Boys DA rumors

playing devil's advocate on this change.

statistically, the biggest size advantage between early developers/Jan-Mar birthdays and late developers/Oct-Dec birthdays starts in the u13 age group and then is most pronounced in u14.

having the u12 enables, in theory, us soccer to ID kids with solid skills/ability early, wait out the big growth spurt at u13 and u14, and then see how the high performing u12 late developers/late birthdays do at u15.

My 06 son is a late June playing up u14 DA as an Outside back and as 06 he is not that big in size either clearly big size advantage between him and my 05 March son but he holds his own. Everyone has different theories and ways seeing development. Players gotta find what best fits them
 
I think it makes a lot of sense to ditch U12 and U13. For selfish reasons, since my son is an 07, I hope the 07's are grandfathered and can play U13 next year. Although I won't lose any sleep if that doesn't happen.

My son's experience has been different than RedDevilDad's. My son has definitely has felt a lot more pressure to perform in DA, which comes with both positives and negatives.
 
My son's experience has been different than RedDevilDad's. My son has definitely has felt a lot more pressure to perform in DA, which comes with both positives and negatives.
Our pressure: Perform yes. Win: not necessarily.
For example, we will die on playing it out of the back. Coach could care less about the score but is on every detail and mistake.
 
My son's experience has been different than RedDevilDad's. My son has definitely has felt a lot more pressure to perform in DA, which comes with both positives and negatives.
My son, also 07, has seen both sides of this. Last year he played with the 06s and the coach kept repeating that the outcomes didn't matter, that his goal was to develop the kids. Then the club fired the coach. This year - on a different team - there's a growing pressure for results that is having a detrimental effect on games and practices. The kids are afraid to play soccer.

It makes sense if you think about it. Coaches have been competitive athletes their entire lives. They have tied their egos to wins for years. It's very hard for them to turn that part of themselves off, even if they know it's better for the kids. It takes a very confident (and experienced) coach to put the kids above the team's record.
 
Posted this afternoon on the DA website. U12 & U13 are options on the interest form but sounds like still being evaluated...

For Clubs

2019-20 Development Academy Interest Form

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy has announced the initial stage for new Clubs that are interested in joining or existing clubs that are interested in expanding. Clubs who have interest in joining or expanding into additional age groups for the 2019-20 season or beyond, should complete the interest form.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2018
*Existing Full Academy Clubs do not need to apply.

As shared in previous Academy meetings, the Academy is evaluating the age groups within the program for the future. In order to capture the most accurate interest and information from new and existing Clubs; we have included all potential age groups in the interest form as an option.

Note, the form includes U-16 as a single age option, this is for new Clubs to express their interest (existing Clubs do not need to apply for U-16). An official decision regarding age groups for boys and girls will be made and communicated in November, or at latest during the Winter Showcase.
 
Rumors coming out of multiple camps today...

Single age group for BU16 coming for the 2019/2020 season
Doing away with BU12 & BU13 after the 2019/2020 season (current players not effected)

Anyone able to shed some light?
Anyone got any updates on this? Our club seems to think its a done deal but I heard there will be a vote. I assume the DA teams are the ones voting on this but IDK.
Anyone heard anything new?
 
Anyone got any updates on this? Our club seems to think its a done deal but I heard there will be a vote. I assume the DA teams are the ones voting on this but IDK.
Anyone heard anything new?

The response to the interest form deadline is Dec 15 but the age group decisions has been stated to come before that.

Not sure how much weight the interest form has? However we've been told that the majority response will be considered even if there is only a sample size by the end of the month. For example if the majority of the clubs want u12 or single age u16 those have a better chance. The maximum # of groups of (6) which is the same as this season is likely we've been told also but there are (7) on the interest form so who knows? If that's the case u12 might not continue or there could be 2x combo groups again u16/17 & u18/19.
 
The response to the interest form deadline is Dec 15 but the age group decisions has been stated to come before that.

Not sure how much weight the interest form has? However we've been told that the majority response will be considered even if there is only a sample size by the end of the month. For example if the majority of the clubs want u12 or single age u16 those have a better chance. The maximum # of groups of (6) which is the same as this season is likely we've been told also but there are (7) on the interest form so who knows? If that's the case u12 might not continue or there could be 2x combo groups again u16/17 & u18/19.

The vibe I get from talking to a lot of parents about this is that DA U12-U13 isn't all that necessary right now. I do think top talent will flock to clubs with DA status though. I know there will be one team that continues playing up an age group and I bet there will be another one joining them. Good teams that would have normally been on the DA U12 can still play older kids but also enjoy the tournaments.
 
It is admittedly strange that the kids at the higher end of the talent pool of their age group essentially take a step backwards in competitiveness. To go from U11 with 3 refs to U12 with 1 referee. The season with State/National Cup and other big tournaments adds a little excitement, and then they go to playing the same 9 teams 3-4times a year.

It feels weird telling a parent with their future MLS star child that "if the DA really cared if the ball went 1 inch over the sideline, then they would hire AR's". The referee has to guestimate offsides. There are subs on the fly allowed and DA doesn't really keep score. The interchangeable 22 man roster where they split them into 2 games. It all definitely has a "4phun" kind of vibe to it. At the same time, while DA doesn't really emphasize winning because they want to promote development, the coaches sure seem to emphasize winning and I have seen some kids go with little playing time.

1 possible benefit is that the referees doing the solo U12 DA games are definitely way better than the average Center referee if you stayed in CSL, SDCSL, SDDA etc. So while you don't have the accuracy of correct out of bounds and offside calls, you will have the rule accuracy as well as the foul recognition and card selection (relative) consistency.
 
Posted this afternoon on the DA website. U12 & U13 are options on the interest form but sounds like still being evaluated...

For Clubs

2019-20 Development Academy Interest Form

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy has announced the initial stage for new Clubs that are interested in joining or existing clubs that are interested in expanding. Clubs who have interest in joining or expanding into additional age groups for the 2019-20 season or beyond, should complete the interest form.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2018
*Existing Full Academy Clubs do not need to apply.

As shared in previous Academy meetings, the Academy is evaluating the age groups within the program for the future. In order to capture the most accurate interest and information from new and existing Clubs; we have included all potential age groups in the interest form as an option.

Note, the form includes U-16 as a single age option, this is for new Clubs to express their interest (existing Clubs do not need to apply for U-16). An official decision regarding age groups for boys and girls will be made and communicated in November, or at latest during the Winter Showcase.
Winter Showcase for olders starts in 4 days, USSDAs self-imposed deadline. Anyone hearing anything recently on status of U12, U13, or U16 for next year?
 
No news yet. I emailed and got this token reply.
"We are continuing to review the structure of the Development Academy for next season. Once the decisions have been finalized, the information will be communicated to clubs."
We are at a DA affiliated club in OC (2008 Pre Acad. so directly effected) and have basically been told that the DA U12 & U13 aren't going to happen. I think you are going to see at few more of the really good teams at this age group start to play up in age for better competition until they get to U14
 
We are at a DA affiliated club in OC (2008 Pre Acad. so directly effected) and have basically been told that the DA U12 & U13 aren't going to happen. I think you are going to see at few more of the really good teams at this age group start to play up in age for better competition until they get to U14
I don’t think that will be the case. It’s going to be more of the same only that they will go back to play csl gold or scdsl flight one
And that’s what DA is now the flight ones move to DA the C team becomes the B team and B becomes the A or DA2 or Pre academy
The competition still going to be the same
That’s how it was before they added the U12-14 DA
I think it’s a smart move. Youngers may not like it but at u16 splitting the teams to one age group makes a lot of sense ask any 03players right now they want DA.
Having gone thru it last year on the short side DA it was cool at first but if it goes away you are not missing out much at u12-u13 even at u 14
With the regions separated
 
We are at a DA affiliated club in OC (2008 Pre Acad. so directly effected) and have basically been told that the DA U12 & U13 aren't going to happen. I think you are going to see at few more of the really good teams at this age group start to play up in age for better competition until they get to U14
So you guys were told that u13 will go away for the 2019-20 season?
 
Tweeted by Kevin Hartman 20 minutes ago...

“.@ussoccer_acad "will no longer operate U12 programming, and... will begin to transition to a decentralized U12 initiative led by clubs and members."
 
Here's the whole announcement:

Dear Academy Clubs,

U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 following a comprehensive review of elite player development in the United States and around the world. At that time, the Academy Program was launched for male players in the U-15 to U-18 age groups. In 2013, the Academy expanded direct influence to include the U-13/14 age group, improving the everyday learning environments for younger players by bringing them in line with the Development Academy philosophy, based on international standards. Then, in 2016, the Academy expanded to include Zone 1 and help Clubs create better environments for developing younger players. To that end, U.S. Soccer introduced the Player Development Initiatives (PDI) simultaneous to the U-12 Academy launch, to help spread uniform, age-appropriate standards to impact player development nation-wide. Together, they set the benchmark and provided the example for all Clubs and leagues countrywide to achieve U.S. Soccer uniform standards.

Since its introduction, here’s some of what the Academy U-12 program has provided to impact the development of players, coaches and Clubs:

  • Created age-appropriate programming, training and game environments
  • Streamlined individual players’ learning pathways
  • Improved the quality of coaching for younger players by extending minimum coaching license requirements—B licenses for coaches and A licenses for Directors
  • Altered focus from team to individual player development within Clubs and created flexible player pools instead of teams
  • Shifted focus away from a results-driven philosophy
  • Increased training frequency (3x/week minimum) and promoted fewer, more meaningful games
  • Applied age-appropriate standards and philosophy to training and games
  • Focused on local environments, reducing and limiting travel
  • Unified player development initiatives and standards across the country
  • Provided safe and enjoyable soccer environments built on respect and positive encouragement from players, coaches, parents, and fans
The U-12 program expanded the Academy influence to players and Clubs at younger ages. Now, we believe that the time is right to empower and support Clubs and Members across the country to operate standards-based programming. The Academy Clubs have shown a commitment to this collective effort to improve environments, and in many cases have already expanded the philosophy to additional non-Academy teams and ages within their Clubs. In addition, Members have also taken steps to adopt PDI’s. We are confident that the initiative can continue to grow as needed without direct programming hosted or organized by U.S. Soccer or the Development Academy.

Therefore, in the fall of 2019, the Development Academy will no longer operate U-12 programming, and we will begin the transition to a decentralized U-12 initiative led by Clubs and Members. This will allow for more direct management of Zone 1 player needs, while continuing to meet Academy philosophy and standards. Currently, 3,870 players participate in Academy standards-based environments. We want this number to continue to grow through Member influence on the landscape, and to positively impact hundreds of thousands of players. Additionally, we hope that organizing Zone 1 programming in your local communities will limit travel and costs for players and parents, so the players can spend more time on the field.

Beginning in 2019-20, it will no longer be an option for U-12-only Clubs to participate in DA programming. However, U-12 Clubs remain an integral part of the player development pathway. Your efforts to develop and identify individual Zone 1 players are critically important to ensuring they can reach their full potential. Developing affiliations and partnerships with full Academy Clubs or Professional Clubs will help us achieve our collective goal of creating the best possible environments for the development of world-class players.

As part of our Mission to improve everyday environments for all athletes, we will continue to support Clubs and Members through our newly created Club Development department. We believe the time is right for Clubs and Members to take control of their environments and take ownership of the U-12 age group as part of Zone 1 programming. Together, we will continue to create the best environments for player development now and in the future.

We expect Clubs and Competitions to continue to uphold the following Zone 1 programming principles and initiatives:

  • Adopt and commit to the Player Development Initiative philosophy, focusing on the individual development of players
  • Be the example in your community—establish partner and affiliate Clubs for cooperation and collaboration
  • Emphasize training and positive learning environments
  • Provide all players with meaningful minutes, focusing on development, not results
  • Ensure every player plays in at least 50% of game minutes each game
  • Longer periods of playing time and less frequent interruptions to benefit player development
  • Accelerate learning by allowing teams to move players up or down based on physical needs and/or relative age to appropriately challenge a player
  • All club constituents (parents, coaches, support staff, etc.) are expected to play a role in creating a supportive and positive environment for training and games
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Development Academy.

Thank you,

U.S. Soccer Development Academy
 
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