Pre-Academy - Let the madness begin

Laimport wrote:Yes.

So close...yet so far..

Cheers to you Laimport for making that drive on a weekly basis.

Well, like I mentioned earlier...had to give it up.

Coach is young, but very passionate and knowledgeable.

But, even though my kid wouldn't say anything, it was taking its toll.

Are the rumors true that Pre-Academy will now start at U-12?

I hope not...

What about U8? The '04 parents have their kids ranked and ready. Wait, how about U7, the '05 parents are right there with them.

Not just ranked but they have divisions too...sorry make that tiers...

One bad apple ...

..and now you're guilty by association...

finish1 wrote:..and now you're guilty by association...

I'm just praying my BB's lowly Tier 5 team doesn't get relegated down to rec.

allen04 wrote:I'm just praying my BB's lowly Tier 5 team doesn't get relegated down to rec.

As long as the kids don't show up in jeans, run with crocodile arms and kick the goalie when he has the ball, your team might just make it.

Couldn't help it based on your other post. I am sure your team is much better than a TIER 5, whatever that is????

I turned pro at the age of 15 years old in England when the late Sir Robby Robson signed me, and it took nearly 8-10 hours a day training to get to my goals in football. it is very difficult to reach those goals training for 3 hours a week and play one game a week, there are players who don't belong in select and players who play Rec belong in select,its a choice for parents but, more for the kid if she / he wants to play at the select level. Youth football should be and is a development program, there are to many young players lack the basic fundamentals as well as the knowledge of the game for them to excel to the next level. Winning is secondary for me, learn the game first and winning will take care of itself its that simply. Pre-academy is a dangerous move because if a better players come along then your kid, guess what, you kid will be let go and that's part of football.

Same thing happens in Select, at every level, every year....It's always if a better player comes along, the other player is let go.

Soccerinsanity wrote:Same thing happens in Select, at every level, every year....It's always if a better player comes along, the other player is let go.

Yes I know however, as a coach I hate doing that to a kid that is why I really want to find players who want to learn and work hard no matter the level of their abilities. Of course, they have to have something that I as a coach can work with and improve and my biggest pet peeve is the lack of work ethic that many young players show, I think if a player has that quality then he is half way there. Furthermore, at this level of football if a coach can keep his team together for the duration of their involvement in the game, then there is more stability and consistency in the teams overall play and development and most important there is continuinty as a team. Moving teams and clubs is NOT going to make your child a better player because, his qualities will stay the same unless he sees them and makes changes. Success in football for both the player and the coach is a two way street its that simply.

Interesting concept! I definitely agree that that the teams that stay together for years and years end up higher ranked in the end, but won't the more advanced kids get frustrated waiting for the others to catch up? And at how many years does a coach run out, and have "taught all that those ears can hear?"

[quote="Soccerinsanity"]Interesting concept! I definitely agree that that the teams that stay together for years and years end up higher ranked in the end, but won't the more advanced kids get frustrated waiting for the others to catch up? And at how many years does a coach run out, and have "taught all that those ears can hear?"[/quote

I think the more time they spend together the more comfortable they will feel in this enviroment as well as gaining overall confidence in their play and development. Yes some kids will develop faster then others but, its up to the coach to set some sort of a good example of why, its important for young player(s) in any sport to have some stability while he developes. I don't quit and run away and no do the kids but, its the parents who get edgy and feel their child is ready to conqure the world of football and that I can't stop. That is why I was so glad that my parents NEVER watched me play football in their life as a schoolboy or as a Pro in England, I didn't want them to interfere in my goals. I saw to many young English friends who were ruined by their parents and never touched a ball again and yes they were on the pro books like me at 14 years old.

What wrote:Are the rumors true that Pre-Academy will now start at U-12?

It's coming.... There is money in it and the big clubs will benefit from getting the best players at a younger age.... Get ready for it..

indyfc wrote:

What wrote:Are the rumors true that Pre-Academy will now start at U-12?

It's coming.... There is money in it and the big clubs will benefit from getting the best players at a younger age.... Get ready for it..

May God have mercy on our souls.

indyfc wrote:

What wrote:Are the rumors true that Pre-Academy will now start at U-12?

It's coming.... There is money in it and the big clubs will benefit from getting the best players at a younger age.... Get ready for it..

yep more than likely so when that happens i will immediately seek those parents and sell them cleats and a ball with PA league written all over it! anybody got a hook up at walmart i need to stock up on cleats and soccer balls

You can add $5-10 per ball if the writing is in Spanish, Dutch, German, etc!

Soccerinsanity wrote:You can add $5-10 per ball if the writing is in Spanish, Dutch, German, etc!

oh yea good idea so for them I thinking $500 for both should be a steal?

Youth soccer in North texas, and in this country, is about the upward development of teams and clubs. Let's be honest here.

"Pre-Academy" is just another marketing term for the clubs. Is it bad for talented players to train together? No.

Another bit of honesty. Most parents don't have a clue as to how player development works. Most don't know anything about the game. Their 'soccer experience' revolves around their kids participation. If the kids drop out...there goes their involvement and experience with the game.

90% of the players themselves are also clueless. They spend more time on facebook and xbox than they do on their soccer. They may watch a few youtube or sportscenter highlight clips of a game. Once or twice a year, they go to an FC Dallas game.

Kids in professional academies are spending 8-10 hrs a week on soccer (training)by the age of 14/15. By and large, that just doesn't happen in the states.

And no league, coach, club, et. al can make up for that.

There is no magic solution. A kid can either play or they can't. They have a much better chance of becoming "elite" by putting in as many hours as possible honing their skill and knowledge.

As far as 'competition', one needs to consider the age and psychological makeup of the player. Here's a hint: It sure as hell ain't about promotion/relegation.

If anything, I'd like to see more "soccer schools" and fewer teams and leagues.Kids show up after school or in the evenings and simply be trained. 3 days a week from U10-U13. 4 and 5 times weekly for U14+. Without regard to winning a league title to feed coaches' and parents' egos.

Players could be moved up or down based on current ability. Basically it's 90% technical. Games would essentially be glorified pickup games. A series of small sided (depending on age)20 and 30 minute games played on weekends. Varied competition with the emphasis on technical and tactical development...not on team results.

All that said, it is unrealistic to not expect some player attrition. The one inevitable fact of life is change. Success and failure.

That happens at some of the most recognized academies in the world. Barca, Ajax, Manchester United, Real Madrid....

The weak wash out and the strong move up. That's the way the ladder of success works. We just need to think more longterm. As opposed to worrying about the next match or tournament.

Constantly changing teams, coaches isn't the answer. Neither is being on a "d1" or preacademy team.

If a kid doesn't have a true passion for the game, doesn't become a student of the game, and putting in the time with the ball, it's all "recreational" anyway.

Until the age of 11 or 12, I say let the kids develop on their own. Doesn't mean you can't send them to an occasional camp or specialized training. At 13, most players with potential will be ready for a true academy environment. (The trouble is finding one worth a damn.)

If you spend more time driving than playing, it probably won't work out in the end. Competition is important...but only when viewed in the proper context.