Soccer coach rat you out for trying out

J

Jamisfoes

GOLD
I’ve always figured that when players try out for a new team, word tends to get back to their current club through other parents. Recently, though, I heard Coach A say that Coach B from a rival club personally called to inform him that several of his players were trying out. What might motivate Coach B to share that?
Assuming coach A and B are not drinking buddies.
 
Coach A is telling coach B because in the future most likely coach B will tell coach A if the situation is reversed.

If you get stuck in this situation just tell your coach that its your family's policy to try out at as many clubs as possible and that you do this every year.

Also, don't organize a group of players from one team to try out at another club. This puts a target on your back and makes it easy for coaches to justify cutting your kid.
 
So this is a common practice?
My theory is by coach B telling A, B is cutting off those players’ option of going back or at least damage their standing so they end up leaving eventually.
 
We parents allow the shit to happen by giving coaches and clubs too much power. That's not going to change because there's always families happy to see you leave so their bottom 1/3 player can be a 2/3 now, but telling certain coaches and DOCs to "fuck off" is one of the great joys club soccer affords us.

I guess it's a bit like college transfers. If your player tells you they're entering the portal, do you want them back? There's a sense of ownership among clubs but I suppose it's human nature. What's sad is the clubs typically don't reciprocate that loyalty.
 
There is a coach mafia of sorts. Most of the coaches bounce around trying to get the best deal they can, its in their best interest to maintain their network and connections. They see youth soccer completely different than parents, they are long term career focused not just the time their kid is playing. Being as several losing seasons may get them fired or contract not renewed they help each other for their own benefit. Once you understand they are primarily interested in THEIR career and not developing YOUR kid it all becomes clear. Sure their are platitudes and speeches about "its all about the kids and helping them succeed in soccer and in life" at the end of the day its about them and what advances their career and prospects. At some point Coach A may get canned and call Coach B looking for a job or Coach A gets a DOC job and calls Coach B to work for him/her
 
Dominic said:
Could be a Parent.
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That is the absolute worst. Have been on teams when the coach has a kid on the team and its the worst. They focus on developing their kid and their friends regardless of how good they are. Free kicks, PKs, corners all go to their kid or one of their kids friends its awful. It doesn't stop there either, coaches help each others kids out as well. Make sure their coach friends kids get the breaks and put on teams they never should be part of so they can get exposure so when their kid gets on their team they return the favor. ODP is simply rife with coach mafia as it is all subjective. Not saying some don't deserve it but it happens more than you think. Coach mafia tentacles are everywhere. Sucks when you pay all the money and don't even get a fair shake. You would be surprised how far coaches will go to promote their own kids so they get a chance to get to the school they want.
 
tjinaz said:
That is the absolute worst. Have been on teams when the coach has a kid on the team and its the worst. They focus on developing their kid and their friends regardless of how good they are. Free kicks, PKs, corners all go to their kid or one of their kids friends its awful. It doesn't stop there either, coaches help each others kids out as well. Make sure their coach friends kids get the breaks and put on teams they never should be part of so they can get exposure so when their kid gets on their team they return the favor. ODP is simply rife with coach mafia as it is all subjective. Not saying some don't deserve it but it happens more than you think. Coach mafia tentacles are everywhere. Sucks when you pay all the money and don't even get a fair shake. You would be surprised how far coaches will go to promote their own kids so they get a chance to get to the school they want.
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Whats even more annoying is when you figure out that if you sprinkle paper incentives on the coach via christmas presents, privates, flights and hotel upgrades, new balls, new jumpsuit, whatever you get the idea your kid can be in the club.

I've even situations where the team lost because the coach was trying to highlight the players whos parents were extra funding them on the side.
 
As parents, you need to be aware of the politics and overall situation, and plan accordingly.

If you kid is "on the bubble" for a team/club, maybe don't advertise any discontent with club costs/policies, and maybe consider ways you can bribe the coaches/club to get your kid on the desired team. If you know you have other options, and/or you know the club wants your kid, you can be a bit more open about your activities, intentions, and feedback. As with most other businesses, clubs don't really give a shit what you think unless you might stop paying them, and most clubs will give special treatment for families which pay them more (privates, donations, etc.). That's just the nature of the game.

I see this pretty clearly in my son's club, and I'm certain they are not the most glaring example out there. Placement in teams and coach favoritism is determined by a combination of player ability and monetary payments, and there's wide variance in both. That's the nature of the club system; as the saying goes, "don't hate the player, hate the game". This is what you're stepping into with club soccer, everywhere (as far as I can tell).
 
Carlsbad7 said:
Whats even more annoying is when you figure out that if you sprinkle paper incentives on the coach via christmas presents, privates, flights and hotel upgrades, new balls, new jumpsuit, whatever you get the idea your kid can be in the club.

I've even situations where the team lost because the coach was trying to highlight the players whos parents were extra funding them on the side.
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From my own experience, the more a coach likes to chitchat and be buddy buddies with the parents, the more likely there are politics/graft on the team. On the other hand, the ones who dislike talking to parents and don’t call and text back are the ones who run a tight ship and results in people just minding their own business. It’s a weird concept. I used to feel disrespected when a coach is not responsive, but over the years I have come to appreciate their wanting to be left alone.
 
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