U13G Premier Power Rankings

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But then again, you love guacamole enemas.

I did not know about the guacamole enemas. I have only tried the coffee enema which is not that bad. There are lots of health benefits that go with getting regular enemas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHttmR3YEpI

If you don't like the power rankings then why do you bother reading and responding to a thread that is clearly labeled "U13 Power Rankings"

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FC vs Eugene

These teams have now met four times in Fall league play.

U-11: FC 0 Eugene 0

U-12: FC 2 Eugene 2
FC 2 Eugene 2

U-13: FC 1 Eugene 1

So there has never been any result other than a draw in three years of Fall league play.

Conclusion? These teams are pretty darn evenly matched.

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I love how parents minimize and justify losing. Is soccer the only sport where losing is used as a measuring stick for future success. If I hear "it's because they are learning to play the right way" or "it's all going to change just you wait and see . . . " anymore I am going to puke in my mouth.

"The only thing to be learned from a loss is learning how to lose."
- Vince Lombardi

Hopefully you choke on it too.

Think this all you want. Those kids being taught long-ball (because it works at younger ages), or teams who pack it back and rely on one athletic forward (for their age) will all fade as they get older. Teams who focus on technical development and player development will succeed in the long run.

Teaching tactics is the easy part. Technical development is more difficult and requires a discipline, which will pay off later.

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I will also add that I agree with that quote. That said, Vince Lombardi is not talking about 9, 10, 11 year old kids. Those are very high development years where you should focus on the right things to set up kids for future success.

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I will also add that I agree with that quote. That said, Vince Lombardi is not talking about 9, 10, 11 year old kids. Those are very high development years where you should focus on the right things to set up kids for future success.

Although I do agree with your statement, I do get tired of hearing clubs (and parents) come up with the excuse of "we are teaching the right way", "we will win when we are older", etc...

For the most part, the coaches and training sessions at the clubs in the Premier bracket are more similar then different. How good the teams are depends more on the quality of players they actually get and less on the coaching. You take the top 2 or 3 player from each team and it significantly changes the W-L result for that team. My thoughts are those top 2 or 3 players would be impact players regardless of the club they choose.

Not saying that winning is every thing. I see no point in justifying why we lose and making ourselves feel better by saying the winning team is winning the wrong way and we will beat them when they are at U16. There is not point to it.

THUSC, FC Portland, and LO (OSSA) will be better teams by U16 not necesarily because they taught soccer the right way, but because they will attract some of the good players from the weaker teams.

I assume Timbers are in the same boat. The better players in the SW Washington will probably end up with the Timbers.

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Not to belabor this, but what you focus on during practice maters a lot and coaches practices vary significantly. If you understand the game, you can see it. Kids who are more technical and confident on the ball will be more successful at later ages. Kids who are taught to move the ball quickly, long-ball, etc will not be (and are not) confident on the ball. They will fall behind.

Clubs like VT, etc focus on tactics too early. They focus on moving the ball quickly and their players show this individually. This is why the gap tends to widen at older ages between clubs who focus on technical development over tactics early on.

Kids learning to play the ball out of the back when they are young will turn it over and get scored on. Teams playing long-ball will be more successful at early ages. This absolutely changes as kids get older - when winning really does matter.

I'm not minimizing winning. Everyone wants to. However, early success does not indicate later success. Especially for those teams focusing on the wrong things during early ages.

My recommendation is to take your lumps early. Focus on the right development because it does pay off.

[Unregistered]

Not to belabor this, but what you focus on during practice maters a lot and coaches practices vary significantly. If you understand the game, you can see it. Kids who are more technical and confident on the ball will be more successful at later ages. Kids who are taught to move the ball quickly, long-ball, etc will not be (and are not) confident on the ball. They will fall behind.

Clubs like VT, etc focus on tactics too early. They focus on moving the ball quickly and their players show this individually. This is why the gap tends to widen at older ages between clubs who focus on technical development over tactics early on.

Kids learning to play the ball out of the back when they are young will turn it over and get scored on. Teams playing long-ball will be more successful at early ages. This absolutely changes as kids get older - when winning really does matter.

I'm not minimizing winning. Everyone wants to. However, early success does not indicate later success. Especially for those teams focusing on the wrong things during early ages.

My recommendation is to take your lumps early. Focus on the right development because it does pay off.

"taking your lumps early" only works for the few established big clubs, for everyone else, not winning early means losing your best players and having no chance to recruit elite talent. It matters little if a Clackamas or a NEU do everything "right" at the younger ages, if they don't win, regardless, they will have very few elite players by the time they get to u13. Obviously there has to be a balance but please don't say it's as easy as "taking your lumps early".

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You all need to get a life

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"taking your lumps early" only works for the few established big clubs, for everyone else, not winning early means losing your best players and having no chance to recruit elite talent. It matters little if a Clackamas or a NEU do everything "right" at the younger ages, if they don't win, regardless, they will have very few elite players by the time they get to u13. Obviously there has to be a balance but please don't say it's as easy as "taking your lumps early".

That is fair enough and understandable.

[Unregistered]

You all need to get a life

Suggest you take your own advice.

[Unregistered]

Not to belabor this, but what you focus on during practice maters a lot and coaches practices vary significantly. If you understand the game, you can see it. Kids who are more technical and confident on the ball will be more successful at later ages. Kids who are taught to move the ball quickly, long-ball, etc will not be (and are not) confident on the ball. They will fall behind.

Clubs like VT, etc focus on tactics too early. They focus on moving the ball quickly and their players show this individually. This is why the gap tends to widen at older ages between clubs who focus on technical development over tactics early on.

Kids learning to play the ball out of the back when they are young will turn it over and get scored on. Teams playing long-ball will be more successful at early ages. This absolutely changes as kids get older - when winning really does matter.

I'm not minimizing winning. Everyone wants to. However, early success does not indicate later success. Especially for those teams focusing on the wrong things during early ages.

My recommendation is to take your lumps early. Focus on the right development because it does pay off.

Since this is a GU13 thread ... I take exception to your comment regarding "VT".
My God man! This has to be the most posession oriented team in our area! Every time I watch them or play against them I marvel at their skill. There are very few teams at this age that are as confident on the ball. They frequently switch the field and play back to the keeper. I have seen a long ball or two but I would have to say that it does not define their style of play. I have not seen any other ages @ "VT" so I can only comment on the GU13s.

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Although I do agree with your statement, I do get tired of hearing clubs (and parents) come up with the excuse of "we are teaching the right way", "we will win when we are older", etc...

For the most part, the coaches and training sessions at the clubs in the Premier bracket are more similar then different. How good the teams are depends more on the quality of players they actually get and less on the coaching.

I can tell you from experience that this is absolutely not true. My daughter was at her first club from U11-U13. The practices were slow and the girls were never forced to work hard. She guest played in some tournaments for another club and their practices were an improvement. The coach expected more out of the girls and worked on technical training. She tried out at an entirely different club at U14 and all I can say is wow. The practices were as intense as some of our games. The girls all worked hard and motivated all their teammates to work just as hard. The coach varied his drills and really tapped into what the girls needed to work on as a team and as individuals. He let them know from the start what he expected out of them. The best part is it wasn't just the coach who held the players accountable but it was her teammates as well.

My daughter was not a stand out player but her coach has made her better and her confidence is now very high. All coaches and clubs are not the same. Coaches matter a lot from U9-U14 as long as they're focusing on the right things. Coaches still matter from U15 and beyond but by then the kids have a much better grasp on the game and tactical becomes the important part and as long as the technical ability is already there you'll see lots of wins.

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Since this is a GU13 thread ... I take exception to your comment regarding "VT".
My God man! This has to be the most posession oriented team in our area! Every time I watch them or play against them I marvel at their skill. There are very few teams at this age that are as confident on the ball. They frequently switch the field and play back to the keeper. I have seen a long ball or two but I would have to say that it does not define their style of play. I have not seen any other ages @ "VT" so I can only comment on the GU13s.

I think what the person meant was that the team is very good tactically. The problem that he/she sees is that the a lot of the girls lack the confidence technically because they are instructed to get rid of the ball in 1-2 touches. If they get in a situation (like in California) where they may have to hold onto the ball some are not able to do so. In Oregon it's easy to play 1-2 touch soccer because other teams tend to chase the ball. In California sometimes it seems as if the other team has 13 players on the field because no one seems to be open and you may have to try to create something out of nothing.

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I think what the person meant was that the team is very good tactically. The problem that he/she sees is that the a lot of the girls lack the confidence technically because they are instructed to get rid of the ball in 1-2 touches. If they get in a situation (like in California) where they may have to hold onto the ball some are not able to do so. In Oregon it's easy to play 1-2 touch soccer because other teams tend to chase the ball. In California sometimes it seems as if the other team has 13 players on the field because no one seems to be open and you may have to try to create something out of nothing.

Bingo

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These teams have now met four times in Fall league play.

U-11: FC 0 Eugene 0

U-12: FC 2 Eugene 2
FC 2 Eugene 2

U-13: FC 1 Eugene 1

So there has never been any result other than a draw in three years of Fall league play.

Conclusion? These teams are pretty darn evenly matched.

Only watched the latest game so can't comment on U11/U12 history. Both teams are well coached and very technical for young players. FCPDX players have more creativity and a deeper bench. Both teams have great attitudes and competitive spirit. If EMFC's weaker players catch up or they find a few more quick, athletic girls who learn to play with the rest, then the teams will be evenly matched for years to come. As it is, FCPDX is the better team right now.