Level of Competition in Rec Soccer

Just curious....
Are there differing levels of rec soccer across the metroplex?

Or in other words, what rec association would have the strongest teams, in general.

None, do your Hmwk get into a developemental Academy with good coaching and sit back and let her work her way through the ranks.

#9156 wrote:Just curious....
Are there differing levels of rec soccer across the metroplex?

Or in other words, what rec association would have the strongest teams, in general.

Indeed. Get your daughter tied into the club system as soon as possible; then sit back and watch the money drain out of your bank account while she becomes just an average player (like all the rest of them) by around 8th grade.

I've seen some pretty surprisingly good rec teams in Frisco, McKinney, and Plano. A lot of them are run by coaches who know what they are doing but don't want the pains of select play. How else can one explain the regularity with which a kid has played "just rec" for her first 4-5 years and then gets a spot on a team with one of the big clubs when she decides to "move up" a level? There is way more to life than select play, and a lot of these poor girls have spent thousands of hours being trained by "professionals" but they really aren't very good players at all.

yeah, sit on a rec team until she is in 8th grade. Their are some good developemental academy,s out their led by good people. Visit them all, do,your research on the coach, evaluate the parent group, watch the training session, make sure the philosophy for their young players is developed around small sided games, futsal, and 3v3. Yes it will cost you but you can do without so that your DD can have. Or, you can be put into a rec system pool of players and just maybe you will be put with one of these great rec coaches.

Valjoux13 wrote:
Indeed.  Get your daughter tied into the club system as soon as possible; then sit back and watch the money drain out of your bank account while she becomes just an average player (like all the rest of them) by around 8th grade.  

It's a small miracle if they are still playing in 8th grade.

It's a big miracle if they are still playing club in 9th grade.

There are probably a handful of rec teams in every program that would be competitive in Arlington/Plano and possibly LHGCL D3. DESA (Dallas East Soccer Association) probably has the most teams that could make the transition. Rec costs approximately $80 a season (fall and spring seasons) and this may include a jersey and ball. DESA's home field is Hobby at NW Highway and Garland Road. Watch the Tournament of Champions which invites the #1 team in each league/age bracket from Texas to play. There is some competitive play. You have to get permission to transfer out of your zip code/local rec league. Most leagues will grant the transfer, but one usually does not. Most serious players go select by 6th grade in LHSA. Since there are usually not enough teams in most rec leagues by middle school/high school, the rec leagues have an interleague group where they play. Things have changed so much in the last 5 years. If your dd wants to play at a high level/college, get her on the best fit, highest level team she can play on - early. Then cross your fingers she doesn't get hurt or burned out. A lot of the rec co-ed teen league players are club players who want to have fun with the game, play with friends, dress in silly uniforms and try moves/positions they might not be allowed to try in club or are reluctant to try at club.

Coach wrote:It's a big miracle if they are still playing club in 9th grade.

It'll be a bigger miracle if I have any money left by the 9th grade.

Not sure why this thing appeared to go negative. In my experience, REQ U11 and above is very much hit and miss with a good team hear and there, no one REC Association to point to as far as being consistently good.

But to this day the TOC U10 REC Championship is one of the best soccer Events in the Metro-Plex. One of my proudest moments as a soccer dad was watching and cheering the DDs Lady Aztecs team to the TOC Championship back at U10. That was the flagship team at Lady Aztecs. The Club started from that team. Girls 99 team back at GSA (Garland)

Reffing the TOC over the years, not surprisingly, Frisco usually has a contender for the TOC U10 title.