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Soccerboy,
Their are many SC players who would perform as well as any of the top players from the states you've mentioned if they were picked up and put on those teams.
No question, SC is at a numerical disadvantage but to conclude the top players don't have the ability to be competitive with players in those states is selling our players short.
The mind is a very powerful thing and I'm sure we can all agree that in virtually every case a top player is just that because he/she gets to the ball sooner, finishes the shot with fewer touches, defends with more urgency, makes the follow-up run after the pass, creates space and just plain wants to win more than the other guy.
We have plenty of players who have every bit of the technical ability and tactical awareness of top players around the country. The one thing SC players have to understand is they MUST do the extraordinary things to win and to get noticed because they are coming from a state known for having a smaller pool of talent.
I believe desire & always finding a way to take your game to another level is the answer to improving the outcome at every age level. Keep it simple and focus on the issues that cause the failure to advance and you'll see huge improvement across the board.
Imagine. Believe. Achieve.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 824
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If you read what I wrote, I didn't say that there wouldn't be great players in smaller states, but there will be a numerical disadvantage. They will most likely have far fewer great players. But like I said before....if you have a number of high level players playing against each other all of the time, they will drive their skills to the next level. Look up how many academy teams there are in Chicago alone, and then look up how many academy teams there are in SC. Thats one city, VS one state. I'm telling you it is a numbers thing. I will have to look up the statistics and get back to you later....but it is definately seen by the teams that make it to nationals!
If you are going to argue a point, at least get factual information to back up your side.....
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Quote:
If you read what I wrote, I didn't say that there wouldn't be great players in smaller states, but there will be a numerical disadvantage. They will most likely have far fewer great players. But like I said before....if you have a number of high level players playing against each other all of the time, they will drive their skills to the next level. Look up how many academy teams there are in Chicago alone, and then look up how many academy teams there are in SC. Thats one city, VS one state. I'm telling you it is a numbers thing. I will have to look up the statistics and get back to you later....but it is definately seen by the teams that make it to nationals!
No question it's a numbers game and we are at a numerical disadvantage. Acknowledging that doesn't solve the problem, but it does shine a bright light on the issue of how many players there are to pull from. Our players must find a way to be more successful. That means they must make the decision on a personal level to demand more from their teammates and from themselves during training and matches.
Imagine. Believe. Achieve.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Quote:
Marcus,
I don't think there is one answer. I think quantity of quality players has a lot to do with it. I think without a doubt that politics/effective coach lobbying plays a part in it.
Let me give you a very specific example at my sons age group (Club 93, ODP 94).
Last year at ODP there was 1 kid from SCSA in the 94 paper pool and he was a kid who just came over to SCSA...played at CUFC and was a backup. Moves to SCSA and makes paper pool.
3 really, really good players at CUFC did not.....2 of those 3 moved over to SCSA (1 in between Fall and Spring season) and those 2 kids both made region pool this summer. 1 of their dads flat out told me....that this was a factor in their moving. He was told.....that his son would get help moving if he played there.
Whether real or perceived....there was an belief/understanding that being at that Club would help push his kid over the top from a region perspective.
Now....those kids are really good players who deserve whatever they get. But real help or imagined.....aren't the coincidences interesting?
still not buying the club connection.which club you play for may get you on the state team but it isnt helping at odp region camp.on the girls side.again,if club association helps then why are the top 2 nc teams and the ga teams not having more girls held over.
we talk about sc teams not getting the attention.4 girls got into pool games for the 92s so i guess they did got some looks.how many girls from all sc age groups got into pool games?
Last edited by Marcus Aurelius; 07/20/08 12:24 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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we talk about getting noticed in club should help you with odp but i thought that is what the ESP camp is all about. they see the better players from the club teams during league play and invite them to ESP camp not invite them to odp camp.
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hat-trick
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hat-trick
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I'm witya Soccerboy.
Manchester.....its not about the top players working harder, not IMO. Again....top 15 kids in the region are in. Its players 16-40 or 50.....
Those players need the structure, the work rate, the coaching and yes.......the lobbying...to push up into the top 20-25.
My son was hurt and missed virtually the whole camp. He worked his tail off to "show out" and prove that he belonged...only to have a camp injury from about 3 weeks prior flare up in the first 10 minutes of the first game.
These kids get a 4 day window.....and then it closes and its wait till next year. Other kids.....busted their butts and maybe didn't get hurt...but didn't get on the field at the right time or whatever. Maybe the window for them was a 15 minute stretch of 1 game and the game didn't flow for/thru them.
Its life. But to simply reduce the SC problem in general and in particular for girls to......kids simply have to train harder isn't really fair. Could be appropriate for some....grossly over-simplistic for a lot of others.
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corner kick
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corner kick
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There may be some luck involved but most players make their own luck - so for alot of kids it's like everything else in life - being in the right place at the right time. The true luck comes when the ODP region coaches are watching when you are in and getting touches on the ball.
I definitely agree with this statement Big Daddy - "kids simply have to train harder isn't really fair. Could be appropriate for some....grossly over-simplistic for a lot of others."
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hat-trick
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hat-trick
Joined: Jan 2006
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But if we developed a reputation of poor play or always finishing in the cellar.The region coaches keep walking on by to go see the Texas/Georgia game..How do you get them to take notice? Just because the teams are not as strong or quick as others does not mean that there are not some quality players..Just not as many..Are we going to ask them to carry a whole team on their backs? That's not fair either
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Joined: Feb 2005
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world cup
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world cup
Joined: Feb 2005
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cht,
Correct...we need someone to speak up on behalf of our best players. I don't know how the process works but I'll take a guess:
1. A member of Region III coaching staff assigned to the age group asks the coach of the South Carolina team for two or three players that they should keep an eye on.
2. A member of the Region III coaching staff asks the team trainer (who is form another state) who is assigned to work with the South Carolina team, who the best couple of players are.
3. A member of the Region III staff watches these players during games and training sessions. In the games, South Carolina is generally pitted against the other weaker states from Region III so if these "SC stars" are to be considered, they better be going through the competition like a hot knife through butter. They really need to dominate the game and have a physical presence.
I'm not sure if this scenario is right, but it's basically what I got from another state's DOC.
Kids play sports because they find it fun. Eliminate the fun and soon you eliminate the kid.
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hat-trick
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hat-trick
Joined: Jan 2006
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Sounds pretty good to me..Another question would be how does the state measures it's success with the ODP program?
Four age groups and one player held over? A sign of success? If not..How will the state approach this system this December? Business as usual and cross your fingers and hope or seek those out that has had success and ask for their insight..No head hunting here but why not ask for help with a program that is not producing? I do not believe the program is going to grow numbers with these results.
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