Why do kids switch clubs

[Grace T.]

Always an exception... and I've seen kids who's scored most of the goals and played most of the games leading up to tryout being dropped... but I think that's super rare

Introductory scholarship offer which expired when other solid players joined the squad? Problematic and/or demanding parent? Behavioral/discipline case during practices?

 

[Jamisfoes]

Introductory scholarship offer which expired when other solid players joined the squad? Problematic and/or demanding parent? Behavioral/discipline case during practices?

By the way, any idea on what questions to ask when evaluating a new team to join? Assuming you have already received an offer.

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

Wow, I really damaged the tranny in you, didn't I? Sorry... no man in a dress is walking in the girls bathroom with my daughter. Get over it. Clearly my political beliefs don't align with yours, but you're the one acting like a dumped girlfriend. Grow the fuck up.

You continue to miss the point. It is only the most egregious example where you post something inflammatory on this board, say that you didn't post it, and then play dumb when someone quotes your own words back to you.

You can consistently believe and post anything you want - and anyone can agree or ignore. Hoping people don't remember what you post from one page to the next is not particularly savvy.

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

The coach’s perspective? What perspective can he possibly add and why does it matter? My kid hates playing defense. What does his coach’s perspective have to do with that?

He plays my son in defense 95% of the time for three years. My son asked him SEVERAL times himself can I please play somewhere else. Even during scrimmages that did not count. Or when they are up 5-0 etc. he never got the chance except maybe 5% of the time. If that. Honestly thinking back 5% is even high. It was much much less.

Because with the situation laid out as written - someone's clearly either missing the point, mistaking reality, or is a terrible coach. It's either the parent, the coach, or both. You've clarified that it's now less than 5% - and it sure sounds like the kid isn't happy. Would the coach agree that the kid has been given little to no opportunity to learn other positions, or would they instead think that they are doing everything they can to rotate kids throughout, given whatever other parameters they are dealing with.

If the kid's not happy - find someplace where he can be. Whether playing time, position, or any other reason - all of them may be valid reasons to consider leaving. It's just that in many situations, it turns out that what they thought was the issue - wasn't - especially if it follows them.

 

[sigmabody]

By the way, any idea on what questions to ask when evaluating a new team to join? Assuming you have already received an offer.

This is a really good question, and I don't think there's an objective or clear-cut answer to it. That said, I tend to ask the most questions (of the parents on our team), and I can tell you what I am trying to discern, broadly:
- What is the coaching style going to be?
- What is the coach looking for most in kids of that age? What will he/she emphasize in terms of training?
- Will there be opportunities to have exposure to playing with higher level players (if your child isn't already at the highest level in the club)?
- What are the practice facilities and times likely to be like?
- What is the expected tournament schedule, and what are the expected costs for such?
- What is the stance on other external sports activities (if that's material for your child)?
- Does the club have video for games/scrimmages which is available for parents?
- What's the club's play philosophy, if it's not per-coach? If it is per coach, what is it for the coach?
- What is the pathway for advancement (if you think it might be material for your child)? Will you get regular evaluations from the coaches?

Those are the highlights. For my son's club, about 50% of those were covered going into the decision process (info online or provided in the general talk from the DOC); about 50% were questions I asked explicitly during the parent meeting.

 

[CaliR1]

I dont have the experience that most of you have on here but I have heard a lot of complaints about coaches who care about winning more than player development or whether the players are enjoying the sport because their financial compensation depends on it. Not to mention, a team that "wins" is more likely to attract more players and potential recruits. Some parents/students want this, others do not.

Also...I assume that every club has their own views on how to best play the game...we tried out with several clubs before settling on the one he is on now and some teams are very pro offense, some are very pro passing, and others are defense oriented.

I know that my kid is the opposite in that he likes playing defense a lot more than offense so he would be miserable if you stuck him at striker 95% of the time.

 

[Slobodan]

You continue to miss the point. It is only the most egregious example where you post something inflammatory on this board, say that you didn't post it, and then play dumb when someone quotes your own words back to you.

You can consistently believe and post anything you want - and anyone can agree or ignore. Hoping people don't remember what you post from one page to the next is not particularly savvy.

I've never denied posting anything. Why would I? It's all here in black and white. You've lied before, claiming I posted something I didn't, so if your whiny little ass has a problem with something I posted, too fucking bad. Post my quote. Or try, like you did last time, and get put in your place again.

Being a little whiny bitch appears to be your forte. Get over it or ignore me if my posts bother you. Your endless fucking drivel on this thread bothers me and you don't see me crying, do you?

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

I've never denied posting anything.

It's pretty simple Slobi. Every time you choose to address me directly, I'll remind you and everyone following along that you're not worth talking to - as you'll likely first say something moronic, and soon after you'll deny posting it - even when your own quotes are shown to you. See above.

And then I'll point out why whatever you're spewing now is likely just as useless. Though the second part may be superfluous at times - as most see it for themselves already anyway.

 

[Jamisfoes]

I've seen kids become disgruntled with an existing team and, in essence, leave that team with a month or 2 left in the season. They start ringing the DOC at said "desired" club and, in my experience, the bigger clubs won't let that player attend their practice in season. It's tough because most of us know there really isn't an offseason. So your window of opportunity to practice before upcoming tryouts is hard. If your existing club doesn't release you and your player card because they know you want to leave, they don't have to and I've seen that, too. And if I'm being honest, I'm not super excited to see my kid's team bring in an outside player with a month left in the season. There's a good chance that kid is going to take minutes away from some kids that were grinding it out all year.

Nevermind that clubs deliberately schedule tryouts at the same time so it's nearly impossible to attend more than one.

I’m pretty sure you are wrong. By November, if you are on a payment plan, you should have completed the entire year of payment. If you have paid up for the year, they CANNOT NOT release you. Your new DOC will call your old DOC and chit chat a little annd it’s done. They are all buddies. No one wants to piss off another. They understand players come and go.

You won’t be added to the new team’s playoff/ state cup roster because the deadline likely had passed.

 

[Slobodan]

I’m pretty sure you are wrong. By November, if you are on a payment plan, you should have completed the entire year of payment. If you have paid up for the year, they CANNOT NOT release you. Your new DOC will call your old DOC and chit chat a little annd it’s done. They are all buddies. No one wants to piss off another. They understand players come and go.

You won’t be added to the new team’s playoff/ state cup roster because the deadline likely had passed.

I'm pretty sure my real life experiences aren't wrong and they aren't all buddies.

Not every family and club experience is the same.

 

[Slobodan]

It's pretty simple Slobi. Every time you choose to address me directly, I'll remind you and everyone following along that you're not worth talking to - as you'll likely first say something moronic, and soon after you'll deny posting it - even when your own quotes are shown to you. See above.

And then I'll point out why whatever you're spewing now is likely just as useless. Though the second part may be superfluous at times - as most see it for themselves already anyway.

It is simple... which is especially good for you. I realize you're butthurt. That's your problem and not anybody else's.

Let me repeat for you, little lady: There's nothing to deny posting. I don't delete my posts. It's all here in black and white so nothing can be "denied". You're just a dipshit that doesn't like my take on men in dresses using the women's bathroom. There's nothing inflammatory about that. Again, YOUR problem. And I only address you directly because you cry like a bitch when I post.

You have my permission to perseverate over my take on anything. Just understand you're the only one whining about it. An army of one.

 

[crush]

It is simple... which is especially good for you. I realize you're butthurt. That's your problem and not anybody else's.

Let me repeat for you, 'tard: There's nothing to deny posting. I don't delete my posts. It's all here in black and white so nothing can be "denied". You're just a dipshit that doesn't like my take on men in dresses using the women's bathroom. There's nothing inflammatory about that. Again, YOUR problem. And I only address you directly because you cry like a bitch when I post.

You have my permission to perseverate over my take on anything. Just understand you're the only one whining about it. An army of one.

Random Soccer Fan (RSF) is a snitch and a little crybaby. RSF thinks a man can be a woman with big balls, . Let that sink in to your brain today. TGIFF, roof, roof!!!

 

[Jamisfoes]

This is a really good question, and I don't think there's an objective or clear-cut answer to it. That said, I tend to ask the most questions (of the parents on our team), and I can tell you what I am trying to discern, broadly:
- What is the coaching style going to be?
- What is the coach looking for most in kids of that age? What will he/she emphasize in terms of training?
- Will there be opportunities to have exposure to playing with higher level players (if your child isn't already at the highest level in the club)?
- What are the practice facilities and times likely to be like?
- What is the expected tournament schedule, and what are the expected costs for such?
- What is the stance on other external sports activities (if that's material for your child)?
- Does the club have video for games/scrimmages which is available for parents?
- What's the club's play philosophy, if it's not per-coach? If it is per coach, what is it for the coach?
- What is the pathway for advancement (if you think it might be material for your child)? Will you get regular evaluations from the coaches?

Those are the highlights. For my son's club, about 50% of those were covered going into the decision process (info online or provided in the general talk from the DOC); about 50% were questions I asked explicitly during the parent meeting.

Is asking for playing time at a position you like a big consideration when accepting an offer? Is it safe to assume that if one is offered a spot on a top tier team, the coach wants you in the starting lineup… at least initially until you fail to deliver?

 

[sigmabody]

Is asking for playing time at a position you like a big consideration when accepting an offer? Is it safe to assume that if one is offered a spot on a top tier team, the coach wants you in the starting lineup… at least initially until you fail to deliver?

I think this is probably dependent on the club and coach.

Speaking only for my son's club and coach, they make no guarantees for play time at a specific position, but the coach will work with the players to try to get them play time at the position they want. However, in some cases that might mean on a lower tier team. I know one player, for example, who I understand (second hand) was invited to continue on the team in his main position, or continue with the club in the position he wanted to move to, but on the lower tier team in the second case (as he was not as skilled/valuable at that position). He ended up staying and playing at his initial/primary position on the higher tier team, and now splits time between both, as he is developing.

Re starting lineup, this varies a bit from game to game, and depends on other factors somewhat (eg: attendance at training, performance in the last week, injuries, etc.). I wouldn't assume an offer to join a team/club comes with an expectation of being in the starting lineup; that's generally something you would earn on an ongoing basis. For example, my son has started most games for his team, but there have been a few where he started on the bench, even as a "starter" level player for the team.

 

[crush]

I think this is probably dependent on the club and coach.

Speaking only for my son's club and coach, they make no guarantees for play time at a specific position, but the coach will work with the players to try to get them play time at the position they want. However, in some cases that might mean on a lower tier team. I know one player, for example, who I understand (second hand) was invited to continue on the team in his main position, or continue with the club in the position he wanted to move to, but on the lower tier team in the second case (as he was not as skilled/valuable at that position). He ended up staying and playing at his initial/primary position on the higher tier team, and now splits time between both, as he is developing.

Re starting lineup, this varies a bit from game to game, and depends on other factors somewhat (eg: attendance at training, performance in the last week, injuries, etc.). I wouldn't assume an offer to join a team/club comes with an expectation of being in the starting lineup; that's generally something you would earn on an ongoing basis. For example, my son has started most games for his team, but there have been a few where he started on the bench, even as a "starter" level player for the team.

The best coach my kid played for had the same philosophy as my father-in-law when he coached club in the 80s and my coaching philosophy which is the following:

1) I keep my word, and I coach to win games, not win parents over to my side
2) I play who I want, where I want and when I want. If you want guaranteed play time, go to AYSO
3) I make no promise of who starts and who sits. Your kid earns play time from playing great, showing up to practice and not parent paying me for guarantee play time and access to my network. That is not real sports and its why youth sports can suck, especially soccer.
4) This is a one-year commitment from coach, player and parent
5) I will make cuts at the end of the year and recruit new players to better my team the next season
6) No guest players allowed and no guest playing with other teams.
7) No privates. Nope, no extra privates with coach crush. I would want my players to enjoy their free time and go to the beach and hang out with their peers outside of soccer, soccer, soccer and more soccer 12 months out of the year and basically just play and be all consumed with soccer and more soccer. Its way too much, moo!

P.S. A good coach will let player know where he sees him/her on his squad and it's ok to ask coach, "what position do you see my little one playing for you?" A good coach where say, "anywhere, where I see him/her helping our team win."

 

[SDSoccerMom13]

How important is club "leadership" vs ones specific coach?

WE are with a good coach now, but some new control people have been brought on and I wonder if it is time for us to move on.

 

[crush]

How important is club "leadership" vs ones specific coach?

WE are with a good coach now, but some new control people have been brought on and I wonder if it is time for us to move on.

Great question SD Soccer Mom. I was told by a veteran parent back in the day, and he said this, "Take each team one year at a time. Don't worry about the club and their access to the prizes. Pick the coach, not the club" was his advice. I agree but it gets harder as our wonderful children get older. I was told later by liars and cheaters to pick the club with the most access to all the goods. At the end of the day, to each his own but choose wisely because lots of wasteful losers, fraudsters and abusers in this sport.

 

[SDSoccerMom13]

Great question SD Soccer Mom. I was told by a veteran parent back in the day, and he said this, "Take each team one year at a time. Don't worry about the club and their access to the prizes. Pick the coach, not the club" was his advice. I agree but it gets harder as our wonderful children get older. I was told later by liars and cheaters to pick the club with the most access to all the goods. At the end of the day, to each his own but choose wisely because lots of wasteful losers, fraudsters and abusers in this sport.

Thank you for the thoughtful reply. My son is only 12, so we aren't too concerned about access to things. He has developed well over the last two years with our coach and aren't too interested in moving.

 

[Socal-Soccer-Dad]

How important is club "leadership" vs ones specific coach?

WE are with a good coach now, but some new control people have been brought on and I wonder if it is time for us to move on.

I would lean coach over club.

The counterargument I've heard is that it's also beneficial to learn from different coaches and styles and learn to win their trust and in different systems.

Also, coaches usually coach a team 2-3 years max and then pass the team onto the next coach. So know who is usually the "next coach" in that process and if such coach isn't someone you want for 2-3 years, may be right time to start looking around for possible options...