"03 girls playing time on a top ten team, need advice

The largest frustration is the amount of playing time she is not getting! grrrr....

for the first two to three years she has to play. Now some will say to make sure she plays against good, strong competition and that is fair. In addition she should play with players at or above her level. To me number one thought is playing time and she can get on a team she likes, you all fit with and she will play 70 to 80% then go for it

Every team in DFW is holding open practices right now. Assess your family situation first (does the team need to be in a certain location? Or practice on certain dates?). Most teams will list on their website the location and days of practice. Go from there. Contact the coach or managers and attend some other practices. Guest at some tournaments. Development is key for your daughter for the next few years - and playing time and a good coach are two very important factors there. She may very well be much, much happier being a big fish in a little pond and getting a lot of playing time on a team that is ranked say 35 - 45. At this age, the kids around your daughter don't make her a better soccer player. They may be able to make her look better at certain times in a game with a good play, but they don't make her a better player. The right coach, the right practice routine, and getting the ample amount of playing time to constantly work through situations will make her a better player. There are enough talented players in the DFW area, that no matter where your daughter ends up playing select, she will get tested and pushed to develop. Again, as long as she is getting ample playing time and a good coach.

it depends on what she wants from soccer. If she wants to push herself and get as good as she can. Leave her there and tell her to work harder and earn her playinging time. If she just wants to play and isn't that serious then take her to a team she can actually play on.

It depends on the coach's belief in her. Does he really believe she will get better? Does he coach the heck out of her and expect more out of her? When she comes out of a game, is he coaching her for another minute or two to tell her what he expects next shift? When a coach doesn't expect more, doesn't help the kid with special attention to get her over the hump, he has mentally put her on HIS bench for life.... time for an exit.

Young players get frustrated and burn out faster if they do not get to play much. Find a team where she will play more than half the game and still enjoys her teammates and coach. Make sure she is happy but still being challenged to develop throughout the year. You all need to find a good balance between fighting for playing time and being the best player on the team. Good luck

I think Fourtexans hit it right on the nail, she may be on a top 10 team that is winning but individually she's not getting the experience needed to be a better player that comes with playing time. A good coach and a decent 35 to 45 ranked that is going to give her more playing time would better suits her confidence knowing that she's contributing to the wins. Right now she may be feeling that she's not good enough but once she starts playing more somewhere else she'll breakout and push even harder to stay on the field.
Good Luck!

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