Why do kids switch clubs

[crush]

Lou's son has been pigeon-holed for three years. Lots of parents also pigeon-hole kids with potential new team with the, "my child is a 10 or no thanks" approach. Parents looking to join another family but will only come if little Susie or Charlie are guaranteed the 10 spot is just as bad as a coach forcing a kid to play defense on same team when child is 7-10 years old is not good.

Charlie: Coach, can I play some offense

Coach: Sorry Charlie, no!

Three years later, Charlie and dad ask coach about 11 x 11 and where Charlie fits in coaches plans

Coach: CB

This is not good.

 

[sigmabody]

Yes. Most of the roster spots at most of the top teams are all but done before the large group tryouts.

Offers or rejections I guess. But even rejections would be nice then cause you can focus on other teams/clubs.

This is true for my son's smaller club as well. Early invites went out already, and most of the existing players received them, with the requirement to accept or reject by end of January (ish). I don't think they sent out any early rejections, but I know some of the weaker players did not get invites to register early, and were instead asked to attend the tryouts (which are next week).

Based on what the club did last year, I'd guess that most (if not all) of those players would still get invites to play with the club next year also, unless they get a large influx of better players or something (and perhaps even if they do). My impression is that the club was more trying to just "lock in" the stronger players early, before they had a chance to look around (in essence, forcing them to commit before the tryout period was open in order to guarantee a spot on the team, or risk getting dropped during try outs). The generous reading is that they are doing early team capacity planning for coaching decisions; the pragmatic view is that they are applying pressure on parents of kids who might have other/better options elsewhere, before they are allowed to explore them.

I know at least a couple kids who received early invites who are not accepting them, because they want to explore other options after the tryout window opens, even though they will probably still try to stay with the club. Others are taking the offers to not risk getting dropped later. But I estimate that at least 50% of the team slots will be filled by tryouts, if not more.

 

[crush]

This is true for my son's smaller club as well. Early invites went out already, and most of the existing players received them, with the requirement to accept or reject by end of January (ish). I don't think they sent out any early rejections, but I know some of the weaker players did not get invites to register early, and were instead asked to attend the tryouts (which are next week).

Based on what the club did last year, I'd guess that most (if not all) of those players would still get invites to play with the club next year also, unless they get a large influx of better players or something (and perhaps even if they do). My impression is that the club was more trying to just "lock in" the stronger players early, before they had a chance to look around (in essence, forcing them to commit before the tryout period was open in order to guarantee a spot on the team, or risk

My dd was on the best team and this coach was one of OC's best coaches. He started ODP and was the first ever U15 YNT coach. No one was allowed to guest play for our team or come to our practices. Coach did put on Sunday scrimmages to recruit other top players plus he and his side kick would show up a game early to look for next year's haul. Kids change and you always have to look for the best if you want to be the best. Poor guy took a bad rap for over recruiting and stealing other players from other clubs. He told all the parents before the season that after the season, he would hold tryouts. Basically, if he cut you, you could miss on the early offers to switch over. Retaliation also comes into play if parents, team manager (team spy in some cases) and or coach find out your looking at other clubs. I strongly believe in the one year commitment on both sides. Some coaches would bring ringers in and take play time away from the paying customer, the parent. Kid is pissed because no play time. We need some rules.

 

[Socal-Soccer-Dad]

This is true for my son's smaller club as well. Early invites went out already, and most of the existing players received them, with the requirement to accept or reject by end of January (ish). I don't think they sent out any early rejections, but I know some of the weaker players did not get invites to register early, and were instead asked to attend the tryouts (which are next week).

Based on what the club did last year, I'd guess that most (if not all) of those players would still get invites to play with the club next year also, unless they get a large influx of better players or something (and perhaps even if they do). My impression is that the club was more trying to just "lock in" the stronger players early, before they had a chance to look around (in essence, forcing them to commit before the tryout period was open in order to guarantee a spot on the team, or risk getting dropped during try outs). The generous reading is that they are doing early team capacity planning for coaching decisions; the pragmatic view is that they are applying pressure on parents of kids who might have other/better options elsewhere, before they are allowed to explore them.

I know at least a couple kids who received early invites who are not accepting them, because they want to explore other options after the tryout window opens, even though they will probably still try to stay with the club. Others are taking the offers to not risk getting dropped later. But I estimate that at least 50% of the team slots will be filled by tryouts, if not more.

Yea I think it's a fairly common practice.

I will say though that if you're honest about your kid, you know where you stand in "risk of getting dropped during tryouts".
Generally if they're being offered positions early on... they're usually not in risk of getting dropped... Always an exception... and I've seen kids who's scored most of the goals and played most of the games leading up to tryout being dropped... but I think that's super rare

If you're one of the better players, I think you don't have to sign early and keep your options open and explore... Lot of kids I know don't pay that deposit until like May... there's a risk for sure... but I think it's a minimal one...