1st time LH Seeding

Does anybody know how the seeding for LH qualification tournaments work? how far back do they go to take records into account? - and would a team that was just formed this upcoming Jan be at a disadvantage against an established team despite having similar results?

This past August in U-13 girls there were four brackets. The 4 LH teams that were relegated were the top seeds. Sting West, Mustangs Spence, AFC Black, DTxn-FTW. Solar Gold (PPL #2), Fever United (PPL #3), Flash (high ranking Arlington team) were all #2 seeds, don't remember the fourth #2. Seeds APPEARED to be based on prior LEAGUE play. Based on that assumption, yes you would be at a disadvantage. But if your team can play, then none of that matters. Sting F was middle of the pack in PPL last year and now they are in LH. 5 teams qualified because there was one extra spot available when Liverpool Nichols folded. The 5 that qualified were Mustangs (#1seed), Sting West (#1 seed), Sting F (probably a #3 seed, but maybe a #2 seed, can't remember), Solar Gold (#2 seed), Flash (#2 seed, I think).

NET-Soccer wrote:Does anybody know how the seeding for LH qualification tournaments work? how far back do they go to take records into account? - and would a team that was just formed this upcoming Jan be at a disadvantage against an established team despite having similar results?

The quick and simple answer to your question is "NO". A team forming now will have no inherent disadvantage for LH QT seeding based on not having as much of a "history" as a team that has been together longer.

Rosters can change significantly between now and July (heck, they can, and in some cases will, change significantly between May and July). LH knows this, and they will put heavy emphasis on what they see in the Mid-July tune-up tournaments (King TUT and Puma Cup), but even then, the QT seeding process is highly subjective, and there will always be some "head-scratchers" in seeding that can never be predicted.

The more concerning thing to me about your question is why is this even a consideration in choosing a team for your DD now? If LH QT seeding is anywhere near the top of your list in factors for choosing a team, then your priorities are a bit out of line, and my prediction is that you are very likely to end up unhappy with your choice.

If your question is in reference to 03's and first year qualification (for August 2013), then the seeding last year, (August, 2012) appeared to be based on NTX rankings more or less. You'll need a good record against good competition to get a high seed.

I know that nobody will probably listen, but I will say it anyway.

LH committee will not care what you do now or next spring. They don't look at old rosters and compare how your team did with X players and compare how much your roster changes on signing day.

They weigh very heavily on what they see in tournaments after July 1st. They call the DOC's and ask how the teams in their club rank. They also call and talk to coaches of the teams that they speculate are "elite" (top ten'ish) and ask their opinion.

If, for any reason, you are unable to play in puma cup or king tut and are considered a top team, they will try to set up a time to come and watch you practice. Take my advice on this, make sure you do whatever you can to allow them to watch your team, even if you are down to 10 healthy players. They just want to see if the players look technical and can pass the ball well or if they are just big and kick the snot out of the ball.

Generally speaking, they will give higher seeding to a technically sound passing team vs. the less technical long ball team. That is, if they fare about the same against like competition

Not to mention that 90% of the time at U11, your QT seeding has no bearing on whether you qualify, and what division you qualify for.

I think seeding does make a difference. #1 seed will play #60 seed and it will be a beatdown. #20 seed will play #41 seed and that could very well be a game.

I think the point is, for example, that if you think you are a legit #7 and they seed you at #12 it shouldn't make that much of a difference over the course of two weekends (should it happen that you need both weekends).

It might make your first weekend a little tougher, but if the team is a legit #7 then they should have no problem taking care of business when it's all said and done.

It just becomes a little more nerve racking

soccerskills wrote:I think the point is, for example, that if you think you are a legit #7 and they seed you at #12 it shouldn't make that much of a difference over the course of two weekends (should it happen that you need both weekends).

It might make your first weekend a little tougher, but if the team is a legit #7 then they should have no problem taking care of business when it's all said and done.

It just becomes a little more nerve racking

I agree