BB ECNL - and so it begins

[Unregistered]

it's not good for 99% of the 100's of thousands kids going through it.

I disagree - if the coaching and docs waited to tryouts they would have less to weigh on and be more likely to make mistakes. As they are in some cases making up near 1/2 a roster they need to look longer and harder as to how the dynamics will play out. This is where you'll find out how good the coaching really is because it's not just taking in two studs and knocking two bubble players off to make room, it's building a team.

For the 1% they earned it and from there on down they deserve the club effort to get it right by starting early - tough to be in limbo and get a blanket email talking about spots being doled out early but that should just drive the player to work harder earlier.

[Unregistered]

Not true. If your kid is big contributor in her team, there is nothing to worry. If she is not, she will be on the bubble at tryouts no matter what is the circumstance. The only position that can be tricky is GK if the age group has more than 2. The rest is easy to spot.

My kid is a big contributor, not bubble player. That's not the point. The gripe I have are these ID clinics being advertised. If they aren't tryouts, what are they? How about some solid information for the parents and players - put something in writing. Such as cost, travel, leagues, training locations. Don't just throw these ID dates out there to get a look at current and prospective players. What they are doing now is putting the fear of tryouts in these kids heads instead of letting them play in the present season. Kids are hearing rumors about coaches, leagues, new players and dealing with the age group changes. Maybe it's not NEFC, maybe the Breakers are calling the shots. Whatever the scenario, some solid information needs to get spread to the parents and players. It is frustrating - coaches want commitment but don't want to give any commitment.

[Unregistered]

My kid is a big contributor, not bubble player. That's not the point. The gripe I have are these ID clinics being advertised. If they aren't tryouts, what are they? How about some solid information for the parents and players - put something in writing. Such as cost, travel, leagues, training locations. Don't just throw these ID dates out there to get a look at current and prospective players. What they are doing now is putting the fear of tryouts in these kids heads instead of letting them play in the present season. Kids are hearing rumors about coaches, leagues, new players and dealing with the age group changes. Maybe it's not NEFC, maybe the Breakers are calling the shots. Whatever the scenario, some solid information needs to get spread to the parents and players. It is frustrating - coaches want commitment but don't want to give any commitment.

You seem very confused and you should contact your kid's coach.

[Unregistered]

My kid is a big contributor, not bubble player. That's not the point. The gripe I have are these ID clinics being advertised. If they aren't tryouts, what are they? How about some solid information for the parents and players - put something in writing. Such as cost, travel, leagues, training locations. Don't just throw these ID dates out there to get a look at current and prospective players. What they are doing now is putting the fear of tryouts in these kids heads instead of letting them play in the present season. Kids are hearing rumors about coaches, leagues, new players and dealing with the age group changes. Maybe it's not NEFC, maybe the Breakers are calling the shots. Whatever the scenario, some solid information needs to get spread to the parents and players. It is frustrating - coaches want commitment but don't want to give any commitment.

Don't them fool you. It is a tryout. Tryout season is simply extended.

[Unregistered]

It's like D1 soccer ID. If you aren't allowed to talk directly, talk indirectly through clinics. They can't send out broad info for reason similar to NCAA rules.

Look at Stars and their Annual Lancaster PDP ID camp - that has been their informal invite to join. "Hey is that your D there #10 - she should come to play here" this year every club can do that and should because it publicly opens up a process that has been traditionally back door and in the case of that PDP clinic an unfair advantage. Kudos to all the clubs for doing it. Hope it continues every year.

[Unregistered]

Even Abbey Villa is holding an 'advance ID Clinic' in May. Seems that if these things are public then the whole branded as a traitor for looking at another club becomes instead a wake up call for the current parent club to look more closely within because the reality is they can no longer suppress their own while pulling in players to push those down. Free-agency.

[Unregistered]

Even Abbey Villa is holding an 'advance ID Clinic' in May. Seems that if these things are public then the whole branded as a traitor for looking at another club becomes instead a wake up call for the current parent club to look more closely within because the reality is they can no longer suppress their own while pulling in players to push those down. Free-agency.

Don't need to make a big deal about testing the waters. And it shouldn't be out of spite. Its a sport for our kids and a business for clubs owners. No different than dance lessons or karate. For some reason, parents want to be loyal, but the clubs aren't like that. Just fill the teams and cash the checks.

[Unregistered]

Don't need to make a big deal about testing the waters. And it shouldn't be out of spite. Its a sport for our kids and a business for clubs owners. No different than dance lessons or karate. For some reason, parents want to be loyal, but the clubs aren't like that. Just fill the teams and cash the checks.

The hipocrasy of that double standard is definitely on moratorium this year.

[Unregistered]

With all due respect to the clubs, the traditional model of everyone holding their tryouts on the same nights was not very consumer friendly.

[Unregistered]

Villa isn't in the habit of replacing kids on their teams. Look at their top teams at the moment (BU17, BU16 GU14), most of the players on those rosters have been with them since U9.

[Unregistered]

With all due respect to the clubs, the traditional model of everyone holding their tryouts on the same nights was not very consumer friendly.

Great point - they are this year.

[Unregistered]

Villa isn't in the habit of replacing kids on their teams. Look at their top teams at the moment (BU17, BU16 GU14), most of the players on those rosters have been with them since U9.

No but I'm sure they would love more players.

[Unregistered]

Any idea how many kids attended the ECNL id program last Fri in Dedham or what the talent was like?

[Unregistered]

Any idea how many kids attended the ECNL id program last Fri in Dedham or what the talent was like?

Over 100 in my D's session. Top players from Stars, FCB and others along with NEFC talent.

[Unregistered]

Over 100 in my D's session. Top players from Stars, FCB and others along with NEFC talent.

I wonder which age group. Very poor turnout for 2001 and 2002.