June 1st-looking and need advice

DD's team is no longer a good fit, so it's time for her to look around.  Personally, we’ve never had to do this, and so the process seems daunting. What kinds of questions should I be asking coaches before/after attending practices or guest playing?  I know each coach is different but I’ve heard so many stories of coaches stringing players along promising them a spot and then ‘not having room’ for them at the last minute…commonplace or just bad luck?  How can that be avoided? Feeling there is plenty to be wary of but not sure what to watch for  Any advice is appreciated! My daughter is an '00 if that makes any difference...

Uncanny wrote:DD's team is no longer a good fit, so it's time for her to look around.  Personally, we’ve never had to do this, and so the process seems daunting. What kinds of questions should I be asking coaches before/after attending practices or guest playing?  I know each coach is different but I’ve heard so many stories of coaches stringing players along promising them a spot and then ‘not having room’ for them at the last minute…commonplace or just bad luck?  How can that be avoided? Feeling there is plenty to be wary of but not sure what to watch for  Any advice is appreciated! My daughter is an '00 if that makes any difference...

Best advice I can give is this.......Do not feel that you need to find a team by July 1st. IMO one month is not near long enough to be sure you found the right place. Take your time and visit as many teams as you can until you find the right place. Good luck.

My advice, check your network. What dad's do you know on other 00 teams...that you can trust? Also, does your dd know kids at school or church that she could talk to...or introduce you to her dad? If you are looking at a large club, you could try calling the DOC (director of coaching).

Do you have a good relationship with your current coach? If you do, that might be very worthwhile. I'm quite sure he/she would be more than willing to give you some suggestions.

If you've been at this for a few years (unless you just moved here this year) you should know how some of the teams in your league play. Also, you can check the upcoming in town tournaments. That might be a great place to watch teams/coaches and do a little networking.

Here's a random thought, and one I'll probably get a lot of ribbing for...but if you go to a tournament, maybe ask a ref. I get very frustrated at quite a lot of them, but you never know. Whether you are looking for a new job, or finding a new team it never hurts to turn over every rock possible.

We soccer parents have either been there or will be in the future. Best of luck to you and your DD!.

Attend some practices.

Do the other players show on time? This is a good gauge of team discipline.
Do the players seem happy and joke around together? How structured is the practice? How long have the existing players been attached to the team. Teams with good long term retention are usually healthy places to be.

Most important: try to guest play with the team. You will learn a lot about coaches, players, & parents during competitive play. After the guest play, request a conference with the coach regarding his/her assessment of your player's strengths & weaknesses.

I agree with Mia and several others. First and foremost, you need to know how your DD reacts to the coach and the team. You have to obtain feedback from the coach on what he likes/doesn't like (yes to both). You have to talk to team parents to understand the workings of the team and parents (if you are told something like "we have a very strong core of girls who have been with the team forever, and we are rebuilding with girls who fit better," that could be a warning sign). And remember, go early and go often - research and find several teams who might be a fit and go back more than twice. Its like dating, people tend to be really on their toes the first couple of dates.

If the coach gives you good constructive feedback after practice and gives your DD good constructive feedback during practice then that should be a team you continue to practice with.

Just remember that you and your DD are going through a job interview. As much as you are checking them out the team/coach is checking you out. Your DD needs to go out and show them what they would miss out on. She needs to take in any advice and act on it. She needs to always, always, always put her best foot forward. She needs to show what she has to offer that no other player can do the same way.

Anyone who has to find another team needs to justreference back to this reply up above. I can't quote on mobile but That is great advice INaB

There is quite a bit of good advice above. Having done this a few times with my multiple kids/players, one suggestion I would make would be to go out and scout and observe practices and/or matches without anyone on the team you are looking at knowing you are there (if possible). This can be time consuming, however, it allows you to observe how the team and coach behave "normally" without either side "auditioning".