Help with leagues in New Jersey

[Unregistered]

Good Question-tough call. What do the next level clubs offer? 3 practices per week vs 2? Will they play EDP - or in a town league? Will you go from a dad coach to a club trainer? For me it came down to getting a better ciriculum, more competitive league, travel distance and my kid still having FUN. The club team in my area offered more than the town club and was a extra 10-15 minute drive.

My kid was approached by a few teams that had seen her play. I made a point of going to a place that practiced two times per week. 3,4,5th grade no reason to kill the kids like they are pros. Cream will always rise to the top and a lot of the kids that only train will burn out.

[Unregistered]

I think most of this advice is very good with a caveat. If your kids aren't happy, then it's time to move on. Don't make the decision for them unless there is something crazy happening (kid isn't getting any PT, coach is a douche, etc.). Getting your kid a lot of outside training (Red Bulls RDS, clinics, camps, offseason tournament teams, etc.) could be the gap filler. Also, if your kid is still developing on the current team, then really don't worry about it. Winning isn't everything at that age, so be careful making decisions just for Ws. If your kids are good, then they will be able to get on any club team roster eventually.

To my point about the happiness factor - it's a game and they need to have fun to want to stay with it. If they aren't happy because a lot of kids miss for stupid things (parties, other sports, etc.), they feel like they are the only one who cares about the team, or whatever then this is the year to get out. If you do decide to move on, definitely follow the advice above about trying to find a great coach not club. That makes all the difference.

not the poster and I agree. But also with kids that young (9) it's too early to start dragging them to clubs further away. Supplementing as you described is a better bet for the time being. At U11-12 moves up become more necessary - if they even want it. Kids change interests and likes all the time. Many won't even be playing by high school. It all changes dramatically during middle school.

[Unregistered]

My kid was approached by a few teams that had seen her play. I made a point of going to a place that practiced two times per week. 3,4,5th grade no reason to kill the kids like they are pros. Cream will always rise to the top and a lot of the kids that only train will burn out.

lots of quesions not addressed - but If you are the OP - then a 2 times max a week practice is in the town travel wheel-house and makes it clear that you should stay on the current team. Practicing 3 x per week is the club level standard for U9-U11 groups.

[Unregistered]

whatever you do, do not jump to a club just because it has ECNL or MLSN if the kids are still that young. These clubs U10 teams are often 75% turned over by U12.

[Unregistered]

Good Question-tough call. What do the next level clubs offer? 3 practices per week vs 2? Will they play EDP - or in a town league? Will you go from a dad coach to a club trainer? For me it came down to getting a better ciriculum, more competitive league, travel distance and my kid still having FUN. The club team in my area offered more than the town club and was a extra 10-15 minute drive.

Yes avoid dad coached clubs like Real NJ, they don’t do very well. So much for that theory. Having a dad coach has nothing to do with it. If they are good and know their **** that’s the most important thing. I’ll take a great dad coach over a poor so called professional coach any day. So long story short find and stick with a good trainer that treats everyone fairly and gets everyone better.

[Unregistered]

Definitely avoid the big clubs with big rosters like PDA, SJEB etc. check out smaller local clubs like Real NJ where quality over quantity is key.

Why SJEB? The 09s are sporting 12 players for 9v9, 15 for the 08s and 17 for the 07s and about 18 for 06 and above. Those seem like pretty good numbers for 11v11. Unlike teams from MF, PDA North, Real and others having 20+.

[Unregistered]

lots of quesions not addressed - but If you are the OP - then a 2 times max a week practice is in the town travel wheel-house and makes it clear that you should stay on the current team. Practicing 3 x per week is the club level standard for U9-U11 groups.

Uh not really but sure. Check out some teams.

[Unregistered]

Thank you all, my kids are both under 9 and they both love the coaches and are getting better. The issue I am seeing is that they have surpassed there team mates and the team struggles vs top teams. When is it time to move on to play with a team that are more on there skill level?

u9, struggles against top teams? ECNL and GA don't have teams until u13 so league wise your stuck with EDP. As for club/team, if they like the team and are learning then just look for outside training. Those "top teams" will flip as players change teams and players mature so don't buy into that to much at this age.

[Unregistered]

u9, struggles against top teams? ECNL and GA don't have teams until u13 so league wise your stuck with EDP. As for club/team, if they like the team and are learning then just look for outside training. Those "top teams" will flip as players change teams and players mature so don't buy into that to much at this age.

Yes agree with this "top teams" even at U9 U10 will flip and some will leave for academy teams just for the name. Get lot of outside training and keep your kid on a good path

[Unregistered]

Why SJEB? The 09s are sporting 12 players for 9v9, 15 for the 08s and 17 for the 07s and about 18 for 06 and above. Those seem like pretty good numbers for 11v11. Unlike teams from MF, PDA North, Real and others having 20+.

SJEB is a cult. They will sell parents anything.

[Unregistered]

Why SJEB? The 09s are sporting 12 players for 9v9, 15 for the 08s and 17 for the 07s and about 18 for 06 and above. Those seem like pretty good numbers for 11v11. Unlike teams from MF, PDA North, Real and others having 20+.

Local town team like Real has true family atmosphere and definitely not 20+ on team, not sure what you’re looking at.

[Unregistered]

Local town team like Real has true family atmosphere and definitely not 20+ on team, not sure what you’re looking at.

I guess you don't know how to go to a website or count then

https://www.realjfc.com/page/show/58...teams-2020-21-

11v11
05 - 22
06 - 21
07 - 21
08 - 18

9v9
09 - 15

7v7
11 - 11
12 - 11

[Unregistered]

I guess you don't know how to go to a website or count then

https://www.realjfc.com/page/show/58...teams-2020-21-

11v11
05 - 22
06 - 21
07 - 21
08 - 18

9v9
09 - 15

7v7
11 - 11
12 - 11

Obsessed must be a PDA South parent jealous of a local town teams success being led by a parent coach. Just does not fit your narrative I guess. It’s ok if you can’t beat them join them.

[Unregistered]

Obsessed must be a PDA South parent jealous of a local town teams success being led by a parent coach. Just does not fit your narrative I guess. It’s ok if you can’t beat them join them.

Why do they have to be an obsessed parent? Obviously they were responding to "definitely not 20+ on team" and showed that several teams have close to or more then 20 on a team. Seems more like someone is trying to deflect from the fact that that person was right.

[Unregistered]

Trust me. Nobody cares.