Power 5 and not play or go to non Power 5?

[Unregistered]

Of course a coach wants everyone to perform and contribute, but the reality is some will be benchwarmers or just get token minutes in already-won games. Coaches play the players that will get them the win. It isn't club soccer where everyone gets meaningful playing time. It's always about the win. Coaches have assumptions about who will be their biggest contributors and it's up to the players to prove him/her wrong. Some might not be able to change their minds no matter what. It's not the right fit for them despite being highly skilled

sorry typo

[Unregistered]

Not all P5 are the same, but I get the intent of the question: would you rather she play for a more prestigious program and get less PT or impact a less prestigious program and play more? The same questions apply to academics, finances, social, etc. Better school and lower class rank? Better school but higher cost? It all gets combined into a calculus unique to each family.

Attempting to tease out a single variable for the purpose of promoting oneself or denigrating the choice of others is good sign you are an insecure person

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;2979220]Not all P5 are the same, but I get the intent of the question: would you rather she play for a more prestigious program and get less PT or impact a less prestigious program and play more? The same questions apply to academics, finances, social, etc. Better school and lower class rank? Better school but higher cost? It all gets combined into a calculus unique to each family.

Yes, this is the question. We all know everyone is different and there is no right or wrong choice. But I too am curious how many of your daughters would rather bench warm on a bottom of conference P5 team or be an impact player on a non P5 team? The question came up because we personally know more than a handful in this situation.

Four transferred. All transfers now playing significant minutes at new school. Happy.

Two stayed but then quit after a couple years of not getting off the bench and then finished their degrees at the school. They both felt it wasn’t worth it to transfer at that point for school and probably couldn’t transfer anywhere decent after not playing games for 3 years. Not happy and wished they had transferred earlier on in hindsight.

Two early recruited early bloomers with almost free rides stayed to continue to collect sports scholarship money to pay for school. Said they were disappointed not to play but very happy with having college paid for at their state flagship. All 8 players were initially at average academic, bottom of their respective P5 conference colleges. All 4 transfers went to other non P5 but D1 schools with average academics in other states.

Even pro academy coaches will tell you they are horrible at predicting who will be the college stars. With average roster sizes close to 30, fifteen or more players will likely be sitting the majority of time on any team. The bench can even include near full ride early bloomers who didnt pan out. A fresh batch of new freshmen stars are added every year. Finding a good fit, even if it meant transferring, worked out the happiest in the end for my limited sample of 8 players.

Everyone is different. My own children play the game because they love to play. When the time comes, they will look for fit carefully and have good back ups in mind if they need to transfer to play. But that’s just mine.

[Unregistered]

My kid would rather play and doesn't care for who as long as academics are good.

[Unregistered]

My kid would rather play and doesn't care for who as long as academics are good.

Same. She couldn’t imaging going somewhere based on soccer and then not playing!

[Unregistered]

So the "most important thing" is matchmaking? Okay.

Actually the most important thing is to have a clue, and a sense of humor. lack both.

[Unregistered]

Same. She couldn’t imaging going somewhere based on soccer and then not playing!

And that makes her special?
What % of players signing an NLI actually believe they won't be playing much?

While I agree there are some walk-ons and other late recruits getting books-only that have grounded expectations, the majority of players choosing high-performance programs are expecting to play. They are all used to being stars (see recruited), and half of those stars find themselves as subs (for the first time). Some have the fortitude to up their commitment and their game, other's call home and point fingers.

[Unregistered]

Same. She couldn’t imaging going somewhere based on soccer and then not playing!

Mine either. Golden rule is always pick a school you’d love even without soccer. A half to 2/3rds of recruits never play much.

[Unregistered]

And that makes her special?
What % of players signing an NLI actually believe they won't be playing much?

While I agree there are some walk-ons and other late recruits getting books-only that have grounded expectations, the majority of players choosing high-performance programs are expecting to play. They are all used to being stars (see recruited), and half of those stars find themselves as subs (for the first time). Some have the fortitude to up their commitment and their game, other's call home and point fingers.

Nearly all are super competitive, highly motivated athletes. Few if any are going into college thinking they won't play at some point. They know PT is earned and as freshmen they may not play much but with hard work they'll get there. Of course, reality may be different, but almost none going in thinking their role is purely a practice cone.

[Unregistered]

Mine either. Golden rule is always pick a school you’d love even without soccer. A half to 2/3rds of recruits never play much.

Exactly. To say these players don’t realize there is a good chance (66%) that they won’t ever play much or at all, says these players aren’t realistic. And if you don’t play as a freshman, chances get even slimmer despite any amount of working hard because all those above you are working hard too and a fresh batch of recruits arrive every year to fight for playing time. Now that 4 years worth of players all get an additional year of eligibility because of Covid makes it even tougher. There are, of course, exceptions. Particularly the freshmen who are pegged as future stars who get limited time throughout their first season but with an eye on developing their college game and having them take over one of the starting spots.

Average rosters have close to 30 players. Some have 40 or more. All of those 30 or 40 know that playing time and travel roster will not happen for many of them. Many transfer after realizing they aren’t one of the golden ones. Some stay anyway and never really play. Maybe they really like the school and don’t care about soccer?

[Unregistered]

Exactly. To say these players don’t realize there is a good chance (66%) that they won’t ever play much or at all, says these players aren’t realistic. And if you don’t play as a freshman, chances get even slimmer despite any amount of working hard because all those above you are working hard too and a fresh batch of recruits arrive every year to fight for playing time. Now that 4 years worth of players all get an additional year of eligibility because of Covid makes it even tougher. There are, of course, exceptions. Particularly the freshmen who are pegged as future stars who get limited time throughout their first season but with an eye on developing their college game and having them take over one of the starting spots.

Average rosters have close to 30 players. Some have 40 or more. All of those 30 or 40 know that playing time and travel roster will not happen for many of them. Many transfer after realizing they aren’t one of the golden ones. Some stay anyway and never really play. Maybe they really like the school and don’t care about soccer?

If you never/rarely play the reality is

1) you'll either get cut or have it made very clear it's time for you to move on

2) if they kept you, you need to be ok being a practice cone and that's it. Some are ok with that, some might try and transfer (tougher if you never played and you'll probably take a step down with soccer) most will drift away and move on to other things

[Unregistered]

If you never/rarely play the reality is

1) you'll either get cut or have it made very clear it's time for you to move on

2) if they kept you, you need to be ok being a practice cone and that's it. Some are ok with that, some might try and transfer (tougher if you never played and you'll probably take a step down with soccer) most will drift away and move on to other things

Most transfer, unless 1) it’s a top academic school or 2) they are willing to be a practice cone to keep collecting that sports scholarship money. Know a couple in each group. Two were early bloomers that got almost full rides but didn’t pan out 3-4 years later. Hard to give that up free college even if not playing. Know more that have transferred though.

[Unregistered]

Exactly. To say these players don’t realize there is a good chance (66%) that they won’t ever play much or at all, says these players aren’t realistic. And if you don’t play as a freshman, chances get even slimmer despite any amount of working hard because all those above you are working hard too and a fresh batch of recruits arrive every year to fight for playing time. Now that 4 years worth of players all get an additional year of eligibility because of Covid makes it even tougher. There are, of course, exceptions. Particularly the freshmen who are pegged as future stars who get limited time throughout their first season but with an eye on developing their college game and having them take over one of the starting spots.

Average rosters have close to 30 players. Some have 40 or more. All of those 30 or 40 know that playing time and travel roster will not happen for many of them. Many transfer after realizing they aren’t one of the golden ones. Some stay anyway and never really play. Maybe they really like the school and don’t care about soccer?

Am watching Iowa and UCLA; they were 5 mins away from stunning UCLA. Announcers said they do not sub. Looked at their boxscore. 3-4 subs. Do not need 30-40 players on any roster. Lean and mean. The defense is staying with their marks, not giving up angles or corners. Iowa Gk gives up a hard spinner through her legs. Tied up. Rough.
Anyway point was no need to collect players with a large roster. Pick good players and you can be in college post season.

[Unregistered]

Most transfer, unless 1) it’s a top academic school or 2) they are willing to be a practice cone to keep collecting that sports scholarship money. Know a couple in each group. Two were early bloomers that got almost full rides but didn’t pan out 3-4 years later. Hard to give that up free college even if not playing. Know more that have transferred though.

That is a lot of money for program to keep dishing out for zero return. Surprised not forced out in one way or another.

[Unregistered]

Most transfer, unless 1) it’s a top academic school or 2) they are willing to be a practice cone to keep collecting that sports scholarship money. Know a couple in each group. Two were early bloomers that got almost full rides but didn’t pan out 3-4 years later. Hard to give that up free college even if not playing. Know more that have transferred though.

Practice cones don't' get much money and almost no one gets a free ride, not even the consistent starters. YEs money can certainly impact a decision, no doubt. However, often times there's more merit$ available when you transfer in as a sophomore student. Keep your grades up so you have options