Finding the right team

How do you know if you've found the right team. We've checked a few teams out but nothing seems right - before we sign our soccer life away how do we know we are on the right team?

I found out via text message.

Guest play on that team. Honestly and critically observe your DD's performance as a team and individual player relative to the others. Ask your DD this question, "Do you fit in?" If 'Yes', then sign without worry. If 'No', keep searching.

SoccerPsycho wrote:How do you know if you've found the right team. We've checked a few teams out but nothing seems right - before we sign our soccer life away how do we know we are on the right team?

What a great question. Is the coach both a student and teacher of the game? Is he or she growing with the team, meeting the players where they are and not where he or she wants them to be? Are the practices organized? Developmental? Both technically and tactically thoughtful? Are the players engaged? Learning? Enjoying the game and each other? Are the parents supportive yet calm? Do they get along with each other? Ultimately, you likely won't know, not definitively anyway, but if it feels wrong now...

ZenFutbol wrote:

SoccerPsycho wrote:How do you know if you've found the right team. We've checked a few teams out but nothing seems right - before we sign our soccer life away how do we know we are on the right team?

What a great question. Is the coach both a student and teacher of the game? Is he or she growing with the team, meeting the players where they are and not where he or she wants them to be? Are the practices organized? Developmental? Both technically and tactically thoughtful? Are the players engaged? Learning? Enjoying the game and each other? Are the parents supportive yet calm? Do they get along with each other? Ultimately, you likely won't know, not definitively anyway, but if it feels wrong now...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5aW08ivHU

SoccerPsycho wrote:How do you know if you've found the right team. We've checked a few teams out but nothing seems right - before we sign our soccer life away how do we know we are on the right team?

If your coach promised your DD a starting spot.

Seriously my dd first year in club we went with a team and while it didn't feel perfect there was so much we didn't know it worked out perfectly for my dd. Sometimes you just have to take a chance. If you don't have tons of time with a coach or team it's hard to know if it's the right team for the next year.

Go with the team where your dd appeared to be fitting in and you like how the coach interacts with the players.

Good luck

My personal opinion is to find the right coach, make sure your dd is challenged but doesn't struggle at the teams current developmental stage, then make sure your dd gets along with the girls and you get along with the parents. Club name, ranking and even practice location (to a certain extent) are secondary.

I 100% agree w/ mommabear on this one. Your dd's ability to learn & develop w/ the coach and the players & additionally be able to gel w/ the team on & off the field will make the entire experience. Make sure they are challenged, yet not frustrated. Rankings won't matter if the player doesn't fit or is unhappy...they won't grow in that environment. Look at all the factors for sure.

coachr wrote:

SoccerPsycho wrote:How do you know if you've found the right team. We've checked a few teams out but nothing seems right - before we sign our soccer life away how do we know we are on the right team?

If your coach promised your DD a starting spot.

LOL

That's a sure sign she'll be riding the bench after the first two games!

Good luck, this is the magic question that many have not found the answer. It's a dice roll as many times you will receive the used car sales pitch.

Oh maaaannnn! A parent has to be supportive AND calm? I'm gonna have to trash all my noise makers, mega phones, boom boxes, etc. and retire them! This just sucks!!!

InaB wrote:Oh maaaannnn! A parent has to be supportive AND calm? I'm gonna have to trash all my noise makers, mega phones, boom boxes, etc. and retire them! This just sucks!!!

Calm is relative.

It really depends on what you are looking for in a team. I think to find an answer to your question you have to answer a few questions yourself.

What are the priorities for you and your DD? Developement, Stability, Playing time....?

What do you want your DD to get out of the experience? Nurture her competitive drive, develope and enhance her individual skills, have fun...?

How much BS are you willing to deal with? A lot, look at teams in LHGCL with quite a bit of turnover. Moderate, look at PLano and LHGCL that have only a need for a couple of players. None, go Rec.

Just because your DD developes an instant connection with the girls doesn't always mean it is a perfect fit. If mid season your DD is hardly seeing the field and you are not seeing her able to keep up with her teammates in practices and the coach hardly says a word to her the honeymoon will definitely be over.

In short, you will never really know. Do some research, try some teams and speak with some parents, preferably over some Margaritas.