Guaranteed playing time?

[Guest]

Even a guarantee can have conditions, like time will be reduced for missing practice without a legitimate excuse, poor attitude, parent behavior, etc.

Who determines such bad behavior? Because, if it's a coach, then we are right back to square one when trying to determine it.

[Guest]

I've coached at the township level and my kids play at a MLSN/ECNL club currently where I don't coach.

I did equal playing time and not equal playing time when I coached. If I had to do it all over again... I would have done equal playing AND switching kids in positions more as that seemed to grow the group the most from a development perspective. Non-equal playing time and I had the most turnover in one year, more drama and less overall skill development.

When I did non equal time - I literally thought that is what you do b/c this is 'Travel.' After watching my son join a tournament baseball team and sit on the bench for all but like one at bat (ridiculous rules where it benefits you to roster 13), I changed to equal time. I didn't want to inflict the same doubt on any kid that the coach inflicted on my son.

At my kids current club - the leadership definitely wants to win. The coaches are free to do whatever- for the most part that means equal playing time. My kids basically play for former pros and you can tell they think about development at this age over everything. Kids get subbed out for Attitude issues, making the same mistake several times in a row, they don't start if they show up late to warm ups, etc. Important to note my kids play in non -promotion/relegation leagues and are in the hunt for playoffs

Across the board most parents look at success measured by wins- this puts pressure on the wrong things. I look the skill development of my kids and their team (compared to the other teams). As long as they are learning and growing and being pushed than I am happy. My current club does a really good job of skill assessment and for the most part there aren't recruiting mistakes ( they have the luxury of 100's of kids at tryouts per age group).

if you are township team... you are glorified rec and I believe you have an obligation to the community to have equal playing time and play at a level where everyone can compete ( the best are gonna leave anyway).
If you are paying large sums of money (at at club) and they aren't playing your kid Half the game... find a new team or your kid will quit.

[Guest]

Why doesn’t the kid learn they need to better and work harder to get those minutes? Why quit?

[Guest]

Why doesn’t the kid learn they need to better and work harder to get those minutes? Why quit?

Not all kids have that drive. Once the fun is gone, they won’t want to play.

[Guest]

Why doesn’t the kid learn they need to better and work harder to get those minutes? Why quit?

A bit much to expect that from a 9 year old, and yes plenty of teams do it that young. Its very different at 14. That's why earning PT shouldn't start until 7th-8th grade. Even when PT isn't equal each player should get meaningful PT.

Level matters too. Top tier should be more cut throat if those kids want to play in college. Lower levels where kids are playing for enjoyment it should be more equal. What's the point in making kids unhappy and pushing them out of the sport? Don't we want more kids loving the game, becoming life long fans? I do.

[Guest]

Here’s the written policy of a Club:

All rostered players present should play a minimum of at least one-third of each match. Additional playing time above the minimum will be allocated at the discretion of the Team Trainer and will be earned by players based on (i) effort, (ii) attitude, (iii) impact, and (iv) skill. Allocation of playing time may also be affected by the flow of the match and the lack of stoppage in play to substitute.

[Guest]

No club in their right mind will guarantee PT, especially in writing. They purposely keep contracts vague so there's nothing to hold them to. For younger ages they should give equal PT, then dial into players earning PT in middle school. However PT time still needs to be meaningful. Don't take players if you're going to give them 10 minutes.

@Niko CSA??

[Guest]

Who determines such bad behavior? Because, if it's a coach, then we are right back to square one when trying to determine it.

Everyone gets a trophy mentality has caused some parents to lose their minds.

Everyone gets a trophy mentally has caused coaches to lose their jobs.

Life won’t be a participation trophy. Let them earn their keep! It’s the only way you prepare them for life.

[Guest]

Everyone gets a trophy mentality has caused some parents to lose their minds.

Everyone gets a trophy mentally has caused coaches to lose their jobs.

Life won’t be a participation trophy. Let them earn their keep! It’s the only way you prepare them for life.

At a certain age..yes. But they all need to play to develop. If they were good enough to make the roster, they should be good enough to play half a game. If they are not good enough to play half a game, they should have never made the team. It’s that simple. Don’t take kids if you don’t plan on playing them until they earn it. Take them because they earned it at try out.

[Guest]

At a certain age..yes. But they all need to play to develop. If they were good enough to make the roster, they should be good enough to play half a game. If they are not good enough to play half a game, they should have never made the team. It’s that simple. Don’t take kids if you don’t plan on playing them until they earn it. Take them because they earned it at try out.

Good thinking but youth soccer has become about the almighty dollar all about the more kids on a team to make more teams to make some $$$$$

[Guest]

At no age

[Guest]

Good thinking but youth soccer has become about the almighty dollar all about the more kids on a team to make more teams to make some $$$$$

It’s just so dumb how youth sports are run. These clubs should be “elite” and only take top talent. Instead they take everyone for the money. If your not elite, play for your town. Too many clubs now taking too many kids that don’t deserve to be there all for the money.

[Guest]

It’s just so dumb how youth sports are run. These clubs should be “elite” and only take top talent. Instead they take everyone for the money. If you’re not elite, play for your town. Too many clubs now taking too many kids that don’t deserve to be there all for the money.

Parents will always chase something that won’t be there at the end everyone is elite in club lol

[Guest]

Yep, less pressure to win, so more able to focus on player development.

Absolutely. With a little luck they could develop enuf to play in EDP 1 GA or ECNL.

[Guest]

Absolutely. With a little luck they could develop enuf to play in EDP 1 GA or ECNL.

The all mighty leagues lol