How do you choose your division or league?

I see some teams that seem to repeatedly throw their teams into the fire with top teams only to come out with a losing record. If we played platinum or gold and won 2-3 games out of 10 wouldnt you think to drop down and develop more then try again next season if you had a winning record in a lower division? I see some stay in the top division or promote from silver to gold and even some play up a year and they didnt even win half their games. Play the best to be the best?? Yes I have heard the saying, but play the best when you are ready for the best is how I would look at it. Anyways just wonder what some of you think when deciding what league to sign up for. Is it helping develop to lose all games against the best teams?

For me, the magic number is between 60-70% win percentage - and preferably each outcome is only a goal or two differential.

If you win less, your players might get a bit discouraged, and start pointing fingers at players as to why they lost (it will never be their own fault). Those players may go looking for a different team, as its a bit more fun to win, or they think they are better than the team. When the score is 0-8, the players quit playing.

If you win more than that, your players don't develop because they aren't being sufficiently challenged. Then they get the proverbial "big head", start mailing it in during practice, not hustling during games, etc. When the score is 8-0, the players quit playing. Then you play a top team and get embarrassed - and again the players doubt if they are on a team good enough for their talents to be on loan to.

If you see a team or two in a "platinum" league that you have beaten, that doesn't necessarily mean that is the best place for you. Find a league with teams you know that have always given your team a tough challenge and go with that. Go ahead and foster relationships with the other team and coaches...play scrimmages. If your two teams are very close in talent, and it takes a full effort and complete game by either team's players to win, both of your teams will grow and develop by playing against each other.

10sDad wrote:For me, the magic number is between 60-70% win percentage - and preferably each outcome is only a goal or two differential.

If you win less, your players might get a bit discouraged, and start pointing fingers at players as to why they lost (it will never be their own fault). Those players may go looking for a different team, as its a bit more fun to win, or they think they are better than the team. When the score is 0-8, the players quit playing.

If you win more than that, your players don't develop because they aren't being sufficiently challenged. Then they get the proverbial "big head", start mailing it in during practice, not hustling during games, etc. When the score is 8-0, the players quit playing. Then you play a top team and get embarrassed - and again the players doubt if they are on a team good enough for their talents to be on loan to.

If you see a team or two in a "platinum" league that you have beaten, that doesn't necessarily mean that is the best place for you. Find a league with teams you know that have always given your team a tough challenge and go with that. Go ahead and foster relationships with the other team and coaches...play scrimmages. If your two teams are very close in talent, and it takes a full effort and complete game by either team's players to win, both of your teams will grow and develop by playing against each other.