The key to being an elite soccer player in WA

[Guest]

Elite level soccer isn't for everyone. Once kids start making the decision as to what they want to do, vs being directed by parents as to what they are going to do, you absolutely will see less participation. At some point, whether it's the child or the parent, someone realizes they aren't going pro, and likely not playing college soccer.

The time, money and dedication needed to play high level soccer is not for everyone.

The sooner people understand this the better.

[Guest]

OP- I didn't start this post to get into an argument about the virtues of ECNL. More to help U8-U10 parents with their soccer journey.

[Guest]

I thought your post was very accurate for what it takes. You didn't even say much about ECNL except that is the dominant league (not sure who can argue that). Unfortunately, everything on here turns to an argument about leagues/teams/coaches.

Also agree about not worrying too much about coaching. If they are good, awesome, if not, that was never going to be the game changer. I would say it is important to have solid players to practice against. Doesn't have to be the best team, but having some skilled, aggressive players will help improve everyone. If this isn't the case there are other ways. Play pick-up games with older kids if its possible in your area. Even going and playing basketball with older kids has a lot of benefits for soccer players.

[Guest]

There are very few “great” coaches coaching youth soccer. It’s just the nature of the beast.

[Guest]

OP- I didn't start this post to get into an argument about the virtues of ECNL. More to help U8-U10 parents with their soccer journey.

I have a U8-U10 kid. This was very thought provoking and helpful. May I ask, where are your kids in their soccer journey.

[Guest]

I thought your post was very accurate for what it takes. You didn't even say much about ECNL except that is the dominant league (not sure who can argue that). Unfortunately, everything on here turns to an argument about leagues/teams/coaches.

Also agree about not worrying too much about coaching. If they are good, awesome, if not, that was never going to be the game changer. I would say it is important to have solid players to practice against. Doesn't have to be the best team, but having some skilled, aggressive players will help improve everyone. If this isn't the case there are other ways. Play pick-up games with older kids if its possible in your area. Even going and playing basketball with older kids has a lot of benefits for soccer players.

I'm going to give a hard disagree re coaching. A bad coach can kill a kids love for the game, stunt development, etc. I wouldn't underestimate the impact of a coach who helps a kid find their passion and believe in themselves.

[Guest]

There are very few “great” coaches coaching youth soccer. It’s just the nature of the beast.

Based on your professional opinion! Your the problem

[Guest]

Based on your professional opinion! Your the problem

No, they are right. Most youth coaches in this area are crap, that’s the reality whether you like it or not.

[Guest]

I have a U8-U10 kid. This was very thought provoking and helpful. May I ask, where are your kids in their soccer journey.

Ugh, at U-8 - U10 just let them play! Plenty of world class coaches will echo this. Sure some agility work and fun camps are great, but really just play pick up, indoor, futsal, in the park with friends or family. We should really look outward for the recipes considering the USMNT record. USWNT have been playing with the lions share of advantages and participation and still do so that is not a great reference. Time on the ball, low stakes environment, things the enjoy doing. Nothing more. Do martial arts, do ballet, gymastics, rock climbing or basketball as well. If they still love it at U12 start to hit the paid additional trainings more but don't force it on them. Child phenoms rarely materialize as they usually burn out and are typically forced by parents or clubs or both. The greatest stews are made from a slow, long simmer not a short rapid boil.

[Guest]

Ugh, at U-8 - U10 just let them play! Plenty of world class coaches will echo this. Sure some agility work and fun camps are great, but really just play pick up, indoor, futsal, in the park with friends or family. We should really look outward for the recipes considering the USMNT record. USWNT have been playing with the lions share of advantages and participation and still do so that is not a great reference. Time on the ball, low stakes environment, things the enjoy doing. Nothing more. Do martial arts, do ballet, gymastics, rock climbing or basketball as well. If they still love it at U12 start to hit the paid additional trainings more but don't force it on them. Child phenoms rarely materialize as they usually burn out and are typically forced by parents or clubs or both. The greatest stews are made from a slow, long simmer not a short rapid boil.

Just let them play is bad advice.

But everything after that first sentence is good!

At U8-U10 you would benefit from teaching your child that training and grinding is fun. If you wait until U12 you are too late. Sounders Discovery (now called futures) starts at U12 and even their website references U8: https://www.soundersfc.com/academy/pathway

Trust that I'm not saying every kid needs to put in the grind at U8. But if your child plans to be one of the best 11 kids in the state, they would benefit from being one of the top kids by U12.

With MLS geographic restrictions being lifted I believe this is more important than before.

At U12 there are many additional training opportunities that open up for kids such as Sounders Futures and ODP selection (the biggest benefit to EPD is selection into ODP where you can play regionally and possibly nationally- the training and game environments are top notch within ODP). These opportunities unite your child with other exceptional athletes and those kids that are participating at U12 gain a competitive advantage.

I'm not saying there aren't exceptions to the rule.

Im familiar with Matt Turners story.

If your child has elite athleticism that will stay with them through puberty (mom and dad were elite athletes and it's not just a case of an early bloomer) then you can maybe disregard some of the above.

And yes, kids will burn out or decide the path is not for them.

[Guest]

With MLS geographic restrictions being lifted I believe this is more important than before.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Guest]

Just let them play is bad advice.

But everything after that first sentence is good!

At U8-U10 you would benefit from teaching your child that training and grinding is fun. If you wait until U12 you are too late. Sounders Discovery (now called futures) starts at U12 and even their website references U8: https://www.soundersfc.com/academy/pathway

Trust that I'm not saying every kid needs to put in the grind at U8. But if your child plans to be one of the best 11 kids in the state, they would benefit from being one of the top kids by U12.

With MLS geographic restrictions being lifted I believe this is more important than before.

At U12 there are many additional training opportunities that open up for kids such as Sounders Futures and ODP selection (the biggest benefit to EPD is selection into ODP where you can play regionally and possibly nationally- the training and game environments are top notch within ODP). These opportunities unite your child with other exceptional athletes and those kids that are participating at U12 gain a competitive advantage.

I'm not saying there aren't exceptions to the rule.

Im familiar with Matt Turners story.

If your child has elite athleticism that will stay with them through puberty (mom and dad were elite athletes and it's not just a case of an early bloomer) then you can maybe disregard some of the above.
xamp
And yes, kids will burn out or decide the path is not for them.

The best (like the really great ones) become great on the streets. Just playing. Not the coaches or the parents. Yeah a lot of them do futsal too with some structure but it's still really up to them to experiment and learn.Just watch some Neymar or Ronaldinho futsal. Coaches aren't telling them what to do. They are just playing unstructured. You are referencing the American rush/child prodigy/grind vs the path of truly world class players. What you are saying is right if you want to follow a path that makes you very good and not world class. Their foundation of understanding comes from being allowed to think on their own and learn through trial and error. As they get older they can get into the structure and hone their physical attributes. Clint Dempsey is a pretty good example of this for American men. Zidane, streets and futsal. Dani Alves, streets and pick up. Messi, streets, pick up, futsal. CR7 same. NONE of these guys did structure private trainings at 12. Club was basically a chance to get looked at and get some reps. They developed in the free play and on their own.

[Guest]

The best (like the really great ones) become great on the streets. Just playing. Not the coaches or the parents. Yeah a lot of them do futsal too with some structure but it's still really up to them to experiment and learn.Just watch some Neymar or Ronaldinho futsal. Coaches aren't telling them what to do. They are just playing unstructured. You are referencing the American rush/child prodigy/grind vs the path of truly world class players. What you are saying is right if you want to follow a path that makes you very good and not world class. Their foundation of understanding comes from being allowed to think on their own and learn through trial and error. As they get older they can get into the structure and hone their physical attributes. Clint Dempsey is a pretty good example of this for American men. Zidane, streets and futsal. Dani Alves, streets and pick up. Messi, streets, pick up, futsal. CR7 same. NONE of these guys did structure private trainings at 12. Club was basically a chance to get looked at and get some reps. They developed in the free play and on their own.

Messi-

Joined his local club, Abanderado Grandoli at the ripe age of 4 Years Old. By the old age of 6 he was playing for Newell's Old Boys. FC Barcelona didn't find him in the streets nor the futsal court. Newell's old boys were the most successful youth club in Argentina. At 13 Barca paid to have him trial in Spain and a contract was signed (on a napkin).

Ronaldo- Father was the kit man at Andorinha when Ronaldo joined at the old age of 7! He was traded to National at 9 years old and by the senior age of 12 was signed to Sporting CP for £1,500.

Neymar- this must be the one that can answer your bell of street futbol and futsal. Hell Neymar says as much! But did you know his dad was a professional soccer player? Dad orchestrated much of Neymar's youth career. And yes, it was a career! At the old age of 7 his family moved so he could join Portuguesa Santista and at 11 years old signed his first contract with Santos and by 15 was making enough money to buy him and his family a home near the santos club.

Did Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo play some futsal on pavement when they were young? Sure. Playing on grass is expensive in Brazil. But if you think they became great on the streets you are a moron.

if you believe this, then you must not believe in training at all- and these 3 idiots were fools to join organized soccer at 4 and 7! Hey 7 years old is about the same age as kids in the US join soccer.

I know it sounds romantic to think that the best soccer players are still playing in the streets as youth. And no doubt that the Futbol culture in their countries, and the predominance of youth playing soccer outside of their club environment is a key.

If you want to rant about how we need to organize more free play at U5, U6, and U7 start another post. I'm with you brother. But as I mentioned in my Original Post, by U8 it's time to get focused.

[Guest]

Messi-

Joined his local club, Abanderado Grandoli at the ripe age of 4 Years Old. By the old age of 6 he was playing for Newell's Old Boys. FC Barcelona didn't find him in the streets nor the futsal court. Newell's old boys were the most successful youth club in Argentina. At 13 Barca paid to have him trial in Spain and a contract was signed (on a napkin).

Ronaldo- Father was the kit man at Andorinha when Ronaldo joined at the old age of 7! He was traded to National at 9 years old and by the senior age of 12 was signed to Sporting CP for £1,500.

Neymar- this must be the one that can answer your bell of street futbol and futsal. Hell Neymar says as much! But did you know his dad was a professional soccer player? Dad orchestrated much of Neymar's youth career. And yes, it was a career! At the old age of 7 his family moved so he could join Portuguesa Santista and at 11 years old signed his first contract with Santos and by 15 was making enough money to buy him and his family a home near the santos club.

Did Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo play some futsal on pavement when they were young? Sure. Playing on grass is expensive in Brazil. But if you think they became great on the streets you are a moron.

if you believe this, then you must not believe in training at all- and these 3 idiots were fools to join organized soccer at 4 and 7! Hey 7 years old is about the same age as kids in the US join soccer.

I know it sounds romantic to think that the best soccer players are still playing in the streets as youth. And no doubt that the Futbol culture in their countries, and the predominance of youth playing soccer outside of their club environment is a key.

If you want to rant about how we need to organize more free play at U5, U6, and U7 start another post. I'm with you brother. But as I mentioned in my Original Post, by U8 it's time to get focused.

Exactly. Hate when people make it sound like these guys were just playing on the streets then discovered at 17. Soccer in other countries are more like basketball here. There are a lot of NBA guys who credit pick-up ball in the neighborhood for a lot of their game, but that doesn't mean they weren't also playing high level organized ball. If we are to ever get truly good at soccer, we will need a culture change. These kids playing in top leagues should ALSO be playing pickup/fustal at lunch, after school on the weekends after training, etc.

[Guest]

I agree with much of what OP said, but I think the title makes it sound like anyone can be 'elite' if they follow the plan. Certainly speed, strength, coordination, and aggression can be developed, but it's a tough road when there are players that have way more natural ability in some of those areas. Most ECNL players are solidly above average in both talent and work ethic. You have to have supernatural work ethic to make up for average talent. That's not to give someone a pass for not working hard. It's just to highlight that not making ECNL need not be looked at as a failure. If your child is committed and works hard, that should be celebrated and make you proud regardless of what league they're in. Your tips are good for anyone looking to move up a level or stay competitive, whatever that level is.