Finishing up indoor rec session. Could start a new one. AND / OR Go to a more "legit" outdoor club. The indoor coach is nice. Good with kids. But he doesn't teach much actual skill. I feel that young kids should be learning technical skills. Getting comfortable with the ball. Yes, I know, we can and do do that at home, but would also be nice to have a more experienced coach/trainer providing guidance. I would feel kinda bad to not sign up again; will probably hurt his feelings. Is there any harm in having a kid under a coach that pushes sort of a very basic/direct version of soccer? I feel it could be instilling a subpar mindset. Other parents have also complained about their kids not learning much year to year. Move on? Or join a more advanced club as the primary, yet also stay on the rec team just "for fun" and augmented play?
How old is your player and how much does he/she like the sport? Are they doing other activities? Do you have other u littles that you need to manage as well? Lots of questions... Just a note - rec programs may not have clauses that state a travel player cannot participate in Rec play so doing both - if your player really enjoys it and you have the time may be an option to get on with a professional coach while using rec to play with friends in a more relaxed atmosphere.
I believe OP's son is 6. Around here, travel starts at U8 & U9 (cheaper than "normal" travel and fewer games). Is the only reason you'd do the indoor again as to not upset the coach? I think that's a poor reason. I'm not sure why there would be another indoor season starting in the middle of April. Our outdoor seasons started a couple of weeks ago. Based on what you've posted in the past, I'd look and see if there are U8/U9 "academy" teams as part of a travel club. Find out the costs, travel requirements, etc and see if it fits. If so, go ahead and tryout (although it might be a "no cut" age group). You're almost automatically going to be with kids/families who ARE dedicated to the sport (maybe not as much as you are, but more so than families who just want to get their child some exercise). If there are no academy teams (or he's not eligible), I think it's a toss up between outdoor "rec" and another indoor season. I like outdoor simply to be out in the sun/weather. As I normally suggest though, talk to your son and see what he wants to do.
He'll be 7 in a month. He loves soccer. I think a large part of that is because it's fun (socialize with friends) and also because he's decent at it. He doesn't love doing drills, but likes to play/scrimmage. The past year was weird due to Covid. Last year he did a session at an academy, but they were just doing drills in boxes. No scrimmaging. And he wasn't into it. So I didn't sign up again. But now I think they are doing games/scrimmages so I want to get him signed up with an academy (I'm using "academy" to mean competitive club, is that how you use it? ie a club where their are coaches with more advanced licenses and experience and that feed into colleges and pro academies. But at U6/8 it's not competitive, just technical development for anyone, though I think they have a comp U8 cohort). We just play together casually various sports. He went snowboarding a bunch over the winter. He's not much into baseball but I think wants to play on his friends' team just to socialize. He's not much into tennis. He seems to like flag football and basketball. The indoor team is a random roster mostly. The venue put my kid on the team. But the coach runs a bunch of other teams at all ages (he seems to have his own mini-club). (But actually he needed help so I've been coaching my kid's team, and I'd prefer not to so that I can record my kids games.) Also, there's another rec group we are in that was meeting casually (season was cancelled so they just metup to get some touches in) and they are also basic/direct style. I want my kid to develop his dribbling. All of the rec coaches I know are telling 6 year olds to "pass it" way too much at the expense of dribbling which takes away dribbling development. But the academy last year (more experienced coaches) purely focus on individual skills and that aligns with my philosophy so I think that setting is a better fit.
He'll be 7 next month. I don't know if the U8 here travels. Maybe a little which would be ok. There are maybe 5-7 comp clubs around town; I think some might have a competitive U8 (tryouts) and as well other programs (no-cut). But regardless most of them have good coaching, which is what I'm looking for. Coaches that know the game well, know development at various ages, have watched a lot of European football, etc. No, not just to not upset the coach, that's just one minor reason. The main reason I would not sign up him again is just because I'm not a fan of his development approach (we get along great and he's a great guy, but it's about development). I think he is more into fitness, so too much fitness training, so not enough time with the ball. I would do opposite. Mostly time with the ball, especially with so little practice time (1/wk). But he seems to love having my kid on the team (and my kid enjoys it) so I guess I would just feel kinda bad. The indoor venues here run all year round I think. So I was thinking why not? He can play outdoor and then supplement with indoor. But idk it was just a thought. Thanks for the suggestions. I guess the past couple years it became revealed to me the difference in "quality" let's say of the coaching between rec and comp. I don't think it's a trivial difference.
Reach out to the clubs. See what they have to offer. Get expected costs. Find out if it includes uniforms. Find out how much they practice and how many games they played. When we did "select" at that age group, most games were within an hour. If you have 5-7 clubs near you, they probably all just play each other, so you shouldn't have to travel too much. Nothing wrong with getting information. Also find out what their sign up deadline is (you may have missed it for spring season).
I wouldn't worry if hes 6. Make sure hes having fun, and don't think about this too much. When hes 8 or so look into a club and go form there. You may be limited by many factors (distance, cost, whatever) Just make the choice you think is best and I would not stress over it, especially for a kid who is 6. I coach all my kids before sending them off to club and that was until 8 or al little before. They are all thriving
I agree with @RealChicago, at this point too young to worry too much. Like him, my son played mod soccer rec league through 2nd grade. He played a fall season and then also a spring season. He also played coach pitch baseball in the spring as well. Standard where we live is mod soccer through 3rd grade then at 4th move to the select/premier side of the club. I did ask to play up a year in 3rd grade as I knew physically he could handle it bit more importantly he could mentally. Went back on age play the year after until 8th grade then played up one season. But Chicago is right, Don't worry he will be fine.
And find video of the club's teams on youtube, especially the particular coach. Everyone says the correct buzzwords but a quick venture to youtube or espn3 and we still see 90% of "the best" playing chaotic bootball....
At seven I recommend just playing games in your back yard with him. Make it super fun and build his confidence. I'd also suggest giving him obstacle courses, ball dancing, etc.... DO NOT DO TRAVEL.... not yet. There would be no benefit to it at all. Play in local rec. leagues at that age. Make it fun and see it if sticks.
We play a lot together. But I also want him to be around other kids of similar skill level. And also to get some add'l coaching (from not just me). And I want the coaching to be of good quality - teaching good technique. I think at this age for a kid, it's like learning a language, at young age a kid can easily learn multiple languages - high brain plasticity; and soccer is like a language. But the kid must be exposed to the language daily and use it in order to learn it. Practice twice a week is not nearly enough. I think 3 scrimmages and 3 practice or something like that is ideal.
True outside of parent shot vids. I was putting it out more as in general, when moving from a lower cost to higher cost option...
Perhaps, but this is a quick road to burnout especially with an overbearing parent pushing it (not saying you are, but I have seen it before). Let him play and discover the game. There is much to be learned from free play without a coach as much as there is with a coach. Good luck!
I think burnout is not an issue if the kid is having fun. Look at every other country, the kids play everyday with their friends. So if you keep the vibe like that then they will play for hours having fun, just like they do in France and Brazil and everywhere else except here. That is why our men's team is so weak. Our best players are players like Sergino Dest who actually grew up in Europe playing street ball (and at academy too). And that is why I would do mostly scrimmaging at 5/6/7... and few drills... to keep it fun... and then as they get older gradually work in more drills/deliberate practice. I think we will do a comp club to create a core of good development, and then do a rec team just for fun. I think that is a good balance. And then some 1v1 with dad and pickup games at this one park where there's always kids. And then maybe do flag football this summer.
My kid just started today with a new club, it was just what I was looking for. They did a few drills and a good amount of scrimmaging 4v4 with instructors encouraging 1v1 (ie when kid runs against an opponent they don't yell "pass it" they yell "1v1" - LOVE IT). (was wondering how they're handing covid; the kids wore masks while playing. Though they don't in indoor) I think we'll do this for a couple months and simultaneously another indoor rec session for fun. Thanks for everyone's input. I feel a small weight has been lifted.
I'm glad you've found some place you like. I doubt it's an issue, but when you're looking at other leagues/sessions, make sure you find what their rules are for select players AND make sure the club coach doesn't have a problem. Again, probably not an issue on either end, but just double check.