Getting a adult amateur club team up and running, in NJ

[microbrew]

Any tips, or just general experience/anecdotes trying to get a adult amateur club team up and running?

BTW, my team (in West Orange, NJ just off route 280) needs players, especially midfielders and defenders. We play in the GSSL division B. Send me an PM for more info.

Several problems my team have had:
1) getting people to commit- often people don't say whether they're going to show up to a particular game or not
2) organizing and getting people to show up to practices
3) disillusionment- my team had a minus 60 goal differential in the past season (our first)

[ToddP25]

Its tough getting a team together......harder to get people to keep showing up when you aren't doing well.
My advice......only practice off season.....it sucks but, you will just get frustrated waiting to see who will or won't show up.

Try and sign up about 20 guys......sounds tough but, you will be suprised how many people that want to play 'know' someone else that will be into it.
Accept the fact that people have other commitments during the season (it is a mens league after all) but, DO not allow people to say they will be there and just not show up.....that is just rude...

Plus, I know you carry a cell so these guys can easily get in touch with you if they are going to have problems....like say, getting to a field in Rahway during the rain when the cops are shooing us:D

I'm the keeper on the Westfield team....I might be interested in joining up with you guys as a field player (if you already have a keeper), I'm just waiting to see if my team is going to switch leagues or disband.

PM the deats and I will let you know.

Todd

[smac09]

I think the most important thing is to find 8-10 guys you know are committed to the team. I run a team in GSSL B-Northwest with another guy, and your first obstacle is just getting guys to SHOW UP. Once you have that nucleus of committed players, though, things will start to gel. We really struggled our first season, but two seasons later we're a pretty solid, mid-table team. It takes a while to establish that nucleus of committed players, but eventually you find out who's going to stick with it and who isn't.

In terms of getting people to commit to a game--I think it's important to set guidelines from the beginning--like everybody has to respond by Wednesday or whatever. If they don't, don't start 'em. It should be your policy that the people who show the most commitment are the starters--not necessarily the people who have the most talent.

Recruit. Put the word out with all your players to keep their eye out for ringers. Most of our team plays in other leagues--the USL in Manhattan, for example--and so we often come across interested guys with lots of skill. Guys will often drift in and out of the team, so you always need to be recruiting.

In terms of disillusionment, that'll go away with a couple wins. You guys need to improve your talent base--looking at your stats I'd say you need a bonafide goalscorer or two and a few more quality defenders. You can also post here http://www.nj.com/forums/adultclubsoccer/index.ssf to look for players.

That's about it. It's a tough process and a lot of work but don't give up. Things will turn around if you stay committed and build that nucleus of players.

P.S.--Wanna scrimmage sometime soon? Send me an email at smac09@aol.com.

[Richie]

Originally posted by microbrew
Any tips, or just general experience/anecdotes trying to get a adult amateur club team up and running?

BTW, my team (in West Orange, NJ just off route 280) needs players, especially midfielders and defenders. We play in the GSSL division B. Send me an PM for more info.

Several problems my team have had:
1) getting people to commit- often people don't say whether they're going to show up to a particular game or not
2) organizing and getting people to show up to practices
3) disillusionment- my team had a minus 60 goal differential in the past season (our first)

It sounds like these guys are committed to just one think when they come to games, and that is their own playing time.

They know whether they come or not, when they do come they are going to play because your short players.

If you play under a three substitution rule probably your guys die aftwer the first 20 minuites. From lack of training. Plus you teams skills must be lower then average because of no ability and lack of training.

You do probably have the most important thing for a team to have, and that is a home field. No home field no team.

Go on to the Cosmopolitian Soccer league site. They have a listing that players can go to who are looking for teams to play on in both NJ and NY.

They all say they are great but I have found must of them are bad to ordinary :-) But it sounds like you need bodies now so check it out.

I believe and this even goes for you most likely. If you got some serious players and a coach who was serious about the game. Most of your guys that are already on the team as of now would not be playing much. Then the grass is greener on the other side of the street isn't so green any more. Then you guys would wish the old days were back.

Because a serious coach would not give a shiit if your guys got playing time or not. He wants dedication in practice, and wins for the team. Which probably means get rid of your old players, and bring in new players with more skill and much more dedication.

Richie

[ToddP25]

Richie has valid points but, my experience is...guys are playing to win AND have fun.....

You need players.....you need guys that want to play....it is cyclical.....guys that are being jerk offs are the first to get dropped when you start getting more bodies, regardless of skill level.

West Orange armory is a good place to find players too....they run indoors leagues most of the year.....I bet you would have a decent shot of finding a few players.

Also, my team (if we stay together) will be moving up to the over 30 division......I heard a few other teams are disbanding too.....you might some luck with guys in the area that don't have a team right now.

[champmanager]

Since you've been through this for a season, and haven't mentioned this problem, you've probably settled it: money.
Noone wants to commit until they see if your guys are any good. And they'll put off putting money up until they have to. And if you're short-handed, you're likely to put off getting hard-assed with them, since you need them to show up next week.
My experience with this is quite limited, but if your team is as bad as you make it sound, I'd open the door for people who aren't very good -- and make them lay the cash on the table. If you can find better players, you can put them on a payment plan or whatever.
Of course, you must realise that when the good players see how bad your bad players are, they're gonna wanna run and hide.
This is an interesting discussion, I wish someone would go to the trouble of keeping it up.

I've never played on a team which practices, and I'm guessing its pretty rare for men's teams except at the highest levels...and even then, its probably more or less optional. Your practices, most likely, should be simple small-sided scrimmage games. If your guys aren't playing pickup games on the side, that's the best practice their is. And if you're lucky enough to have a good player who's playing regularly on the playground, you don't need him to come to practice.