Fewer older teams?

[Unregistered]

It appears that many clubs are struggling to fill the older girls rosters. CFC has posted no 17's other than their ECNL team. Burnout? Too many clubs with too many teams? Some clubs appear to have no problems attracting players to their older girls teams, why?

It seems that with all the recent focus on premier soccer being the pathway to the womens college game, fewer girls are playing at the older "recruiting" ages.

[Unregistered]

It appears that many clubs are struggling to fill the older girls rosters. CFC has posted no 17's other than their ECNL team. Burnout? Too many clubs with too many teams? Some clubs appear to have no problems attracting players to their older girls teams, why?

It seems that with all the recent focus on premier soccer being the pathway to the womens college game, fewer girls are playing at the older "recruiting" ages.

It has been normal for children to stop playing organized soccer as they get older. That's nothing new. What is new is the increasing popularity of other girls sports like lacrosse.

The expansion of Premier play has significantly impacted Travel teams at the older ages. With the residency rules, Town teams do not have the luxury of drawing from large areas.
" Pomote Premier Play " has done actual damage to the Youth game.

[Unregistered]

Burnout and injuries are some of the reasons.

What I see a lot of are the girls that get cut or dont make the A team and they quit premier soccer altogether. Many times they are capable of playing on another A division team but when they are told, it is too late because all the other club tryouts are over. I know one coach that would divide his team into thirds. The bottom six were told they were on the fence and he would tell the parents that he would hold nothing against them if they tried out for other teams.

[Unregistered]

Our coach tried that approach this year by telling the bottom third they were on the bubble and the poor coach was almost hung by the parents of that third. So much for trying to be decent and honest to kids and parents. God forbid a parent tells their kid to work harder now a days to get what they want. See thats a major problem with some of these parents, just because you pay to be on a team it doesnt guarantee your kid anything more than the uniform and an opportunity....

[Unregistered]

To the second poster

From my experience, town travel teams are generally parent coached, no one goes to practice, wanting to play in games only. Practice is all too often a scrimmage especially at the older ages. it's pretty ugly. Good thing it dosen't cost much.

I think of Premier soccer as club soccer, and there are certainly good and not so good clubs in the state. Problem is that the bad teams cost just as much as many of the good ones do, and unless you've been around, the club experience can be lousy and you are out a few thousand dollars for a wasted year.

At it's best club soccer is a great experience, and I'm not talking just the elite teams either. Kids become much better players, some pretty late in the process. They develop a passion for the game, and understand really how it's played. They gain a high level of fitness, which runs counter to the vast majority of teenagers and you adults today. And they learn to work with others achieving common goals, solving problems, trusting eachother, creating partnerships and learning things that can only help later in life.

[Unregistered]

Our coach tried that approach this year by telling the bottom third they were on the bubble and the poor coach was almost hung by the parents of that third. So much for trying to be decent and honest to kids and parents. God forbid a parent tells their kid to work harder now a days to get what they want. See thats a major problem with some of these parents, just because you pay to be on a team it doesnt guarantee your kid anything more than the uniform and an opportunity....

Its a tough message and must be carefully delivered. It is also the coach's opinion and he could be wrong but he is the one making the selections. Personally, I would warn the bottom 3 not 6. Most teams only pick up 2-3 girls.

[Unregistered]

Its a tough message and must be carefully delivered. It is also the coach's opinion and he could be wrong but he is the one making the selections. Personally, I would warn the bottom 3 not 6. Most teams only pick up 2-3 girls.

Never seen a team drop six and pick up six replacements in a tryout, 2-3 yes.

from one club

"Tryouts for next year may be stressful for new players or returning players on the bubble. It is best to prove yourself every week at training to make a long lasting impression on your coach. Evaluations are also a useful tool to make the right strides in becoming a better player. Written evals are mandated by the club and are generally distributed prior to the tryouts"

Coaches love kids who are serious about getting better, and show commitment to their team. They may come off the bench but they don't get cut.

[Unregistered]

To the second poster

From my experience, town travel teams are generally parent coached, no one goes to practice, wanting to play in games only. Practice is all too often a scrimmage especially at the older ages. it's pretty ugly. Good thing it dosen't cost much.

I think of Premier soccer as club soccer, and there are certainly good and not so good clubs in the state. Problem is that the bad teams cost just as much as many of the good ones do, and unless you've been around, the club experience can be lousy and you are out a few thousand dollars for a wasted year.

At it's best club soccer is a great experience, and I'm not talking just the elite teams either. Kids become much better players, some pretty late in the process. They develop a passion for the game, and understand really how it's played. They gain a high level of fitness, which runs counter to the vast majority of teenagers and you adults today. And they learn to work with others achieving common goals, solving problems, trusting eachother, creating partnerships and learning things that can only help later in life.

Second poster replying.

Most all the benefits you list from Club Soccer were available before Premier. Sure , the quality of soccer has improved dramatically, but the real question to be answered is that have ALL children benefitted from the huge changes over the past 10-15 years.

[Unregistered]

Our coach tried that approach this year by telling the bottom third they were on the bubble and the poor coach was almost hung by the parents of that third. So much for trying to be decent and honest to kids and parents. God forbid a parent tells their kid to work harder now a days to get what they want. See thats a major problem with some of these parents, just because you pay to be on a team it doesnt guarantee your kid anything more than the uniform and an opportunity....

Shoot, maybe the coach ought to try developing the bottom 6 players instead. Just an idea.

[Unregistered]

Typical response put it all on the coach because they are suppose to create magic withing 2-3 weekly training sessions. How about these kids go home and work on their touches or fitness on their own? Maybe a summer camp or individual training lessons every now and then? That is the problem with soccer in America most kids arent putting in the extra work on their own.

[Unregistered]

Shoot, maybe the coach ought to try developing the bottom 6 players instead. Just an idea.

Or maybe there are too many "premier" clubs out there and the coach took 3-4 kids that were decent but weren't premier players to fill the roster simply because Mom and Dad were willing to write a check. More likely.

Especially at the younger ages (U11-U15), why should a coach focus more training time on the bottom 6 and neglect the top 10-12 players? Is that fair to the more skilled and serious players on the team? Let's give them all trophies for coming to practice while we are at it......

[Unregistered]

Shoot, maybe the coach ought to try developing the bottom 6 players instead. Just an idea.

What do you think better players might not show up for tryouts? So do you blame teachers if a kid doesnt do their homework every night or study for tests?

[Unregistered]

Or maybe there are too many "premier" clubs out there and the coach took 3-4 kids that were decent but weren't premier players to fill the roster simply because Mom and Dad were willing to write a check. More likely.

Especially at the younger ages (U11-U15), why should a coach focus more training time on the bottom 6 and neglect the top 10-12 players? Is that fair to the more skilled and serious players on the team? Let's give them all trophies for coming to practice while we are at it......

It is up to the players to step up. If they dont want to work hard and get out of the bottom third maybe they should go to a lesser quality team so mommy, daddy, and kids can all feel good about themselves.

[Unregistered]

Second poster replying.

Most all the benefits you list from Club Soccer were available before Premier. Sure , the quality of soccer has improved dramatically, but the real question to be answered is that have ALL children benefitted from the huge changes over the past 10-15 years.

Check out Hockey if you want expensive, or golf, or Lacrosse,or Gymnastics, or skiing or elite play in any sport which involves paid coaching and travel to events or tournaments, and seasons which extend over many months. Check out what "traditional sports" like baseball,softball, football and basketball cost when played at a higher level. Soccer is nowhere near the top unless you are on a team which does alot of national travel.

[Unregistered]

Check out Hockey if you want expensive, or golf, or Lacrosse,or Gymnastics, or skiing or elite play in any sport which involves paid coaching and travel to events or tournaments, and seasons which extend over many months. Check out what "traditional sports" like baseball,softball, football and basketball cost when played at a higher level. Soccer is nowhere near the top unless you are on a team which does alot of national travel.

The post you are responding to didn't even mention or imply the cost . It was strictly talking about benefits.