Post by shreve/magnet pops on Feb 5, 2017 13:10:30 GMT -6
Funny how everything that hall said was spot on 7 years later. I have the pleasure watching his boy play 4 years for club, school, & in college, now.
It's a dumb rule- there is still no real solution for kids whom are younger to get developed by a club or a school. Both of them restrict the development of young players unless they are academy kids. Hence, why in the US we will continue to struggle until our programs match other countries. We are hung up on ages & Divisions versus can you play!! Could you image a pro club saying- we got this kid Messi- he's a player. Coach says but he's only 16. What? He can ball. In US, he would be stuck in u-17.
A few real perspective:
I grew up in a small rural area in Ohio. I played soccer at 11 with 17 year olds. We had 1 team in the town that went from 11-18. We all had to play up to make 1 u-18 team to play rec.& tourneys. When an 18 year old stoped playing, we would get another 11-12 year old. If you wanted to play, you played on this 1 team. Our roster was like 15 kids max. sure, I got pushed around Like all smaller kids -NO MATTER AGE. I mastered the flop! Moving to MS, in the 80's- was a huge step back. I played within the structure- junior high soccer was a total bore. I averaged 3 goals a game for 2 years- no mercy rules! I should have been playing high school in 7th grade. My play decreased to my team's & club's lower level. I started playing football & baseball for the challenge. Too late to learn these & continued with soccer. I went from being recruited by IU's Jerry Yeagley at 15- to falling off the map. I know it was all on ME as a player but I can say that my competition didn't challenge me to develop. No sour grapes. Got to play in D3 college & get a wonderful education!!
Another- I have several friends that were drafted out of high school to play pro baseball at 17. They had offers at 15. I don't think they said- your only 18- it's about can you play! I understand they were in minors for years to develop but that is baseball's structure. Some skipped college to do it.
Why is this ok for other sports but soccer decides to restrict players development? I think this may also be a reason that a ton of 15-17 year olds get bored & stop playing- like I attempted. In other high sports, the drive gets stronger & in soccer it wanes?
Could it be that players are not challenged & move to other challenges!! It's too easy & not a challenge in my division.
It's a dumb rule- there is still no real solution for kids whom are younger to get developed by a club or a school. Both of them restrict the development of young players unless they are academy kids. Hence, why in the US we will continue to struggle until our programs match other countries. We are hung up on ages & Divisions versus can you play!! Could you image a pro club saying- we got this kid Messi- he's a player. Coach says but he's only 16. What? He can ball. In US, he would be stuck in u-17.
A few real perspective:
I grew up in a small rural area in Ohio. I played soccer at 11 with 17 year olds. We had 1 team in the town that went from 11-18. We all had to play up to make 1 u-18 team to play rec.& tourneys. When an 18 year old stoped playing, we would get another 11-12 year old. If you wanted to play, you played on this 1 team. Our roster was like 15 kids max. sure, I got pushed around Like all smaller kids -NO MATTER AGE. I mastered the flop! Moving to MS, in the 80's- was a huge step back. I played within the structure- junior high soccer was a total bore. I averaged 3 goals a game for 2 years- no mercy rules! I should have been playing high school in 7th grade. My play decreased to my team's & club's lower level. I started playing football & baseball for the challenge. Too late to learn these & continued with soccer. I went from being recruited by IU's Jerry Yeagley at 15- to falling off the map. I know it was all on ME as a player but I can say that my competition didn't challenge me to develop. No sour grapes. Got to play in D3 college & get a wonderful education!!
Another- I have several friends that were drafted out of high school to play pro baseball at 17. They had offers at 15. I don't think they said- your only 18- it's about can you play! I understand they were in minors for years to develop but that is baseball's structure. Some skipped college to do it.
Why is this ok for other sports but soccer decides to restrict players development? I think this may also be a reason that a ton of 15-17 year olds get bored & stop playing- like I attempted. In other high sports, the drive gets stronger & in soccer it wanes?
Could it be that players are not challenged & move to other challenges!! It's too easy & not a challenge in my division.