This is so true. The funny thing about soccer (and what defines it as "the beautiful game" in my opinion) is that it depends on so many qualities that just can't be coached or taught. It applies in other sports as well, but none as much as soccer, due to the open and free flowing nature of the game.
Club soccer stuff that drive you nuts...
- Thread starter soccerchaffeur
- Start date
This is so true. The funny thing about soccer (and what defines it as "the beautiful game" in my opinion) is that it depends on so many qualities that just can't be coached or taught. It applies in other sports as well, but none as much as soccer, due to the open and free flowing nature of the game.
I'm surprised parents allow clubs to advertise on their kids likeness without being compensated.
I'm also surprised that top youth players dont have agents with the recent NCAA changes around players owning their likeness. (Agents would be going after clubs for compensation)
What is NIL? NCAA Name, Image, Likeness Rule Explained
Learn about the NCAA NIL rules and how student-athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness through endorsements and promotions.www.ncsasports.org
Some football or basketball NCCA players might be high profile enough to earn something out of their "likeness" but NCCA soccer not so much. The 30+ ncca waivers and regulations that players have to sign limits some of that also including social media posting.
Professional starting wages in MLS or the women's league is often less than college grads in higher demand fields and those clubs sell tickets and jerseys and the players don't get a cut so not sure there is anything to leverage on the whole likeness deal.
soccerchaffeur
SILVER
Dads that go on every social media site to let us know their superstars are available to guest this weekend. It's even better when they start listing their strengths and better yet...stats! I guess there are enough trophy chasing coaches who pander to that crowd.
Yousername
SILVER
Or who refer to their teenagers as GOATs. Really?!?! I love my kid as much as the next person, and I think the world of her, but it’s just obnoxious when it’s used every damn time to refer to your kid.
I see that quite a bit. Give your kid a break. Take them to the beach or something. If they really want to play bad, let them organize a pick up game in the neighborhood.
Dang selling out your own kid, wow that's too much.
You know what's worse than this? Is often times the way these "GOATS" act. (way to go parents) don't get me wrong I know plenty of humble ballers but those kids usually don't have parents running around telling everyone what a GOAT they are... the kid's game and work ethic, etc. speaks for themselves.
Will the neighborhood game be considered a showcase? If so, my goat is available to guest.
Soccermom18
SILVER
Been seeing a lot of this… the worst would be getting injured guesting for another a team. Aren’t parents afraid of burning their kids out? On a top flight team, the kids are already practicing 3+ times a week with their team… private sessions with a different coach and games/tournaments on the weekends.
46n2
SILVER ELITE
IMO a parent that does this has had their kid play on multiple team in a short period, Ive seen it start at age 11-15 most , seems like those four years, when a player should be having the best time of their lives with their teammates and growing before the real stuff happens at 16 and up...but instead dad, and sometimes mommy is so delusional that their kid has 6 different backpacks by the time they start driving......
How would you feel about "6 different backpacks" if coaches were calling you asking if you're kid would want to guest in XYZ tournament (almost weekly) and when you relay to you kid they say yes every time? I don't know about the parents that hype their kids on social media (because I don't do any of that). But, I can say with a player that's done soccer since 3yrs old and competitive since 5yrs old that at age 10 "6 different backpacks" is about right.
Not saying that you're wrong. Sometimes crazy Parents are pushing players. However sometimes they aren't.
MOO FYY, sometimes Docs lie so much and behave so poorly ((lie some more and other naughty things)) that kid has to leave backpack and find a new backpack. It happens and you can;t paint a broad brush on all families with 5 or 6 packs. My dd was asked "to guest" a few times as baby player ((I dont want to offend any of the Elitist and say "my goat.")) and it was fun. Coach Bobak was 100% for kids playing matches as long as it didnt interfear with the team and all you have to do is ask. A confident coach has nothing to worry about. Jealousy is thick in this sport. TMs causing cancer with gossip. "Look at her, another backpack." Losers!!!
46n2
SILVER ELITE
you had me at competitive soccer at 5yrs old, haha oh fuck......this is exactly what Im talking about ....I swear everyone south of 73 thinks bb or dd is pro by the age of 9.
so spot on... hahah!!
Whenever my kid has guested or whenever our team has had a guest - It's always been someone that is a friend. I couldn't imagine just showing up on Saturday morning as a hired gun to play with some kids you don't really know.
But maybe that's why my kid isn't a goat.
Yousername
SILVER
I agree. I do think that the keeper position *might* be the one exception where being a “hired gun” to play with kids you don’t know is necessary, because not all teams carry 2 keepers or more. So sometimes they do have to grab from wherever they can.
We had no idea what we were getting into. All we knew is that our daughter liked playing soccer + it seemed like a logical progression.
Competitive at 5 was purely a money grab. Easy to see in the rearview.
I never said she was going pro or even if she has plans to play after club. She just likes to play
I agree. At the field, before, during, or after the game, let the kid make statements of his/her ability by demonstration.
The place for parents to promote the kid's abilities is in the college coach's office when discussing a possible offer. "He's the best uncommitted player left in the county" or something like that.
MacDre
PREMIER
Well said coach. I have been thinking about the guesting vs. playing pick up issue lately. I have decided pick up is
As part of my kids “mental development,” she’s taking ng a sports psychology class. Yesterday, she had a reading assignment that focused on GRIT and included all these studies comparing parents that consistently complimented their kids telling them they were great vs. parents that only complimented effort and a kids willingness to undertake task where they could be publicly embarrassed by failure.
The kids that received constant praise were not resilient and hesitant to undertake any task where they didn’t know they be successful. Whereas the kids that were praised for their efforts worked harder and sought out challenging opportunities where they would fail as part of their maturation process.
So, the takeaway message is to praise effort and courage not current ability.
EvilGoalie 21
GOLD
Rather than guesting over on a friends team, it can also be an inter-club thing. Like this weekend one team in a larger organization we just got branded with is out some kids due to SAT. So that coach puts out the call and our coach is like some of you guys want games this weekend. Ugly soccer parenting is one thing, but it can also just be helping out.
Guesting or loaning for inter-club teams is common and can give players valuable experience.
Guesting for another club is when things can get a bit dicey if it's beyond the school, neighborhood, or friends connections.
Playing down guesting well don't think that's a good policy, sandbagging to get some $5 metals are normally just for the parents or the thirsty club(s).
If a player wants to guest or gets a opportunity they will let parents know, no reason to "advertise" a players out that I know of. Coaches communication and they should be the ones giving suggestions or recommendations on additional play.