Playing time/substitution

[Unregistered]

99% of all club team have a full roster for the money not the talent.

And 99% of those clubs get both

[Unregistered]

And 99% of those clubs get both

Disagree with that statement as 99% of teams don't have enough talent. They have more bench warmers or kids that want to say they play club then real talent. It's a social thing and a money maker to have 18 plus kids on a team.

[Unregistered]

Disagree with that statement as 99% of teams don't have enough talent. They have more bench warmers or kids that want to say they play club then real talent. It's a social thing and a money maker to have 18 plus kids on a team.

I have not seen very many premier teams with 18 players--most have 14-15. Are you talking about club at the competitive/rec level?

[Unregistered]

Disagree with that statement as 99% of teams don't have enough talent. They have more bench warmers or kids that want to say they play club then real talent. It's a social thing and a money maker to have 18 plus kids on a team.

That is a foolish comment. 99%?

All teams, including Professional teams, have a few really good players and the rest are good enough to support the stars. Just because a player is not a super-star does not mean they are not an important part of the game.

These non-star players are playing club because 99.9% of town coaching is abysmal.

[Unregistered]

Disagree with that statement as 99% of teams don't have enough talent. They have more bench warmers or kids that want to say they play club then real talent. It's a social thing and a money maker to have 18 plus kids on a team.

How do you define "real talent?"

[Unregistered]

Disagree with that statement as 99% of teams don't have enough talent. They have more bench warmers or kids that want to say they play club then real talent. It's a social thing and a money maker to have 18 plus kids on a team.

If I were a premier coach/owner, I'd be happy to take someone's money if they wanted to say that they played premier just so they could brag to their friends. Most premier teams have about 15 players. 3 or 4 are your core players--a strong center mid is essential, a striker or two and a goalie are the core for most teams. These are your "must haves" and they need to be the team leaders. If a team is lucky enough to have a lot of other really strong players, they are probably a contender for state cup or better, but even if you only have a few standouts, you can probably compete well in most games. It's just like any other sport at any other level.

[Unregistered]

I have not seen very many premier teams with 18 players--most have 14-15. Are you talking about club at the competitive/rec level?

If you check the rosters or go to any Maple game you will see at least 6-7 kids sitting the bench and at u15 and above that is a shame. Players 15 and above do not need to be sub every ten min so joe and jane can get some pt time. Let them play rec or on a less competitive team.

[Unregistered]

100% correct, Harry.

IMO, competitive town and club teams, as well as middle school and high school teams are about competing for a championship. Try to win as many games as possible, make the playoffs then try to make a run in to the finals. Coaches need not apologize that certain kids do not get playing time. Letting lesser-talented players on the field for these teams just for the purpose of getting them into the game IS NOT FAIR to the kids who want to win.

There is a place for equal playing time. It is called "recreational soccer". Put your child in a rec league if you an equal playing time environment.

To my first point - coaches of competitive/school teams should always have a pre-season team meeting with parents present to bluntly explain their philosophy and what to expect, i.e. not every one will play in every game, kids who work hard in practice can earn playing time with sheer hustle, attitude and improvement. Remember, complaining parents usually do not ever see how their kids perform in practice. Are they goofing around, going through the motions? Or, are they working their butts off to impress the coach to earn a role?

I also believe that once a kid enters the 9th grade, it is incumbent upon the kid - not the parent - to address the coach directly if they have an issue with playing time, etc.

JB

You're Middle School comment is reprehensible. I can't believe that you actually wrote that it "IS NOT FAIR" to have the second stringers get some playing time in Middle School. That has to be the most obnoxious statment I have read on the Forum, and that is saying something.

Middle school has absolutely NO MEANING to anyone but the kids and parents that are involved. Winning the Middle School State Championsip carries NO WEIGHT beyond that day. Middle school should be used as a development tool to end up with better HS Players. And that means making sure that everyone gets some playing time.

Parents that are so involved in a Middle School program that they actually think that some of the ( KIDS THAT MADE THE TEAM ) should'nt get to play, so their litte Johny or Mia gets more playing time, need to take a step back so they can see reality.

JB, much of what you have posted throughtout this Forum has been relatively thoughtful and showed some common sense. You are way off the mark on this one.

[Unregistered]

You're Middle School comment is reprehensible. I can't believe that you actually wrote that it "IS NOT FAIR" to have the second stringers get some playing time in Middle School. That has to be the most obnoxious statment I have read on the Forum, and that is saying something.

Middle school has absolutely NO MEANING to anyone but the kids and parents that are involved. Winning the Middle School State Championsip carries NO WEIGHT beyond that day. Middle school should be used as a development tool to end up with better HS Players. And that means making sure that everyone gets some playing time.

Parents that are so involved in a Middle School program that they actually think that some of the ( KIDS THAT MADE THE TEAM ) should'nt get to play, so their litte Johny or Mia gets more playing time, need to take a step back so they can see reality.

JB, much of what you have posted throughtout this Forum has been relatively thoughtful and showed some common sense. You are way off the mark on this one.

"Reprehensible" "obnoxious"? I think that's a little strong. I mean, it's just one guy's opinion, that's all.

There are some kids who want to win - even 8th graders.

Sorry, but I disagree with you 100%. I don't think middle school sports are any different than HS sports. My 2 boys sat the bench almost the entire season last year and it didn't bother me a bit. They simply weren't good enough to garner playing time on that MS team. They had other avenues to play - rec league and their town/club travel team. This year, after a year of paying their dues, they are starters and playing a ton of minutes. I can assure you that trying to win a middle school state championship means a lot to both of them.

Listen, no hard feelings here. It's not a personal thing. Again, just my opinion.

JB

[Unregistered]

"Reprehensible" "obnoxious"? I think that's a little strong. I mean, it's just one guy's opinion, that's all.

There are some kids who want to win - even 8th graders.

Sorry, but I disagree with you 100%. I don't think middle school sports are any different than HS sports. My 2 boys sat the bench almost the entire season last year and it didn't bother me a bit. They simply weren't good enough to garner playing time on that MS team. They had other avenues to play - rec league and their town/club travel team. This year, after a year of paying their dues, they are starters and playing a ton of minutes. I can assure you that trying to win a middle school state championship means a lot to both of them.

Listen, no hard feelings here. It's not a personal thing. Again, just my opinion.

JB

I agree with you JB but many parents don't believe their kids are not good enough. They pay their thousand or so and feel entitled for playing time. At this age and if you are honest with yourself then you should realize that your child should not be on a top team even though they were at u12 or u13 things change. Sometimes hs,ms or rec should be enough.

[Unregistered]

I agree with you JB but many parents don't believe their kids are not good enough. They pay their thousand or so and feel entitled for playing time. At this age and if you are honest with yourself then you should realize that your child should not be on a top team even though they were at u12 or u13 things change. Sometimes hs,ms or rec should be enough.

Thanks for agreeing with me.

But I hate to tell you this.....I think makes you reprehensible and obnoxious, too. :)

JB

[Unregistered]

"Reprehensible" "obnoxious"? I think that's a little strong. I mean, it's just one guy's opinion, that's all.

There are some kids who want to win - even 8th graders.

Sorry, but I disagree with you 100%. I don't think middle school sports are any different than HS sports. My 2 boys sat the bench almost the entire season last year and it didn't bother me a bit. They simply weren't good enough to garner playing time on that MS team. They had other avenues to play - rec league and their town/club travel team. This year, after a year of paying their dues, they are starters and playing a ton of minutes. I can assure you that trying to win a middle school state championship means a lot to both of them.

Listen, no hard feelings here. It's not a personal thing. Again, just my opinion.

JB

I'm sure that wining the State championship does mean a lot to the children. But it takes an adult to do the right thing.

You couldn't be more wrong. MS sports should be used as a feeder program to the HS. Just like the JV team should be a feeder for Varsity. Anyone that actually puts a lot of importance on winning the JV championship is equally off center as you.

Are those games important to the kids playing - absolutely. Should the coach try to win the MS or JV championship at all cost- absolutely not.

Maybe the language was a bit strong but it seems like you actually coach at some level. Your attitude and opinions matter. The fact that you think that it's ok for a 12 year old kid to sit the bench on a town competitive team is just scary!

[Unregistered]

[/QUOTE]The fact that you think that it's ok for a 12 year old kid to sit the bench on a town competitive team is just scary![/QUOTE]



The key word there is "Competitive", town competitive teams are just that and if the player is new or not one of the better players they will sit and not get equal playing time....it's common sense and most parents know that and the realistic ones don't have a problem with that.


The same with MS teams, it should not be all about equal playing time and just having fun, most of these kids are on premiere or town competitive teams and WANT to win! and some of the MS coaches were teachers or parents not actual experienced coaches, so they dont have the play to win mentality but I bet the kids do....

[Unregistered]

I'm sure that wining the State championship does mean a lot to the children. But it takes an adult to do the right thing.

You couldn't be more wrong. MS sports should be used as a feeder program to the HS. Just like the JV team should be a feeder for Varsity. Anyone that actually puts a lot of importance on winning the JV championship is equally off center as you.

Are those games important to the kids playing - absolutely. Should the coach try to win the MS or JV championship at all cost- absolutely not.

Maybe the language was a bit strong but it seems like you actually coach at some level. Your attitude and opinions matter. The fact that you think that it's ok for a 12 year old kid to sit the bench on a town competitive team is just scary!

Nope, you're totally wrong.

Define "right thing", please.

IMO, last year's MS state championship boys team coach rostered 17 kids, of which 12-13 kids played any significant minutes. Thus, 4 boys played sparingly, if at all. Meaning, they actually played in 3 or 4 of the 12 game season. 2 of those boys were mine, as I said. By not playing those weaker players significant minutes, the coach did the "right thing" toward the 12-13 regulars who wanted and deserved to win the states - something they'll remember the rest of their lives. Had the coach played everyone equally, the team most certainly would not have won the states. That wouldn't have been fair to those kids who wanted to win.

In addition, it was probably the single best coaching job I have ever seen in youth sports. The MS coach did a great job. Am I grateful that my kids didn't play? Absolutely! They learned that sometimes you must wait your turn and pay your dues. They learned that they're not entitled to everything in life. It also made them appreciate this year when they are starters, captains and leaders of the team that much more.

My son also was on the Lincoln LL all-star team that won the states as 10's and 12's. They made it to the final game in Regionals before being beat by a Peabody MA walk-off HR. My son was one of the smallest, weakest kids on the team. Equal playing time??? Hardly. He played 2 innings and batted 1 time in Regionals. Why? Because he couldn't hit the pitching at that level! He didn't deserve it. To let him play equal time as the 6 kids playing 6 innings WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FAIR to those stars who wanted to go to Williamsport. My son was grateful that he was just part of the team.

Your point about a U12 competitive is different than Middle School. MS is the equivalent of U14 soccer. But to your point - I coached a U12 team to a SuperLiga championship a few years ago. Over the course of the 8 game season, every kid played pretty much the same minutes - but not the same in every game. I played the starters more in the closer games, I played the subs more minutes than the starters in the blowouts. I figured out a way to get everyone the same total minutes over the season. But to do it game-by-game would not have been fair to those kids who wanted to win.


Guess what? To this day those kids still talk about that season as being one of their most fun years in soccer.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me. It's the nature of a democracy. But I don't think that name calling proves you to be right.

JB

[Unregistered]

Thanks for agreeing with me.

But I hate to tell you this.....I think makes you reprehensible and obnoxious, too. :)

JB

I'm ok with being reprehensible obnoxious as long as there 16 or less players on the roster and I don't have watch someone that shouldn't be on the team play in a game. :)