Structure of tryouts

[Unregistered]

here is the thing. coaches really don't care if they hurt a childs feelings. They are more interested in putting out the best possible team. If that means talking to some kids during pre-tryouts to make sure they come for actual tryouts then so be it. If it means offering players a roster spot after the first night of tryouts and having them make a decision right then and there, it is what happens.

Coaches know players go to multiple tryouts so they want to make sure they get the players they want.

[Unregistered]

I missunderstood.

I wasn't talking about the current U11 team. I agree they are doing great. I am just talking U10...it was my kids opinion though so please don't take it to heart. I did not mean to be offensive. It is his option "B" because he really wanted to play for WST. I think FC is a really respectable club and tends to be consistently strong.

No worries, sorry about the miscommunication. Good Luck on finding a team for your son!

[Unregistered]

Guess you would say that all the ODP coaches are lazy then! That's how the scout out the kids.

While I do agree that drills are important and should be done the best way to see how a kid plays is to put them in a game. I've seen kids that aren't as good at the drills do extremely well on the field and vice versa.

Even at the national youth training level, small sided drills were the main focus of the training and to evaluate the talents. Physical strength and speed are important aspect of the game as well but at u10-u14, I would focus more on the development of mastering the basic skills. Even at U14-15 A players, I've seen many players struggling with drills that require much better touches and decision makings.

[Unregistered]

What's best?

Even at the national youth training level, small sided drills were the main focus of the training and to evaluate the talents. Physical strength and speed are important aspect of the game as well but at u10-u14, I would focus more on the development of mastering the basic skills. Even at U14-15 A players, I've seen many players struggling with drills that require much better touches and decision makings.

We all have seen many, many practices and games at many, many levels. So, let's focus on small-sided drills and then will all have successful players? Not really. Its clearly a balance between all activities. Full-size field work is very important. Yes, some players would be able to keep up the pace and longer pass requirements. Most will get better, some will fail. Some that look great in confined areas will fail, badly. One shouldn't teach reading to a class by structuring it to the least capable. Same with soccer. Improve or go to a level equal to your skills. Your comment proves my point, "A" players at U-14 or U-15 shouldn't be struggling with drills, they really are "B" players. Perhaps no amount of small sided drills or otherwise will improve them.

[Unregistered]

I am just wondering why you think the FC coach is better. I am unfamiliar with them both except for the pre-tryouts last night. I was put off a bit when he already made it pretty obvious that he is probably bringing back the whole U10 team and three other kids that weren't on the team. Don't get me wrong they may deserve it...it just seemed inappropriate. I don't think it's good practice and probably hurt a few kids that understood what was going on. Just my opinion though. I didn't have any interaction with him personally.

Because JR does not teach good soccer. If you had seen his U13G team play you would understand. It was some of the ugliest soccer around. They just pack in the box and then boot the ball up to the forwards when ever possible. There is no combination passes, no possession soccer.

[Unregistered]

Because JR does not teach good soccer. If you had seen his U13G team play you would understand. It was some of the ugliest soccer around. They just pack in the box and then boot the ball up to the forwards when ever possible. There is no combination passes, no possession soccer.

I have watched the girls play. I wouldn't consider it the ugliest soccer, but certainly not the best I've seen. Not a lot of passing, crossing, switching, etc... It would be unfortunate to have this U11 team led by someone of limited coaching ability. They are a very talented group of boys.