SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP U-13 Boys Challenge

GVLSoccerDad,

That's why I specifically pointed out "The following is the case ONLY for the U13 Boys Challenge Division."

The CESA U13 Classic team plays in the Classic Division.

Also, Bridge FA does not field any teams in the Classic Division, so if I stayed with only the Challenge Division, it's easier for comparison purposes.

Hurst,

Good point � I had not considered what their decisions did to the the state U-12 league. But, I contend that the State U-12 league is neither of these team�s responsibility.

I do not have anything written down from a year ago, but from what I remember, the Bridge FA 92 Boys Red team (they were SSC, and I�m not even sure what their name was) were beating teams regularly by double-digit margins. As there appeared to be nothing to make anybody think that the Fall season would be any different, I believe the coach made the only intelligent choice he could. Why would he subject his players (and opponents) to that? Absolutely no one would have gained from another season of games like those.

You mentioned splitting up the team and making two teams (you actually mentioned 2 teams splitting to make 4, but I am going to focus on the Bridge team now). Other than the U-12 league, who would benefit from this, and how?

The only way individuals, or teams, can get better is to continue to challenge themselves. I watched that team play several games � there basically was no challenge. The state was letting THEM down. These players were ready to learn the 11v11 game. And, as I stated, I believe their record has shown they were ready.

When I said �It seems pretty clear they both made wise decisions to move up,� I was using the following scenario. You have a team that has found basically no competition within the entire state. Upcoming season�.do you continue playing against these same teams, with most likely the same result, or do you take a chance, challenge yourself and your players, and play up � older boys, bigger fields, longer games. The coach gambled on moving up. Using my scenario, I feel it�s pretty clear they made a wise decision.

Oh, yeah, one more thing (as if I have not rambled long enough) if that team had played in the U12 Division, they would NOT have been a Bridge FA team, as the Bridge FA only fields Challenge teams, U13 and up. The coach of that team watched and/or coached most of those boys from their soccer �infancy.� I can see where he might have a dificult time just telling them �it�s been great, but see ya.�

Belligerent,

Good point on keeping the team at Challenge level, it keeps the Bridge FA philsophy consistent. I can see your options were limited.

If you just pulled over the Summerville team and your idea was to keep them intact, then yes, you wouldn't have had a pool large enough to make two 8v8 teams. And you are right....that Summerville team was very, very good.

You are obvioulsy not in agreement with USYSA or USSF's philosophy of playing 8v8 at the U-12 level. I'm sure the boys benefited from playing up against bigger, stronger competition. They probably got more out of this than the supposed "extra touches" they would have gotten at 8v8.

I have to call you out on your first statement though....that the state U-12 league is neither of these team's (clubs) responsibility. I hope you are limiting this opinion to just the U-12 league and not the whole SC Challenge and SC Classic leagues which are overseen by SCYSA.

We all need to be good citizens and play nice together ;>)

Belligerent...my mistake...as usual I read to fast and missed some of the details.

Hurst,

Actually, I don't really have too much of an opinion one way or the other about 8v8 vs 11v11. I can see both sides, but I think more importantly is the level of the boys you are working with. If that particular team had more (or any) competition, I would say that they should have stayed down.

Okay, I will back down a tad. I feel the coach's FIRST responsibility would be to his players, while keeping in mind the needs of the larger community (the State). If there is a good compromise, great - otherwise, your own players come first.

Oh, BTW, not sure if you are just being general, but neither Bridge team is "mine." I just happen to know some of the "players" involved.

Compromise is key.

I never meant to infer that the team was yours....I just figured you were associated with the program.

Congrats.....that's a very good team you have. I wish TCSC would have the opportunity to give you a match with a full arsenal (like I said earlier, some of those weapons have migrated north over the border).

I think the Bridge fa red was called the SSC revolution and last year they played U S club soccer and a non-state sanctioned league that I believe was run out of Myrtle Beach.I do not know what kind of competition they saw but it was not from a recognized league as far as the state was concerned.This is why they did not play up and play in state finals last year.The coach still could of coached these boys if they stayed under the SSC umbrella. The coach works for both SSC and Bridge...Very talented group of young men and they show alot of promise..

CHT, I believe you are correct on all counts.

Both of these teams are very good and compete exceptionally well at the U-13 age group. However, I have noticed that when playing these physically smaller teams that the parents may take offense when a "bigger" kid plays physical. In addition, the refs are more likely to give instructions to the "bigger" kid as opposed to the smaller boy. I am not saying there is or has been any unfair advantage given but at times I have seen the "bigger" kid back off a ball do to the smaller stature of a team playing up. What happens when one of these smaller kids gets hurt under fair play conditions, that are physical,...the larger kid is made out to be the so called bully. Is that right when soccer is considered a contact sport?

Hurst,

Great play on words......and ya got me. After having played the '93 Bridge/Summerville team twice last year at 8 a side and just a few months ago in 3 v 3, no chance that adding the four erstwhile '93 York County lads to Tega Cay would change anything.

Bridge are very, very good with 2-3 kids where the sky is the limit. We went to the Disney 3 v 3 Nationals and I didn't see 1 kid there that I would take over Bridge's 2-3.

I can't imagine anyone from SC other than CESA hanging with that team. Maybe a unified team from metro Columbia.

Playing up is their only real choice. I can't wait to play them next year at 11 a side.