Soccer

[mcmurtry66]

My kids weren't interested in playing football--they liked soccer from the age of 3 until the current day. 1 more year of the ride left, and I'm glad. Time to go make money boys.

My pop kind of lost his shit when it ended. He’d put so much of his world into it it hit him really hard

 

[Mark Milton]

My pop kind of lost his shit when it ended. He’d put so much of his works into it it hit him really hard

I can see that happening too. All things must come to an end. My wife, however, is apoplectic about the end coming for one, and coming soon for the other. I said "c'mon baby, look at it this way, that just leaves more time for us to make love". Her response:

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

My best advice, as both my kids played in the Academy system and one just finished up playing in college this fall, and the other has one more year left, don't go to the best club early--go to the BEST TRAINER!!! The best trainer is one that: (1) encourages and rewards skill; (2) encourages players to take guys on; (3) encourages players to play on their own; and (4) encourages creativity.

If you see a coach who starts practice with INTENSE RONDO, stay and watch. If you see a coach making his team condition after practice--RUN AWAY. Conditioning should be done through a fast paced practice where movement is constant. RONDO AND SMALL SIDED GAMES MAKE MAGIC!!!!

Just my two cents. I may not have baby arm holding an apple dangling from my waist like @mcmurtry66, but I seen some stuff 😉

Let me ask you a follow-up as a newbie to this and someone that was never good at or that interested in soccer as a kid:

I'll preface this by saying, I want my kids to be competitive to the extent they like competitive sport - I don't have any delusions that they will be D1 players, let alone something more.

My son is just turning 7 and we are trying to pick a U8 team to commit to (for time's sake more than anything). I'm not sure how you determine who the best trainer is, other than if I go watch how each handles a practice before signing up - but maybe that's what you suggest?

In other words, I have no idea how to pick between an ECNL team vs. NPL team vs. other. If this were basketball or baseball, it would be much easier for me.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Let me ask you a follow-up as a newbie to this and someone that was never good at or that interested in soccer as a kid:

I'll preface this by saying, I want my kids to be competitive to the extent they like competitive sport - I don't have any delusions that they will be D1 players, let alone something more.

My son is just turning 7 and we are trying to pick a U8 team to commit to (for time's sake more than anything). I'm not sure how you determine who the best trainer is, other than if I go watch how each handles a practice before signing up - but maybe that's what you suggest?

In other words, I have no idea how to pick between an ECNL team vs. NPL team vs. other. If this were basketball or baseball, it would be much easier for me.

If you post the club names I can give you an early impression.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Let me ask you a follow-up as a newbie to this and someone that was never good at or that interested in soccer as a kid:

I'll preface this by saying, I want my kids to be competitive to the extent they like competitive sport - I don't have any delusions that they will be D1 players, let alone something more.

My son is just turning 7 and we are trying to pick a U8 team to commit to (for time's sake more than anything). I'm not sure how you determine who the best trainer is, other than if I go watch how each handles a practice before signing up - but maybe that's what you suggest?

In other words, I have no idea how to pick between an ECNL team vs. NPL team vs. other. If this were basketball or baseball, it would be much easier for me.

I will tell you I was tied in, played for, coached at, a big club here called Scott Gallagher. I started my daughter there and it was a mistake. My minion will eventually gravitate there but he has training now and will start at a smaller club my buddy has. It’ll be a better experience for him for his first years. Around 4th or 5th grade I’ll move him over

 

[Mark Milton]

Let me ask you a follow-up as a newbie to this and someone that was never good at or that interested in soccer as a kid:

I'll preface this by saying, I want my kids to be competitive to the extent they like competitive sport - I don't have any delusions that they will be D1 players, let alone something more.

My son is just turning 7 and we are trying to pick a U8 team to commit to (for time's sake more than anything). I'm not sure how you determine who the best trainer is, other than if I go watch how each handles a practice before signing up - but maybe that's what you suggest?

In other words, I have no idea how to pick between an ECNL team vs. NPL team vs. other. If this were basketball or baseball, it would be much easier for me.

Some of this stuff you need to watch in theory, but ask around some of your buddies. Go watch a practice. At your son's age, you are looking for: (1) positive energy; (2) lots of energy; (3) focus on the ball--how much time are they touching it. Reward your kid for dribbling around in the basement and setting up his own obstacle course. I was told early on to make sure my kids were two footed--they are. HUGE bonus as before my oldest was switched to midfield his last year before he went to college, he could play left back or right back. The constant touches on the ball early on made it so switch to the midfield in college.

Where do you live?

 

[Mark Milton]

If you post the club names I can give you an early impression.

His kid ain't playing at MILFHUNTERS Soccer Club bro. Don't be so transparent

 

[mcmurtry66]

His kid ain't playing at MILFHUNTERS Soccer Club bro. Don't be so transparent

Fing hell fine. @JamieDimonsBalls i don’t need the club name. Can you just screenshot the bar and concession area of the clubs then I’ll tell you what to do

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

If you post the club names I can give you an early impression.

Leaning towards:

Home - Minnesota Thunder Academy

mnthunderacademy.org

Other options:

Keliix Intra Soccer Club

intra.keliix.com

Edina Soccer Club

www.edinasoccerclub.com

Where do you live?

MN

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Mc and Mark, you are lawyers. Is talking about enrolling a child in a soc*** program one of those child abuse things we are supposed to report?

 

[mcmurtry66]

Mc and Mark, you are lawyers. Is talking about enrolling a child in a soc*** program one of those child abuse things we are supposed to report?

Great job @BradStevens. You post non soccer shit and adds clutter and draws attention then there’s Marv. Lost

 

[Mark Milton]

Leaning towards:

Home - Minnesota Thunder Academy

mnthunderacademy.org

Other options:

Keliix Intra Soccer Club

intra.keliix.com

Edina Soccer Club

www.edinasoccerclub.com

MN

Stay away from the the Thunder. The coaches at the younger ages groups there aren't going to be good. For the Academies (MLS Teams), the younger teams are simply there to find the one or two gems a year--that's it. That's my two cents

 

[mcmurtry66]

Leaning towards:

Home - Minnesota Thunder Academy

mnthunderacademy.org

Other options:

Keliix Intra Soccer Club

intra.keliix.com

Edina Soccer Club

www.edinasoccerclub.com

MN

Unless he’s already obsessed I’d go watch Keliix and Edina train and get a feel. For just starting out I like smaller community clubs. You can always jump to the bigger club

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Stay away from the the Thunder. The coaches at the younger ages groups there aren't going to be good. For the Academies (MLS Teams), the younger teams are simply there to find the one or two gems a year--that's it. That's my two cents

What age would it make sense to transition - assuming my kids even want to keep playing? 12U? Just trying to understand the landscape.

 

[Mark Milton]

What age would it make sense to transition - assuming my kids even want to keep playing? 12U? Just trying to understand the landscape.

13 or 14 candidly.