You say that only the "best of the best" is in the ODP pools, but isn't that a subjective statement? Having said that, I am speaking to at least one player that I know of where there is no rhyme nor reason to their placement on the squad. This players mother is a manager, and I have witnessed situations where this player is continuously picked for regional camps, etc., while other quality, hard-working players are overlooked. I would be remiss to say this is the norm, but I wonder if this is an isolated incident. In this case, this team manager is very "Bush League" and perhaps it is an isolated example, but one also can't help but question the politics with this example, where this player is inferior to others. There is many quality players not trying out, so are you saying these players will be overlooked in the long run, or not playing with "the best". Again, I am not saying that the majority of ODP players are not the best, but just using this one example that I have witnessed.
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is this player on the paper regionals squad or the actual team that plays
20 to 25 of the regional pool selections r paper selections..no real ryhme or reason...parent manager, obscure state, nice shoes etc.....paper selections are simply that. if the kid can actually play they will be on the team that competes for the region or country...otherwise college coaches see right through these trummped up designations so called political picks..too bad parents aren't saavy enough to see through the smoke and mirrors...Comment
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Read the whole post not just part of it. I understood the point they were trying to make. By the way how many ODP players do not play club soccer?Originally posted by TurfEater View PostComment
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From my perspective these ODP team manager's do a lot of work. I'm not surprised that there could be some special concessions made in return. I don't see how this is in any way an indictment of the entire organization, however.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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None that I'm aware of but the fact that you're asking makes me think that you didn't get the point.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Word up
That was a stinky deal. That manager manipulted everyone involved and is a complete brown noser. Just wish there was a better way than having parents be managers for ODP. It would be better for the players also.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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You can always tell a person's political views and their outlook on life. When they focus on one line of a paragraph and not the whole thing. What was your favorite color of a HI-lighter as a kid Yellow? LOL I do enjoy your posts they are more thought provoking. Keep it up.Originally posted by TurfEater View PostComment
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Come on. Totally agree with this post. There is no question that there are going to be some political decisions, but that goes on at the Club level to the National level. It's not as if the player is not good and couldn't make it anyway. Look at the org as a whole and not one player.Originally posted by TurfEater View PostComment
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Give me a break! Step up and do it. Everyone complains about the cost then gripes when you get people stepping up to help out in VERY time-costly ways. Managers are the least appreciated people out there and are in a no win situation when the vast majority are simply trying to help.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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You are so right about that. Team managers have to listen to everyone B***h, B***h, B***h on every issue related to soccer and not related to soccer. 99% of the time they just follow orders from the coach and club. I think there will be a special place in heaven for them for all, because of all the HELL they go thru.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
KickinballzComment
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There are many great managers who sacrifice time and energy for the love of the kids & sport. BUT, there are also those who do and will manipulate things for their kids. We had a player on our team, who rarely showed up for practice during the winter/spring months. Was either hurt or too tired when he/she showed up for practice. And they ALWAYS started and either played 100% or close too.Originally posted by Kickinballz View Post
Same player gets invited to all the tournaments and doesn't have to ever worry about his/her spot in the starting 11. Mom/Manager has her child help pick room assignments and who should be invited to play at special tournaments with her child.
Manager is nice to certain families and very rude and cold to others (mostly those who are competition for her child-Those who are on the cusp with her daughter).
So, there are those lovely managers out there that we all dread having and dealing with (there's more out there then one would think).
That being said, THANK YOU to all the amazing big hearted, patient and kind managers who know their place is to assist the coaches & players.Comment
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[QUOTE=Unregistered;380011]There are many great managers who sacrifice time and energy for the love of the kids & sport. BUT, there are also those who do and will manipulate things for their kids. We had a player on our team, who rarely showed up for practice during the winter/spring months. Was either hurt or too tired when he/she showed up for practice. And they ALWAYS started and either played 100% or close too.
Same player gets invited to all the tournaments and doesn't have to ever worry about his/her spot in the starting 11. Mom/Manager has her child help pick room assignments and who should be invited to play at special tournaments with her child.
Manager is nice to certain families and very rude and cold to others (mostly those who are competition for her child-Those who are on the cusp with her daughter).
So, there are those lovely managers out there that we all dread having and dealing with (there's more out there then one would think).
That being said, THANK YOU to all the amazing big hearted, patient and kind managers who know their place is to assist the coaches & players.[
This stuff happens every year, when it comes to play time that is a coaching decision and not a team managers decision. That hurt , injured or lazy player must offer more to team on game day than your daughter is my guess. Do you really think a manager can be all thing to all people and personalities. If your part of competive sports you and your kids need to grow some thicker skin plan and simple the is not fair and never will be. Sorry to hear that you felt your daughter got the short end on the stick. Go thank a manager. I would not want that job if it paid 100k a year!Comment
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back to the subject
This thread was about whether you need to play club and/or ODP to play in college. In our experience (one kid currently playing at the DII level) and another involved in club and ODP- it depends on the level of college they aspire to.
There are plenty of kids who might have been amazing HS players (but no club experience) who can and do play at the NAIA level. Most DIII schools, because they don't offer athletic scholarships, are really looking for those SCHOLAR athletes (all athletes should remember what they are going to college for and it is not primarily soccer!) Most DII players come from a strong, competitive club program and some have ODP experience, primarily at the state level. Most "lower" DI program players have some kind of ODP experience and lots of club experience. My kid's teammates that are playing at the PAC10 level had years of club and ODP experience that at least took them through the regional level.
What we found in the recruiting process, at least with our kid, is that the coaches don't necessarily find your kid- your kid has to find them. Help your kid get educated about what kind of college they want to attend. Size? Location? Public vs. Private? Do they offer the major your child is interested in?
Do unofficial visits to campus and schedule a meeting with the coach. Ask questions of the coach to see if it will be a good fit for your kid. Communicate with the coaches that seem interest in keeping up with your kid (e.g, keep the coach informed about tournament schedules, awards won, etc.). Attending the school's camp or "ID" weekend events is probably the very best way to show the coach you are interested and for the coach to signal if they are interested in your kid. Look at the school's academic requirements and the qualifications of the rostered players. If your kid doesn't match up, it makes more sense to turn your attention to another college and program.
Prepare yourself for the absolute reality that there are very, very, very few full scholarships in college soccer. If your kid is offered one (unless they are truly a blue chip recruit and gets a full-ride) plan for a 25% or 50% award and plan your finances accordingly. Tuition is expensive, and the kids still need to eat and have a dry place to sleep. Also, don't think the endless stream of money from your pocket to a soccer program is going to end- most college programs expect their athletes to participate in some kind of fund-raising for the program- and you will want to have some money available to travel and watch your kid play.
Still think you want your kid to play at the college level? Make sure your kid really wants to play and that s/he understands the requirements and the realities.Comment
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[QUOTE=Unregistered;380046]I'm not saying the manager chooses playing time. Also, no this player does not offer more than any other player on the team in fact, she is one who probably is one of the weaker players. My point was the manager does manipulate things (those things within her power-including who gets to guest play on older teams with her daughter).Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
My daughter did receive plenty of playing time, so my comments weren't based on my daughter. I was simply giving an example of situation where a player is treated differently because her mother is the manager. If her mom wasn't, the player would have been held to the same standard as the rest of the players.Comment
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My point was the manager does manipulate things (those things within her power-including who gets to guest play on older teams with her daughter).
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What kind of coach or club would let a manager make these decisions? Managers should have nothing to do with deciding who guest plays.Comment
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