Tryouts in December?

Sockers858

SILVER ELITE
Appears tryouts are already in December for youngers. Anyone else here or seen postings yet (Albion SC)?
 
Some clubs had "tryouts" last week for the boys side. Completely out of control but until calsouth steps in, it will only get worse.
 
Clubs can control it - “if you attend a tryout before the season ends- don’t come back.”
(I would even extend that to State Cup, but that might be asking a bit much. Baby steps)
 
How do you police that? How do you know who went and who didn't? I can't control my kids and families, it is really no different than them just going to practice. To me, it is the issue of posting tryouts on social media in October. If they want one of my kids and invite him out, so be it.
 
Albion's tryout flyer specifically says "New Players Only" for the December dates. Also, it looks like they're launching Albion SC Chula Vista with a "New State of the Art Facility". Hmmm.
 
Some clubs are already starting tryouts this month disguised as open "kickarounds". Plus many kids are already practicing with other clubs looking towards next year. Actually waiting for tryouts before you introduce yourself to a club is one of the least effective ways to find a new team. Not saying its right but that's how it is.
 
I know some high up folks and they said they're receiving calls everyday about tryouts for next year or if they can come now because of all the gobble ups and being left in the dark. The clubs can smell the $$$$$$ and the time to strike is now!!! If you sit back and wait as a club, some other club will get the customers. Probably 10,000+ (just guessing folks) kids looking for a new club now or next year. Coach Woodcock has 2500+ followers who will know soon. Uncertain times again this year folks unfortunately….
 
My advice to parents this time of year:
Check things out if you want to. But don't make any commitment until after State Cup. The team that you show up to for a tryout may not be the same team once State Cup is over.
If a club offers you a contract, but won't tell you who the coach will be or which team you will be on - You can commit, but don't give them your credit card information yet.
Never pay in full. And don't expect to get any money back once you've paid.
 
Coaches, if you want to keep your players, keep them entertained over breaks. The only reason we left last year's league is there was a huge hiatus due to holidays, coach's schedule and the rain. My player went to every single practice invitation including indoor soccer (rainy days). It was fun, we got introduced to new teams/coaches/styles and my player stayed conditioned. We would have never left the current league if the current coach kept my son busy or found alternatives with the rain. That was a rainy season :) .
 
Then some of these super clubs will hold their tryouts in September instead of October.
Then CalSouth should have a roster/club lock on players starting September 1st to December 31st for youngers. Start State/National cup end of November beginning of December. You can start state cup at that time, 1st maybe 2nd rounds then take 2 maybe 3 weeks off for the holidays. Come back in January finish up State/National cups then families can stay or move. If you want to leave your team during a State cup run, well then that's on you.
 
Roster freeze should be from March 1st through "end of state cup" (Ideally December 31st, but gotta figure a chance of rain will move some stuff around).
Clubs can have tryouts from January 1st through March 1st.
Then there should be a legit spring league that is put on by Cal-South, SCDSL, CSL or whoever. With another legit end of season tournament played the 1st week of June. June is dark period. Then July and August have tournaments to get ready for Fall league play.
(This is non-high school aged teams. Make appropriate tweaks for high school)
 
Then CalSouth should have a roster/club lock on players starting September 1st to December 31st for youngers. Start State/National cup end of November beginning of December. You can start state cup at that time, 1st maybe 2nd rounds then take 2 maybe 3 weeks off for the holidays. Come back in January finish up State/National cups then families can stay or move. If you want to leave your team during a State cup run, well then that's on you.
See what happens is this. They hold these tryouts in September/October and although there is a roster freeze, you have kids and families that are playing out the string already because they are moving after this season. Leaving is not the problem at all. It is playing half the league and the post season that was offered a spot on a new team at a tryout during the season and therefore has a foot out the door already.
 
As long as a team has at least 13 players on roster I really don't see a problem with extra players wanting to leave mid season assuming most players are about the same level.

If they are not the same level then why are they even on the team?

I'm arguing for no roster freeze period until number of players hit 13 or less.
 
Roster freeze should be from March 1st through "end of state cup" (Ideally December 31st, but gotta figure a chance of rain will move some stuff around).
Clubs can have tryouts from January 1st through March 1st.
Then there should be a legit spring league that is put on by Cal-South, SCDSL, CSL or whoever. With another legit end of season tournament played the 1st week of June. June is dark period. Then July and August have tournaments to get ready for Fall league play.
(This is non-high school aged teams. Make appropriate tweaks for high school)
I think all ages should go dark, no practice or games, from the Monday after Thanksgiving through MLK weekend. This is already the case for the olders due to high school soccer, but would give the youngers a much needed chance to recover from injuries and allow some family time.
 
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