JDL - Is it overrated?

I keep hearing that JDL is overrated...If your daughter played JDL this past year, I'd like to hear your thought/opinions.

What did you like vs. what could have been done differently? Not that I can change anything, but maybe the organizers can use this feedback to enhance it.

Naievte meet Cynicism...

Is there an FBR for leagues now?

I think if they went to more of a boys DA model to where it is focused on strong development, practice four days a week, no other activities allowed etc...and make it free for the highly motivated....if they really want to make it a game changer they should provide room and board, so we can create the next uswnt through absolute focus. I'm sure their intentions were all about development, but these simple tweaks would make it aw some. These  would be great talking points to pass on to them.

Here is a real reply.  My dd played last year. I liked the idea that it would only be top teams. I wish a few other teams had been included. It wasn't perfect in this way. Hopefully next year that will improve. So in concept I liked it. The reality is if your daughter is good enough to make it than that's probably where she should play. No extra cost. Usually the best coaches.  The downside was the location in Fairview. I wish it had been at UTD.

JDL was hurt by AP.  This has been a transition year for every team and only 3-5 teams emerged as top tier, which made for a league of 10 teams lopsided.  However, still better than if all of the top teams had to play all 20 LH D1 teams. My overall assessment of JDL is not bad as the concept can work but it needs a lot of changes:

Positives:
1) Fields were nice (although they are in OK)
2) Established itself as the top league for 06 (not sure about 05 as their were excellent non JDL teams, Kicks & LP)
3) Game were pretty much on time schedule

Opportunities:
1) Find a way for JDL teams to qualify for state cup and regionals.
2) At this age and younger a scrimmaging league just doesn't work.  Every player knows if they won or loss and they care, maybe not as long as the parents.  Need to just make it an official league that tracks scores, standings, etc.
3) Allow top 2 D1 LH teams to move into JDL and bottom 2 JDL teams to be relegated.  Truly keep the league elite and make it a better transition to DA and to ECNL and let teams in based on merit. If a club doesn't a top quality team, then they just won't have a JDL team. Also include OK and Houston & Austin if they are willing to travel.
4) Officials - there was a big gap amongst the officials in the 05 age vs 06.  The 05 refs were more realistic and allowed more legal physical play.  The 06 refs were WAY to soft and tried to control games based on size or quality of the two teams.  My dd's team played in 3 out of state tournaments (West, East, & Midwest) and none of those officials were as soft as the JDL officials.  The other states did not allow dirty or illegal play, but shoulder to shoulder on 50/50 balls was not called as an example.

I love these JDL posts. Brings out all the freaks.

All great input. To sum it all up...free, room and board, refs that let the kids clobber each other, scores, let other club teams in. Please run this up the flagpole and get back to us.

Thanks for the feedback on JDL...realistic or not, they were good to see. I'm sure those transitioning from LH to JDL or the incoming 07's are interested in your thoughts, so any additional and realistic feedback is welcome.

Hopefully the JDL organizers are reading the thread and can shed some light on plans, IF ANY for improving the 2nd year (2017-18).

KeeperCommander wrote:I love these JDL posts. Brings out all the freaks.

Present and accounted for, sir!

KeeperCommander wrote:I love these JDL posts. Brings out all the freaks.

Made it!  A little late, but here.

Everyone generally knows my thoughts on the Junior "Developmental" League.


cue BigE

Trying to keep up wrote:Thanks for the feedback on JDL...realistic or not, they were good to see.  I'm sure those transitioning from LH to JDL or the incoming 07's are interested in your thoughts, so any additional and realistic feedback is welcome.

Hopefully the JDL organizers are reading the thread and can shed some light on plans, IF ANY for improving the 2nd year (2017-18).

In all seriousness, I'm sure they will look at this thread and get their customers feed back. Improvements should be on the way. Thanks for starting this thread.

LH vs JDL doesn't matter. It's all about ODP!

soccerjack wrote:

Trying to keep up wrote:Thanks for the feedback on JDL...realistic or not, they were good to see.  I'm sure those transitioning from LH to JDL or the incoming 07's are interested in your thoughts, so any additional and realistic feedback is welcome.

Hopefully the JDL organizers are reading the thread and can shed some light on plans, IF ANY for improving the 2nd year (2017-18).

In all seriousness, I'm sure they will look at this thread and get their customers feed back.  Improvements should be on the way. Thanks for starting this thread.

You mean they are going to talk to the clubs and coaches, correct? I haven't seen a single person on this thread that JDL would consider to be a customer.

bwgophers wrote:

soccerjack wrote:

Trying to keep up wrote:Thanks for the feedback on JDL...realistic or not, they were good to see.  I'm sure those transitioning from LH to JDL or the incoming 07's are interested in your thoughts, so any additional and realistic feedback is welcome.

Hopefully the JDL organizers are reading the thread and can shed some light on plans, IF ANY for improving the 2nd year (2017-18).

In all seriousness, I'm sure they will look at this thread and get their customers feed back.  Improvements should be on the way. Thanks for starting this thread.

You mean they are going to talk to the clubs and coaches, correct?  I haven't seen a single person on this thread that JDL would consider to be a customer.

Yeah, uh huh. Coaches and clubs. That should fix it all.

You all are so negative. It's absurd to think these clubs don't have the best interest of the kids and development constantly on their mind. With their organizational prowess and leadership I am pretty confident next year is gonna be great. I've heard they are working on doing a focus group for jdl right now.

soccerjack wrote:You all are so negative. It's absurd to think these clubs don't have the best interest of the kids and development constantly on their mind.  With their organizational prowess and leadership I am pretty confident next year is gonna be great. I've heard they are working on doing a focus group for jdl right now.

Sounds like Shonuff hijacked SJ's account.

Shameful. As that coach said on here a few years ago...you're just butt hurt because your kid didn't make it on the team. Of course he was talking about a ppl team, but the point is the same.

If that were even remotely the case this would be the last place those grievances would be aired.

jogobonito06 wrote:Is there an FBR for leagues now?

I think we are going to need one. Should be easy judging by the forum.
1. DA
2. DA
3. DA
4. DA
ETC........

Sho'Nuff wrote:LH vs JDL doesn't matter. It's all about ODP!

That's another thread. "Is odp under rated". Say hello to bbb.

I should have been a cowboy......

BigboyBentley wrote:I should have been a cowboy......

BrokeBackBentley... "I can't quit Zizou..."

bwgophers wrote:

BigboyBentley wrote:I should have been a cowboy......

BrokeBackBentley...  "I can't quit Zizou..."

bwgophers wrote:

BigboyBentley wrote:I should have been a cowboy......

BrokeBackBentley...  "I can't quit Zizou..."

Omg sho...make bbb go away, I gave you credit on the theatrical brilliance of Groundhog Day.....but bbb is as annoying as shitzou and big ern. Pull your finger out of their a$$es and let bbb go....for the love of God.