robkimsay
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Rob Saylor
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Dad of Two 10's. Buckeye Fan.
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 06:55 AM |
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Thoughts on a "New" Soccer System
Youth Soccer in America
The debate of our current soccer system largely centers around the lack of the men’s National Team performance on the world stage. The simple fact
that the men’s side can not or does not seriously challenge the best of the other nations teams in World Cup play.
It is this lack of success in World Cup play that starts the finger pointing that the US soccer model is broken and needs a dramatic overhaul from
the top down.
Let’s look at one issue, soccer in America is not the national past time. Football, Baseball, Basketball and NASCAR all have a significant interest
in America and dominate the televised sports landscape here. So until the Mr. and Mrs. Public flock to the stadiums and the soccer leagues gains
enough popularity to land the required large television contracts, the ability to facilitate change in the US Soccer system is going to be very
limited. Corporate America is not overly interested because there simply is not a large enough fan base to generate excitement for significant
investment.
The interest and attendance in the sport need to happen first, then corporate monies will follow. Artificial attempts to grow the business of soccer
will always feel, well, artificial.
The next level down from professional soccer in America is at the College level. Certainly some of these programs would have enough financial support
from the Athletic Board, Athletic Director and Alumni that some sort of youth development program could be started. Recreational type program that the
student athletes could help provide guidance and technical training for all that show up every Saturday, even make it a class, Coaching 101 if you
will. Now, not only have you trained a bunch of younger players, but you have also helped train the next generation of coaches.
This however would be limited to college campuses and would not be available to most children, but could reach for more than the current academy
model.
High School Soccer would be up next, probably the most “free” system we currently have. The issues here are simply the fact, that like clubs, they
operate in their own bubble with their own rules. There is often a limited supply of quality coaches, the Science teacher played youth soccer, let’s
make him or her, the soccer coach. Most schools only have one coach, so the boy’s soccer season and the girl’s soccer seasons are separated. Why not
have the schools opened up to having a boys coach and girls coach and play soccer year around with some time off of soccer around the holidays?
The high school teams could have “camps” if you will for the younger kids in the area, maybe even raise a little money for their programs. This too
goes a long way in “giving” back some of their time and again, training our youth in soccer and our future coaches.
High schools also need to allow more teams, why can’t there be two girl’s teams and two boy’s teams for the full four years, versus stopping JV when
the kids become juniors. If the interest is there, make more teams so more kids can play. Get them on the fields and keep them on the fields, more
playing time for all.
Middle School soccer, follow the high school model.
What do most neighborhoods have, a local Elementary school. I am certain that there are many laws about organized youth sports at the Elementary
level, so I simply have no idea what all would be involved in this.
The question needs to be asked, why not?
Open the “your Elementary school name here” soccer league to all kids, have practice once or twice a week for the kids that want to play. Keep all of
the games on Saturday 3v3 or so with pug goals, no off sides no score keeping. Have the games last 5/10 minutes or so then draw new teams and play
another 5/10 minutes or so. Model it like “Street Soccer”. Keep it fun, keep it light and if the highlight of little Suzie’s day or little Jonny’s day
is getting the juice box and cookies after the game, so be it. I believe participation would be overwhelming.
Parents could be the coaches, but they need to have some sort of class type training before hand. Certainly the motto needs to be fostering the fun
and love of the game. This, like the high school model, goes nearly year around.
It could even be expanded to have “Festival Soccer Saturdays” that a couple of schools get together and have fun – again, no teams, mix the kids up
every game. Sell baked goods and school T-shirts to help fund the thing.
I know I for one would be willing to donate 4/5 hours of my time per week for this. It would be fun.
Certainly no argument from me that the current Youth model survives and flourishes on moms and dads check book. What I find absurd is the fact that
people tend to criticize this fact over and over. Until there is a “free” soccer model available to everyone, paying to play in club is the only way
to go.
Would the current club model survive with the “free” soccer system above?
I am certain it would continue in some limited capacity, parents with the means are often going to support something that they feel can advance their
child’s development in the sport.
There are no pointy “Football” clubs and Basketball clubs and colleges find these players every year, so yes – it may require more travel for the
college scouts to find the next Mia or “your favorite players name here” but I would expect to see many scouts at the High School playoff games.
I believe the current model for US soccer limits access to the sport from day one. I believe this limited access is what hinders the fan base that the
professional soccer levels here in the states need to land the big corporate sponsorships, thus limiting funds. The future supporters of soccer in
America is our youth, they don’t have the passion for any one team and or player, soccer in America lacks their hero and no amount of marketing is
going to make that happen with out wide spread passion for the game. Passion is developed for a team or player when the fan base is energized, sees
and understands the accomplishments of a team or individual. To understand the accomplishment, the fan base needs to be educated through
participation.
As will all my posts – just my opinion!
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morpheous
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 07:55 AM |
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So, you think there are no pointy football or basketball clubs?
Basketball has an abundance of clubs. AAU tournaments (and others) are the rage of the day. My son has a good freind, who's parents spend almost as
much on their son's basketball, as we do on soccer (approx. $3,000 yr. incl travel,etc). Pointy football...not as much. Since it is the biggest income
generating sport, once in high school (and particularly college)...the "school" teams route (middle, high and on) is the best route to get your son on
the path to wherever it may take him. But, the elite level youth teams (pre-middle school age) still travel a good bit, and the parents still spend
some $.
Club soccer has become the accepted route to college (and if good enough...beyond). You are absolutely right though, soccer will not be anywhere near
as good as it could be here, until it overtakes some of the other mainstream sports here in the good ole USA. It won't happen in our lifetime. But,
with the # of kids playing...maybe someday.
[Edited on 11/26/08 by morpheous]
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STORMTROOPER
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 08:01 AM |
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A very well-presented read - it's refreshing to see others thinking about how we can make the sytem better, starting with the youth and working our
way up. Too many young soccer players drift into other sports due to the fact that so many of their friends and peers play the other more "popular"
sports - more mainstream, more watched, more respected, more discussed sports. These sports have had a dominating foothold in our country, and it
would be totally unamerican to allow the world to tell us what is the more popular worldy sport.
So yes, until we are able to maintain participation into the older ages and educate the parents accordingly, we will lose at the national level, never
coming close to international game attendance and enthusiasm - and tv coverage. The love of the game is there: just not close to the scale of the
other sports in our country. My kids - and many of my players - could care less about the MLS and US Nationals. They watch Fox and have their
favorite teams, club and country, and their favorite players.
It is our responsibility to make the learning of the game fun and inviting, keeping it so through the years, reducing the politics and administrative
restrictions... and fees. It's easier said than done, but it all starts with your local club and schools... step up and make a difference!
Live the game... love the game.
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baptiste
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Mike Baptiste
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a self serving parent coach that is all about the KIDS so long as they are his KIDS - or so I'm told - cept I don't coach my kids O.o
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 08:09 AM |
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While I tend not to think the club model is as broken as many make it out to be, something as described above is certainly nice to contemplate as an
additional offering. But as folks have already pointed out - the popularity and such isn't there up top to help filter downward.
Related to some other posts about how Euro youth programs center around the local clubs. The funding comes largely from local business and corporate
interests as well as the cities. If soccer developed the following here that it had over there, I think you would find the youth clubs would be able
to find alternative sources of funding, allowing them to reduce fees and expand access. Especially if more clubs were granted low cost access to city
fields. But that's not how it is for most thee days.
We can talk about the need for bottom up solutions to US Soccer, but until there is more financial support spurred from change at the top, thus
indirectly filtering down - youth soccer rests on the checkbooks of parents.
On The Pitch - Laugh with and at Soccer Dad as he navigates the perils of youth soccer.
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MamaTried
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 08:27 AM |
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The "problem" is that soccer is not an integrated part of our culture. Considering that the game is more process-oriented, as opposed to
goal-oriented (even though the goal is to score goals), it may never be part of our culture. Americans are too conditioned to seek instant
gratification, and soccer is just not a game that satisfies in that way. We will improve relative to the rest of the world as we get more second and
third generation players, but the game is not likely to become a true part of our culture any time soon.
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HWPixHend
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Harlan Hendrick
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 09:49 AM |
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Quote:
Originally posted by robkimsay
There are no pointy “Football” clubs and Basketball clubs .....
Well for basket ball, you are way off, as already stated, with the current AAU system. Baseball (mutiple national organizations) & football (more
local based, but still very prominent as feeder systems to the high schools) are not far behind.
No, they are not AS dependent on a club sytem as soccer, but they are moving that way, especially basketball.
Track & Field along with Cross Country also depend a lot on the non school systems (AAU & USA Track & Field).
[Edited on 11-26-2008 by HWPixHend]
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MESs Dad
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Ray Westbrook
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whatever's needed
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 09:56 AM |
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Wow that sounds like a plan. As a school/club coach, I don't know what the fix will be. I can recognize however that until school ball becomes much
more important soccer will stagnate in the US. I'm not saying school ball is the ultimate solution. When the schools embrace soccer and utilize
resources to promote it. It will grow exponentially.
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robkimsay
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Rob Saylor
Posts 155
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Dad of Two 10's. Buckeye Fan.
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 10:30 AM |
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Quote:Originally posted by HWPixHend
Quote:
Originally posted by robkimsay
There are no pointy “Football” clubs and Basketball clubs .....
Well for basket ball, you are way off, as already stated, with the current AAU system. Baseball (mutiple national organizations) & football (more
local based, but still very prominent as feeder systems to the high schools) are not far behind.
No, they are not AS dependent on a club sytem as soccer, but they are moving that way, especially basketball.
Track & Field along with Cross Country also depend a lot on the non school systems (AAU & USA Track & Field).
[Edited on 11-26-2008 by HWPixHend]
The post was not about being wrong or way off - no right way or wrong way. I am just a parent of two soccer players.
OK, I didn't know about Basketball clubs, sure there is more than likely a "club" for about anything from soccer to chess and more than likely a
Dungeons and Dragons club as well.
Soccer taking hold in the school would be great, but parents with the money will always look for more for their own - I see nothing wrong with that.
Clubs would still be around - don't get me wrong, we like our soccer club very much.
The "thought" that the next Pele is a kid from Hoboken, whos parents did not have the "means" for club ball - dreams unrealized, never met his or her
potential.
How can we not "leave" anyone behind or at least foster the love of the game in the most kids possible?
IMHO
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Eiddy
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Channeling William Wallace
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 11:58 AM |
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Quote:
Originally posted by MESs Dad
Wow that sounds like a plan. As a school/club coach, I don't know what the fix will be. I can recognize however that until school ball becomes much
more important soccer will stagnate in the US. I'm not saying school ball is the ultimate solution. When the schools embrace soccer and utilize
resources to promote it. It will grow exponentially.
Good luck with that. A school that is well known on this board (no names) just relieved their coach of his duties, apparently for being good at
raising money for his program and refusing to share it with the other sports, specifically pointy-ball. Petitions are being signed as I write this.
"The yin and yang are clear: without people pushing against your quest to do something worth talking about, it's unlikely to be worth the journey.
Persist."
Seth Godin
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Tornado66
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 12:06 PM |
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Quote:Originally posted by robkimsay
Quote:Originally posted by HWPixHend
Quote:
Originally posted by robkimsay
There are no pointy “Football” clubs and Basketball clubs .....
Well for basket ball, you are way off, as already stated, with the current AAU system. Baseball (mutiple national organizations) & football (more
local based, but still very prominent as feeder systems to the high schools) are not far behind.
No, they are not AS dependent on a club sytem as soccer, but they are moving that way, especially basketball.
Track & Field along with Cross Country also depend a lot on the non school systems (AAU & USA Track & Field).
[Edited on 11-26-2008 by HWPixHend]
OK, I didn't know about Basketball clubs, sure there is more than likely a "club" for about anything from soccer to chess and more than likely a
Dungeons and Dragons club as well.
I think Harlan is a member of the D&D club himself...  
We mock what we do not understand...
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HWPixHend
Statistical Anomaly
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Harlan Hendrick
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 12:29 PM |
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Never was into D&D. 
Fantasy baseball, baseball cards, chess, science fiction & Ludlum novels mainly. All pretty much before the kids got real involved in sports, no time
now for any of it.
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Santos
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Alan Rahl
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 01:06 PM |
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While an improvement in school ball would be nice, it will require the "blessing" of football, basketball and baseball people who are only familiar
with "seasonal" sports. You talk of removing the "seasonal" aspect from school soccer. The seasonal sports are not going to allow that, especially
those that will be affected by multi-sport athletes that would no longer be available to them because they chose to play soccer the entire year in the
school.
It would be very nice to see schools embrace soccer in a manner that would help development (eg yearly sport) as schools are the social center for our
youth, but I don't see it in the near future.
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hello kitty
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 02:51 PM |
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another reason to consider why soccer is lagging:
after playing club soccer and college soccer (minimal scholarship) - you have very few options for making it a "career" choice
get drafted by the MLS - and make 20-30K a year??...no thanks
play football (for free basically) - go to college (for free) and if you are decent - a hefty salary in the NFL
basketball the same, baseball about the same
with the big 3 - if you are talented, you get paid..which is what kids are looking at during their teenage years...if i am a top flight athlete, why
toil and not get paid?
with soccer - there is not much professional bang for the parents' buck or kids' effort and not many american kids are invited to play overseas
even basketball has a big lure to play in europe...no restrictions like the EPL
in closing: make the trip worth it
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MESs Dad
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Ray Westbrook
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whatever's needed
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 02:56 PM |
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Quote:Originally posted by Eiddy
Quote:
Originally posted by MESs Dad
Wow that sounds like a plan. As a school/club coach, I don't know what the fix will be. I can recognize however that until school ball becomes much
more important soccer will stagnate in the US. I'm not saying school ball is the ultimate solution. When the schools embrace soccer and utilize
resources to promote it. It will grow exponentially.
Good luck with that. A school that is well known on this board (no names) just relieved their coach of his duties, apparently for being good at
raising money for his program and refusing to share it with the other sports, specifically pointy-ball. Petitions are being signed as I write this.
Yes, I heard some rumblings about that from some friends. Have is it been confirmed? No names please. It's a shame when a soccer program does begin
to rise the EGO monsters  can't stand it, even if they're program is mediocre
at best.
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asheborosoccerdad
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clay Showalter
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Assistant Coach, Team Manager, Club President
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| posted on 11/26/08 at 02:59 PM |
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Quote:Originally posted by MESs Dad
Quote:Originally posted by Eiddy
Quote:
Originally posted by MESs Dad
Wow that sounds like a plan. As a school/club coach, I don't know what the fix will be. I can recognize however that until school ball becomes much
more important soccer will stagnate in the US. I'm not saying school ball is the ultimate solution. When the schools embrace soccer and utilize
resources to promote it. It will grow exponentially.
Good luck with that. A school that is well known on this board (no names) just relieved their coach of his duties, apparently for being good at
raising money for his program and refusing to share it with the other sports, specifically pointy-ball. Petitions are being signed as I write this.
Yes, I heard some rumblings about that from some friends. Have is it been confirmed? No names please. It's a shame when a soccer program does begin
to rise the EGO monsters can't stand it, even if they're program is mediocre
at best.
that has got to be the biggest bunch of crap that I have ever heard of, if my son or daughter played on that team I would pissed to say the least
Stop living through you child and let them play.
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MESs Dad
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Ray Westbrook
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whatever's needed
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| posted on 11/27/08 at 02:43 AM |
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No, unfortunately it is a real life situation and could get very ugly before it gets resolved.
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Tornado66
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| posted on 11/27/08 at 09:03 AM |
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Quote:Originally posted by MESs Dad
Quote:Originally posted by Eiddy
Quote:
Originally posted by MESs Dad
Wow that sounds like a plan. As a school/club coach, I don't know what the fix will be. I can recognize however that until school ball becomes much
more important soccer will stagnate in the US. I'm not saying school ball is the ultimate solution. When the schools embrace soccer and utilize
resources to promote it. It will grow exponentially.
Good luck with that. A school that is well known on this board (no names) just relieved their coach of his duties, apparently for being good at
raising money for his program and refusing to share it with the other sports, specifically pointy-ball. Petitions are being signed as I write this.
Yes, I heard some rumblings about that from some friends. Have is it been confirmed? No names please. It's a shame when a soccer program does begin
to rise the EGO monsters can't stand it, even if they're program is mediocre
at best.
which school?
We mock what we do not understand...
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jvillefreelance
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observer/analyst/player
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| posted on 12/1/08 at 11:08 AM |
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I'd be willing to say that the problem isn't youth development, but rather the zone between youth and adult (16-18) us the area where development is
lacking the qaulity of other countries. In Europe children are generally developed in academy programs, and when they reach the age 16-18 the
decision is made whether to retain the player with a contract for a u20 youth team or the reserve squad (sometimes teams have several teams in lower
divisions, Real Madrid and Barcalona for example). So these players are constantly being challenged to reach the next level. In the US, when a
player is 16-18 they are a High School junior/senior, if they are talented they are dominating the HS arena and may find some challenges in club
soccer, but aren't really pushed to their max until college comes around, assuming that they get onto a good team. So our development is offset by
about 2-4 years in comparison to European development.
This is evident by the fact that our u14-u16 programs can competeand even beat the best u14-u16 programs in the world, but then our u17's and u18's
consistently fall short when competing internationally.
IMO it is up to the MLS, USL, and large youth club's to get the whole Academy Program running at its full potential (b/c it is already taking things
in a MORE positive direction). The involvement of professional clubs can and will make a difference in youth development.
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