OPL or Timbers league

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Ain't that the truth. Experienced this first hand, especially with the too many touches rule at FCP. If you have any creativity with the ball, any flair, or fun, you'll sit out. Coaches want you to play "drone" soccer. Be the drone and you'll succeed at FCP.

Yeah, those drones on the German national team were really lame in Brazil. I guess possession soccer is just for losers...

[Unregistered]

Yeah, those drones on the German national team were really lame in Brazil. I guess possession soccer is just for losers...

From u5-u12 it is for losers.

[Unregistered]

Yeah, those drones on the German national team were really lame in Brazil. I guess possession soccer is just for losers...

There is a difference between a methodical possession style of soccer and playing like a drone. These kids are being developed, as coaches it is our responsibility to balance two often contradicting masters. The first is the particular style of play we employ, the second is the individual player's strengths and weaknesses. It would be shameful if FC were systematically eliminating creative skills from their players

[Unregistered]

There is a difference between a methodical possession style of soccer and playing like a drone. These kids are being developed, as coaches it is our responsibility to balance two often contradicting masters. The first is the particular style of play we employ, the second is the individual player's strengths and weaknesses. It would be shameful if FC were systematically eliminating creative skills from their players

The coaches are always pushing the players to be creative, but within the system they want them to play.

[Unregistered]

Sometimes the girls get to wear a strip of colored pre-wrap to hold their hair in place.

The creativity allowed for the girls hasn't yet got to the boys side of things.

[Unregistered]

There is a difference between a methodical possession style of soccer and playing like a drone. These kids are being developed, as coaches it is our responsibility to balance two often contradicting masters. The first is the particular style of play we employ, the second is the individual player's strengths and weaknesses. It would be shameful if FC were systematically eliminating creative skills from their players

My observations are that FC is not stifling creativity. Yes I am a FC parent - I wouldn't be if I thought the kids were being discouraged from developing. I don't think FC is going to encourage a tekker, but they'll help them fit their skills into the context of the team.

[Unregistered]

The coaches are always pushing the players to be creative, but within the system they want them to play.

Taking your word for that, it is just a little concerning when you hear about a group of 13-14 year olds being sent the message if you take too many touches you don't play. Don't get me wrong I am all for one and two touch play, it creates an awesome rhythm, but one of the main goals should be to help the boys learn to think for themselves/make their own decisions. The best way to do this is allow them to discover why certain things don't work at certain times, and why they do at others…

But you know as long as you say it is all OK...

[Unregistered]

Yeah, those drones on the German national team were really lame in Brazil. I guess possession soccer is just for losers...

Your comparing the FCP teams with the German national team? Please!! The German national team strikes a beautiful balance of possession soccer, high tempo, and has many creative players. FCP coaches may WANT their teams to play like the German national team, however they are killing the creative players. Van Persie, Ibrahimovic, Messi, Ronaldo, Totti, Ozil, Ribery, and Neymar would have never survived in the FCP environment.

[Unregistered]

My observations are that FC is not stifling creativity. Yes I am a FC parent - I wouldn't be if I thought the kids were being discouraged from developing. I don't think FC is going to encourage a tekker, but they'll help them fit their skills into the context of the team.

Agreed. Coaches are constantly pushing my DD to be more creative, dribble the ball more, take on defenders 1v1 when it's the right thing to do. But the emphasis tactically is to use your teammates and pass the ball around to maintain possession and wait for those right opportunities to present themselves.

[Unregistered]

My observations are that FC is not stifling creativity. Yes I am a FC parent - I wouldn't be if I thought the kids were being discouraged from developing. I don't think FC is going to encourage a tekker, but they'll help them fit their skills into the context of the team.

I suspect a tekker would choose not to play at FC…A lot of other clubs will see the value they bring to the pitch.

[Unregistered]

Taking your word for that, it is just a little concerning when you hear about a group of 13-14 year olds being sent the message if you take too many touches you don't play. Don't get me wrong I am all for one and two touch play, it creates an awesome rhythm, but one of the main goals should be to help the boys learn to think for themselves/make their own decisions. The best way to do this is allow them to discover why certain things don't work at certain times, and why they do at others…

But you know as long as you say it is all OK...

They are not being sent that "message". It's just another TS troll stirring things up.

[Unregistered]

They are not being sent that "message". It's just another TS troll stirring things up.

or maybe someone who just has a different perspective than through your rose colored glasses...

[Unregistered]

or maybe someone who just has a different perspective than through your rose colored glasses...

it could be that. I know we've dealt with coaches that we have been very happy with and others have been very unhappy with. Also coaches that have driven us to the point of leaving the club that others have thought were great coaches.

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it could be that. I know we've dealt with coaches that we have been very happy with and others have been very unhappy with. Also coaches that have driven us to the point of leaving the club that others have thought were great coaches.

There are always parents who just know that their kid is way better than what the coach thinks. I had to listen to one drone on and on about perceived injustices just last night at practice. The guy just knows that he knows more about soccer than 3 coaches that have been coaching for a combined 60+ years. I'm guess his kid is going to be on the move again. Too bad for the kid...

[Unregistered]

Taking your word for that, it is just a little concerning when you hear about a group of 13-14 year olds being sent the message if you take too many touches you don't play. Don't get me wrong I am all for one and two touch play, it creates an awesome rhythm, but one of the main goals should be to help the boys learn to think for themselves/make their own decisions. The best way to do this is allow them to discover why certain things don't work at certain times, and why they do at others…

But you know as long as you say it is all OK...

This is the very reason we left FC and the very reason you don't see international stars coming from the U.S. Too much structure, too methodical. FCP was the epitome of this. Very structured, very mechanical. Kids everywhere else around the world learn from the game and from a supportive environment that isn't going to scold them for unsuccessful dribbles. My kid is now in a very supportive environment and has learned more from the game and from the new club. I am seeing more one and two touch passing from my kid and my kid continues to dribble, having learned when to pass and when to dribble. My kid is now making better decisions. Thankfully, we took our kid out of the FCP environment before our kid lost all the creativity and passion that made our kid stand out.