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If there’s no club season this year, and you (the parent) has to choose between HS soccer and small instructional group training but no games, which would it be?

HS and it is not even close. What is the point of the social distance training camps if there are no games?
 
I guess I’ll do the old talk to myself thing and answer my own question. By the way @Traore appreciate your though, but I’ll respectfully disagree. If I’m playing the long game, (eg. 4 years of college ball which might lead to something else) I’ll go with high quality instructional training over typical , even champ level high school ball. I get that game situations are needed eventually for well rounded growth, but the modern game requires skills, solid mechanics and athleticism.

still hoping EJ weighs in with his thoughts on the matter! ;)
 
I guess I’ll do the old talk to myself thing and answer my own question. By the way @Traore appreciate your though, but I’ll respectfully disagree. If I’m playing the long game, (eg. 4 years of college ball which might lead to something else) I’ll go with high quality instructional training over typical , even champ level high school ball. I get that game situations are needed eventually for well rounded growth, but the modern game requires skills, solid mechanics and athleticism.

still hoping EJ weighs in with his thoughts on the matter! ;)
I will let others take this head on first. I have much to say on this subject and I can say 100% their is no right or wrong or either or.
 
I will let others take this head on first. I have much to say on this subject and I can say 100% their is no right or wrong or either or.

Man, guess I'll bite. Quality, consistent, and relevent training trumps bad game play any day. Reinforcing bad behavior is not a good thing. Game speed is certainly required, especially when trying to instill decision making, etc. But if your player is playing in bad game situations, or if they are making the right decisions but no one else is, then it's not a good thing.

I'm sure there are a ton of opinions out there. Find your player a good old man league they can play in. Old crafty guys have to rely on positioning to beat younger players. I'm not a soccer player, but a good friend is, 4 yr starter at syracuse and a legendary old man player. His kids would join him every once in while during the off season. He swore it was the best way to teach kids positioning, first touch (and how to trash talk).

Years back, we spent a week in Mexico playing nothing but beach soccer with the resort staff. Bare feet, quick play, small sided, split second decision making, not chippy - it was awesome. Kids came back refreshed and with a new perspective on soccer.
 
If there’s no club season this year, and you (the parent) has to choose between HS soccer and small instructional group training but no games, which would it be?
I would choose the small instructional training but no games because that has been the philosophy of my daughters club in developing her. She was allowed to train with boys but was not guaranteed minutes. She rode the bench for years before she broke through. Now, she’s a very technical player and reaping the benefits.
 
This afternoon I heard about several DA girls who bailed on their teams to jump for ECNL powerhouses. Didn’t go as planned for all of them. Got bumped down to the ECRL squad and into the turmoil of an uncertain season with a new team, rejection and self doubt.

Power up Girl’s Academy League!
 
Sounds like a power up for ECRL not only did the league add full DA teams and full Blues ECNL teams and Surf DPL teams that were ECNL a couple years ago but now adding DA players to ECRL rosters

I feel bad for the girls first a league the DA bailed on them now clubs are bailing on them. Sucks

The half dozen or so girls I know that jumped to an ECNL team and club are still rostered on team not dropped although 1 of the teams has 24 girls rostered on it :eek:
 
Sounds like a power up for ECRL not only did the league add full DA teams and full Blues ECNL teams and Surf DPL teams that were ECNL a couple years ago but now adding DA players to ECRL rosters

I feel bad for the girls first a league the DA bailed on them now clubs are bailing on them. Sucks

The half dozen or so girls I know that jumped to an ECNL team and club are still rostered on team not dropped although 1 of the teams has 24 girls rostered on it :eek:

Let's hope the seasons are a go, they all have teams to play on, and depending on their ages, that college programs can scout the 21s and 22s.

Big rosters are great for clubs, not so great for players. I know there are injuries to consider but carrying rosters that are too big fosters bad team chemistry.

I would say power up California - come up with a safe and responsible way to have a season. There are tournaments being held in Texas, Utah, and New Jersey (of all places). Teams are attending pre season mini camps in Oklahoma. AND, this statement is not designed to spur a stupid, waste of time political discussion.

Enjoy
 
Let's hope the seasons are a go, they all have teams to play on, and depending on their ages, that college programs can scout the 21s and 22s.

Big rosters are great for clubs, not so great for players. I know there are injuries to consider but carrying rosters that are too big fosters bad team chemistry.

I would say power up California - come up with a safe and responsible way to have a season. There are tournaments being held in Texas, Utah, and New Jersey (of all places). Teams are attending pre season mini camps in Oklahoma. AND, this statement is not designed to spur a stupid, waste of time political discussion.

Enjoy
In our current state I think it's actually easier to have tournaments than a league season. When you have a tournament, teams play at their own risk for a weekend and that's that. NBA bubble is essentially a prolonged tournament but obviously with infinitely more resources on testing.

It's really difficult to plan a full league season. Let's say in week #1 Team A plays Team B, and in week #2 Team A plays Team C, and Team B plays Team D. What happens to week #3 if someone on Team A tested positive? Four games would possibly need to be re-scheduled. MLB with all their resources can barely keep a season going. Miami played only 3 games so far while Atlanta in the same division already played 10 games.

As far as kids getting dropped mid-season, our clubs' player contracts (two different clubs) actually spelled out something like ".........you will join Coach Smith's League XYZ team in the 20xx season...........and player will not be dropped during the season for a more talented player........"
 
In our current state I think it's actually easier to have tournaments than a league season. When you have a tournament, teams play at their own risk for a weekend and that's that. NBA bubble is essentially a prolonged tournament but obviously with infinitely more resources on testing.

It's really difficult to plan a full league season. Let's say in week #1 Team A plays Team B, and in week #2 Team A plays Team C, and Team B plays Team D. What happens to week #3 if someone on Team A tested positive? Four games would possibly need to be re-scheduled. MLB with all their resources can barely keep a season going. Miami played only 3 games so far while Atlanta in the same division already played 10 games.

As far as kids getting dropped mid-season, our clubs' player contracts (two different clubs) actually spelled out something like ".........you will join Coach Smith's League XYZ team in the 20xx season...........and player will not be dropped during the season for a more talented player........"
When people say “League play”, we know that 1/3 of the games will be cancelled and not rescheduled.”. We know that our team might play 10 games and might play 2. We know the league champion will be a joke. And we know the refs will often be siblings, dads, and coaches instead of more neutral referees.

But even 2 games is more than we’ve had since March. It sounds like a good deal right now.

And that’s way better than holding a tournament and reading an LA times headline saying “thousands exposed to coronavirus at youth soccer tournament.”
 
When people say “League play”, we know that 1/3 of the games will be cancelled and not rescheduled.”. We know that our team might play 10 games and might play 2. We know the league champion will be a joke. And we know the refs will often be siblings, dads, and coaches instead of more neutral referees.

But even 2 games is more than we’ve had since March. It sounds like a good deal right now.

And that’s way better than holding a tournament and reading an LA times headline saying “thousands exposed to coronavirus at youth soccer tournament.”

Can't disagree there, any opportunity to politicize will be taken. Shame on them. In the meantime, Texas and New Jersey hold large tournaments. From all appearances (and some personal reporting from the one in NJ), the events were run efficiently and safely. Attendance wasn't as big as usual, but enough quality teams showed for the tournament to have value. Apparently parents were able to put mask politics aside and enjoy a not so business as usual youth weekend soccer tournament - One parent only in attendance. At least they were able to get footage, which is what colleges coaches are asking for right now.

I think the irony is incredible - Texas and New Jersey, you couldn't come up with two states more further apart politically that are able to achieve a result that seems so hard to do in the state of California.

In the mean time, AZ is on track to begin their season as scheduled.
 
Can't disagree there, any opportunity to politicize will be taken. Shame on them. In the meantime, Texas and New Jersey hold large tournaments. From all appearances (and some personal reporting from the one in NJ), the events were run efficiently and safely. Attendance wasn't as big as usual, but enough quality teams showed for the tournament to have value. Apparently parents were able to put mask politics aside and enjoy a not so business as usual youth weekend soccer tournament - One parent only in attendance. At least they were able to get footage, which is what colleges coaches are asking for right now.

I think the irony is incredible - Texas and New Jersey, you couldn't come up with two states more further apart politically that are able to achieve a result that seems so hard to do in the state of California.

In the mean time, AZ is on track to begin their season as scheduled.
Way to keep things half full Happy. I super appreciate it and it gives me some hope that some kids can play outside of Cali. I dedicate this song to you Happy :)

 
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