Where to Start

Background: My daughter has played soccer for LHSA since she was 3. She turned 6 last December so I assume she is an 07. She really enjoys playing and has been to several skills camps include SMU and UK Elite. She has expressed a big interest in playing keeper but has not played the position as she is only playing 4vs4. What I can say is that she is definitely a defensive player.

I am looking to further develop her skills and it seems academy is in her future, but having played club soccer AGES ago, I know one bad coach can ruin her passion. Also, location is important. I'm in the White Rock area of Dallas and don't want to drive hours to get to practice.

What are the next steps? And if it's academy, how do you know which one to choose that will further develop her passion, not kill it?

Sorry for the long post, but thought I would answer some questions before they were asked.

Find the right coach with a good attitude. Look at the parents and how the kids get along.
go to http://www.liverpoolfcamerica.com and click on teams to find a girls 07 group closest to you.

Completely agree that finding the right coach is the most important. Check out mustangs at www.mustangsfc.com. Carl Bussey, the DOC and head coach of several teams, has a very strong track record with multiple D I and D II teams He and several of his coaches to group trainings at Lakewood Elementary School on Mondays. You may contact Carl directly. His contact information is on the website.

Check out Solar Dallas 07 Girls, great coach with lots of passion.

I like to watch paint dry.

DoubleDDRedux wrote:I like to watch paint dry.

on my snake

voyageant wrote:Background: My daughter has played soccer for LHSA since she was 3. She turned 6 last December so I assume she is an 07. She really enjoys playing and has been to several skills camps include SMU and UK Elite. She has expressed a big interest in playing keeper but has not played the position as she is only playing 4vs4. What I can say is that she is definitely a defensive player.

I am looking to further develop her skills and it seems academy is in her future, but having played club soccer AGES ago, I know one bad coach can ruin her passion. Also, location is important. I'm in the White Rock area of Dallas and don't want to drive hours to get to practice.

What are the next steps? And if it's academy, how do you know which one to choose that will further develop her passion, not kill it?

Sorry for the long post, but thought I would answer some questions before they were asked.

Just went through this in last 12 months with my 07...made mistakes...so here's what I know.

The advice I received here was to go see the coach at practice and games when they don't know your watching. Didn't do this, and a mistake was made. Second go round, the coach was vetted before hand. 5 of our parents saw him in action during a game, another at a skills session. He is(4 months later) exactly what we saw, good teacher, great with girls, doesn't yell at them(the brow beating type of yelling, he may raise his voice so they hear him during a game while playing, but totally different). With girls right there, never has raised his voice. During warmups he was even teaching technique.

Some clubs were out of the picture based on what time they practice. 5pm is not good for my family so practice time matters. Day of the week matters(to some) due to other children. The drive is also something that should be considered.

Best advice I received and didn't follow, originally, was to watch them in action to see if that is the coach/mentor/role model you want for your dd.

Curious. How long before you realized the first coach was a bad choice? Were you the only one that left the club or did others follow? Was there any discussion with the coach prior to leaving?

What are the next steps? And if it's academy, how do you know which one to choose that will further develop her passion, not kill it?

Just take her out to practices and see if she has fun. You might need to bring a friend along for your DD. Maybe there is another family that wants to explore academies as well.

Sting has a Central division that is not far from you. Rockets is a smaller club that is in your area as well.

Don't start!! It's an addiction that will drain your wallet and time! I really couldnt imagine if I would have started my DD when she was 6. I thought 8 was early lol

All kidding aside it better be damn fun for her to start this early and not be burned out by the time she is 10.