Funny how quickly things can change in youth soccer. This time last year Blues was tearing tournaments up. Now we’ll have to see how things go.
What’s the group opinion, was it Players, Parents, or Coaches that drove the changes?
G2010 - How’s the 2022 season going?
- Thread starter TeamDadJokes
- Start date
What’s the group opinion, was it Players, Parents, or Coaches that drove the changes?
This happens to Blues at almost every age group because they are such a strong team. They are heavily recruited by Koge/Slammers/etc once 11v11 hits because everyone knows that the players at Blues are all great. When 11v11 enters the picture, players' abilities change because of the bigger field and bigger players. Blues coach makes appropriate changes but some parents/kids don't like it because they want their kid to be playing higher or more central. Then parents start sowing distrust and resentment amongst the players. It trickles down to mistrust of the coaching abilities because a "good" coach would recognize my "unicorn" player deserves 100% play time as the 10 or forward or wherever their desired position is. The funny thing is, most of these players go to other teams and eventually fall into the positions/style they would have at Blues but they always wreck a tremendous team when leaving. Whatever shortcomings Blues coaches may have, they are really good at looking at what players do well on the field - that's why they know who to recruit from young ages.
Bakers were able to retain the players because they are good individual player trainers and kept players at blues with this carrot. Maybe time for Blues to find another coach capable of training individual players too.
Please keep in mind that Blues does NOT offer full rides. These other clubs do. With the cost of travel soccer close to $15K these days, some parents need the help big time. Bakers also have VERY good connections. Where are they now?
It's shortsighted to worry about club cost. Travel cost per year is what you should look at and the cost of gas to drive to practice and games too.
Club cost is really only 25% of the equation. Stay close to home and pay club fees. It probably saves you as much gas money and allows you time to make more money too.
When I saw them practice (recently) is was VERY obvious that there had to be a significant amout of private training / futsal / etc going on outside of practice. The coach was 99% tactical + 1% skills training. Which isnt nessasarally a bad thing if the entire team is high level. But it opens the recruitment door to other coaches that are both high level tactical and high level skills. This is my guess as to why several went to Slammers.
I'm also betting that if I could see what's going on after viewing a single practice Blues parents were keenly aware + checking out options.
At 11v11, it should be this way. The skills training should be mostly independent and the tactical side should be the main focus at practice. Most serious players at 11 v 11 are doing skills trainings on their own, regardless of what club they are on.
These are all assumptions. You’re assuming girls are leaving for scholarships but I believe that’s not the case. These parents can already afford these club fees. They’re leaving because of other reasons, and I believe most of it has to do with coaching culture and in game decisions as well as breaking players down without building them back up.
GB is at Slammers now… that happened about 2 years ago..
I think it’s time for more self reflection at Blues and for them see what unique selling proposition and what shortcomings they’re currently having issues with so they can make their adjustments and address them before it continues to their Youngers teams as they come of age.
GB is at Slammers now… that happened about 2 years ago..
I think it’s time for more self reflection at Blues and for them see what unique selling proposition and what shortcomings they’re currently having issues with so they can make their adjustments and address them before it continues to their Youngers teams as they come of age.
I'm not assuming. I know how this works. Not all kids that play the great game have parents who can afford the cost of travel soccer. Also, I never said everyone who leaves Blues leave for the full ride. I'm just saying that the other clubs offer full ride on the fishing hook as extra bait. Blues offer ZERO full rides unless something has changed. @Luis Andres Thoughts? It's hard to compete with free soccer. My dd was offered free everything at this age by the top 3 clubs in Socal. Everyone who left Blues got free soccer in 2016. I think it's time we all do some self reflection. I'm trying to help some poor kids play soccer at high level in Socal and it's not easy with all the travel. Plus inflation is not helping.
MyKidsDriver
SILVER
Someone earlier on this thread was suggesting the Futsal component was one of main wedge drivers between the families at Blues. Can anyone confirm?
IMO this seems very believable, because blues are running their own futsal program, but some of their players play futsal with toque, and others believe it is best to quit futsal entirely @13. If participation in blues futsal improves playing time prospects on the soccer field, that would easily lead to drama.
CharlieMurfee
SILVER ELITE
Our club gives full-rides to our keepers.. and fast passes…
What club you at Murf?
CharlieMurfee
SILVER ELITE
This is the case here.. I’ve seen kids relegated to the bench because they’re not on the Blues Futsal program.. if they’re on Toque, they’re looked as an outsider of sorts.. the guy (GM Dad) who runs Blues Futsal has the coach’s ear, so you know I’m taking my kid to his practices LOL!
CharlieMurfee
SILVER ELITE
Blues
Besides the rare parents like @crush, most soccer parents at 11v11 do not go where it's free unless they want to go to the new team for other reasons already. Most parents can calculate cost of gas & time versus the club fees.
Even when GB was at Blues and they were able to retain the 11v11 players, the coaching culture was exactly as you describe currently at Blues. Most of us with olders remembers how it was, Each player had to find a way to deal with harsh criticism.
I doubt futsal is the issue but it might be the excuse to leave. The coaches at Blues don't care about the futsal thing and no parent is going to tell them how to play their team.
Even when GB was at Blues and they were able to retain the 11v11 players, the coaching culture was exactly as you describe currently at Blues. Most of us with olders remembers how it was, Each player had to find a way to deal with harsh criticism.
I doubt futsal is the issue but it might be the excuse to leave. The coaches at Blues don't care about the futsal thing and no parent is going to tell them how to play their team.
MyKidsDriver
SILVER
Unreal. Thanks for the candor. I don’t know how you put up with it but maybe you’re just riding out the season. Is the futsal “GM guy dad” employed by Blues?
I am a rare parent that's for sure. One of the things that makes me rare is my 11 years experience at the socal soccer forum. I see your not even a year old sockma. Your just a like little puppy.....lol. I dumb with da math though. I love free soccer too!!!
Oh blimey, Billy is a right proper veteran and forum goat. He's been through all the youth soccer club and coach wars with his DD, and has all the scars to prove it. Bless his cotton socks. But I tell ya, I 'eard some jolly good news - it seems like the stars are finally alignin' for our Billy goat and his DD!
Thanks for Dox my name bruh. You may call me Brother Bill Jimmy. My DM hate mail is back up and running again. My gosh. I'm way too nosey. I'm working on some local things for kids with no parents who would like to play soccer so that's why I ask some questions. I have to go on a walk with my wife and see God's amazing nature now. Peace out everyone.