Is club soccer a waste of time/money for youngers (under 10 yo)?

[Carlsbad7]

I think you are correct. Flight 1 team appears to be more even. Flight 2 & 3 teams that I saw have players with mixed skill level.
My expectation is for a coach or club to only form a team that consists of everyone at the same level but I guess it is easier said than implemented. It surprises me that it really up to the parents to decide which team to join (I understand it is an exaggeration but in reality there is a chance the best flight 3 player can be better than the worst flight 2 player).

Parents intimately involved in their kids level of play (vs the clubs or teams defining) is the rub with American Youth Soccer + actually any youth sport in the US.

I know of multiple situations where parents have just given up on playing the social games needed sometimes to get on or play with XYZ club. If you're new to the situation what you don't see is that there's all kinds of ways exploit the situation. Coaches, Parents, and Clubs are all doing it at the same time. This is why we as a nation can't field a good national team on the mens side. Focus is 60% playing and 40% everything else that goes along with getting on XYZ team to get noticed. In other countries parent influence doesn't exist. Players get thrown into the club meat grinder + talent rises to the top.

 

[crush]

I think you are correct. Flight 1 team appears to be more even. Flight 2 & 3 teams that I saw have players with mixed skill level.
My expectation is for a coach or club to only form a team that consists of everyone at the same level but I guess it is easier said than implemented. It surprises me that it really up to the parents to decide which team to join (I understand it is an exaggeration but in reality there is a chance the best flight 3 player can be better than the worst flight 2 player).

It comes down to who the individual evaluator is in the States and that's usually a Docs, a Coach, a Team Manager or some Dads on the team looking for "Impact" player. "Please come to our Evaluation Tryouts." We will at this time tell you what flight your kid is at." The player should not be judged at the "Flight Level" at all. "Hey dad, well after looking at your player today, she is flight 3 at this time. We just started a new flight 3 team with the other flight 3 players. Actually, we also have three flight 2 players coming to this years flight 3 team because they want to win and help our flight three team win league. Our flight 2 team sucks and we beat them in scrimmages all the time.....lol. Oh ya, a flight 1 player is also coming. Shhhhh, don tell the parents because they dont know yet that their player is now flight 3 level." No one likes to go backwards. If you tell your dd allowance is now $25 a week from $50, they don;t like that kind of discussion. I can say 100% parents do not like being told their kid is dropped from the A team to the C team. Who does this in other parts of the world with soccer? Plus, if you pay the evaluator for privates and extras, you automictically become flight 2 player, because flight 2 players are willing to go the extra mile to be the best they can be. If you pay and stay, you will 100% be developed into a flight 1 player. Add high GPA and high SAT and your in like flint That's what we got all wrong here in the States. The Academy should only be judged by winning in the flight their club is in and earned from playing on the field, not a board room. Top local players will help the lower flight club promote to top flight, if they have good coaches and by winning and developing their players, not other clubs players. Legends and Beach were trying to do that but all the ECNL clubs poached their top players when they turned 10 to the top flight league and not necessarily a top flight club, if you know what I mean. The Promotion or Regulation is a micro of what our country is going through right now. It's still the Wild West.

 

[paytoplayisgood]

It comes down to who the individual evaluator is in the States and that's usually a Docs, a Coach, a Team Manager or some Dads on the team looking for "Impact" player. "Please come to our Evaluation Tryouts." We will at this time tell you what flight your kid is at." The player should not be judged at the "Flight Level" at all. "Hey dad, well after looking at your player today, she is flight 3 at this time. We just started a new flight 3 team with the other flight 3 players. Actually, we also have three flight 2 players coming to this years flight 3 team because they want to win and help our flight three team win league. Our flight 2 team sucks and we beat them in scrimmages all the time.....lol. Oh ya, a flight 1 player is also coming. Shhhhh, don tell the parents because they dont know yet that their player is now flight 3 level." No one likes to go backwards. If you tell your dd allowance is now $25 a week from $50, they don;t like that kind of discussion. I can say 100% parents do not like being told their kid is dropped from the A team to the C team. Who does this in other parts of the world with soccer? Plus, if you pay the evaluator for privates and extras, you automictically become flight 2 player, because flight 2 players are willing to go the extra mile to be the best they can be. If you pay and stay, you will 100% be developed into a flight 1 player. Add high GPA and high SAT and your in like flint That's what we got all wrong here in the States. The Academy should only be judged by winning in the flight their club is in and earned from playing on the field, not a board room. Top local players will help the lower flight club promote to top flight, if they have good coaches and by winning and developing their players, not other clubs players. Legends and Beach were trying to do that but all the ECNL clubs poached their top players when they turned 10 to the top flight league and not necessarily a top flight club, if you know what I mean. The Promotion or Regulation is a micro of what our country is going through right now. It's still the Wild West.

why did you spend all that time to write a whole essay

 

[crush]

why did you spend all that time to write a whole essay

I see you just joined. I do not answer a new avatar unless they PM me. I am leaving June 5th so PM and I will give you the skinny on why the essay. PM your Q's and I will answer you. Question for you though. Why is pay to play good for American Soccer and are you a coach?

 

[jojon]

It comes down to who the individual evaluator is in the States and that's usually a Docs, a Coach, a Team Manager or some Dads on the team looking for "Impact" player. "Please come to our Evaluation Tryouts." We will at this time tell you what flight your kid is at." The player should not be judged at the "Flight Level" at all. "Hey dad, well after looking at your player today, she is flight 3 at this time. We just started a new flight 3 team with the other flight 3 players. Actually, we also have three flight 2 players coming to this years flight 3 team because they want to win and help our flight three team win league. Our flight 2 team sucks and we beat them in scrimmages all the time.....lol. Oh ya, a flight 1 player is also coming. Shhhhh, don tell the parents because they dont know yet that their player is now flight 3 level." No one likes to go backwards. If you tell your dd allowance is now $25 a week from $50, they don;t like that kind of discussion. I can say 100% parents do not like being told their kid is dropped from the A team to the C team. Who does this in other parts of the world with soccer? Plus, if you pay the evaluator for privates and extras, you automictically become flight 2 player, because flight 2 players are willing to go the extra mile to be the best they can be. If you pay and stay, you will 100% be developed into a flight 1 player. Add high GPA and high SAT and your in like flint That's what we got all wrong here in the States. The Academy should only be judged by winning in the flight their club is in and earned from playing on the field, not a board room. Top local players will help the lower flight club promote to top flight, if they have good coaches and by winning and developing their players, not other clubs players. Legends and Beach were trying to do that but all the ECNL clubs poached their top players when they turned 10 to the top flight league and not necessarily a top flight club, if you know what I mean. The Promotion or Regulation is a micro of what our country is going through right now. It's still the Wild West.

Wow...it is almost like you are listening in while I was talking to these coaches/managers/club directors.
Especially this statement below, hearing it a few times already...
"Hey dad, well after looking at your player today, she is flight 3 at this time. We just started a new flight 3 team with the other flight 3 players. Actually, we also have three flight 2 players coming to this years flight 3 team because they want to win and help our flight three team win league. Our flight 2 team sucks and we beat them in scrimmages all the time..."

 

[jojon]

Parents intimately involved in their kids level of play (vs the clubs or teams defining) is the rub with American Youth Soccer + actually any youth sport in the US.

I know of multiple situations where parents have just given up on playing the social games needed sometimes to get on or play with XYZ club. If you're new to the situation what you don't see is that there's all kinds of ways exploit the situation. Coaches, Parents, and Clubs are all doing it at the same time. This is why we as a nation can't field a good national team on the mens side. Focus is 60% playing and 40% everything else that goes along with getting on XYZ team to get noticed. In other countries parent influence doesn't exist. Players get thrown into the club meat grinder + talent rises to the top.

The more I understand the situation, the more exhausting it feels. Maybe some parents like it this way because competition is less. I barely have time to practice/games and I have a pretty good job with reasonable hours. Most people I know work 50+ hours/week so now I understand why none of their kids play more than weekend softball/soccer/basketball.
It is amazing that US still produces a lot of world class athletes considering all the money and time commitment/investment required from the parents, especially in the beginning.

 

[Carlsbad7]

The more I understand the situation, the more exhausting it feels. Maybe some parents like it this way because competition is less. I barely have time to practice/games and I have a pretty good job with reasonable hours. Most people I know work 50+ hours/week so now I understand why none of their kids play more than weekend softball/soccer/basketball.
It is amazing that US still produces a lot of world class athletes considering all the money and time commitment/investment required from the parents, especially in the beginning.

What you're describing is why people call soccer a rich kids sport in the US.

General FYI, look into Futsal teams/clubs in your area. Cost is much lower than field soccer and kids love playing.

 

[Grace T.]

The more I understand the situation, the more exhausting it feels. Maybe some parents like it this way because competition is less. I barely have time to practice/games and I have a pretty good job with reasonable hours. Most people I know work 50+ hours/week so now I understand why none of their kids play more than weekend softball/soccer/basketball.
It is amazing that US still produces a lot of world class athletes considering all the money and time commitment/investment required from the parents, especially in the beginning.

When you get to the older years/highest levels it becomes a real bear beyond just the money. Saturday/Sunday games...tournaments on major holiday weekends including Thanksgiving. Games spread out from Chula Vista to Santa Barbara. Practices sometimes an hour or more away and multiple days. That's why it's important to know how much your kid is dedicated (rather than being pushed) to the sport beyond the flight 3/2 ranks. That's part of the reason why so many drop out as they get older.

 

[#girldad]

Ask yourself first if SOCCER will be the life you have planned out for your child? Then ask your child what he/she wants to become in life? At less than 10 years old, I don't think they have a clue....It makes no sense putting your child in CLUB for any sport at less than 10 years old. They're going to need to be exposed to other sports. Not only to experience other sports, but to make them a more well rounded athlete in the process.

 

[paytoplayisgood]

I see you just joined. I do not answer a new avatar unless they PM me. I am leaving June 5th so PM and I will give you the skinny on why the essay. PM your Q's and I will answer you. Question for you though. Why is pay to play good for American Soccer and are you a coach?

you spend so much of your life on this forum. If your daughter found out that you gossip online about youth soccer I bet she would be laughing

 

[crush]

you spend so much of your life on this forum. If your daughter found out that you gossip online about youth soccer I bet she would be laughing

What makes you think it's gossip coach? She is home today recovering from getting hurt playing flag football and stays in her own business and I stay in my own business. I am the one who pays all the soccer bills so my kid could play. You didn;t answer my question. Are you still coaching? Your starting to write like someone who has already used up all his avatars.....lol! Just come clean and be you.

 

[crush]

Ask yourself first if SOCCER will be the life you have planned out for your child? Then ask your child what he/she wants to become in life? At less than 10 years old, I don't think they have a clue....It makes no sense putting your child in CLUB for any sport at less than 10 years old. They're going to need to be exposed to other sports. Not only to experience other sports, but to make them a more well rounded athlete in the process.

What if your told by director of rec that your kid is too good and making the other kids feel bad and left out? "Go to club" they told me. I also tried to get my dd to play basketball and softball and it was always, "no, I want to play soccer and get after game snacks and medals."

 

[paytoplayisgood]

yes

What makes you think it's gossip coach? She is home today recovering from getting hurt playing flag football and stays in her own business and I stay in my own business. I am the one who pays all the soccer bills so my kid could play. You didn;t answer my question. Are you still coaching? Your starting to write like someone who has already used up all his avatars.....lol! Just come clean and be you.

yes I am a director at a GA club. You need to take a break from the internet

 

[crush]

yes

yes I am a director at a GA club. You need to take a break from the internet

Thanks for being honest Doc. I can read through the tea leaves. We need good Docs and because you were honest, it makes you a good Doc. Do you forbid posting or warn parents about the forum? I was told by four Docs in Socal that posting is not allowed and they knew my original screen name. Do you support TMs snitching on parents for posting who were told not to?

 

[Jamisfoes]

Wondering what's better for development for youngers:
1. Play on a lower flight team and play the position you desire. More freedom to roam and dribble.
2. Play a higher flight but play the backfield when the kid wants to score. Expect to play possession and pass and not much dribbling.

 

[Emma]

Wondering what's better for development for youngers:
1. Play on a lower flight team and play the position you desire. More freedom to roam and dribble.
2. Play a higher flight but play the backfield when the kid wants to score. Expect to play possession and pass and not much dribbling.

under 10? Pick #1

If you're playing soccer to enjoy the game, why play where you don't want to?

 

[crush]

under 10? Pick #1

If you're playing soccer to enjoy the game, why play where you don't want to?

Wondering what's better for development for youngers:
1. Play on a lower flight team and play the position you desire. More freedom to roam and dribble.
2. Play a higher flight but play the backfield when the kid wants to score. Expect to play possession and pass and not much dribbling.

Some kids want to win and some kids don't care. My kid wants to win and she will play where she is told to play. The last thing any coach wants to hear is, "My little one plays CM, wink wink." Also, I taught my dd to never tell a coach what position you expect to play and how much play time. I told her to work hard and the coach will put you where he wants you. To this day I have never told a coach what position my kid plays. Each game and coach is unique and I feel soccer coaches should play his players in the spots he deems best for the team to win. Winning is the best development, moo. My dd played defense her first two years of club. Then she was moved to Striker and then wing. CM and especially the #10 spot seemed to be the most everyone wanted. She got some good sniffs at the #10 and she did really well but it takes toll on you and you have to be in tip top shape to run all around the field calling for the rock.

 

[Grace T.]

Ask yourself first if SOCCER will be the life you have planned out for your child? Then ask your child what he/she wants to become in life? At less than 10 years old, I don't think they have a clue....It makes no sense putting your child in CLUB for any sport at less than 10 years old. They're going to need to be exposed to other sports. Not only to experience other sports, but to make them a more well rounded athlete in the process.

1. Some kids know early on that's what they want to do. I tried everything possible to get my kid out of club soccer. At age 10, he had a coach tell him he had no business playing soccer and no future in it (cut him right after losing a playoff game). His OT and school counselors even told him to get out. He had a teammate scream at him once in the middle of a game to go back to AYSO. Tried to get him into martial arts, tennis, equestrian, swimming, lacrosse and water polo. Wouldn't take but the kid (with a lot of hard work) managed to get competent, and then good and move up the ranks.
2. The incentives in youth sport are all messed up by college recruiting and scholarship. It's caused an arms race where kids are specializing in sports earlier and earlier because in order to keep up with the others, you have to do your 1000 touches a day. It used to be just a decade ago that the United Soccer Coaches wouldn't recommend kids go full time goalkeeper til at least age 12. Reputable goalkeeper coaches wouldn't take them until age 10. Now days, you see full time goalkeepers at the camps age 7 or 8, and 8 year old keepers expected to perform advanced moves like diving, 1v1 and coming out for crosses when they should be spending their first year of training on learning safety and the how to catch. As a result, 11 is fairly old now to be jumping into the club soccer scene, at least in SoCal. It's not just limited to sports BTW. You see it in honors math (CLC or Kumon anyone?), spelling, the arts, music and dance.
3. If they aren't sure about other sports, it's a great idea to expose them to a bunch of sports before they commit to one. Unfortunately, even for lower level flight 3/bronze teams, it's a year long commitment making that difficult. But because of the reality of sports specialization, while in the ideal it might be great to make them well rounded athletes, as far as the colleges are concerned, they don't really care. They recruit for particular sports and being "well rounded" (in sports or otherwise) only checks a box. You don't get "credit" if you already play a sport for playing another. It's sad, but the significance of a "well rounded" athlete is fading in our society.

 

[crush]

Some kids know early on that's what they want to do. I tried everything possible to get my kid out of club soccer. At age 10, he had a coach tell him he had no business playing soccer and no future in it (cut him right after losing a playoff game). His OT and school counselors even told him to get out. He had a teammate scream at him once in the middle of a game to go back to AYSO. Tried to get him into martial arts, tennis, equestrian, swimming, lacrosse and water polo. Wouldn't take but the kid (with a lot of hard work) managed to get competent, and then good and move up the ranks.

The GK life right there and how mean some people are to GK and their parents. My poor son GK story is for the ages and I swear the last soccer match of his young life. It was AYSO U something. Playoff against the smashing pumpkins. Very wet damp evening so grass is wet and that makes the soccer ball faster and Skippy when kicked off the grass. Well his last game was OT and golden goal rules were in play. My son let a very soft and I mean soft shot skip by him and through his legs we lost. Holy you know what happened? He ran off the field and went straight to the car crying and so pissed. The defense players yelled at him and all the parents just looked at me like it was all my fault. I took my kid to Thrifty and he totally forgot about it. I didn;t get in the car and yell at him for not listening to my advice before the match. I just told him and the family were going to get a triple scoop and he was happy

 

[Jamisfoes]

under 10? Pick #1

If you're playing soccer to enjoy the game, why play where you don't want to?

What I have observed with flight 1 is kids' level are more even. You can have multiple kids that are good enough to play striker/forward. Who ends up getting the position has something to do with team politics and whose parent kiss up to the coach more.

 

[espola]

Wondering what's better for development for youngers:
1. Play on a lower flight team and play the position you desire. More freedom to roam and dribble.
2. Play a higher flight but play the backfield when the kid wants to score. Expect to play possession and pass and not much dribbling.

I have repeated a glib response to this question several times over the years. The ideal situation for a young developing player is to be the weakest starter. The player will have to work to keep his starting role and will benefit from exposure to and playing with players better than himself.