Wasn't there, but I don't think it was a case of committing on the spot. It was likely more of a case of rushing to get a commitment before the May 1 deadline (when the rules are changing). Still, pretty shady.
But what family commits before an offer is extended. Nothing like turning over all of the leverage to the coach. Yikes. Terrible of the coach to even ask that.
How are ID camps affected by the new rules? It would seem an easy loophole to exploit? Are coaches still allowed to send out camp invites to 9th and 10th graders? Can those same players attend and interact with the coaches on campus?
coaches can still send out camp invites. They can also still obviously have camp and interact with the kids at camp. Just at camp they can't discuss offers or express any interest in the kid attending school there.
What's the problem with girls playing high school ? (or boys for that matter). it's the only way long term to grow the sport beyond households with >150K income. Best I can tell, even if a third of the kids play high school that still leaves 16 kids to play on the GDA/DA roster. short sighted to ban high school; optional makes rational sense as long as the club knows, has enough bodies etc... Some GDA clubs are worse than some of the best high school teams. (particularly for freshman/sophomores that start on a decent varsity program) And there are some USSF A coaches that are horrible.
A frequent practice around here (San Diego County) is for hs juniors or seniors to quit their DA teams and enroll in a local competitive club that takes a break during HS season, once they have their college plans sewn up and realize they are not going to be called up for National Team duty at any age. Especially if their HS team is one of the better ones around.
That practice is not unique to the San Diego area. It happens a lot in the Midwest also - Chicagoland, Ohio, Michigan, etc. High school soccer is pretty big in the Midwest. Many kids this year have left the GDA and gone to ECNL clubs. Many more are intending to do that next year. The GDA is really hurting in the Midwest with a lot of really middling teams. I'm not sure that the league will remain viable in the future. US Soccer really underestimated the draw of high school soccer.
Likewise in the Carolina region. Players are leaving the GDA after the fall season to play high school in the spring, particularly in their senior year. By departing GDA they are also freed up to play in other leagues like the WPSL vs. college players, or compete vs. boys if that opportunity exists. Players are also leaving the GDA after the fall season more frequently now to enroll in college early and benefit from the spring college training and games.