Girls Development Academy

Striker17 said:
So cal showcase? Heard it was some "interesting soccer". That's code for it's going to be a real mess until they gel...
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Definitely could see the difference between the girls working in the system for the last few months and those who haven't been. Also could see the vast difference in style and "game objective" between the DA and non DA teams.

Here is what I noticed:

Non DA teams were much more direct (launching and chasing). They also subbed more to stay fresh in the terrible heat. I can hate on that. They came to win nd put it all on the line.

DA teams were working on connecting, building out of the back and creating chances though off ball player movement. Subs were much less generous with the girls prepping to play longer with the no re-entry rule. I know we wanted to win, but were more focused on executing what they learned in practice in real game situations. We had varied success depending on the personnel playing.

From an outside view it looks worse than it actually was. In our case we had 4 girls who haven't been at one single practice. One played with us at Legends College Showcase and the other 3 had never played with the team. It really, really showed as they weren't accustomed to the style of play. I will go so far to say it killed our rhythm at times, while still being successful in the overall win column. It's not their fault though.

I have maintained that this will be a major change for the majority of players coming over. The only untrained girl who would have played our style would have been the one who naturally plays that way. I really saw why we train 4 days a week. The DA doesn't want a super ugly product to sell it's dream.
 
C.A.M. said:
Definitely could see the difference between the girls working in the system for the last few months and those who haven't been. Also could see the vast difference in style and "game objective" between the DA and non DA teams.

Here is what I noticed:

Non DA teams were much more direct (launching and chasing). They also subbed more to stay fresh in the terrible heat. I can hate on that. They came to win nd put it all on the line.

DA teams were working on connecting, building out of the back and creating chances though off ball player movement. Subs were much less generous with the girls prepping to play longer with the no re-entry rule. I know we wanted to win, but were more focused on executing what they learned in practice in real game situations. We had varied success depending on the personnel playing.

From an outside view it looks worse than it actually was. In our case we had 4 girls who haven't been at one single practice. One played with us at Legends College Showcase and the other 3 had never played with the team. It really, really showed as they weren't accustomed to the style of play. I will go so far to say it killed our rhythm at times, while still being successful in the overall win column. It's not their fault though.

I have maintained that this will be a major change for the majority of players coming over. The only untrained girl who would have played our style would have been the one who naturally plays that way. I really saw why we train 4 days a week. The DA doesn't want a super ugly product to sell it's dream.
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Any new player that joins or is guest playing will be at a disadvantage not knowing the style of play and her teammates. You can't judge a player after a couple or so games. If the guest player is being recruited, obviously your head coach sees something he/she likes. Maybe he/she sees she has a higher ceiling than the other girls he has now or she fills a need the team is lacking such as a forward with pace to stretch an opposing defense. You never know and why I suggest don't be so quick to write off a new player. Focus your attention to improving your DD instead, because that is all that matters in the grand scheme of things.

BTW, I'm pretty sure your DD plays for LA Premier.
 
C.A.M. said:
Definitely could see the difference between the girls working in the system for the last few months and those who haven't been. Also could see the vast difference in style and "game objective" between the DA and non DA teams.

Here is what I noticed:

Non DA teams were much more direct (launching and chasing). They also subbed more to stay fresh in the terrible heat. I can hate on that. They came to win nd put it all on the line.

DA teams were working on connecting, building out of the back and creating chances though off ball player movement. Subs were much less generous with the girls prepping to play longer with the no re-entry rule. I know we wanted to win, but were more focused on executing what they learned in practice in real game situations. We had varied success depending on the personnel playing.

From an outside view it looks worse than it actually was. In our case we had 4 girls who haven't been at one single practice. One played with us at Legends College Showcase and the other 3 had never played with the team. It really, really showed as they weren't accustomed to the style of play. I will go so far to say it killed our rhythm at times, while still being successful in the overall win column. It's not their fault though.

I have maintained that this will be a major change for the majority of players coming over. The only untrained girl who would have played our style would have been the one who naturally plays that way. I really saw why we train 4 days a week. The DA doesn't want a super ugly product to sell it's dream.
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That IE surf team has some good players and they definitely don't play kickball. They also got very far in national cup with only 12. It is probably not a good idea to come on here subtly trashing a team.
 
If you can't play you will be found out. Can't hide behind two letters. If DA was an open market many a DA team would be exposed. As it stands there is a reason Blues, Surf, PDA, Etc are always on top. Consistency. DA is not about development it's not about getting better over time, or we almost won. In its purest form DA is simple a new venue for national team caliber players to play and be seen and evaluated against other national team caliber players. Consistent teams play that way, train that way and expect their teammates to play that way. Coaches who say unlucky or let the game be the teacher, or do your thing. Sigh. So yes training 4 days a week might help but only to a point. The gap already exists across the spectrum of DA. Good luck because it might be a long season for lots of teams across the county.
 
NoGoal said:
Any new player that joins or is guest playing will be at a disadvantage not knowing the style of play and her teammates. You can't judge a player after a couple or so games. If the guest player is being recruited, obviously your head coach sees something he/she likes. Maybe he/she sees she has a higher ceiling than the other girls he has now or she fills a need the team is lacking such as a forward with pace to stretch an opposing defense. You never know and why I suggest don't be so quick to write off a new player. Focus your attention to improving your DD instead, because that is all that matters in the grand scheme of things.

BTW, I'm pretty sure your DD plays for LA Premier.
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She does and I'm not writing any of the guest players off. I'm extremely familiar with the clubs and styles they come from and was expecting just what I saw.

I can definitely see what the coach sees in these kids and have no qualms with them being there this weekend. The positives outweigh the negatives by far. It just shows talent isn't enough. The training clearly matters.

Now I see why my sons club has kids doing 2-4 month trials before signing them. It was a frustrating process, but once you see the team continuity it's clear the process vetts out those who don't fit. And by don't fit, I do not mean not talented.
 
chargerfan said:
That IE surf team has some good players and they definitely don't play kickball. They also got very far in national cup with only 12. It is probably not a good idea to come on here subtly trashing a team.
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1. Never said they didnt have good players. They sure the hell wouldn't have beat us if they didn't. Other teams playing their way still were shut out and controlled. We had our chances and didn't finish. They had theirs and did. In fact, they are right behind some other IE/ECNL powerhouses with their style. They beat Beach Demelo in National Cup which is no easy feat. They were playing to win the tournament. We were playing to perfect our style and try to win within the system we play. Neither of us accomplished our goal.
2. Didn't subtly trash the team. I explained the differences I saw between the DA and non DA teams. I don't do anything subtly. I say what I mean. Not trying to fight with you, just asking you not to put a spin on my words please. I didn't say any team was bad.
3. I didn't see their other games. Against us they played EXTREMELY DIRECT. We would have them buried deep in their own end and they were launching the ball from their defenders to however far they could for their players to run on. It wasn't tactical counter attacking. It was kick and chase and they are damn good at it. I have seen the video and man that ball was flying in the air back and forth and not to feet. That's my version of kickball.
 
C.A.M. said:
1. Never said they didnt have good players. They sure the hell wouldn't have beat us if they didn't. Other teams playing their way still were shut out and controlled. We had our chances and didn't finish. They had theirs and did. In fact, they are right behind some other IE/ECNL powerhouses with their style. They beat Beach Demelo in National Cup which is no easy feat. They were playing to win the tournament. We were playing to perfect our style and try to win within the system we play. Neither of us accomplished our goal.
2. Didn't subtly trash the team. I explained the differences I saw between the DA and non DA teams. I don't do anything subtly. I say what I mean. Not trying to fight with you, just asking you not to put a spin on my words please. I didn't say any team was bad.
3. I didn't see their other games. Against us they played EXTREMELY DIRECT. We would have them buried deep in their own end and they were launching the ball from their defenders to however far they could for their players to run on. It wasn't tactical counter attacking. It was kick and chase and they are damn good at it. I have seen the video and man that ball was flying in the air back and forth and not to feet. That's my version of kickball.
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BTW, IE Surf didn't beat Beach in National Cup.
 
C.A.M. said:
Get o

I could have swore I was in the Girls DA forum.
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Ok since I started the firestorm. Where are all the posts with players in the Academy who doesn't like what the kids are learning or working on?

Give the other side of the picture. That's what we're here for. Don't come hating on me. Spill your venom about what you don't like about the DA and bring the balance. Otherwise deal with it.
 
C.A.M. said:
1. Never said they didnt have good players. They sure the hell wouldn't have beat us if they didn't. Other teams playing their way still were shut out and controlled. We had our chances and didn't finish. They had theirs and did. In fact, they are right behind some other IE/ECNL powerhouses with their style. They beat Beach Demelo in National Cup which is no easy feat. They were playing to win the tournament. We were playing to perfect our style and try to win within the system we play. Neither of us accomplished our goal.
2. Didn't subtly trash the team. I explained the differences I saw between the DA and non DA teams. I don't do anything subtly. I say what I mean. Not trying to fight with you, just asking you not to put a spin on my words please. I didn't say any team was bad.
3. I didn't see their other games. Against us they played EXTREMELY DIRECT. We would have them buried deep in their own end and they were launching the ball from their defenders to however far they could for their players to run on. It wasn't tactical counter attacking. It was kick and chase and they are damn good at it. I have seen the video and man that ball was flying in the air back and forth and not to feet. That's my version of kickball.
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I have never seen them play kickball but then again it was about 100 degrees so I can understand how it would get to that point. But the underlying comment was basically DA teams were trying to play the "right" way and non-DA teams not. Something about their objectives being different.... as in, only the DAa teams was there to develop and improve. If this is the first time you have been on a team where winning less important than development, then you have been doing it wrong. There are a lot of non-DA clubs and coaches that have been teaching a nice possession, play out the back style for years. And while your team may have struggled with that, I can name several non DA teams that wouldn't because they have been doing it for years.

Basically in conclusion don't trash another team just because yours lost. And yes calling them direct, kickball, with only goal of winning is trashing them.
 
When kids are only 14 you can win consistently playing direct. Especially if you have kids that have matured early. The issue is that by the time your kids turn 16/17 you can't win consistently playing that style. But let's not confuse kickball with playing direct. To me kickball means the player kicks the ball when they see it with little or no thought in actually passing to an open player. Playing direct means kicking from the back to a fast forward who can beat a defender and run on to the ball hopefully scoring.

Yes, a direct style has its place especially if you can create a breakaway but by the older ages the goalies and defenders usually can shut down that style of play. Learning to play out of the back with possession can be brutal at first but well worth it in the end. It eventually gives a team more options but it can take several years to develop this style of play. The truly great teams can modify their style of play to what works best against their opponent.
 
Simisoccerfan said:
When kids are only 14 you can win consistently playing direct. Especially if you have kids that have matured early. The issue is that by the time your kids turn 16/17 you can't win consistently playing that style. But let's not confuse kickball with playing direct. To me kickball means the player kicks the ball when they see it with little or no thought in actually passing to an open player. Playing direct means kicking from the back to a fast forward who can beat a defender and run on to the ball hopefully scoring.

Yes, a direct style has its place especially if you can create a breakaway but by the older ages the goalies and defenders usually can shut down that style of play. Learning to play out of the back with possession can be brutal at first but well worth it in the end. It eventually gives a team more options but it can take several years to develop this style of play. The truly great teams can modify their style of play to what works best against their opponent.
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I agree with you, however, I have seen plenty of college teams that can't stop direct play. Defender is one of the hardest positions to play at a high level and it is even harder to recruit because it's so hard to know which kids are going to easily adapt to the college game. There are so many subtleties to defending at the highest levels that few teams have what I would consider a good defense. You will also be surprised to see how many kickball college teams there are. A direct team won the National Championship this year. We are probably a generation away from that changing and it starts at the top.
 
MakeAPlay said:
I agree with you, however, I have seen plenty of college teams that can't stop direct play. Defender is one of the hardest positions to play at a high level and it is even harder to recruit because it's so hard to know which kids are going to easily adapt to the college game. There are so many subtleties to defending at the highest levels that few teams have what I would consider a good defense. You will also be surprised to see how many kickball college teams there are. A direct team won the National Championship this year. We are probably a generation away from that changing and it starts at the top.
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I understand. My dd become a defender two years ago. She very rarely gets beat but when she does it could very well lead to a goal. A striker can fail most of the time and is looking for the opportunity to get it right once or twice a game. A defender needs to get it right every time. Add to the equation that she is expected to get forward in the attack also and it results in a very complex position to play.
 
Simisoccerfan said:
I understand. My dd become a defender two years ago. She very rarely gets beat but when she does it could very well lead to a goal. A striker can fail most of the time and is looking for the opportunity to get it right once or twice a game. A defender needs to get it right every time. Add to the equation that she is expected to get forward in the attack also and it results in a very complex position to play.
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Complex yet extremely valuable...
 
MakeAPlay said:
I agree with you, however, I have seen plenty of college teams that can't stop direct play. Defender is one of the hardest positions to play at a high level and it is even harder to recruit because it's so hard to know which kids are going to easily adapt to the college game. There are so many subtleties to defending at the highest levels that few teams have what I would consider a good defense. You will also be surprised to see how many kickball college teams there are. A direct team won the National Championship this year. We are probably a generation away from that changing and it starts at the top.
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and why I roll my eyes reading.....my team is DA and the players are being trained to play the right way, because as time passes younger parents will realize there are a lot of direct college teams who don't play possession.

The players need to learn how to play both ways!
 
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