Development Academies v. Classic/High School

We've hit almost every possible scenario: CL, HS, PA, DA.  There is no perfect solution;  it is contingent upon the best fit for the individual athlete.
One of my boys plays HS soccer for the sense of community.  We find the coaches to be marginal, at best.  Nice guys, just not very good--possibly former football players.  HS soccer is good for the boy who wants to play up, and shine on the field.  

This is a personal choice, that may change dynamically from year-to-year.

If your goal is for the athlete to be scouted, skip HS soccer and play DA.  If it's to enjoy playing with his buddies, then either CL or HS is the solution.

A really good interview with Coppell HS coach on this issue.

Do you think you could provide an alternate solution for the problem? Do you think the two can work together or is it just the way it is?

Definitely. Each high school should have their own youth development academy. These teams would be community based and provide a playing style and program philosophy from the top down. The ability to create a direct pathway from beginning to the end would benefit the players and programs. All the other clubs from around the world are this way. The kids go to school together, they live around each other, they train together and there is a level of consistency throughout their entire youth that is foreign to club soccer players here.

We’re looking at starting our own Coppell Development Academy, which will do exactly this. The idea is to have 1-2 teams per age group for both boys and girls. The benefit is on both sides. As a player, there is no double duty with club and high school going on at the same time. The player develops under the same direction the whole way through their youth playing career. That’s something we hope to instill in the near future.

Read more at the link. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2014/10/talking-high-school-development-academy-with-coppell/?utm_source=All&utm_campaign=General+-+10-31-14&utm_medium=email

So you have a classic league level team. Maybe!

If all HS had coaches like Coppell we would be in a much better position soccer wise. Of course it helps that he has a CL stacked team.

Bunch of crap imo...good for the school district poor choice for elite players....the best players want to find each other and play with each other....coppell or any school district will not have enough...the eilte players will tire playing with the average players...sounds a lot like communism...sounds good in theory and terrible in practice

Last year Coppell could have played against anybody in D1 and be very competitive, except Andro of course.

OP, I agree let your kid play where he has the most fun.

Suki, don't be that Flower Mound parent hatin' on your town's rival. LOL! Dare to dream.

not hatin'! lol....not a Flower Mound homer....I guess I should be a Plano West homer...just don't think it is a good model to develop players

earbucket wrote:A really good interview with Coppell HS coach on this issue.

Do you think you could provide an alternate solution for the problem? Do you think the two can work together or is it just the way it is?

Definitely. Each high school should have their own youth development academy. These teams would be community based and provide a playing style and program philosophy from the top down. The ability to create a direct pathway from beginning to the end would benefit the players and programs. All the other clubs from around the world are this way. The kids go to school together, they live around each other, they train together and there is a level of consistency throughout their entire youth that is foreign to club soccer players here.

We’re looking at starting our own Coppell Development Academy, which will do exactly this. The idea is to have 1-2 teams per age group for both boys and girls. The benefit is on both sides. As a player, there is no double duty with club and high school going on at the same time. The player develops under the same direction the whole way through their youth playing career. That’s something we hope to instill in the near future.

Read more at the link. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2014/10/talking-high-school-development-academy-with-coppell/?utm_source=All&utm_campaign=General+-+10-31-14&utm_medium=email

soccer players could train during the mandated "pep rallies" for the football players. my oldest isn't even a starter and the sense of entitlement he feels as an american footballer is pathetic

The German wrote:If all HS had coaches like Coppell we would be in a much better position soccer wise. Of course it helps that he has a CL stacked team.

there is your answer right there, just think if Nuno Passos was able to take his  99 SR team from last season to HS then they would not only the be the best in texas but probably #1 ranked in the nation in their 10th,11th, and senior years in soccer hands down!!!   hell i wish we could have him coach over here at NM but its more like the land of the outlaws over in these parts

I agree Nuno doesn't get the props he deserves and yes, if he were to take any of his Solar Red 99 teams of the past 5 years, he would have the best HS team in the US.

Going to see how the theory works in a couple years because Highland Park (who else) has the feeder team already....with a decent coach. Just can't remember who at the moment

The Coppell theory sounds great, let's all buy homes there...

these high schools would have to have different coaches durning the offseason, wouldn't they?

Under UIL rules, a HS coach can't coach kids in 7-12 from their own attendance zone in the off season (correct?).

blueisthecolor wrote: these high schools would have to have different coaches durning the offseason, wouldn't they?  

Under UIL rules, a HS coach can't coach kids in 7-12 from their own attendance zone in the off season (correct?).  

Isn't this the reason Bates has to let go of his Solar Red 03 team in the next few months. Do you know who will be the new coach?

I believe this is what knocked Ogelsby (spell check) out from coaching a successful Solar Red 01 Boys... since he coaches Southlake HS

Yes, they do have different coaches. High school coaches are not allowed to coach any high school student in club soccer. Technically, it doesn't preclude them from coaching the same kids before high school age; however, in this case it is a plan with a professional coach developing boys on the same team that all live in the same school zone, so they are developing a single school's team.

Enjoy life now! wrote:The Coppell theory sounds great, let's all buy homes there...

Or maybe buy one home and share it!


As for DA, rather get playing time in Classic/HS than be the 20th+ man on a DA roster. No exposure there.

Also, would like to see this Frisco ISD hostels the kids are staying in. My understanding was they go to a school in Frisco ISD and get release around 1:00 (ish) to go train. Other than that, I think they reside at their normal residence. I'm sure in general, that cramming a full day into a shorter timeframe is difficult, thus the lower grades. The curriculum is probably the same as those kids that go to school until 4:00, just delivered faster.

There's this story out of Philadelphia:

http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-04/high-school-soccer-stars-eyeing-europe-show-u-s-s-task.html

Here is a telling quote from Rakestraw's interview. This is why we play for him and support his programs.

"We watch their grades, keep up with their behavior in classes, we put them on a strength program and have a college-level weight room. We do character building through leadership classes and we have indoor facilities so we can train year round. We see our kids every single day, we get to work on all four pillars of the game. We hit technique, tactics, physical strength and speed, and the mental aspect of the game."

Enjoy life now! wrote:The Coppell theory sounds great, let's all buy homes there...

from what i hear within the next couple of years the only thing coppel will win is spelling bees and best project at science fairs regardless of the coach,training,and deep pockets to cover all cost, in the end you still have to have talent

omega striker wrote:

Enjoy life now! wrote:The Coppell theory sounds great, let's all buy homes there...

from what i hear within the next couple of years the only thing coppel will win is spelling bees and  best project at science fairs       regardless of the coach,training,and deep pockets to cover all cost, in the end you still have to have talent

When I read this it sounds like you're making fun of Coppell folks for having money and smart kids.


I bet they are really torn up about that.

Sprint wrote:

omega striker wrote:

Enjoy life now! wrote:The Coppell theory sounds great, let's all buy homes there...

from what i hear within the next couple of years the only thing coppel will win is spelling bees and  best project at science fairs       regardless of the coach,training,and deep pockets to cover all cost, in the end you still have to have talent

When I read this it sounds like you're making fun of Coppell folks for having money and smart kids.  


I bet they are really torn up about that.

lol nope sure didnt mean it like that but speeling bee and science stuff a coppell parent would know what im talking about the other stuff was more about a complete D1 CL team getting the extra touches

I'm thinking Coppell will be dominant in cricket soon....

There are "soccer prep schools" all over the country folks..this is nothing new. It's just a trend.

here's the real problem...

It's not a meritocracy...if I'm willing to write a 50-75K per year check...I could send my son to an IMG, Shattuck St. Mary's, Grande Sports Academy, etc. etc...

But in the end there's no payoff...

Simple...if your kid is good he will be found...soccer players are born not developed