School vs Club vs Select Soccer

<p>I play club soccer and usually we either win the gold league or are 2nd. I'm a defender and I hardly ever touch the ball because the forwards come back behind defense. The midfielders do, too. Then they get our work, and if the other team scores they yell at us defenders. I could switch to school soccer this year (JV or V) and be able to switch positions some and actually play, but it's not so guarenteed that we'll win. 1/2 the team will be new. Or there's always select soccer, not guarenteed we'll win either or that I'll be able to play. What should I do? Would it look better on app. if we won a lot? Or does JV or V look better?</p>

<p>hmm ... probably not the answer for which you are looking ... I'd suggest you ignore what will "look good" and do what you believe will be a better soccer experience for you. Would you rather be on a powerhouse team but seldom touch the ball? Or would you rather be on a less powerful team and play a more central role on the team? (I'd also add the school teams add the element of representing your town/school). Which appeals to YOU?</p>

<p>I'm not sure I understand your post. What is the Gold League? I'm also not sure by what you mean when you claim that the upfield players do your work--everyone should play defense !! Ever watch Brian McBride on the national team? He always checks back and stays with his mark.. Soccer is not a one-dimensional game.</p>

<p>Don't worry about what "looks good"--to a college admissions committee, what looks good is that you are playing--they don't care about the level of the team unless you are considering playing in college, and their coach is considering you as a recruit.</p>

<p>What level of play is approriate for YOU as a player? Could you make one of the teams at your high school? What level of selelct play is available in your area? Could you try out for and play for one of the select teams ? Would you be able to handle the amount of travel involved, if any, on such a team?</p>

<p>I'm also confused by the fact that you could play on a high school or club team during the same season.</p>

<p>Two of my 3 sons play soccer at a high level. During the school soccer season, they play for their high school--a lot of fun, and the high school has a good team (in the top 10 or so in the state for their division) but is not as competitive as their club/select team that travels a lot. Their club teams will start up again around Nov. 1 and play and go to tournaments through approximately next June, when captains' practices start up again for high school. High school, according to state rules, start formally again next Aug. 1. Except for one local club whose players play club year round, and thus do not play for their various high schools, clubs don't meet (except for social and light workout sessions) during the high school season. And club teams cannot have more than 5 players on a team from any one high school.</p>

<p>Is it different where you live?</p>

<p>Yeah, I'm confused by that too - pretty much all the kids on our powerhouse varsity soccer team played club at the same time, and I think some of them did ODP too. Once they got to that age, the club team sort of worked aroud their school schedules because basically all the kids were playing for their respective schools as well as on the club team.</p>

<p>I think you should play school soccer. If the rest of your team members are really bad, you could act as a captain and be all enthusiastic and improve your players.. and maybe you will win your competition..?
I would hate to play soccer without getting involved. And you seem like as if you really want to play play. I think school soccer (v!) will be really good for you.
And if your team really sucks and you are really good.. you could get mvp!
And I also play defence (right back or centre back) sometimes but when we are thrashing the other team, I get so bored of just waiting around for the ball to come that I awlays ask my coach to put me on wing or centre mid.
I personally like midfield more than defence! So if you are going to play school soccer, play mid! or striker! (so much more fun than defence)</p>

<p>Our Ds school doesn't allow outside teams during same season, they actually forfeited season because some girls played club team and school team (seasons overlapped) and didn't tell anyone, because it was breaking a MAJOR rule</p>

<p>Play where you have fun and learn...why play on a team where you don't touch the ball, what fun is that</p>

<p>It doesn't make you a better player</p>

<p>Play school soccer- school involvement and all that</p>

<p>Now, all these kids are great soccer players, but there are SOO many know, few will get the "benefits" ie college admission that they might have before</p>

<p>Personally, playing on two or three teams seems kind of overkill. There is soo much more to highschool. What are they missing out on?</p>

<p>My D played HS soccer, I played and H still play at 50, so I get the sport and the passion.</p>

<p>SOunds like your team has a few players that really don't play soccer bery well. Soccer is playing your position and trusting your players. Forwards shouldn't be playing stoppers or sweepers, thats your job, if they are, you have sucky coaches who would rather win than teach soccer</p>

<p>Watch some soccer on tv, go to some professional games, see what forwards do. you will be surprised. Sure, some go back, but their job is to stay up at the center line. IF they yell at you, that is not good soccer. Your coach needs to rethink his game and get the primadonna forwards egos in check. Seriously. This is not a good team to play for, no matter how much they may win. Maybe who your team plays aren't great. </p>

<p>Again, any coach that allows midfielders and FORWARDS to consistently go behind the defense is a bad coach. Sure, sometimes the play calls for it, but to have forwards back in the 18 yard box so often, well, after watching soccer for 40 years, doesn't seem to be competent coaching.</p>

<p>Think of it this way, if you defense get the ball out of the area, if the forwards are back, who gets the ball? </p>

<p>If the forwards yell at their own players, that is bad teamwork and most coaches I know wouldn't tolerate it. Sure, talking and saying, hey, man on or the like, is one thing, but to yell at their own teammates, when they themselves are WAY out of position, well, your coach stinks.</p>

<p>And, take my word for it, watch some REAL soccer, and you will see what I mean.</p>

<p>the forwards are not supposed to be BEHIND the defense! however, if the defense isn't all tht good, or the forwards don't really trust the defense, they tend to come back to help with the defense. midfielders, you can't blame them. they are s'posed to be where the ball is. </p>

<p>IMO, if you just go for the ball more, you'll get to touch it more often. If you are waitin for the ball to come to you, or for one of the forwards to intercept the ball, u're probably not doin it the right way. and if your defense is really strong, the forwards won't find the need to come to aid u.</p>

<p>but seriously, how can you win leagues, if all the players in the team aren't even getting to touch the ball? i'm guessin the forwards are REALLY good...</p>

<p>thank you all. the center forward is coach's daughter, and she wants to play every position/coach/referee all at once. she's a real pain, but it's not as if he can do too much. if he says a word, wife, daughters, daughters' friends and families will be outraged. we can't play club during the high school season, and they definetly over lap.</p>

<p>I'd much rather play than be pushed over in a little corner. I appreciate everyone's advice a lot. it seems obvious now what i want to do. i'll go out for high school soccer. thank you all again!</p>

<p>aaron56- when the ball gets pushed up closer to defense, they go. they do have some nifty plays on offense. they kick the ball behind the defenders and then this really fast girl almost always gets to them first, and scores about 25% of the time (aka run throughs). they really like that play, and usually win indirect kicks close to the box.
pretty soon the coach's daughter will get a yellow card from the ref. last game she was on the edge. one ref gives them out for saying "crap". finally she'll get what she needs.</p>

<p>The forwards may have ball skill but can't play soccer, not the way is supposed to be played...being a good soccer player means playing on a team, not being show offs and unless they let you deal with the ball, you will never get better, come to help you, nope, its showing off, and does not make for great players</p>

<p>again, the coach stinks, but I think you knew that</p>

<p>and I promise, when those forwards play on a college team, if they make it, their style of play will not be appreciated, learning to play and USE the defense is good soccer, if they haven't learned that, and if they yell at defenders...you never yell at defenders or goalies, that is very uncool</p>

<p>having one good play, blah</p>

<p>ps- playing for your highschool, even though maybe not winning, will be so much more fun, and less stressful, and that will show in other areas</p>

<p>good call</p>

<p>ps- maybe the forward will get a red, that would be rightous</p>

<p>;)Yeah, she would deserve a card...</p>