Elite club level, not go form an elite TEAM. Big difference which is the only issue I take with you. I know all the darkness that went on. I too have shame but I just want you to know Fact that my dd reason was for one only. I know now at 12 years old that was too early to chase. Understand the difference between LEVEL and TEAM?
ECNL vs. DA turf war has created a 'toxic environment'
- Thread starter VegasParent
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Also Fact, during this toxic time back then all the kids on that team and other Elite Club Teams with elite players on them were asked as 7th graders to make their list of colleges. I was shocked so early. My kid only had one team on it, UCLA FIGHT FIGHT FUGHT!!!! She picked it probably because they are one of the best soccer schools hands down, close to the beach, great location, great tradition, championships, football school, social life and the fact her old man loves the school. She was told 100% you better make the GYNT camp or perform really well when AC sees you to even be considered and invited to her camp. Nothing wrong with trying is there? That's how 2022s were picked.
Trying to think if I knew anything about what college I wanted to attend in 7th grade. Aside from watching football games on TV, that never even crossed my mind when I was 12.
Picking a school that has a major that I want? Hell, I didn’t figure out my major until my junior year of college.
Picking a school that has a major that I want? Hell, I didn’t figure out my major until my junior year of college.
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Sounds like you’ve worked with more Salesman than Coaches. For what it’s worth, I have found that those who say the least can do the most.
Your DD is in a good place now. Hopefully it gets better.
dk_b
GOLD
I agree with this so, so much. When my kid was being recruited, she could have really intelligent conversations with coaches about the game, about her strengths and weaknesses, about tactics. When they asked about school, she sounded like the kid she was. I think the school she chose remains the right school for her and I am grateful for that but I think making that decision later will benefit everyone for soccer and non-soccer reasons. (the day we allowed her to commit was also the day she received her first YNT camp invite. I said to her, "are you sure? You may get more opportunities now" and she was clear: "Yes." And, sure enough, she received a query (through her coach) that was highly detailed from an interesting suitor. She remained steadfast: no regrets)
BTW: I have really enjoyed the history lesson covering the recent SoCal Youth Soccer Years. It is incredible how these decisions impact kids - those with parents in the know and those who are ignorant (when things were shifting in NorCal - around the time that ECNL was being born - those like me with kids at small clubs were really ignorant and it looked like all the Big Clubs (and the parents) were talking about a party that we were not invited to. That remains but I get to experience it with a kid at a Big Club and kids at a small club). My kid has faced a lot of the clubs that your kids play at and it is really interesting for me to read how instead of playing Blues, she might have faced Beach. That her numerous games v Surf had a lot of drama going on in the background. Also funny to think that even if our kids are not the same age, many of us have shared venues and lamented about the disgusting porta potties. (many of you prob were at Surf Cup in 2014 when the parking lot at the Polo Fields turned into a mass of horse crap)
That's the point of a coach popping in, to see how players handle the daily routine. If they aren't working hard at club practice what are they going to do in college. That's also the reason the come to various games unannounced to see how kids are responding to different situations. How do they act when they are up 3 goals, down 3 goals etc.. Our kids were always told play your hardest all the time (including warm ups), you never know who is watching
MakeAPlay
DA
Your coach is a wise one....
MakeAPlay
DA
That was one of the last years that my kid played at Surf Cup! 2015 was her very last.....
Was that in 7th and 8th grade?
Ya, I can see coach Cal and coach K "popping" in on the newest 8th graders.
AAU coach: Listen Jonny, Coach K is coming to watch you at practice tomorrow. He wants to see what you and your teammates are all about. I know your only 5'5 and still in 8th grade and all the other recruits are 6'4. Were going be doing a rebounding and blocking drill.....
Jonny: Oh!
Jonny: But can't we play a real game. I like to pass the rock and create things.
AAU Coach: Sorry, its about development now. Plus Coach K is strapped and has only so much cash to go around and has to pick fast because freaking Miller just signed Frances Odom, the the phenom 6th grader. FO just posted "I will be the greatest in the world" prediction on youtube. Time is running out Jonny. Plus the NBA is going after 4th graders.........
Jonny at home night before: Dad, who is coach K again?
Dad: I told you to watch more college basketball and lift weights so you can stick you ass on those big boys and learn how to box out. How many hours of basketball have you been watching son?
Jonny: I don't like watching. I want to play the game dad.
Dad: No son, practice practice practice.
Next Day
AAU Coach: Coach K saw some potential in you Jonny but like I said before, go to North Dakota State for DA FREE RIDE!!!!!!
MakeAPlay
DA
Sorry to tell you this but 8th grade is when the top kids start getting recruiting attention in basketball. It’s a one and done thing.
Attention, not all signed and all money cone by 8th grade. You said UCLA spent all their money already. You think coach K and Coach Cal spent all their $$$$ by now for 2022 recruits? Of course not. It's over for now on the girls side but that was so wrong bro for everyone. That's why the rule change.....except for basketball so maybe now they will be signing 7th graders. Only problem the best one's will say, bye bye and go right to the NBA
MakeAPlay
DA
Attention, not all signed and all money cone by 8th grade. You said UCLA spent all their money already. You think coach K and Coach Cal spent all their $$$$ by now for 2022 recruits? Of course not. It's over for now on the girls side but that was so wrong bro for everyone. That's why the rule change.....except for basketball so maybe now they will be signing 7th graders. Only problem the best one's will say, bye bye and go right to the NBA
The top schools are getting the top players. It’s that simple. The players that sit on the bench at the top schools would be starters on most teams. Where are you getting 8th grade from? Nobody is committing 8th graders.
Lots of schools play against the top schools. No reason not to go to a school in a top conference and prove that you belong. People do it all the time. My kid only played for a name brand club her senior year. Never won a ECNL championship. But she smashed heads on the top teams every game and that got her noticed. It might work for yours too.
I agree with your point that the recruiting lifecycle in basketball is totally different than soccer. At this point in time, only about 30 of the top 100 class of 2020 basketball players in the country are committed(at least publicly) to a college: http://www.espn.com/college-sports/...nkings/_/view/terrific25/sort/rank/order/trueAttention, not all signed and all money cone by 8th grade. You said UCLA spent all their money already. You think coach K and Coach Cal spent all their $$$$ by now for 2022 recruits? Of course not. It's over for now on the girls side but that was so wrong bro for everyone. That's why the rule change.....except for basketball so maybe now they will be signing 7th graders. Only problem the best one's will say, bye bye and go right to the NBA
For the top players in the 2022 class, there is NOT ONE public commitment available for men's college baskeball.http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2022
Contrast that with women's soccer where some of the top teams have already completed their 2022 class. A lot of things change in 4 years. It's a huge gamble for both the university and the player to commit that early.
MakeAPlay
DA
Men’s basketball is a revenue sport! Players take their 5 trips. The university makes a huge profit and might even get a building donated by a future NBA player. You are comparing apples to pumpkins...
They were watching 8th graders and made verbal offers last year to 8th graders. Do you think AC or any other coach will need to "pop" in now to see the new incoming 8th graders practice or does a sneak attack during warm ups before the big DA Game is more suited to see the true Sally? Maybe the coach will be hiding among the parents to see how hard little elite, elite Sally is holding up in the big DA game that's already 6-1 at the half? Sally has 6 goals already. Coach wants to see what Sally will do in the second half? Is she going for the third hat trick? Final: Sally's Team 9, far away DA team 1. Sally scored 9 goals for a triple hat trick. College coach is impressed but can't talk to the 14 year old anymore.....yikes!!!
There you go-
No, I'm only comparing the recruiting process MAP. That's why men's basketball coaches can't take a chance and sign an 8th grader. But UCLA can sign 3o YNT players because half of them want the education more than actually playing. Q. How many girls at UCLA right now get 100% free everything?
MakeAPlay
DA
I would say all of them want the education. You are mistaken if you believe that there aren’t players that want an education and that will also be professional players.
MakeAPlay
DA
It’s much simpler than that. Players that end up at Stanford and UCLA dominate club games and it’s pretty obvious that their individual abilities are outstanding in some way. They jump out at you! They are always on. Even when they aren’t having their best game they are involved in the flow of the game. I don’t know what to say other than each graduating year in SoCal there are a couple players who are head and shoulders above the rest. Those are the type of players that do well in those type of environments.
You should watch Stanford or UCLA train and you would understand. Those coaches know what they are looking for because they see excellence every day.
Good luck to you and your player.
How many of the YNT players who sit for 5 years play pro after their education? How many players at UCLA get a full ride?