Packaged Deals

Has anyone heard of a packaged deal in select soccer where if you recruit one player you must take another? I have been around the soccer world a very long time and would love your thoughts. I personally find it mind boggling and not fair to the players. The team may only have a need for one of the players based on position/skill level. If they are doing it because they are good friends, well a true friend will allow their friend to soar.   And I always thought it was up to the coach.

This is becoming a problem at many clubs.
I guess it all depends on how badly the coach wants one of the players to accept the 'package deal'. You are correct that it isn't fair to other players.

Hey, still time to find other options if you don't like the package!  

Life isn't fair. And it is up to the coacj to take a package deal but it happens all the time

I've been part of a package deal since we entered this nefarious world of North Texas select soccer. I have twins, and it's not easy to find the perfect fit. They're not the same players. They're not at the same skill level. They play different positions and get differing amounts of minutes--sometimes one starts while the other is on the bench, but they come as a package, and it's challenging to find a new team that is the right fit.

The good news is we have a good fit. They both love the game and love playing together. They love their teammates and their coach. They're both being challenged to grow and develop. I just hope it stays like this for as long as possible.

Package deals are nothing, there are so many worse things these clubs will try to do to get kids. I've heard stories of clubs threatening to cut a player off an older team if the younger sibling doesn't sign with the club, etc. There are so many backroom deals being done around this time of the year it's not even funny.

Select age soccer is brutal, just get ready for it.

Package deals aren't new. I don't have any problem with families trying to get themselves in the best situation before they sign. The coach can take it or leave it. Get those concessions while you can because once the contract is signed the power in the relationship shifts entirely.

Twins are a glaring example but it doesn't have to even be that obvious. A kid really wants to play with his best friend? Go for it. One really talented kid can only attend practices and games if he carpools with another family? That makes sense to me. A good player wants to wield his talents in a negotiation to help a friend? Do it and use this as a chance to teach your kid that many things in life ARE negotiable.

If you're on the other side of it, and your kid is the one that gets dumped as the result of other families coming in as a package, they inadvertently just did you a favor. They probably just saved your DD from spending the next full year as the 16th player on a 16-player roster.

Come on Sweets.  Why do you have a problem w/ this.   Of course the coach has the last call, but players have choices too.  If their priority is to play together why shouldn't they.  There are plenty of teams left that will accommodate their needs.  Don't worry  you will find someone else for your team.

Several good points in this string.

Life is not fair - get over it if you don't want to be a victim your whole life
Package deals are nothing new - been going on forever
Coach has the final say - they usually act in their own self interest

Be wary if your dd is the lesser part of the package as all 3 of the above are likely to bite her

Nothing like a bunch of power wielding players and parents! Ah, the power trip of it all. So, would you apply for a job and then give a demand that you are a package deal? Take me, take my buddy? I would never want my DD to think that is the way of the world. Negotiate salary, yes. Negotiate start date, yes. Negotiate a twofer deal, no. How does that help? You have one friend/sibling who knows they wouldn't be where they are on their own. Does that make that person/player a better player? If they were on a team where their abilities were equal and they were able to play more would that better than being a lower player on a team where they don't get as much play time and everyone (including the parents) think that they aren't that good? Maybe the player goes along with the package because they are given the idea that they can't make it without the sibling or friend.

I am not saying that it is always a bad thing, but I am not sure that it doesn't limit a player who is the one being pulled along.

InaB wrote:Nothing like a bunch of power wielding players and parents! Ah, the power trip of it all. So, would you apply for a job and then give a demand that you are a package deal? Take me, take my buddy? I would never want my DD to think that is the way of the world. Negotiate salary, yes. Negotiate start date, yes. Negotiate a twofer deal, no. How does that help? You have one friend/sibling who knows they wouldn't be where they are on their own. Does that make that person/player a better player? If they were on a team where their abilities were equal and they were able to play more would that better than being a lower player on a team where they don't get as much play time and everyone (including the parents) think that they aren't that good? Maybe the player goes along with the package because they are given the idea that they can't make it without the sibling or friend.

I am not saying that it is always a bad thing, but I am not sure that it doesn't limit a player who is the one being pulled along.

Package deals happen at work too.  "I'll take over this train wreck project for you but I need to bring in my own people."  

We hear stories like that all the time on ESPN... A new GM fires the existing coaching staff and brings in his own guy.  The new head coach then hires all the assistant coaches that he had in a previous job.  

That flexibility really just depends on how much you're valued.