When to move…when to stay

[Guest]

You don’t seem to have much faith in your kids’ ability.

Many times a kid not playing has nothing to do with their ability.

[Guest]

You don’t seem to have much faith in your kids’ ability.

not the poster but far too many parents have rose colored glasses regarding their kids abilities - that or they just don't know the game well to judge, which happens a lot since few parents ever played. If your kid won't be player 1-14 on a roster of 18-22 don't move. Stay where they'll play far more. All the training in the world can't make up for rarely seeing the field

Thread op should talk with their kid, assess the pros and cons with them and let them decide. Another poster nailed it - it's easy to move back down if it doesn't work but much harder to move up as they get older

[Guest]

if she wants to play in college....TAKE IT - SHE WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER CHANCE.

Psycho much?! Good lord.

[Guest]

My daughter has been approached by an ECNL team with an offer. She is playing great and this last season developed more than I ever expected. She likes her current team, has good solid coaching and is a strong player with loads of playtime. I don’t want to not give her the opportunity. This kid is all soccer all the time and very serious, but Can’t argue that where she is she has developed and I believe will continue. She has been offered free small group additional coaching. I believe her current program helped foster that love of the game. When do we need to bite the bullet, what age, when is it getting to late? Is ECNL really the only way……?

Wow, people are dumb on here. Sorry, we have a lot of trolls. The first thing to look at is which club is trying to recruit her. Previous posters are correct that the pecking order in NJ is Blue, White, MF, South but don't realize that some may live in areas where PF, Delco, Bucks, EM, SUSA and WC could all be within reach. You should really take a look at the coach, are they also a college coach or assistant and from what school or is this a 2nd job? Is the coach willing to allow your kid to be a discovery player ie a part time ECNL player, one that is allowed to play for their current team and also ECNL? How do the other players look while playing? Are they fast and athletic or do the show skill and poise while playing? You also need to look at where she is currently and how much farther she could go if she stayed.

As for at what age to leave it really varies. Remember though, most ECNL clubs aren't really much better then top EDP or GA clubs in terms of recruitment. They all have a mix of D1, D2 and D3 schools. Sure the best clubs like PDA Blue, PF, WC, SUSA have a few players going to better D1 schools but in reality it is pretty even. So don't worry to much about what league she plays atm. When it comes time to recruit just get her out in front of coaches she wants to play for.

[Guest]

She is 12. U13

What was her level of competition last year? The offer on paper sounds great, but the last thing you want to happen is that she gets lost in the level of play if it is a dramatic change. Pretty sure that can wear on a child at that age. That being said, its my opinion you wait it out. If she is as good as you say, the offer will always be there and if she is developing, the club working with her is responsible for that and as are the parents for the extra training.