SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP Player Development - through eyes of a Mother

Great series about a son's journey to play soccer internationally. Very interesting perspective on clubs and player development, even a couple jabs at the national team!

Here are the first 2 of the 5 articles -
Part 1 - Is it broken?
Part 2 - The Egg Drill

Interesting. I found it interesting that her son has played for several different clubs in the past couple of years (YMS, Philadelphia Union Development Academy and now the German club).

Below is a link to the summary version of the new guidelines from US Soccer. These are the guiding principles for training in the Development Academy. I think we're on the right track.

http://resources.ussoccer.com/n7v8b8j3/c...0Curriculum.pdf

Part 3 - http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-socc...tubborn-coaches

HappyDaddy - We are certainly on the right track, Reyna has the right plan in place it's just a matter of execution. Like he discussed at the US Soccer summit, as long as winning is put as a premium over development then a lot of top coaches aren't going to change their coaching and devlopment philosophies.

just read part 4 which brought up a couple questions.
in your experience does club promote/demote the kids appropriately from season to season, or as stated, the kids/parents know they made the team & do the minimum because there will be no consequences?
after the initial pretty lame evaluations, i don't get a sense of meritocracy

Sandman - right there with you. If the kids just get comfortable with their position for the season, what's going to give them the motivation to work harder and try to be the best player possible??

I don't mean to ask a moronic question but what is the Philadelphia Union Development Academy? I don't see a USSF development team by that name. Most, if not all of the other MLS teams have their Academy teams in the USSF program.

I have enjoyed reading the articles.

But something doesn't sound right. The writer just doesn't sound like a dumb soccer mom or dad. Writer seems a little more knowledgeable than a parent with no soccer background.

Also, this young man is my son's age. He seems to have quite a diversity of experiences.....I wonder if the kid can play?

Sorry, no way I send my son as a 10th or 11th grader unescorted, first to Brasil then to Germany. Family must have some cash.

Who are the club coaches in SC that put more emphasis on development rather than just winning games?

couple of names come to mind...Jason Duncan..Andrew Grist and for the love of the game..Craig Brady..