June 20. Really getting tired of being strung along by soccer clubs and soccer coaches. Maybe North Texas should shorten the open practice/recruiting period to two weeks. Why should all these kids and parents have to have the whole first month of summer vacation destroyed by this crap?

Note to coaches: That superstar you hope is going to show up on June 30 won't.

Agree!
Would also add, really tired of the parents who look the coach in the face say that they are committed to the team but can be found out practicing with different clubs every night of the week.

I am SO ready for June to be over this year!

3sTooMany wrote:Agree!
Would also add, really tired of the parents who look the coach in the face say that they are committed to the team but can be found out practicing with different clubs every night of the week.

I am SO ready for June to be over this year!

So in your mind the young man and his parents should "take it on faith" that they'll receive a contract come July 1st? That's awfully naive as we both know a coach would kick virtually any player on their squad to the curb if that mythical star player were to show up on June 30th.

I think it's perfectly reasonable to tell a coach that his team is your boys first choice but that he's going to continue practicing with other teams as a safety net should the coach not come through with the previously promised contract.

But then again, as with everything, it simply isn't that black and white. Substantially more thought goes into the judgment of whether a back-up plan is needed and why.

With my boy, we tend to give substantially more weight to the first team (in the league he's looking to play in) that will verbally commit to him, whether that's his current team or not. Want my boy on your team, tell him he's got a spot. If you won't give him that peace of mind, you run the risk of someone else picking him up. Waiting until July is a dangerous game to play for both coach and player.

Freeatlast wrote:June 20. Really getting tired of being strung along by soccer clubs and soccer coaches. Maybe North Texas should shorten the open practice/recruiting period to two weeks. Why should all these kids and parents have to have the whole first month of summer vacation destroyed by this crap?

Note to coaches: That superstar you hope is going to show up on June 30 won't.

Sounds like you have your son trying out for teams that he is at the bottom end of the talent level. If you aren't going to be a top 7 player on the team, it is hard to get the coach's commitment. If you are player 15 or lower, you feel like you "being strung along" because you are.

Coaches commit immediately to players they think make their team significantly better. If you drop a level your son might be that mythical superstar.

Eredivise - I believe his comments are spot on. Top players are offered spots immediately and average level for the team are "strung along"

A coach I respect told us that he likes to see a player at three practices. At that point, he either knows he wants the player or not. I use that as my expectation.

Freeatlast wrote:June 20. Really getting tired of being strung along by soccer clubs and soccer coaches. Maybe North Texas should shorten the open practice/recruiting period to two weeks. Why should all these kids and parents have to have the whole first month of summer vacation destroyed by this crap?

Note to coaches: That superstar you hope is going to show up on June 30 won't.

1. You are trying out for teams that have not expressed interest- thats fine. If at the end of the first practice the coach is not talking to you then he does not see your son as a potential starter. Move on.
2. After three practices if he is being wishy washy move on. He is holding you around to fill the roster.
3. Everyone, coaches and parents, need to remember that youth sports should be in many repects a microcosm of life. Deal upfront and honest. Don't compromise your values playing games to keep your options open or decide to put up with a coach that will, all just to get on "the" team. If you play games then take what you get without complaint.

my2cents wrote:

Freeatlast wrote:June 20. Really getting tired of being strung along by soccer clubs and soccer coaches. Maybe North Texas should shorten the open practice/recruiting period to two weeks. Why should all these kids and parents have to have the whole first month of summer vacation destroyed by this crap?

Note to coaches: That superstar you hope is going to show up on June 30 won't.

1. You are trying out for teams that have not expressed interest- thats fine. If at the end of the first practice the coach is not talking to you then he does not see your son as a potential starter. Move on.
2. After three practices if he is being wishy washy move on. He is holding you around to fill the roster.
3. Everyone, coaches and parents, need to remember that youth sports should be in many repects a microcosm of life. Deal upfront and honest. Don't compromise your values playing games to keep your options open or decide to put up with a coach that will, all just to get on "the" team. If you play games then take what you get without complaint.

2 cents,
After having a son go through 8 years in the league and seeing/hearing a lot by being on the board (and also being a referee), I would say your post is quite accurate.

Freeatlast wrote:June 20. Really getting tired of being strung along by soccer clubs and soccer coaches. Maybe North Texas should shorten the open practice/recruiting period to two weeks. Why should all these kids and parents have to have the whole first month of summer vacation destroyed by this crap?

Note to coaches: That superstar you hope is going to show up on June 30 won't.

By now if the coach hasn't commit to your son, you should explore your best available options. From most of the parents I talked to, most of the teams are filled. Unless your son is a superstar, you are not high on his/her list.

I would personally like to see three levels in every youth sport:
1. Recreational - All about fun and fitness
2. Developmental - Players that are serious about the game and winning, but it is still about
having fun. They really aren't set on a career as an athlete. Mistakes and
physical limitations are overlooked as long as the hustle is there.
3. Premier- "Cream of the Crop". Perform or be cut. Intended for the future professional athlete.

Too many kids are giving up being a kid and there is too much pressure on kids to be perfect. We haven't created a very healthy system for raising kids in my opinion. This is not a Classic League problem. It is a Little League, Pop Warner, Dance, Cheerleader, etc. problem. Until a kid chooses "on their own" to become a professional athlete, they should be able to play the game at a competitive level for the love of the game.

The reason that players from Central and South America play so well is that they have spent so much time playing for fun.

Parents would have no say in the 3rd Level, except for "Yes, you can have my child" or "No, you may not". This would be similar to the Developmental Academy. Unfortunately, the Rec leagues in every sport have Parents that are trying to prove something with a trophy. I think the reason kids play so much X-Box is that they can without their parents yelling at every mistake.

COACHES KNOW THE FIRST TIME THEY SEE YOU.

IF YOU DONT GET A SPOT THEY DRAG IT OUT.

KEEP LOOKING AT SEVERAL TEAMS. ITS HARD BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT.

The coach that said "3 times" said it's because the kid may be nervous the first time, not know the drills, the other players, etc; second time is showing him what you've got, by the third time, it's an obvious fit or not.

I agree that the coach instinctively knows absolutes by the first time, but like that this coach takes a little more time before offering a spot and then regretting it.

Consistency is important is all top-level sports, one practice shows you what a player is capable of, three shows that they can do it consistently.

I HATE this time of year!!! We haven't been in this situation in a long a time and it sucks!! The hardest part is that it seems that most teams practice on the same nights/times making it hard to look at multiple teams/clubs! Good luck everyone, I hope we all find a good home

go99 wrote:wouldn't work because parents would need to put their kids in group 3. Look at pre academy. it was supposed to be group 3 but many of the kids are not group 3 kids. But ego dictates that you must play at the highest level.

Parents need to be realistic about their sons playing ability/level… let the egos go, and stop comparing your child to other players. If your son can play at the pre-academy level that great if not playing D1, D2 or D3 is not a bad thing

I've personally witnessed a coach, everyone can probably figure out who, take those trying out and telling them rather quickly that they aren't what he's looking for - it was quite refreshing. The very reason was so they could pursue options outside of the club/team.

For the most part, coaches want to be fair, but, given the way it works - if they are DOCs or club-owners, they have to think big picture. This causes a lot of holding onto players for other teams in their fold. I see that every year. This year, with pre-academy essentially tripling the teams for some age groups - it's way worse. The amount of kids who are trying out for PA that have been told they are on is pretty minimal.

It will be interesting when it all unfolds. My BB is taking a huge chance and will be in for a totally different ride than he is used to, but, circumstances are such, that he knew he'd have to make this type of choice eventually.

As always, the loyalty thing goes both ways - so, it's not exactly black/white in terms of ethics. If anyone knows they are changing teams and doesn't tell their coach (although, I don't blame lots of them) it's hardly a truthful situation.

What wrote:

go99 wrote:wouldn't work because parents would need to put their kids in group 3. Look at pre academy. it was supposed to be group 3 but many of the kids are not group 3 kids. But ego dictates that you must play at the highest level.

Parents need to be realistic about their sons playing ability/level… let the egos go, and stop comparing your child to other players. If your son can play at the pre-academy level that great if not playing D1, D2 or D3 is not a bad thing

Don't kid yourself either. About half of the academy players could be replaced by other top D1 or D2 players if they chose to go that route. I am sure it is the same or more in Preacademy.

Not so true - the PA try-outs that I saw - they took the TOP D1 players. Other TOP D1 players were cut.

ontherightside wrote:Not so true - the PA try-outs that I saw - they took the TOP D1 players. Other TOP D1 players were cut.

I also saw some players that I thought were very good cut on the FIRST day of tryouts. Talking to the parents they were D1 players on top teams who got lots of playing time. Texans were brutally honest. If they didn't want you they let you know right away because there were so many trying out. I respected that. FC Dallas let people come out a few times before cutting but the coach seemed a bit more of a softy than the Texan coach. Don't know about Solar. I had learned too much about them to waste our time. It is a competitive area but if you look hard enough you will find the right fit, whether you make a pre-academy team or not. I assume everyone knows by now so good luck to your soccer players. It should be a wild ride.

I personally wouldn't blame any BB keeping their options open the entire month of June if they are not certain who they want/can play for. 11 months out of the year the BB is held captive by a contract and several $1,000s investment in club/coach. Take advantage of the free agency.

Ironically, this is the most tumultuous change ever (with Pre-Academy) and my BB was set on what he wanted to do from the beginning. Other years, he wasn't.

with apologies to madeline kahn....

I'm tired
Sick and tired of practices
I've had my fill of practices
From below and above
Tired, tired of being falsely admired
Tired of coaching uninspired
Let's face it
I'm tired

I've been with 1000's of teams
Again and again
They promise the moon
They always coming and going
Going and coming
And July 1st is too soon
Right guys?

anselansel wrote:with apologies to madeline kahn....

I'm tired
Sick and tired of practices
I've had my fill of practices
From below and above
Tired, tired of being falsely admired
Tired of coaching uninspired
Let's face it
I'm tired

I've been with 1000's of teams
Again and again
They promise the moon
They always coming and going
Going and coming
And July 1st is too soon
Right guys?

You see? This June has driven the man lyrical. The humanity.

my2cents wrote:

What wrote:

go99 wrote:wouldn't work because parents would need to put their kids in group 3. Look at pre academy. it was supposed to be group 3 but many of the kids are not group 3 kids. But ego dictates that you must play at the highest level.

Parents need to be realistic about their sons playing ability/level… let the egos go, and stop comparing your child to other players. If your son can play at the pre-academy level that great if not playing D1, D2 or D3 is not a bad thing

Don't kid yourself either. About half of the academy players could be replaced by other top D1 or D2 players if they chose to go that route. I am sure it is the same or more in Preacademy.

Give me a break you sound like superstitious!!!

Superstitious?

What age does pre-Academy start?

TheFarPost wrote:

my2cents wrote:

What wrote:

go99 wrote:wouldn't work because parents would need to put their kids in group 3. Look at pre academy. it was supposed to be group 3 but many of the kids are not group 3 kids. But ego dictates that you must play at the highest level.

Parents need to be realistic about their sons playing ability/level… let the egos go, and stop comparing your child to other players. If your son can play at the pre-academy level that great if not playing D1, D2 or D3 is not a bad thing

Don't kid yourself either. About half of the academy players could be replaced by other top D1 or D2 players if they chose to go that route. I am sure it is the same or more in Preacademy.

Give me a break you sound like superstitious!!!

Not everyone has drank the koolaid when it comes to DA. More development? Everyone I've talked to says same practice days, times, coaches; no change. Less games but higher quality- maybe but most of the best competition in this region is from other NTX teams. Seems like some are playing more games. Add in the cost, the school days missed and now no high school sports. All of them are also based north of Dallas so for many it is simply not wanting to drive between one and two hours each way just to get to practice. The top 11 to 15 would be hard to displace but from there down there are many players of that quality that for any numbers of factors just do not choose to play DA or the new Pre-DA.

A young pre-academy kid can be 12 (if age-appropriate and not playing up)