I have a question for those of you more familiar with the organization of other clubs and the more 'recent' changes in the youth development programs in the state as I haven't exactly been in a position to pay attention to them as I was a youth player myself.
I was one of the last products of the Hungryneck-Era Mount Pleasant teams, but back when I was pre-select in the league, the format was very different than it is now. Ten years ago, U10 players played in an organized coastal league and played 11v11. One year later, all interested parties would try out for the select U11 teams which would play in a state-wide league, again 11v11.
So my first question is does anyone know the reasoning behind changing the developmental leagues in the state and moving to 6v6 and then 8v8, using pool play rather than formed teams, and eliminating state-wide leagues for U11/U12 select and what kind of effect has it had on player/team development?
From the Mount Pleasant standpoint, all the changes since Hungryneck merged with the Rec Dept seem to have sent it on a downward curve in regards to performance. When I played, at least early on, it was a well-regarded club with teams like the Lady Ice (many of whose players I graduated with) and the Fury, with many of the teams winning or taking second place in state cups.
I've recently been involed with the U10 developmental program and it seems too that the changes there are doing little to develop the girls as in competition with like-aged girls of other big clubs, they fall short skill and experience-wise. The developmental teams also typically rely solely on the Coerver training that the club has mandated of their players.
They've also recently decided to move to Academy format for the girls, however, the teams won't have a typical coach, but rather use Coerver for all practices, which, every time I have observed them, consist of some relatively stationary technical movements and then some small drills with a Pugg goal on, say, a 20x10 field and 3/4 v 3/4 games without instruction.
That said, I'm wondering how other clubs handle their U10 developmental programs. I think I remember reading that Mount Pleasant is the only one that uses Coerver, but I'm interested in how the big clubs handle their programs and the benefits/faults of them.
