Just calling it for what it is. PDA's name and badge has always drawn top players who have developed with their previous clubs and outside training. These players typically have high game IQ and can compete with the best of them. With all that talent on their team, there's only so much field time to go around. How do parents deal with watching their kids ride the pine so to speak, knowing that they would be starting on another team? How do the kids handle it? When the yearly influx on new players knock off the old players, how do the kids that leave rebound?
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Everyone says that PDA is such a great developent program. ITS NOT. Players from other teams leave to join PDA because they have a bigger name. Thats why PDA is better at older age groups. If you look at their starting line ups, not many of them have been with PDA for a long time, its mostly outside players. STOP GLAZING PDA. They are NOT that good of a devoplemt program! -
Go back to your MFA thread...Comment
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I know a couple families in different age groups and I know they have mixed feelings. Some were with her team for a while and don't get any playing time. Others joined the team expecting playing time and haven't really gotten it. Others have done well and are starting. It all depends on the kids since they play what they feel is their best line up and who pays extra for the 3rd day as week training.Comment
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This is true for every ECNL club. Sam Coffey only played for MFA for about a year and a half. And MFA puts her name out there like they made her the player that she is. Players are great because of the extra work they put in and their natural athletic abilities. It’s that simple. It’s not pda or MFA or any other big name club. Play where your kid will see ample minutes on the field.Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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I think parents need to move away from wanting to be part of a club for their name brand. It means nothing and doesn't benefit your child. If your kid isn't getting playing time at an "elite" club, they are missing out on developmental experience and losing confidence. I'd switch to a club where my kid is more of a contributor even if it means a small step down in the level of competition.Comment
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This makes sense but there is a sense of being pot committed. Parents of bench players are waiting for an injury to get their kid that chance. Then wait another, then it's too lateOriginally posted by Guest View PostComment
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No team is worth sitting the bench for. It doesn’t matter the level i’d rather my kid play on an ECRL team than sit the bench on the ECNL team. Or play EDP, instead of sitting the bench for ECRL/GA/ECNL. They get nothing out of sitting on the benchComment
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A 2008 blue player who is considered a practice player committed to a D1 school.Comment
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The problem is that you don't know how much playing time you'll get until it's too late in the season to switch.Originally posted by Guest View Post
You can always play it safe and go for a lower level team where you have a higher chance of more playing time. But, you won't get big success in life without taking some risks and betting on yourself. So for the more ambitious kids it certainly makes sense to try for the higher level teams. I suppose once it becomes clear that you're never going to get good playing time, then you might move. But often not that cut and dry. Can also take years to move up in the system.Comment
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Your kid will not be playing soccer in a year for the 300 ranked D1 school. Chill.Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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There is definitely a lot of truth to this comment. As parents I think we need to be more proactive. When deciding on a club be direct with the coach and ask how many kids will be on the roster and how playing time decisions are made. Is it an equal playing time philosophy? If not, is there a minimum amount of playing time each player will get? If the answer is it is entirely merit based and in the coach's discretion, be honest with yourself about where your child fits in with the rest of the team. If he/she is the weakest player, maybe it would be a better experience and lead to better development to play for a different club even if it has less name recognition or plays in a lower flight.Originally posted by Guest View Post
I've seen coaches have U8-10 kids sitting on the bench for nearly the entire game. It's shameful and inexcusable. The kids in the most need of development opportunities are getting the fewest in favor of the coach's ego and promotion of the club.Comment
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In theory that sounds good, but hard to implement in practice. Coaches will/should never make promises about playing time and even the most honest coach may not be able to predict how decisions will get made next year. They may talk a good game about merit, but then start leaning on certain players even if they miss practice, perhaps bc playing for a high level supplementary club so it's 'justified'. You never know.Originally posted by Guest View Post
Plus, it can be very difficult to situate your kid relative to the other teammates when tryouts are in spring. The composition of the team will change by the time fall arrives, and everyone's skills will have shifted as well.
Lots of unknowns! All we can do is try what makes sense and reevaluate.
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If you have a good situation and your kids is learning, improving, good coach and enjoying the experience, stay! If they get good enough they will be noticed and recruited as long as you have some sort of platform even if it’s not ECNL. Not worth leaving to ride the bench on an ECNL team bc your kid will lose confidence.Comment
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