The ban on recruiting players hurts youth soccer

[Unregistered]

With tryouts coming up I have been thinking about what the recruiting ban for coaches & clubs actually does for the players themselves.

IMHO it hurts the players as it allows sub par clubs and coaches to lock up players who would benefit from moving to better situations. It also allows too many clubs to exist which dilutes the teams and hurts players at all levels.

IMHO the ban is in place to protect the clubs and coaches from having to actually compete for players because a majority of kids who stick with the game get stuck with their initial clubs/teams through U14.

Add on top of this ban the fact that the tryout schedule makes it very difficult to try out for more than one team and you have a system designed to prevent open competition between clubs and coaches.

In conversations with So Cal parents they say that their parents play an active role in recruiting players for the more competitive teams and work hard to make player introductions to the coaches so that the coach can say "the player can to me, I didn't go to them".

I think it's silly that we ask our kids to be competitive on the pitch yet we allow them to exist in a club environment that is anti-competitive. Nothing typifies this anti competitive spirit than the Gaff rule that prevents coaches from coaching their teams at different clubs even if they get fired from that previous club.

Some body needs to explain to me the benefits of the system as it exists now.

[Unregistered]

With tryouts coming up I have been thinking about what the recruiting ban for coaches & clubs actually does for the players themselves.

IMHO it hurts the players as it allows sub par clubs and coaches to lock up players who would benefit from moving to better situations. It also allows too many clubs to exist which dilutes the teams and hurts players at all levels.

IMHO the ban is in place to protect the clubs and coaches from having to actually compete for players because a majority of kids who stick with the game get stuck with their initial clubs/teams through U14.

Add on top of this ban the fact that the tryout schedule makes it very difficult to try out for more than one team and you have a system designed to prevent open competition between clubs and coaches.

In conversations with So Cal parents they say that their parents play an active role in recruiting players for the more competitive teams and work hard to make player introductions to the coaches so that the coach can say "the player can to me, I didn't go to them".

I think it's silly that we ask our kids to be competitive on the pitch yet we allow them to exist in a club environment that is anti-competitive. Nothing typifies this anti competitive spirit than the Gaff rule that prevents coaches from coaching their teams at different clubs even if they get fired from that previous club.

Some body needs to explain to me the benefits of the system as it exists now.

What do you mean ban?
Obviously they tell you not to do it, but clubs recruite all the time.
Secondly you are never locked into a club (technically you are if you start the season with them and if you want to leave you need your club to release your card) you can tryout at any club you want. Doesn't matter where you live, just have to be willing to drive.

[Unregistered]

Why do they tell clubs and coaches not to do it? Stupid. If they let the coaches recruit, then we'd probably have more concentration of talent. And let tryouts go for a longer period.

[Unregistered]

Do the clubs/coaches let the players know after the first day of try-outs if they made the premier team?

[Unregistered]

Do the clubs/coaches let the players know after the first day of try-outs if they made the premier team?

If your good, they tell you on the spot. If not, well it depends upon who else shows up as to when you get the call.

[Unregistered]

We have an idiot mom on our THUSC team that she thinks she knows all the soccer talent in OR and I think she does more harm for team unity

[Unregistered]

Not all clubs work that way

If your good, they tell you on the spot. If not, well it depends upon who else shows up as to when you get the call.

Having been through this rodeo a few times I can tell you that even the good players trying to make the top clubs are not always told on the spot.

In fact if the club tells you on the spot that is a sign that the club/team may not be nearly as good as they claim.

[Unregistered]

Having been through this rodeo a few times I can tell you that even the good players trying to make the top clubs are not always told on the spot.

In fact if the club tells you on the spot that is a sign that the club/team may not be nearly as good as they claim.

It's a free country. Go out and recruit whoever you like. The reason it is not done is because OPL is run by all the DOC's, which is a massive conflict of interest. If they all go and recruit, then there meetings will not be fun. OPL should be a separate organization now they have it up and running. They should hire a technical director.

[Unregistered]

truth

Having been through this rodeo a few times I can tell you that even the good players trying to make the top clubs are not always told on the spot.

In fact if the club tells you on the spot that is a sign that the club/team may not be nearly as good as they claim.

... +1

[Unregistered]

Having been through this rodeo a few times I can tell you that even the good players trying to make the top clubs are not always told on the spot.

In fact if the club tells you on the spot that is a sign that the club/team may not be nearly as good as they claim.

On a team that has been together for a couple years and if a top 4 team, they will usually tell the key players and the 1 or 2 new players. This is not new. It eases the new players that are trying out and forces them to relax and to not go to any other extra try-outs for other clubs.

The best teams don't need 2 days of try-outs, they've seen the players play all season and then some. U11, 12, and 15 are the only year that you NEED the full 2 days of try-outs. U11 and 12 because there are some many new players that fluctuate skill and athletic ability. U15 because so many teams drop off, due to natural attrition, and there are many players looking for a new home for their last 4 years.

[Unregistered]

Undecided on if recruiting should be allowed or not. But the current OPL rules do not allow for recruiting, and there is also specific rules on the 1st date that a club is allowed to hold tryouts.

So, how does THUSC get away with the "pre-tryout" clinics? Has anyone ever been to one of these? They often have their teams at age groups train at the same time. If there is someone they are interested in, they have you workout with the current team. Then if you show well, you came to them, so they find a way to talk with the parent and player to give them a hard sell. And yes, it was a coach involved.

How is this not recruiting and also in violation of the 1st date clubs can hold tryouts?

I am not blind to the fact that other clubs may allow a player to come to a training session before tryouts. But does any other club advertise "pre-tryout clinics'? It's nothing but semantics and cleverly crafted violation when coupled with their practices.

How about if OPL gets their crap together and either enforces the intent of the rules (on their own members) or just allows the recruiting all together.

[Unregistered]

Undecided on if recruiting should be allowed or not. But the current OPL rules do not allow for recruiting, and there is also specific rules on the 1st date that a club is allowed to hold tryouts.

So, how does THUSC get away with the "pre-tryout" clinics? Has anyone ever been to one of these? They often have their teams at age groups train at the same time. If there is someone they are interested in, they have you workout with the current team. Then if you show well, you came to them, so they find a way to talk with the parent and player to give them a hard sell. And yes, it was a coach involved.

How is this not recruiting and also in violation of the 1st date clubs can hold tryouts?

I am not blind to the fact that other clubs may allow a player to come to a training session before tryouts. But does any other club advertise "pre-tryout clinics'? It's nothing but semantics and cleverly crafted violation when coupled with their practices.

How about if OPL gets their crap together and either enforces the intent of the rules (on their own members) or just allows the recruiting all together.

THUSC is not the only one who does it. WSM has pre-tryout clinics as well. Must clubs have "kick arounds" prior to tryouts so you can go see what it's all about.

[Unregistered]

Undecided on if recruiting should be allowed or not. But the current OPL rules do not allow for recruiting, and there is also specific rules on the 1st date that a club is allowed to hold tryouts.

So, how does THUSC get away with the "pre-tryout" clinics? Has anyone ever been to one of these? They often have their teams at age groups train at the same time. If there is someone they are interested in, they have you workout with the current team. Then if you show well, you came to them, so they find a way to talk with the parent and player to give them a hard sell. And yes, it was a coach involved.

How is this not recruiting and also in violation of the 1st date clubs can hold tryouts?

I am not blind to the fact that other clubs may allow a player to come to a training session before tryouts. But does any other club advertise "pre-tryout clinics'? It's nothing but semantics and cleverly crafted violation when coupled with their practices.

How about if OPL gets their crap together and either enforces the intent of the rules (on their own members) or just allows the recruiting all together.

WSM is having pre-tryout sessions! Come and check out our club!

And to all you people that say that parents help to recruit..........who cares! Ultimately it's up to the coach to make the best decsions for the team. Trust your coach. It shouldn't matter who shows up to try outs.




Westside Timbers are offering FREE pre-tryout clinics . The clinics are for for current U9 through U13 boys and girls (next year's U10-U14 age groups.) All sessions will be held at THPRD field #1 (158th and SW Walker Road, Beaverton, 97005.) Times and dates for the clinics are:

U10-11 Boys: Tuesday May 1, 5-6:30 pm
U12 Boys: Monday April 30, 5-6:30 pm
U13-14 Boys: Monday April 30, 6:30-8pm
U10-11 Girls: Wednesday, May 2, 5-6:30 pm
U11-12 Girls: Thursday, May 3, 5-6:30 pm
U13-14 Girls: Thursday, May 3, 6:30-8pm

[Unregistered]

Eastside Timbers is having them as well.

COMPETITIVE TRYOUT PREP SCHEDULE

Monday April 30

Tuesday May 1

Wednesday May 2

Thursday May 3

U11 Girls

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm

Gradin Sports Park
7-8:30pm


U12 Girls

Gradin Sports Park
7-8:30pm

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm

Gradin Sports Park
7-8:30pm


U13 Girls

Gradin Sports Park
7:00-8:30pm

Alder Creek MS
8-9:30pm

Alder Creek MS
8-9:30pm




U14 Girls

Alder Creek MS
6:30-8pm

Alder Creek MS
8-9:30pm


Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7pm












U11 Boys

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm




U12 Boys

Gradin Sports Park
7-8:30pm

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm

Gradin Sports Park
5:30-7:00pm




U13 Boys

Gradin Sports Park
7-8:30pm

Gradin Sports Park
7-8:30pm

Alder Creek MS
8-9:30pm




U14 Boys

Alder Creek MS
8-9:30pm

Gradin Sports Park<
7-8:30pm


Gradin Sports Park

[Unregistered]

Having been through this rodeo a few times I can tell you that even the good players trying to make the top clubs are not always told on the spot.

In fact if the club tells you on the spot that is a sign that the club/team may not be nearly as good as they claim.

We've been through it twice with top teams each time and both were on the spot. In fact, the current team is the top team in their age in OPL. The tryout for the current team only lasted 45 minutes and had lots of players from other teams. The one's who aren't told on the spot are the one's who are on the bench.