FWFC refusing to allow players to guest with other teams?

Is this true? If so, then that reflects very badly on the club. I can understand some rare circumstances (like player not paying dues), but to do it club wide? That does nothing more than encourage players to leave. It shows that a club is not confident enough in it's coaches to keep players via their coaching ability. I understand there are some great coaches in that club, I'd have a hard time believing that they would be on board with such a policy. IMO, it's far better to let the players try the "greener" grass and to then come back than to refuse to sign a release. This is supposed to be all about the kids, after-all, isn't it?

Is this comedy hour? I didn't think anyone was left on this site that actually believed these clubs were about kids not money. Also, don't single out FWFC, many clubs don't give practice or guest releases. Honestly, when I hear someone got a release, I am a little shocked. Refusal is the normal, many times indirectly.

Every coach that every one of my kids has been under was willing to grant a release. Both big clubs and small.

aTmAg wrote:Every coach that every one of my kids has been under was willing to grant a release. Both big clubs and small.

I agree it is not worth the negative exposure to the rest of the team by keeping a player/family around these last weeks if they are truly leaving. I am always surprise to see people having such difficulties at this time of the year.

not allowing guest playing outside the club is the norm. As is not giving practice releases

go99 wrote:not allowing guest playing outside the club is the norm. As is not giving practice releases

of course it is the norm, but so is staying with the existing team. For these players who are truly leaving.... during this last few weeks I see releases as a common occurrence. Especially if the season is over.

girls side of things must be waaay different because boys actually being given releases by the clubs is anything but common.

Then I suggest you try "FUFW!"

I can understand both sides of the fence on this topic. I can understand the club side since contracts are involved and there may be upcoming tournaments where the player is needed. I also understand from a player and parent standpoint. However, you know this is a possibility when you play select. Most clubs are not the most willing to allow players to check out other teams when under contract. I tend to agree if a player is leaving anyway let them go. Based on your history on this board, you must be with Sting trying to recruit an FWFC player. If they really want the player, I am sure they will wait till a release is granted or July 1st.

If they are going to leave, let them leave. I don't remember one kid that got a release from my dd's club ever staying. Holding them until the last minute is petty.

Understand that totally.

I agree it is petty and stupid but it is done. If a player asked for a release or guest play I would give it too them. Now unless they are a top player on the team they should consider themselves replaced because I would start looking for the replacement.

go99 wrote:girls side of things must be waaay different because boys actually being given releases by the clubs is anything but common.

Do you have a DD playing the game? in LH?

Uncle Numanga wrote:If they are going to leave, let them leave. I don't remember one kid that got a release from my dd's club ever staying. Holding them until the last minute is petty.

Agreed!

You would think it wouldn't be a big deal, but soccer coaches. for the most part, are small, tiny, insecure people.

The whole process is a mess. The kids should get from the end of Spring season to signing day to do whatever they want. The fact that a coach can hassle and restrict a player's ability to improve their situation is pathetic and that it is a regular occurence just boggles my mind. Now NTSSA will sign a release for you in June, but what about these tournaments in May. It is a good time for the free agents to be guesting and practicing now. It is hard to make a 1 year decision in 3-4 weeks time.

Blank77 wrote:You would think it wouldn't be a big deal, but soccer coaches. for the most part, are small, tiny, insecure people.

The whole process is a mess. The kids should get from the end of Spring season to signing day to do whatever they want. The fact that a coach can hassle and restrict a player's ability to improve their situation is pathetic and that it is a regular occurence just boggles my mind. Now NTSSA will sign a release for you in June, but what about these tournaments in May. It is a good time for the free agents to be guesting and practicing now. It is hard to make a 1 year decision in 3-4 weeks time.

I second that motion!

Hook It wrote:

go99 wrote:girls side of things must be waaay different because boys actually being given releases by the clubs is anything but common.

Do you have a DD playing the game? in LH?

Nope thats why I said must be different than the boys side. My girl is not old enough but my boys has been in for a number of years

2028 wrote:

Blank77 wrote:You would think it wouldn't be a big deal, but soccer coaches. for the most part, are small, tiny, insecure people.

The whole process is a mess. The kids should get from the end of Spring season to signing day to do whatever they want. The fact that a coach can hassle and restrict a player's ability to improve their situation is pathetic and that it is a regular occurence just boggles my mind. Now NTSSA will sign a release for you in June, but what about these tournaments in May. It is a good time for the free agents to be guesting and practicing now. It is hard to make a 1 year decision in 3-4 weeks time.

I second that motion!

It is a two way street too. There are some parents who have 3 backup plans and have everyone on hold too. I would reather be honest and let the chips fall. Your kid will find a home after the initial signing day if you are prudent. A lot of coaches sign 14 or 15 and look for 1 or 2 stragglers who didn't make that initial cut.

go99 wrote:

Hook It wrote:

go99 wrote:girls side of things must be waaay different because boys actually being given releases by the clubs is anything but common.

Do you have a DD playing the game? in LH?

Nope thats why I said must be different than the boys side. My girl is not old enough but my boys has been in for a number of years

Oh yes! you will love the girls soccer world, DDDRRRAAAAMMMMMMA!

dadof3 wrote:

2028 wrote:

Blank77 wrote:You would think it wouldn't be a big deal, but soccer coaches. for the most part, are small, tiny, insecure people.

The whole process is a mess. The kids should get from the end of Spring season to signing day to do whatever they want. The fact that a coach can hassle and restrict a player's ability to improve their situation is pathetic and that it is a regular occurence just boggles my mind. Now NTSSA will sign a release for you in June, but what about these tournaments in May. It is a good time for the free agents to be guesting and practicing now. It is hard to make a 1 year decision in 3-4 weeks time.

I second that motion!

It is a two way street too. There are some parents who have 3 backup plans and have everyone on hold too. I would reather be honest and let the chips fall. Your kid will find a home after the initial signing day if you are prudent. A lot of coaches sign 14 or 15 and look for 1 or 2 stragglers who didn't make that initial cut.

Who wants to be 15 or 16 on a team? My DD wants to find a team where she can be part of the core and help build something. That is hard to do in a short time period. No matter how much due diligence you do and watching, until the coach sees your player in his system and you see your DD in his for several games, you don't know. The process leads to people making decisions without a full slate of info and if you guess wrong, who suffers - your DD.

It is a business first, business second, business third, coach's ego 4-10, and some distance after is your DD. Plus, if you are being honest that doesn't make the coaches honest. They all lie, some straight to your face. Usually, the better the coach and the team, the more bullshit he can shovel.

Also, it is possible to find a spot after signing day, but there are fewer guesting and tournament opportunities and it is even more of a crapshoot. Plus, many teams go in to break mode since they don't have to recruit or go to QT - they just rest up and wait or the season.

Not every player asking to guest play want to leave their team. And then some may be considering it, but not seriously. I think from the coach's or club's perspective, (and I am certainly neither of those), it could be that along with guest releases to play in tournaments, comes practice releases. When multiple players are missing from practices, it can affect the entire dynamic of the team practice. This can hurt the team, especially if the player is not actually leaving.

Also, it isn't necessary to call coaches petty, etc...this could be a club decision that the individual coach may not even agree with, but is required to enforce. Not a fun position to be in for a coach.

Just a thought

Blank77 wrote:

dadof3 wrote:

2028 wrote:

Blank77 wrote:You would think it wouldn't be a big deal, but soccer coaches. for the most part, are small, tiny, insecure people.

The whole process is a mess. The kids should get from the end of Spring season to signing day to do whatever they want. The fact that a coach can hassle and restrict a player's ability to improve their situation is pathetic and that it is a regular occurence just boggles my mind. Now NTSSA will sign a release for you in June, but what about these tournaments in May. It is a good time for the free agents to be guesting and practicing now. It is hard to make a 1 year decision in 3-4 weeks time.

I second that motion!

It is a two way street too. There are some parents who have 3 backup plans and have everyone on hold too. I would reather be honest and let the chips fall. Your kid will find a home after the initial signing day if you are prudent. A lot of coaches sign 14 or 15 and look for 1 or 2 stragglers who didn't make that initial cut.

Who wants to be 15 or 16 on a team? My DD wants to find a team where she can be part of the core and help build something. That is hard to do in a short time period. No matter how much due diligence you do and watching, until the coach sees your player in his system and you see your DD in his for several games, you don't know. The process leads to people making decisions without a full slate of info and if you guess wrong, who suffers - your DD.

It is a business first, business second, business third, coach's ego 4-10, and some distance after is your DD. Plus, if you are being honest that doesn't make the coaches honest. They all lie, some straight to your face. Usually, the better the coach and the team, the more bullshit he can shovel.

Also, it is possible to find a spot after signing day, but there are fewer guesting and tournament opportunities and it is even more of a crapshoot. Plus, many teams go in to break mode since they don't have to recruit or go to QT - they just rest up and wait or the season.

Perfect summary 77;
If your DD wants to be a "PLAYER" who really wants the responsibility of leading and contributing to the success of a team (the CORE as 77 refers to) you need to have that discussion with her and know that. No lip service, her actions on a weekly basis should show you her commitment. If not, really find her a team she will have a great time with and build friendships in and let the rest of the cards fall were they will.

mommabear1 wrote:Not every player asking to guest play want to leave their team. And then some may be considering it, but not seriously. I think from the coach's or club's perspective, (and I am certainly neither of those), it could be that along with guest releases to play in tournaments, comes practice releases. When multiple players are missing from practices, it can affect the entire dynamic of the team practice. This can hurt the team, especially if the player is not actually leaving.

Also, it isn't necessary to call coaches petty, etc...this could be a club decision that the individual coach may not even agree with, but is required to enforce. Not a fun position to be in for a coach.

Just a thought

Comedy!

The whole topic is kind of comedy. I have not broken out the contract in a while. But I know going in it is a contract that has an expiration date. If memory serves me well, it also does not guarantee game playtime, being a starter, or making the USA national team. I believe it guarantees that your DD will be trained when they show up. I believe it also reserves the right to dismiss your DD if certain moral or disruptive activities are engaged in by your DD and/or family. So, knowing that, like it or not, we have signed that contract each year. It should not be a surprise for anyone in select soccer if your club decides not to let you go until June or so. I do not believe the contract asks whether you like the rules or not. If the rules cause heartburn, do not play select. I am also of the belief that signing a contract is a binding agreement to some extent and I am not willing to teach my DD that walking away from that is OK. I know sometimes their are certain circumstances that could make that necessary, but those are few and far between. Guess I am just old fashioned.

Hook It wrote:

Blank77 wrote:

dadof3 wrote:

2028 wrote:

Blank77 wrote:You would think it wouldn't be a big deal, but soccer coaches. for the most part, are small, tiny, insecure people.

The whole process is a mess. The kids should get from the end of Spring season to signing day to do whatever they want. The fact that a coach can hassle and restrict a player's ability to improve their situation is pathetic and that it is a regular occurence just boggles my mind. Now NTSSA will sign a release for you in June, but what about these tournaments in May. It is a good time for the free agents to be guesting and practicing now. It is hard to make a 1 year decision in 3-4 weeks time.

I second that motion!

It is a two way street too. There are some parents who have 3 backup plans and have everyone on hold too. I would reather be honest and let the chips fall. Your kid will find a home after the initial signing day if you are prudent. A lot of coaches sign 14 or 15 and look for 1 or 2 stragglers who didn't make that initial cut.

Who wants to be 15 or 16 on a team? My DD wants to find a team where she can be part of the core and help build something. That is hard to do in a short time period. No matter how much due diligence you do and watching, until the coach sees your player in his system and you see your DD in his for several games, you don't know. The process leads to people making decisions without a full slate of info and if you guess wrong, who suffers - your DD.

It is a business first, business second, business third, coach's ego 4-10, and some distance after is your DD. Plus, if you are being honest that doesn't make the coaches honest. They all lie, some straight to your face. Usually, the better the coach and the team, the more bullshit he can shovel.

Also, it is possible to find a spot after signing day, but there are fewer guesting and tournament opportunities and it is even more of a crapshoot. Plus, many teams go in to break mode since they don't have to recruit or go to QT - they just rest up and wait or the season.

Perfect summary 77;
If your DD wants to be a "PLAYER" who really wants the responsibility of leading and contributing to the success of a team (the CORE as 77 refers to) you need to have that discussion with her and know that. No lip service, her actions on a weekly basis should show you her commitment. If not, really find her a team she will have a great time with and build friendships in and let the rest of the cards fall were they will.

I don't disagree with you guys, but if you are a CORE player then you are not in these discussions...and if you ARE both a core player and in these discussions, then you are not as core as you think...(talk to coach). If being core is what you are looking for, thn it will happen with a little bit of time.

I am just pointing out that there are players who try to hold the teams hostage as well. I have seen teams fold that were broken down by parents with agendas, but the coach was honest the whole time. I am not defending a coach who has to look out for his own interestes (both short term-current team and long term-reputation). We should all know that that is part of NTX soccer, but the loudest chirping parents are the ones who cause the most dissent.

My point on signing late is more along the lines that if your plan A falls through, there are other options available for good players. They may not start as a core player, but they can become one if you find teh right team/coach. There are camps with coaches outside guesting and those are good opportunities to meet coaches and to get honest opinions. A $100 camp for 3-4 days can give you a decent persepctive on the MAN without rocking the team boat. Your dd can also meet some of the palyers and see if she is a fit for that group.