Poaching and Age
Poaching
A common problem in leagues is called poaching. Good players are picked up from another team or a team in a lower division. If the players themselves want to move to a more competitive environment then by all means they should be allowed to move. What happens though is that the loss of even one or two players can damage a team.
This can make for a lot of frustrated coaches and players. Players, coaches and parents have a responsibility to communicate their goals clearly. They should be honest and up front about their intentions. Players should not be poached secretly, or sneak off to another team just before a season starts. Be honest and let everyone know what is going on.
Playing Up in Age
There are players that mature differently or are naturally gifted players for their age. Allowing these players to move up offers them a new challenge and keeps them from becoming bored.
Should a 14-year-old player be allowed to play with 15 and 16 year olds? Clubs and leagues handle this in different ways. Everyone needs to be flexible on this issue. The most important person to ask is the player.
Is the player having fun at his or her own age level?
Does the player want to move up?
Does the player want to be with friends?
The simplest solution is to allow a player to move up only if they can play as a starter in their new age category.
Do Select Teams Matter?
If your child is keen on making a future in soccer there is tremendous pressure to make select and rep teams. The question is do these things matter? Research is now showing that on average players fast tracked at a young age are not all that better off when it comes to succeeding at the professional level. A superstar at age 8,10, 13, even 18 does not necessarily translate to a professional player at over 20.
There are countless professional soccer players who would not be playing today if players were selected at ages even as late as 18 or 19. Many pro players didn’t make it until they were in their early twenties. The point is that your child should not be discouraged if he or she does not make a select team at a young age.
