How’s the 2023-24 season going?

[Surfer_dad]

Fear of making a mistake comes from always playing against high level competition.

In these type of situations wins and losses can all come down to a single player delivering on their responsibilities.

High level competition also forces coaches into player specialization which makes it easier to assign blame / fault if anything goes wrong.

Lather rinse and repeat week after week and you can see why players are more afraid to make mistakes than they are taking risks.

For Girls if a team can be consistent in how they play a position, and everyone trusts each other eventually they'll start taking risks. If risks work out and players don't get burned on position, they'll try being risky more and more often. Eventually they start playing like boys.

Carlsbad7, let me suggest that your first statement is greatly overstating a minor point. Fear of making a mistake is primarily due to two things. First, personality. There are players , both sexes, that can shoot on goal 20 times and know that the next one will go in and not be worried about missing. This is the natural personality of certain positions, primarily forwards. Others (often more the perfectionists) that strongly desire to not make a mistake. They will refuse to shoot because every shot missed is considered failure. These personalities should be your defenders.

The second big influence is the treatment that coaches give from an early age. A huge component of good youth coaches is the ability to instruct in a positive manor. A business management principle is that for every negative thing said, four positive things should be said. Let me know if you have available coaches that fit this description. They are few and far between.

The level of competition played shouldn’t overly impact your level of fear. This may be an influence if you can’t compete at that level, but if you can’t compete and your team is always playing at this level, perhaps you should be on a different team where you can compete.

 

[Carlsbad7]

Carlsbad7, let me suggest that your first statement is greatly overstating a minor point. Fear of making a mistake is primarily due to two things. First, personality. There are players , both sexes, that can shoot on goal 20 times and know that the next one will go in and not be worried about missing. This is the natural personality of certain positions, primarily forwards. Others (often more the perfectionists) that strongly desire to not make a mistake. They will refuse to shoot because every shot missed is considered failure. These personalities should be your defenders.

The second big influence is the treatment that coaches give from an early age. A huge component of good youth coaches is the ability to instruct in a positive manor. A business management principle is that for every negative thing said, four positive things should be said. Let me know if you have available coaches that fit this description. They are few and far between.

The level of competition played shouldn’t overly impact your level of fear. This may be an influence if you can’t compete at that level, but if you can’t compete and your team is always playing at this level, perhaps you should be on a different team where you can compete.

I don't think playing high level competition is ever a bad thing.

I do believe that sometimes having games where players can try new things and just have fun are important.

This is why I don't really like the rankings app. Some people view it as a way to make equal level teams always play each other. This forces coaches and players into pushing for perfection. Or at least their level of perfection.

Just because a players personality is more conservative doesn't mean they can't be an amazing forward. Conversely just because a player is aggressive and willing to take chances shouldn't preclude them from being a defender. Youth players might grow 6 inches in 6 months and suddenly go from small and nimble to a tank that pushes anyone near them off the ball.

Here's an example, there was a player on my kids team. They were very physically gifted with speed and power. Everyone naturally thought this automatically translated to playing forward. She was very good as a forward and played ok. Scoring but not anything overly amazing. The end of the season comes around and a defender was hurt the coach decided to throw the player everyone thought was a forward into defense. She was incredible at defense. Like eye-poppingly good and without any previous defensive training. It sucks that we only found out how good she was at defense at the end of the season. Definitely would have made things different if the coach knew earlier. Unfortunately when her dad found out she was playing defense he pulled her from the team and she no longer played soccer.

 

[Carlsbad7]

Carlsbad7, let me suggest that your first statement is greatly overstating a minor point. Fear of making a mistake is primarily due to two things. First, personality. There are players , both sexes, that can shoot on goal 20 times and know that the next one will go in and not be worried about missing. This is the natural personality of certain positions, primarily forwards. Others (often more the perfectionists) that strongly desire to not make a mistake. They will refuse to shoot because every shot missed is considered failure. These personalities should be your defenders.

The second big influence is the treatment that coaches give from an early age. A huge component of good youth coaches is the ability to instruct in a positive manor. A business management principle is that for every negative thing said, four positive things should be said. Let me know if you have available coaches that fit this description. They are few and far between.

The level of competition played shouldn’t overly impact your level of fear. This may be an influence if you can’t compete at that level, but if you can’t compete and your team is always playing at this level, perhaps you should be on a different team where you can compete.

I also agree with your assessment on coaches.

Coaches that are overly negative can kill a players desire to play faster than anything else.

Coaches that are all positive are annoying. I like the 4 positive for every negative rule. That sounds about right for getting players in line but also letting them have fun and feel good about themselves when playing.

Ironically one of my kids favorite coaches can sound mean and crazy. He even threw a chair on the field once during a game. I don't know how he does it but players just gravitate to him. I think they can sense that he honestly cares about the players and all the crazy antics are just passion and desire to get the team to win.

 

[RobbieNorwood]

I also agree with your assessment on coaches.

Coaches that are overly negative can kill a players desire to play faster than anything else.

Coaches that are all positive are annoying. I like the 4 positive for every negative rule. That sounds about right for getting players in line but also letting them have fun and feel good about themselves when playing.

Ironically one of my kids favorite coaches can sound mean and crazy. He even threw a chair on the field once during a game. I don't know how he does it but players just gravitate to him. I think they can sense that he honestly cares about the players and all the crazy antics are just passion and desire to get the team to win.

There have been some negative coaching trends that teams have noticed within the U14 ECNL program. One of the most significant concerns has been the increased pressure on players to perform. With the level of competition being so high, there is a constant need to win, which can create a stressful environment for players. Some teams have also noticed a lack of diversity in coaching styles within the U14 ECNL program. With the same coaches training players week in and week out, players are not exposed to different coaching methods and philosophies, which can limit their growth and development. Coaches need to be open to learning from each other and adapting their coaching styles to the needs of the players for the benefit of the team. The coach is responsible for not only training and guiding the players, but also for making tactical decisions during the game. However, what happens when a coach refuses to adapt and players start quitting on them? At what point is it time for the coach to be let go?

The role of a coach is to lead and inspire their team to victory. They are responsible for creating a positive and conducive environment for the players to thrive in. A good coach should be able to adapt to the changing dynamics of the game and the team. This includes understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each player, adjusting tactics according to the opponent, and being open to feedback from their players. However, not all coaches are going to possess these qualities and this can lead to a toxic environment within the team. If they are stuck in their ways and refuse to listen to their players’ suggestions can create a rift within the team. This can lead to a decline in performance and ultimately result in players losing interest and quitting the team. In such cases, it is important for the management to assess the situation and make a decision whether to let go of the coach and bring in someone who can lead the team to success. After all, the success of a team is dependent on the coach's ability to adapt and inspire their players.

 

[crush]

There have been some negative coaching trends that teams have noticed within the U14 ECNL program. One of the most significant concerns has been the increased pressure on players to perform. With the level of competition being so high, there is a constant need to win, which can create a stressful environment for players. Some teams have also noticed a lack of diversity in coaching styles within the U14 ECNL program. With the same coaches training players week in and week out, players are not exposed to different coaching methods and philosophies, which can limit their growth and development. Coaches need to be open to learning from each other and adapting their coaching styles to the needs of the players for the benefit of the team. The coach is responsible for not only training and guiding the players, but also for making tactical decisions during the game. However, what happens when a coach refuses to adapt and players start quitting on them? At what point is it time for the coach to be let go?

The role of a coach is to lead and inspire their team to victory. They are responsible for creating a positive and conducive environment for the players to thrive in. A good coach should be able to adapt to the changing dynamics of the game and the team. This includes understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each player, adjusting tactics according to the opponent, and being open to feedback from their players. However, not all coaches are going to possess these qualities and this can lead to a toxic environment within the team. If they are stuck in their ways and refuse to listen to their players’ suggestions can create a rift within the team. This can lead to a decline in performance and ultimately result in players losing interest and quitting the team. In such cases, it is important for the management to assess the situation and make a decision whether to let go of the coach and bring in someone who can lead the team to success. After all, the success of a team is dependent on the coach's ability to adapt and inspire their players.

 

[RobbieNorwood]

It was around this age when a clown coach fat shamed one of my dd friends and teammates. She stood up for her in front of the team and coach got all mad and red in the face. I called the coach again (I had numerous calls with coach on many lies from him and the lying Doc) and told him to knock it off. Anyway, the girls were told at next practice, "if any of your parents call me again complaining about my coaching and what I say as coach, you will not play." This was right during recruiting time as well. It only got worse after that.

At least he was upfront. Most coaches will listen to a parent then bench the kid for a month.

Lets look at the top 15 teams in California. Whos a product of great coaching and whos a product of collecting the best talent? If you were to knock this list down from 15 teams to 10 in terms of the best coaching how would it look? Whos has the best and who has the worst coach? Do any of these teams fall out of the top 10 all together?

Development at U14 seems to be out. Instead your kid gets stuck in a system where they flourish or fail based on the coaches tactics. Ive talked to way too many parents who's kids want to quit the sport over a BAD coach. How many of these coaches can actually look in the mirror in the morning and feel good about the damage they have done?


How things currently sit in CA :

1.) MVLA
2.) SURF
3.) KOGE
4.) EAGLES
5.) BLUES
6.) SAN JAUN
7.) LEGENDS
8.) BEACH
9.) SLAMMERS FC
10.) MUSTANGS
11.) CITY
12.) BEACH RL
13.) LAFC
14.) CRUSH
15.) FRAM

 

[Carlsbad7]

At least he was upfront. Most coaches will listen to a parent then bench the kid for a month.

Lets look at the top 15 teams in California. Whos a product of great coaching and whos a product of collecting the best talent? If you were to knock this list down from 15 teams to 10 in terms of the best coaching how would it look? Whos has the best and who has the worst coach? Do any of these teams fall out of the top 10 all together?

Development at U14 seems to be out. Instead your kid gets stuck in a system where they flourish or fail based on the coaches tactics. Ive talked to way too many parents who's kids want to quit the sport over a BAD coach. How many of these coaches can actually look in the mirror in the morning and feel good about the damage they have done?


How things currently sit in CA :

1.) MVLA
2.) SURF
3.) KOGE
4.) EAGLES
5.) BLUES
6.) SAN JAUN
7.) LEGENDS
8.) BEACH
9.) SLAMMERS FC
10.) MUSTANGS
11.) CITY
12.) BEACH RL
13.) LAFC
14.) CRUSH
15.) FRAM

No feedback on coaches ever changing.

However I do see a significant opportunity for NWSL clubs like SD Wave or Angel City to open up Acadamies and give the best players opportunities to train to play professionally.

Right now top players are stuck in the youth -> college -> pro pipeline. For most the jump from youth -> pro is too much so they don't try for it.

 

[crush]

At least he was upfront. Most coaches will listen to a parent then bench the kid for a month.

Enjoy the top 10. It's fun when the kids are young. Most men just don't understand that the female is not the same as the male regarding their bodies changing and all the hormones that come with it during their first period. Tough love of being upfront with a young teenager's weight, especially when their body is changing is total bullshit, especially in front of your teammates, MOO!

 

[way up]

Enjoy the top 10. It's fun when the kids are young. Most men just don't understand that the female is not the same as the male regarding their bodies changing and all the hormones that come with it during their first period. Tough love of being upfront with a young teenager's weight, especially when their body is changing is total bullshit, MOO!

Man, we're not there yet, but getting very close. Do you think the first year after their first period is a good year to avoid a high pressure team? Do they learn how to manage their period and serious competition as they age or is it an ongoing issue. I almost wonder if it's best to go lightly until high school, but knowing she has to dominate in high school to retain her current level of play. Tring to manage her emotions and mood knowing that is going to be a tough year!

 

[crush]

Man, we're not there yet, but getting very close. Do you think the first year after their first period is a good year to avoid a high pressure team? Do they learn how to manage their period and serious competition as they age or is it an ongoing issue. I almost wonder if it's best to go lightly until high school, but knowing she has to dominate in high school to retain her current level of play. Tring to manage her emotions and mood knowing that is going to be a tough year!

 

[From the Spot]

How many of these coaches can actually look in the mirror in the morning and feel good about the damage they have done?

Unfortunately, most of them. They are so caught up in their own egos they truly believe they are doing what's best for the player and the team.

 

[Fieldsofgold]

At least he was upfront. Most coaches will listen to a parent then bench the kid for a month.

Lets look at the top 15 teams in California. Whos a product of great coaching and whos a product of collecting the best talent? If you were to knock this list down from 15 teams to 10 in terms of the best coaching how would it look? Whos has the best and who has the worst coach? Do any of these teams fall out of the top 10 all together?

Development at U14 seems to be out. Instead your kid gets stuck in a system where they flourish or fail based on the coaches tactics. Ive talked to way too many parents who's kids want to quit the sport over a BAD coach. How many of these coaches can actually look in the mirror in the morning and feel good about the damage they have done?


How things currently sit in CA :

1.) MVLA
2.) SURF
3.) KOGE
4.) EAGLES
5.) BLUES
6.) SAN JAUN
7.) LEGENDS
8.) BEACH
9.) SLAMMERS FC
10.) MUSTANGS
11.) CITY
12.) BEACH RL
13.) LAFC
14.) CRUSH
15.) FRAM

How is FRAM ranked so high

 

[Zeke]

No feedback on coaches ever changing.

However I do see a significant opportunity for NWSL clubs like SD Wave or Angel City to open up Acadamies and give the best players opportunities to train to play professionally.

Right now top players are stuck in the youth -> college -> pro pipeline. For most the jump from youth -> pro is too much so they don't try for it.

Pro?

Keep it in perspective. NWSL drafted 56 players this year. Total. Everyone else is going off to be lawyers, accountants, scientists, saleswomen, or other things.

I’m very happy I get to watch some beautiful soccer, but there is no sense in telling girls that they’ll be able to do this for a living.

 

[crush]

Pro?

Keep it in perspective. NWSL drafted 56 players this year. Total. Everyone else is going off to be lawyers, accountants, scientists, saleswomen, or other things.

I’m very happy I get to watch some beautiful soccer, but there is no sense in telling girls that they’ll be able to do this for a living.

One of my bff's from old club team played college ball, got her degree and became a stay home mommy

 

[Carlsbad7]

Pro?

Keep it in perspective. NWSL drafted 56 players this year. Total. Everyone else is going off to be lawyers, accountants, scientists, saleswomen, or other things.

I’m very happy I get to watch some beautiful soccer, but there is no sense in telling girls that they’ll be able to do this for a living.

Why not?

NWSL allows a min of 20 and max of 26 per roster and as of 2024 there's 14 clubs. This means on the low end there's 280 available positions and on the high end there's 346.

Socal (and CA) have a large number of nationwide talent This means there's a good chance that if you took the top 1-2 from each Socal youth team a good number would play professionally.

If NWSL had a homegrown rule SD Wave and Angel City would quickly dominate because they could pay big money for talent and sprinkle in local talent.

 

[sockma]

Why not?

NWSL allows a min of 20 and max of 26 per roster and as of 2024 there's 14 clubs. This means on the low end there's 280 available positions and on the high end there's 346.

Socal (and CA) have a large number of nationwide talent This means there's a good chance that if you took the top 1-2 from each Socal youth team a good number would play professionally.

If NWSL had a homegrown rule SD Wave and Angel City would quickly dominate because they could pay big money for talent and sprinkle in local talent.

Let's just say there are 17 ECNL teams in SW (not counting GA teams). Your math says there would be 34 players per age group. Let's just look at four age groups, that's 34X4=136 in SW division. But they only drafted 56 players from College, all over the country and players from outside the country. Most of those that get drafted are getting paid 35K and will be replaced the next year by the next class.

An example of how hard it is to make it as a female soccer player. This is a Mac Herman finalist.

Along with Turnbow, Taylor Kornieck had to leave Wave FC because she wasn't getting play time.

San Diego Wave FC Midfielder Kelsey Turnbow Announces Retirement - San Diego Wave Fútbol Club

San Diego Wave FC midfielder Kelsey Turnbow today announced her [...]

sandiegowavefc.com

Kelsey Turnbow - 2021 - Women's Soccer - Santa Clara University

Kelsey Turnbow (10) Forward - AS A RS SENIOR IN 2021: First Team All-American ... Third Team Academic All-American … Honda Award Finalist … One

santaclarabroncos.com

 

[LouSag]

Let's just say there are 17 ECNL teams in SW (not counting GA teams). Your math says there would be 34 players per age group. Let's just look at four age groups, that's 34X4=136 in SW division. But they only drafted 56 players from College, all over the country and players from outside the country. Most of those that get drafted are getting paid 35K and will be replaced the next year by the next class.

An example of how hard it is to make it as a female soccer player. This is a Mac Herman finalist.

Along with Turnbow, Taylor Kornieck had to leave Wave FC because she wasn't getting play time.

San Diego Wave FC Midfielder Kelsey Turnbow Announces Retirement - San Diego Wave Fútbol Club

San Diego Wave FC midfielder Kelsey Turnbow today announced her [...]

sandiegowavefc.com

Kelsey Turnbow - 2021 - Women's Soccer - Santa Clara University

Kelsey Turnbow (10) Forward - AS A RS SENIOR IN 2021: First Team All-American ... Third Team Academic All-American … Honda Award Finalist … One

santaclarabroncos.com

About 6 weeks ago, my 17 yr old daughter got a call to go train with the Wave. Her response , “Thank you, but I have no interest in playing professional soccer…please give the opportunity to someone else.”
Raised this one right…off to college to get that degree. At least Ms. Turnbow above had the foresight to finish college. Smart lady.

 

[Carlsbad7]

Let's just say there are 17 ECNL teams in SW (not counting GA teams). Your math says there would be 34 players per age group. Let's just look at four age groups, that's 34X4=136 in SW division. But they only drafted 56 players from College, all over the country and players from outside the country. Most of those that get drafted are getting paid 35K and will be replaced the next year by the next class.

An example of how hard it is to make it as a female soccer player. This is a Mac Herman finalist.

Along with Turnbow, Taylor Kornieck had to leave Wave FC because she wasn't getting play time.

San Diego Wave FC Midfielder Kelsey Turnbow Announces Retirement - San Diego Wave Fútbol Club

San Diego Wave FC midfielder Kelsey Turnbow today announced her [...]

sandiegowavefc.com

Kelsey Turnbow - 2021 - Women's Soccer - Santa Clara University

Kelsey Turnbow (10) Forward - AS A RS SENIOR IN 2021: First Team All-American ... Third Team Academic All-American … Honda Award Finalist … One

santaclarabroncos.com

I don't disagree with your numbers.

But why go though all the effort to be on a top team if your goal isn't to play professionally?

Youth only goes on for so long. If you were a top level athlete and in your prime it would be hard to turn your back on something you love. A big money job doesn't gloss over feelings of what could have been.

 

[LouSag]

A 2nd Surf team at each age group makes a lot of sense.

Not gonna happen. Surf bailed for the DA, and when the DA imploded, they came running back to ECNL. If they had never left ECNL, they would clearly have 2 ECNL teams in each age group—like Scott Gallagher, Real Colorado, and Concorde. I‘m thinking ECNL leadership has a long memory.

 

[LouSag]

Why not?

NWSL allows a min of 20 and max of 26 per roster and as of 2024 there's 14 clubs. This means on the low end there's 280 available positions and on the high end there's 346.

Socal (and CA) have a large number of nationwide talent This means there's a good chance that if you took the top 1-2 from each Socal youth team a good number would play professionally.

If NWSL had a homegrown rule SD Wave and Angel City would quickly dominate because they could pay big money for talent and sprinkle in local talent.

Before the Premier League, the English first division tried that. Only 3 non-UK born players in the first 11. Failed. Then MLS resurrected that rule, and it’s slowly going away.

 

[LouSag]

No feedback on coaches ever changing.

However I do see a significant opportunity for NWSL clubs like SD Wave or Angel City to open up Acadamies and give the best players opportunities to train to play professionally.

Right now top players are stuck in the youth -> college -> pro pipeline. For most the jump from youth -> pro is too much so they don't try for it.

Exactly what the women’s European teams are doing backed by large sums of money from the parent men’s club.
And that is one big reason ( of many reasons discussed on another thread), why the European women’s teams are better than or catching up rapidly to the USWNT.
NWSL clubs need to get their academies up and running yesterday and tie them into the youth clubs. If you want the most talented teenagers to be the future player pool of the USWNT, playing in an NWSL academy and bypassing the college game is essential. This is the European model, and it works, ala Spain and England women’s teams.