Changing The Game

[Unregistered]

dont get me wrong

Hey everyone don't get me wrong. I love high level youth soccer. It should be college bound players, USDA and the chick version, but other than that you are paying way way to much to play club soccer.

The reason why the clubs offer premier, D1 ect it is to take your money.

Money, money, money, MONEY.

The great love of the game could come from high school soccer and rec.

Lot of DOC's posting today about the benifits of you giving them money. MONEY for nothing.

[Unregistered]

Hey everyone don't get me wrong. I love high level youth soccer. It should be college bound players, USDA and the chick version, but other than that you are paying way way to much to play club soccer.

The reason why the clubs offer premier, D1 ect it is to take your money.

Money, money, money, MONEY.

The great love of the game could come from high school soccer and rec.

Lot of DOC's posting today about the benifits of you giving them money. MONEY for nothing.

Anyone that has any knowledge of the game knows that High School soccer is horrible!
It has only one positive influence on young adults...social....the social aspect of High School soccer is the only good thing that comes of it otherwise the actual soccer is horrible! And I can't see how...geeeeez, I mean, these coaches have the players for two hours a day five days a week! They should be sharp and fit

[Unregistered]

training

Club coaches have the players 10 months a year and still produce very little in terms college placement. It is just a waste of money. Without college placement club soccer is just "social" too.

Save the money everyone, go on a great famiy vacation.

[Unregistered]

I haven't read the book so my comments are regarding some previous posts in general. My DD has both an academic and an athletic scholarship that she earned and is playing a bit too far away for me to see her as much as I would like in the PAC-12. Yes, she was on a very good (old) OYSA State Cup winning club team and was on the Region IV team for ODP. High school soccer to both of us was disgusting even though the team did well. I'm sure someone will attack her credentials (and me) anyway. Disagree? Fine, just state your opinions.

No life lessons were learned playing all that soccer, she had a very good idea about life going in. She had previous life lessons reinforced by soccer. There were absolutely no role models in soccer at any level. Just normal humans with flaws, which is just fine. She did feel that parents of players: 1. Were completely dishonest at times about their player and she thought the lesser of them. Not all, but a large percentage. Their dishonesty was often seen through by the coaches and was not helpful at all. Some got away with it. 2. Often were too hard on their DD's and DS's by pushing them to do things they either couldn't do or didn't want to do. 3. Spent too much time lobbying coaches. 4. Should follow the example of her parents and very rarely talk to coaches at all, except for clarification of things parents were to do. Otherwise, let the player do the coach communication. 5. Disliked most team managers as she felt they did it solely to advance their player and, if possible, degrade other players. (her opinions about parents)

Club Coaches: (my opinions) 1. Know very, very little about college recruiting, scholarships or college coaches. 2. Put on a "know it all" face but have serious flaws in their perception of the game. That's why they coach youth soccer instead of college or some professional level. 3. Usually are nice people, who try to help players. 4. Don't understand about the level of fitness required in college programs.

Players: (my opinions) 1. Spend too much time fooling around and not enough time getting an education at school not related to soccer. 2. Are not physically fit for high level soccer. 3. Are not very truthful when it comes to college contacts, (or grades or SAT's).

Outside trainers: (her opinion) 1. Produce little clones that are not well rounded. 2. Players better off doing their best in practice, unless coaching is really terrible. 3. Not worth the time or money spent.

Books on soccer: (her opinion) She received many books to read. Rarely felt that they were beneficial to her. Only if you have the time to read them.

I have tried to represent her opinions after a cell phone call, missed some points do to my incomplete notes.

Wish you and your daughter the best inlife, but thankfully my daughter had a much more positive experience and still ended up in the same place. She is playing at Oregon State and graduated last year. This shouldn't be hard to figure out. I am very thankful that she looks back at her time spent playing youth soccer so fondly, because I know I do. I only wish I had read this book sooner. It took me a little while, but by the time my dd was in highschool, it was her show and not mine. Afterall, I was not the one who laced up my cleats every day. Money well spent. Difficult to put a price on your kids happiness and future. Even if my DD never went on to play at OSU, I would still think it was all worth it, because she did.

[Unregistered]

Club coaches have the players 10 months a year and still produce very little in terms college placement. It is just a waste of money. Without college placement club soccer is just "social" too.

Save the money everyone, go on a great famiy vacation.

Better yet, do both! Double happiness!

[OrSoccerMom]

Wish you and your daughter the best inlife, but thankfully my daughter had a much more positive experience and still ended up in the same place. She is playing at Oregon State and graduated last year. This shouldn't be hard to figure out. I am very thankful that she looks back at her time spent playing youth soccer so fondly, because I know I do. I only wish I had read this book sooner. It took me a little while, but by the time my dd was in highschool, it was her show and not mine. Afterall, I was not the one who laced up my cleats every day. Money well spent. Difficult to put a price on your kids happiness and future. Even if my DD never went on to play at OSU, I would still think it was all worth it, because she did.

It is nice to hear a positive experience! You must be very proud of your daughter. My middle daughter just finished her first year at OSU but not as a athlete. I am very proud of her as well!

My soccer player will start college in January at Oregon. Like another poster said, if she were not playing soccer then she would likely be playing some other sport. My oldest daughter did gymnastics and cheerleading and it was outrageously expensive as well. She did not go on to be a gymnast or cheerleader in college but still uses her skills as a yoga studio owner and instructor. I am proud of her too.

Soccer has been a very expensive journey for our family but I have never regretted my DDs participation. In the beginning we shelled out the money because she enjoyed it so much. The price kept going up because of travel. We haphazardly went through the journey never really thinking about where it would lead. It was more about participation than some ultimate outcome. As it is, she is fortunate enough to be able to play in college and even get some scholarship dollars for soccer. We never expected that so it is a nice bonus.

Upon reflection, I wish that I had been a little more precise in navigating the path. Not for her but for me as she is doing great. When she was younger I got way too emotional about games and I have had some less than stellar moments as a soccer mom. One thing as a parent that I have learned is that while it is always better to win, each game is not the end of anything. I also believe that it really didn't matter what team or club she played for as she developed into a fairly decent player irrespective of the collective team effort.

In the early years I found myself very stressed out at times trying to meet all the obligations that coaches everywhere were putting on her and by default on me. It took me a long time to get to a point where I understood that occasionally you have to say "no" to some events as life outside of soccer is equally important.

That is my take on this book. It speaks to roles as an athlete and as a parent. Fortunately for my daughter I was not a soccer player and was never qualified to give advise. I wish I could turn the clock back and take what I know now and redo some of the younger youth times so that I would not be so stressed and could truly enjoy the journey.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!!

[Unregistered]

Really?

The book is BS. It is written by someone who is trying to protect a sleaze ball profession of adults make a living off of coaching kids.

Why should we pay 1,500 for your little Player to play soccer that consist of a $30 ball, shorts and a t-shirt? Because if we pay the coaches your player will become the best player thay can be and parents dream big, college and even the pros. For the money we spend we expect winners and player achievements in the sport.

So get used to it all you professional youth coaches my little kid better be the best around that is what I paid for.

Have you read the book? I looked on Amazon and its not even released yet. So I looked on the website OR Soccer Mom listed and there are some pretty good reviews, not just from coaches, but by athletes, psychologists, and Bruce Brown, who speaks about this all over the country.

How do you know he is trying to protect the youth coaching profession if you have not read it? What if he agrees with you about youth coaches?

OR Soccer Mom, maybe after you read it you could give us a review. I would be interested, and I am sure others would be as well.

[Unregistered]

It is nice to hear a positive experience! You must be very proud of your daughter. My middle daughter just finished her first year at OSU but not as a athlete. I am very proud of her as well!

My soccer player will start college in January at Oregon. Like another poster said, if she were not playing soccer then she would likely be playing some other sport. My oldest daughter did gymnastics and cheerleading and it was outrageously expensive as well. She did not go on to be a gymnast or cheerleader in college but still uses her skills as a yoga studio owner and instructor. I am proud of her too.

Soccer has been a very expensive journey for our family but I have never regretted my DDs participation. In the beginning we shelled out the money because she enjoyed it so much. The price kept going up because of travel. We haphazardly went through the journey never really thinking about where it would lead. It was more about participation than some ultimate outcome. As it is, she is fortunate enough to be able to play in college and even get some scholarship dollars for soccer. We never expected that so it is a nice bonus.

Upon reflection, I wish that I had been a little more precise in navigating the path. Not for her but for me as she is doing great. When she was younger I got way too emotional about games and I have had some less than stellar moments as a soccer mom. One thing as a parent that I have learned is that while it is always better to win, each game is not the end of anything. I also believe that it really didn't matter what team or club she played for as she developed into a fairly decent player irrespective of the collective team effort.

In the early years I found myself very stressed out at times trying to meet all the obligations that coaches everywhere were putting on her and by default on me. It took me a long time to get to a point where I understood that occasionally you have to say "no" to some events as life outside of soccer is equally important.

That is my take on this book. It speaks to roles as an athlete and as a parent. Fortunately for my daughter I was not a soccer player and was never qualified to give advise. I wish I could turn the clock back and take what I know now and redo some of the younger youth times so that I would not be so stressed and could truly enjoy the journey.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!!

I was the one who made the comment about my daughter being competitive and if it wasn't soccer, it would be something else.

I'm glad you posted about your other daughter's activities and how expensive they were. I know of kids who play volleyball, or basketball and they spend a lot, especially on travel to tournaments. Let's face it, if a child is active and really focuses on an activity, the cost can be high, regardless of what the activity is. Kids are just plain expensive. But that's what we signed up for when we decided to have them.

As to traveling, yes it is expensive, but it is also nice to spend time with them. I went to Las Vegas with my daughter a couple of years ago and it was nice to spend time with just her. Also, the trips to practice can be good times to catch up with each other and discuss whatever is on your mind. Once you get home, they go to their room to study, or go watch TV or ask to go spend time with friends, and you have no chance to talk to them. That 20 minute ride is gold.

For me, the price of activities has been well worth it. And to my kids, they love it. If they didn't, I wouldn't make them do it. As of now, my daughter may end up playing in college and may get some money for it. Maybe not. However I know that she is strongly considering matching her major to her love of sports so that she can earn a living doing something she is passionate about. I think she would make a great soccer coach at some point, but it's up to her to decide what she wants to do.

For those that don't think the money for soccer is worth it, fine, that's your opinion. Opinion only mind you. Maybe you should see if you are spending those same dollars on other activities for them. And if you would rather spend it on vacation, then more power to you. I know that if made my kids quit all activities and we instead spent the money on vacations, they would be furious. And I don't think our family life would be nearly as great as it is now.

[Unregistered]

I was the one who made the comment about my daughter being competitive and if it wasn't soccer, it would be something else.

I'm glad you posted about your other daughter's activities and how expensive they were. I know of kids who play volleyball, or basketball and they spend a lot, especially on travel to tournaments. Let's face it, if a child is active and really focuses on an activity, the cost can be high, regardless of what the activity is. Kids are just plain expensive. But that's what we signed up for when we decided to have them.

As to traveling, yes it is expensive, but it is also nice to spend time with them. I went to Las Vegas with my daughter a couple of years ago and it was nice to spend time with just her. Also, the trips to practice can be good times to catch up with each other and discuss whatever is on your mind. Once you get home, they go to their room to study, or go watch TV or ask to go spend time with friends, and you have no chance to talk to them. That 20 minute ride is gold.

For me, the price of activities has been well worth it. And to my kids, they love it. If they didn't, I wouldn't make them do it. As of now, my daughter may end up playing in college and may get some money for it. Maybe not. However I know that she is strongly considering matching her major to her love of sports so that she can earn a living doing something she is passionate about. I think she would make a great soccer coach at some point, but it's up to her to decide what she wants to do.

For those that don't think the money for soccer is worth it, fine, that's your opinion. Opinion only mind you. Maybe you should see if you are spending those same dollars on other activities for them. And if you would rather spend it on vacation, then more power to you. I know that if made my kids quit all activities and we instead spent the money on vacations, they would be furious. And I don't think our family life would be nearly as great as it is now.

Great post!