That is ideal, but it's funny sometimes the coach doesn't even know who is going to be pulled up (or leave) from their team, and they have to keep an open mind of how to put together a puzzle of a team. When there is movement, there is a lot of uncertainty.
Why do kids switch clubs
- Thread starter Lou789
- Start date
There are always unexpected scenarios. Good coaches tell you how they view their current roster, the team below, etc.
If there are players leaving from their team unexpectedly (pulled up, etc) it only creates a tailwind for your kids as more spots are opening. You do need to be careful about the best players leaving and crushing a team though. Best to keep track of that throughout the process.
It depends on the level of the kid/team.
On the girls side, strong ECNL teams will fill most slots one at a time, by inviting a specific player to join their practice a few times. The invitation usually comes when a known good player calls up the coach. Been that way since U9 or so.
For the ECRL and lower teams, mass tryouts still had a major role up through U13.
whatithink
GOLD
If your kid hates it, then he should leave. One other thing to remember, on 9v9 I'm assuming you play a 3-3-2 type formation, which puts your CB kid vs their CF. Given most teams have their most talented kids in key positions, inc. CF obv., your kid is continually playing 1v1 against the best from the other teams. There is a huge amount of upside to that from a development perspective.Thank you yes we are definitely leaving.
I asked the coach what position do you see him playing at 11 v 11. He said CB
Also, the coach may actually be correct on your kids best position - did he actually articulate why he saw him as a CB, or just say CB. My kids prior coach could articulate what he was doing & where he saw my kid playing, all relative to his existing strengths and weaknesses and what he needed to develop.
If the season is over, yes. If not, there's usually a penalty for it. It's considered recruiting and the club you play for may not release your player card.
I don't know that the OP has been clear about where they are in the season but I noted that early on.
The nuance between "recruiting" vs "tryouts" need to be defined... but generally, recruiting = ok, tryouts = not ok (before tryout window).
I know OP mentions EA but most clubs are still in SoCal League and so need to follow SoCal policy as well.
It's the reason 2011-2016 tryouts are next week. That's a SoCal League guideline.
I'm not intimately familiar with the "intent" of this policy (I doubt even those who wrote it know...) but having multiple kids go through SoCal club soccer landscape, IN PRACTICE, as long as clubs hold large group tryouts according to the window given by the league(s), it's fine. If "recruiting" happens where kids individually come to practice and try to join the team... I've never seen this be an issue... literally EVERY one of my kids' teams EVERY year, we've had kids come and go throughout the year to get on the team...
I've seen kids become disgruntled with an existing team and, in essence, leave that team with a month or 2 left in the season. They start ringing the DOC at said "desired" club and, in my experience, the bigger clubs won't let that player attend their practice in season. It's tough because most of us know there really isn't an offseason. So your window of opportunity to practice before upcoming tryouts is hard. If your existing club doesn't release you and your player card because they know you want to leave, they don't have to and I've seen that, too. And if I'm being honest, I'm not super excited to see my kid's team bring in an outside player with a month left in the season. There's a good chance that kid is going to take minutes away from some kids that were grinding it out all year.
Nevermind that clubs deliberately schedule tryouts at the same time so it's nearly impossible to attend more than one.
Scrub It Kook
SILVER
Albion is a great example. They do not do tryouts for existing players according to a parent I know, but rely on evaluations throughout the year. I believe all existing players already received an offer for where they will be placed. I think the plan is to then see where the kids who have been practicing with teams fit after next weeks tryout.
Not that it really matters but if you're concerned about breaking XYZ leagues rules on trying out before the official tryout window.
Just lookup the coach of the team you're looking to try out for online. Most coaches offer private lessons as a side hussle. This is how you get a private tryout for ABC coach without breaking any of the stupid rules that nobody cares about. But it will likely cost you between $50-$100 per session and the coach will likely milk it for a while before tryouts.
Yea, I've seen that. I think that's wrong. If they're fully paid and by this time you are most likely... and by Feb/March, there's only a handful of games left... just release the player... I think most DOCs do... but some don't... and I think that's just vindictive...
Usually there are also outgoing players on the team you're joining.. so it kind of works out that the roster sizes stay about the same... but yea sometimes it does happen... a kid leaves Team X and joins Team Y but Y has a full roster... so he doesn't play for 2-3 months while EA/MLSN season completes... sometimes I've seen the club find games for the newly incoming players in other leagues or on 2nd teams...
How do you do a tryout with a coach? How much can you do 1 on 1? Or does he quietly bring a few existing players for context? I've never seen this happen.
I'm familiar with coaches doing private training... it's backfired everytime I've seen it... but I think the only ones that care about breaking rules are teams that get accused of poaching and recruiting.
Coaches are allowed to run private training with players that aren't on their team.
This is how you get around the no tryouts before XYZ date league rules.
Even if coaches don't officially do private sessions. Who is going to turn down a $100 bill for 30 minutes of their time in a park running a private training session. Not (wink wink) a 1on1 tryout with the coach of a specific team.
See how it works now?
Yeah, I hear you... I'm just wondering what a soccer coach can do with 1 player at a park.
When I was still living this nightmare year to year, parents just called the other coach, with a month or two left in the season, let them know we were interested in coming over and then the coach still had time to watch you play somewhere.
I asked the Google AI team, and this is what I got back
Parent: Google, why do kids switch soccer clubs
Google AI: Kids often switch soccer clubs due to factors like a lack of playing time, disagreements with their coach, a desire for a higher level of competition, wanting to play with friends, a change in coaching philosophy, or simply seeking a better training environment that fits their individual needs and development goals.
More key reasons for switching clubs according to Google AI and not some random soccer fan or a rainbow unicorns' opinion, on "why do kids switch soccer clubs.
Important considerations when switching clubs:
Parent: Google, why do kids switch soccer clubs
Google AI: Kids often switch soccer clubs due to factors like a lack of playing time, disagreements with their coach, a desire for a higher level of competition, wanting to play with friends, a change in coaching philosophy, or simply seeking a better training environment that fits their individual needs and development goals.
More key reasons for switching clubs according to Google AI and not some random soccer fan or a rainbow unicorns' opinion, on "why do kids switch soccer clubs.
- Coaching issues:
A poor relationship with the coach, a coaching style that doesn't suit the player, or a lack of proper development and feedback can lead to switching clubs.
- Playing time:
If a player isn't getting enough playing time on their current team, they might move to a club where they have more opportunities to play.
- Competitive level:
Players might switch to a more competitive club to challenge themselves at a higher level.
- Team dynamics and friendships:
Wanting to play with friends or a desire for a more positive team environment can influence a player's decision to switch.
- Location and convenience:
Proximity to home or practice facilities could also be a factor.
- Specialized training:
Some clubs might focus on specific skills or playing styles that a player wants to develop, prompting them to switch.
Important considerations when switching clubs:
- Open communication:
Discuss the reasons for switching with the current coach and club to maintain positive relationships.
- Evaluate the new club:
Research the coaching staff, training methods, and competitive level of the new club before making a decision.
- Player input:
Always prioritize the player's perspective and ensure they are involved in the decision-making process.
I hope this helps you out Lou. Good luck to your son. It's not too late to make soccer fun again, but time is running out. It can actually get worse if you're not careful, especially with overuse.
It all depends on what level of play you're talking about and at what age.
The money trick doesn't work as well when coaches jobs depend on wins.
When I started living the nightmare, I was able to get my dd a spot on the spot with her new coach and team. My kid played lights out and her current coach hubby went cray on me and challenged me to a fight. Insane. I jumped over so quick. No tryouts. Coach was also director and told her new coach, "no tryout needed." New coach called next day and offerred a spot on the spot. However, I wanted my dd to check out practice. She was invited to practice that week and then we signed for next season. This was during playoffs. I 100% agree to look to jump ship before. Lou, call the best coach out there and tell him/her this, "hey coach, my son has been on the same team with same coach for three years. Were looking for a new family to join. Can you use a hard worker? What spots are you looking for and questions like this. You have to start looking now or it's defense again for the 4th year and your son will quit and find something else to do.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
I honestly do not know if my kid is good or not...his U-10 club played very well in the fall but largely cause a new super player joined the time (who could leave at any time cause all the teams knows about him). My son is not the best athletically or technically but plays hard, smart, and has lots of fun. Coaches are pretty good and do not push too hard but is enigmatic about who they think are "good" versus who they think are just okay/bad. He is playing the position that he likes so I think that's a win.
The club is not one of the big boys but that means I do not pay nearly as much for him to play. Pretty happy about that. I probably will stick with this club for a couple more years and see whether he gets better or wants to play higher.
The club is not one of the big boys but that means I do not pay nearly as much for him to play. Pretty happy about that. I probably will stick with this club for a couple more years and see whether he gets better or wants to play higher.