is earned (for league games; showcases should be equal). If you get upset by that you're not going to make it in college where rosters are 25-35.

Stop equating club soccer with college. College soccer is not a large additional fee and travel expenses on top of tuition.

And these roster sizes are common for middle school, freshman, and sophomore age teams - not just junior and senior. The large roster stinks and you know it.

[Unregistered]

Yes. But what to do? If you have somewhere to go then great. So few good choices. Youth soccer is about avoiding the worst, not finding anything good.

Yes pick your poison as they say. But you also need to ask questions of the club and other parents. If the club won't answer your questions or your bullsh*t meter is going off, look elsewhere.

[Unregistered]

If 3-4 are injured, as is often the case, it's not an issue. Good luck junior and senior year when kids have college visits, testing and a whole lot of life happening. Sometimes you're lucky you have 14. Once you're in HS PT is earned (for league games; showcases should be equal). If you get upset by that you're not going to make it in college where rosters are 25-35.

"Expected to play"

A roster of 25 is not expected to play. Nor should they.

We are talking about youth development, not college.

[Unregistered]

If you target the right college soccer to play you won't be sitting on the bench.

[Unregistered]

Stop equating club soccer with college. College soccer is not a large additional fee and travel expenses on top of tuition.

And these roster sizes are common for middle school, freshman, and sophomore age teams - not just junior and senior. The large roster stinks and you know it.

It does stink, but it's largely unavoidable. The ones who are the most worried are parents of non starters. If your kid is a starter it's not an issue. If your kid isn't a starter or at least isn't a first sub in, look elsewhere. You'll save yourself a whole lot of frustration and your kid will be happier playing more.

Also, what amount of PT is acceptable? Younger years it should largely be equal. U14+ it should be meaningful minutes but but not equal guaranteed. Again, if you're not ok with that look elsewhere. The beauty of all these leagues and clubs is there is something for everybody.

[Unregistered]

Stop equating club soccer with college. College soccer is not a large additional fee and travel expenses on top of tuition.

And these roster sizes are common for middle school, freshman, and sophomore age teams - not just junior and senior. The large roster stinks and you know it.

That’s right. This is about youth soccer clubs, not college teams. Sitting around does not develop players, and is not worth time and money spent. How does even a practice session with close to 20 people and one coach equate to good training? It’s only good for the club’s bottom line $$ less teams with more kids = less coaches to pay.

[Unregistered]

If you target the right college soccer to play you won't be sitting on the bench.

As with club soccer families often over-shoot the college team vs the player's ability. Parents are the worst assessors of their kids' skills and willingness to work. A little honesty could go a long way to fixing youth sports.

[Unregistered]

It does stink, but it's largely unavoidable. The ones who are the most worried are parents of non starters. If your kid is a starter it's not an issue. If your kid isn't a starter or at least isn't a first sub in, look elsewhere. You'll save yourself a whole lot of frustration and your kid will be happier playing more.

Also, what amount of PT is acceptable? Younger years it should largely be equal. U14+ it should be meaningful minutes but but not equal guaranteed. Again, if you're not ok with that look elsewhere. The beauty of all these leagues and clubs is there is something for everybody.

Agreed. If you are player 18-25, definitely disassociate yourself from that club ASAP. You were snookered. You are paying the same amount as players 1-17, but you aren't getting the same $/minute.

Any club that rolls a roster out there are nothing but scheisters.

[Unregistered]

Someone please show us high school aged teams that regularly have fewer than 20 on a roster. Even DA teams that are supposed to be all about development carry that many and bring up players frequently. I agree it's hard to avoid big rosters, but if you know your kid's abilities and fit you can largely avoid the issue.

[Unregistered]

Then if you go equal time the parents of the studs get pissed their kids aren't playing 80+minutes. You can't please everyone!

[Unregistered]

Someone please show us high school aged teams that regularly have fewer than 20 on a roster. Even DA teams that are supposed to be all about development carry that many and bring up players frequently. I agree it's hard to avoid big rosters, but if you know your kid's abilities and fit you can largely avoid the issue.

Game day rosters aren't 20, typically.

You've got your 5-6 who will play the most/all. You've got another 8-10 who will split the rest of the minutes. The others don't get called up on game day.

This expectation is set before the season, and you have to earn your minutes during the week.

That's totally different than 10 kids sitting on the sideline trying to make eye contact in hopes they get the nod.