NTSSA Recreation Player Pool and Other Exciting Stuff

Luckily, my nephew joined the perfect team this year. The coach is incredible. His focus is on developing players, not winning. Moreover, the parents are tremendous. The team always comes first with them, and there is absolutely no politics. I am sure most of you have had the same experience. That being said, I read a post in another thread that discussed that a competitive player cannot guest play with another team in a tournament (even after the State Cup) without his current coach's permission. Based on my reading of the rules, this is correct. In addition, as I understand it, a competitive player cannot practice with another team (outside of his club) until after the State Cup.

Apparently, there is a loophole to the foregoing by filing a release before April 1st to be placed in the recreational-player pool, which will make you a free agent. Your coach does not have to sign that release but will be sent a copy of it. If your son or nephew wanted to explore other options (even if he liked his current team), it might make sense to obtain a release to the recreational-player pool. At the same time, I can see how it might cause your current coach to become a tad bit upset even if you tell the coach that your son or nephew still has a serious interest in his team but just wants to explore some other options for the experience. Anyway, to my question, do a lot of players obtain a release to the recreational-player pool so that they have more time to explore their options or do most players just wait until after the State Cup to explore those options?

Finally, for the first time, I read the Bylaws and Rules for the NTSSA. If you have not (and you are a loser like me), you might want to review them. I was surprised by some of the rules. For instance, to take private lessons, your son or nephew is supposed to obtain an acknowledgement slip from his coach that the trainer is supposed to keep in case a Member Association or NTSSA requests it from the trainer. (For the record, I only had three hours to read the 125 pages of rules. Thus, I might have missed something or read the rules wrong.)

In advance, I appreciate any responses.

Tip- don't sign a release to rec if your player is happy on his current team. His coach won't respond in a positive way and your player will pay the price.

Would also like to add a question to the mix. What if a player's team is disbanded for the spring season. Do they still need a release to rec to practice with other teams. Not really understanding the rules in that scenario. Thanks in advance.

If your team disbands you should have a full release to do anything.  Just contact NTSSA and they will tell you what to do.   This happened to Sampaios Lightning 03 team a few years back.  


Anyway, to my question, do a lot of players obtain a release to the recreational-player pool so that they have more time to explore their options or do most players just wait until after the State Cup to explore those options?  

No I don't think a lot of players try to obtain a release to the rec pool.   At least not as a course of business.   Just the disgruntled.   You get released to rec and you are done playing for current team.  Outside of coming back as a guest for tourneys that allow it. With league rainouts, or State Cup, there is usually team soccer past April 1st.  With older teams virtually your whole spring season occurs after April 1st.   So you would miss all of that.

I appreciate the responses.   I figured that was the case.  I just saw it as an opportunity for players to get different experiences that might benefit them, especially if league play is over for them and they are not playing in State Cup.  Foolishly, I was looking at it from the child's perspective.    

Are the coaches understandable about allowing players guest play in tournaments with other teams after the State Cup or do they also consider that as a slap in the face?

I apologize for the novice questions.  I just want to avoid ruining my nephew's life again.

I might be naive, but I think it varies from coach to coach. I don't see my son's coach having a problem with it if it was a tournament his team wasn't competing in. Why not just ask the coach what his thoughts are or policy is about kids guest playing? The only time I think it would be an issue is if the coach thinks the player may jump ship for the other team.

Yes it is a slap. Coaches don't want parents checking out if the grass is greener somewhere else and unsettling the rest of the team. They want unflinching commitment to the team....until the day your nephew is cut....

davito wrote:Yes it is a slap. Coaches don't want parents checking out if the grass is greener somewhere else and unsettling the rest of the team. They want unflinching commitment to the team....until the day your nephew is cut....

^^^^What he said!^^^^

Are you saying the coach is not completely committed and loyal to my nephew?   It is all about the growth of the players, correct?   I am new to all of this, but it did not take long for me to learn that loyalty in youth soccer is not a two-way street.  

I appreciate the responses.