Preseason DA Rankings 04

Monkey said:
High level player to me is defined as most girls on the top 3/4 of DA teams in SoCal that get significant playing time. And yes girls have already quit. Some probably largely due to parental expectations that they needed to play DA when their dd was not cut out for DA due to social life or school commitments. This is above the normal attrition you see at the start of high school.
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So these "high level" players quit soccer entirely because of GDA? I don't believe that for a second.
 
Monkey said:
High level player to me is defined as most girls on the top 3/4 of DA teams in SoCal that get significant playing time. And yes girls have already quit. Some probably largely due to parental expectations that they needed to play DA when their dd was not cut out for DA due to social life or school commitments. This is above the normal attrition you see at the start of high school.
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Kicker4Life said:
No more or less of a generalization than your statement.

If a kid burns out from DA, maybe the parents own some of the responsibility for pushing too hard. Often time it’s the wish of the parent over the child.
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Monkey said:
High level player to me is defined as most girls on the top 3/4 of DA teams in SoCal that get significant playing time. And yes girls have already quit. Some probably largely due to parental expectations that they needed to play DA when their dd was not cut out for DA due to social life or school commitments. This is above the normal attrition you see at the start of high school.
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high level to me means the player that can play anywhere with an
Monkey said:
High level player to me is defined as most girls on the top 3/4 of DA teams in SoCal that get significant playing time. And yes girls have already quit. Some probably largely due to parental expectations that they needed to play DA when their dd was not cut out for DA due to social life or school commitments. This is above the normal attrition you see at the start of high school.
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We clearly have different definitions of high level then. I would say if your the best on one of the top 3 teams in DA playing tons of minutes it’s time to move up or on for a new challenge. If you already are than bravo to you. As far as parental issues and burnout and quiting, there’s plenty of blame to go around for that. Club culture, coach, etc. fundamentally it’s dangerous to believe “the best” are only what you see each weekend and what you think you know as high level and elite are often times in reality mediocre.
 
Nutmeg said:
high level to me means the player that can play anywhere with an

We clearly have different definitions of high level then. I would say if your the best on one of the top 3 teams in DA playing tons of minutes it’s time to move up or on for a new challenge. If you already are than bravo to you. As far as parental issues and burnout and quiting, there’s plenty of blame to go around for that. Club culture, coach, etc. fundamentally it’s dangerous to believe “the best” are only what you see each weekend and what you think you know as high level and elite are often times in reality mediocre.
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When someone uses the term “high level” and they are serious about it, that tells me all I need to know.
 
MarkM said:
When someone uses the term “high level” and they are serious about it, that tells me all I need to know.
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Aren’t we catty tonight. Next time I will be sure to add my quation marks to “high level” and site my sources on my source page.
 
GoWest said:
How about the STATE then if skittish about naming club?
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I should clarify that t high level player's parent I spoke with from out of state was in the national pool.

@GoWest why don't you tell us your daughter's name and team so I can determine whether I should even give you the time of day.
 
Monkey said:
High level player to me is defined as most girls on the top 3/4 of DA teams in SoCal that get significant playing time. And yes girls have already quit. Some probably largely due to parental expectations that they needed to play DA when their dd was not cut out for DA due to social life or school commitments. This is above the normal attrition you see at the start of high school.
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I do know of 1 or 2 girls that have left GDA teams but it was not due to any GDA structure problem or any reason stated above.

Monkey said:
So far all I have seen DA do is weaken leagues and cause high level players to quit soccer entirely;
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I can’t speak much for the boys side....as for the GDA, I believe to say Girls have decided to quite soccer all together because of the DA structure in the 4 - 5 months into its inaugural season is an exaggeration.

As for weakening the leagues, so did Premier and ECNL. Anytime there is an attempt at consolidating talent, you will see this affect.


Monkey said:
.....the conflict between the ego of wanting to be recognized as a top player and thus play on a DA team vs the reality that teenage girls want some free time to be a kid and also study has been too much for some players.
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This is like when and Person who is overweight and has type 2 diabetes because they eat McDonalds and drink soda a week, blames McDonalds for their health problems.


The GDA may not have been necessary nor is it perfect in its first year. Our experience has been great thus far and my DD is stoked. I’m sure she will assess and decide about next year when that time comes. I’ll be there to advise her if she wants it and cheer her on every time she plays.
 
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Monkey said:
I should clarify that t high level player's parent I spoke with from out of state was in the national pool.

@GoWest why don't you tell us your daughter's name and team so I can determine whether I should even give you the time of day.
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The only parents that seem obsessed with GDA are those with kids playing in ECNL, particularly those national team parents that are forced to play their kids in ECNL because of GDA's geographic limitations. ;)

GDA is a league with slightly different rules and requirements than ECNL. You all need to get over it. We are fortunate to have so many options.
 
MarkM said:
The only parents that seem obsessed with GDA are those with kids playing in ECNL, particularly those national team parents that are forced to play their kids in ECNL because of GDA's geographic limitations. ;)

GDA is a league with slightly different rules and requirements than ECNL. You all need to get over it. We are fortunate to have so many options.
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What are you and Monkey just sitting around a field somewhere alternating saying dumb ass stuff tonight out of shear boredom.
 
Monkey said:
I should clarify that t high level player's parent I spoke with from out of state was in the national pool.

@GoWest why don't you tell us your daughter's name and team so I can determine whether I should even give you the time of day.
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You come across as combative.

My DD = California
Your Friends' DD = ???
 
Kicker4Life said:
I do know of 1 or 2 girls that have left GDA teams but it was not due to any GDA structure problem or any reason stated above.


I can’t speak much for the boys side....as for the GDA, I believe to say Girls have decided to quite soccer all together because of the DA structure in the 4 - 5 months into its inaugural season is an exaggeration.

As for weakening the leagues, so did Premier and ECNL. Anytime there is an attempt at consolidating talent, you will see this affect.



This is like when and Person who is overweight and has type 2 diabetes because they eat McDonalds and drink soda a week, blames McDonalds for their health problems.


The GDA may not have been necessary nor is it perfect in its first year. Our experience has been great thus far and my DD is stoked. I’m sure she will assess and decide about next year when that time comes. I’ll be there to advise her if she wants it and cheer her on every time she plays.
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I am not saying these parents that feel the need to have their dd play DA did not contribute to them quitting. The mentality that you have to play DA or you are a nobody perpetuates this problem. DA is great for the kids that can juggle school, friends and soccer. But not all kids can and when one area of their life starts to crumble kids start to feel like failures and give up. Maybe these kids will reconsider and join an ECNL, SCDCL or CSL team after the high school break, I don't know.

I know a player that turned down playing on the National team due to grades. Her parents are rational enough to understand their dd's limitations. Unfortunately not all parents are this wise.
 
I have two playing DA and am looking hard next year at moving to ecnl. This year was a great year to experiment since they are not in high school. ECNL has a great model and their showcases get you in front of plenty of college coaches. My dds are very high level at another sport and it is impossible to do it with the DA demands plus no high school is a huge drawback for them. I have seen some great players choose ecnl for the exact same reason but another big one I am hearing about is the amount of players on some DA teams (21 in some cases) and the lack of playing time. Some kids aren’t even suiting up for games and others suit up but don’t get in.
 
Monkey said:
I am not saying these parents that feel the need to have their dd play DA did not contribute to them quitting. The mentality that you have to play DA or you are a nobody perpetuates this problem. DA is great for the kids that can juggle school, friends and soccer. But not all kids can and when one area of their life starts to crumble kids start to feel like failures and give up. Maybe these kids will reconsider and join an ECNL, SCDCL or CSL team after the high school break, I don't know.

I know a player that turned down playing on the National team due to grades. Her parents are rational enough to understand their dd's limitations. Unfortunately not all parents are this wise.
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Well put, thanks for clarifying.
 
splinter said:
I have two playing DA and am looking hard next year at moving to ecnl. This year was a great year to experiment since they are not in high school. ECNL has a great model and their showcases get you in front of plenty of college coaches. My dds are very high level at another sport and it is impossible to do it with the DA demands plus no high school is a huge drawback for them. I have seen some great players choose ecnl for the exact same reason but another big one I am hearing about is the amount of players on some DA teams (21 in some cases) and the lack of playing time. Some kids aren’t even suiting up for games and others suit up but don’t get in.
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Right there with you, the lack of flexibility will probably be the reason my DD leaves DA after this season as well. She's heavily involved in academics and other sports and with 9th grade next year, it's very much a "soccer and nothing else" persona with DA and with that little room to breathe it makes the kids chose where as with ECNL they didn't have to.

Best of luck @splinter keep me posted and hit me up. Long time no talk!
 
splinter said:
I have two playing DA and am looking hard next year at moving to ecnl. This year was a great year to experiment since they are not in high school. ECNL has a great model and their showcases get you in front of plenty of college coaches. My dds are very high level at another sport and it is impossible to do it with the DA demands plus no high school is a huge drawback for them. I have seen some great players choose ecnl for the exact same reason but another big one I am hearing about is the amount of players on some DA teams (21 in some cases) and the lack of playing time. Some kids aren’t even suiting up for games and others suit up but don’t get in.
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I think you will find the demands of ECNL do not allow much time for other sports as well. ECNL is expensive and requires much travel too. For some, ECNL is not an option in their geographical area, so travel time to practice is a nightmare in itself. That's why I am confused about some of the comments on here and on the Nocal forum regarding travel and cost. That said, I do feel for those DA players in areas of the country that have to travel between states just for league play. DA or ECNL, cost-wise, is getting up in club hockey or volleyball territory (unless you are playing fully funded of course). I also do feel that the sub rules are difficult and unnecessary, just a big "Why?" As for the restrictions to playing other sports, it seems to vary from club to club (coach to coach), so maybe you should check out some other clubs. I understand that there were plenty of college scouts at the DA games at Silverlakes Thanksgiving, as well as US Soccer scouts too. For mine, DA is great. She loves coach, team, club, practices, travel, etc and is super-motivated to continuously get better. That said, with the exact same components (especially coach) she'd probably love any league.

So, as far as those who may be quitting altogether, I agree with some of the posters who say this has not much to do with DA. This is the age where interests change, and will continue to do so through high school. Kids quit because the sport is not for them.
 
Real Deal said:
I think you will find the demands of ECNL do not allow much time for other sports as well. ECNL is expensive and requires much travel too. For some, ECNL is not an option in their geographical area, so travel time to practice is a nightmare in itself. That's why I am confused about some of the comments on here and on the Nocal forum regarding travel and cost. That said, I do feel for those DA players in areas of the country that have to travel between states just for league play. DA or ECNL, cost-wise, is getting up in club hockey or volleyball territory (unless you are playing fully funded of course).
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There is a huge difference in travel and cost between ECNL and DA(at least in Nocal).
- DA has 5 day showcases(including Surf Cup) vs. 3 day showcases(3 days Surf Cup) for ECNL
- DA has 5 travel weekends for league games where they have to get on a plane vs. 1 or 2 travel weekends for ECNL Plane tickets, hotels, car rentals, and meals start to add up.
- DA mandates 4 mandatory practice days vs. 2-3 mandatory practice days for ECNL teams in the area. Those costs for the extra training days are passed on as coaching fees.

It may be different in SoCal, but that's the reason why the DA parents in the Nocal forum made those comments about travel and cost.
 
davin said:
There is a huge difference in travel and cost between ECNL and DA(at least in Nocal).
- DA has 5 day showcases(including Surf Cup) vs. 3 day showcases(3 days Surf Cup) for ECNL
- DA has 5 travel weekends for league games where they have to get on a plane vs. 1 or 2 travel weekends for ECNL Plane tickets, hotels, car rentals, and meals start to add up.
- DA mandates 4 mandatory practice days vs. 2-3 mandatory practice days for ECNL teams in the area. Those costs for the extra training days are passed on as coaching fees.

It may be different in SoCal, but that's the reason why the DA parents in the Nocal forum made those comments about travel and cost.
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Um, I just looked at MVLA's U16 ECNL schedule, and I see travel to Arizona for three day events-- 2 times in the season-- more travel for a single conference game in Washington and possibly one in Utah. Then even more travel to San Diego for Surf Cup or Silverlakes down in Norco also which I believe they attended in the fall. So yeah.
 
From Soccer America (link below):

"It is estimated the average cost to participate in ECNL is about $8,000 to $10,000 annually when all the related expenses are added up."

https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/64385/should-my-daughter-play-ecnl.html

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that DA isn't expensive also (unless fully funded)... just is what it is... has become another very high-priced club sport like hockey or volleyball for those on the top teams.
 
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