Where are the 12Gs?

Seems like when my older daughters were U6, there was an abundance of teams playing in various leagues and tourneys. Has that changed? I can’t seem to find much in terms of teams or leagues with quality U6G teams, and the age bracket never makes for this age group in regular tourneys or even 3v3s. Anyone have any insight?

All of the best ones are in DA-care programs at FCD, Solar, and Texans.  USSF won't allow them to play in any outside tournaments.

Dread Pirate wrote:Seems like when my older daughters were U6, there was an abundance of teams playing in various leagues and tourneys.  Has that changed?  I can’t seem to find much in terms of teams or leagues with quality U6G teams, and the age bracket never makes for this age group in regular tourneys or even 3v3s.  Anyone have any insight?  

Insight --

In general (in my opinion), parents shouldn't have their kindergartners playing competitive soccer at all and certainly shouldn't be paying a club monthly dues to have their 5 year old out there in a group amongst 20 other tikes being run through "drills" and is being "coached" by a bottom rung kid that just dropped out of community college and is on his phone Snapchatting more than interacting with the little ones.

(I may have seen this happen a few too many times and I throw up in my mouth a little bit everytime I think about a parent putting their kid in an environment like this because they simply don't know any better)

I wasn’t asking for that info or advice Ern- although I generally agree with you. My babydd happily plays rec and is by no means the superstar or ready for any academy level coaching. I’m still trying to convince her to flush the toilet for crying out loud.

I was really just wondering if the landscape has changed. I know my 06 played in a bunch of 3v3s at U6 and UAL ran a U6 league out at RE Good when my 08 was that age. Whereas my babydd’s team signed up for the thanksgiving and Christmas 3v3s this year and none of those made in her age and gender group. Those would have been packed 4 years ago. Same thing for indoor leagues- they just aren’t making at u6 at least on the girls side.

I’m sure that the participation level will change as the age group gets to U7 and beyond, and I really don’t care either way. Was just curious why it seems so different than just a few years ago.

Who knows maybe it’s the same as it’s always been and I’m just old and forgetful.

Big Ern wrote:

Dread Pirate wrote:Seems like when my older daughters were U6, there was an abundance of teams playing in various leagues and tourneys.  Has that changed?  I can’t seem to find much in terms of teams or leagues with quality U6G teams, and the age bracket never makes for this age group in regular tourneys or even 3v3s.  Anyone have any insight?  

Insight --

In general (in my opinion), parents shouldn't have their kindergartners playing competitive soccer at all and certainly shouldn't be paying a club monthly dues to have their 5 year old out there in a group amongst 20 other tikes being run through "drills" and is being "coached" by a bottom rung kid that just dropped out of community college and is on his phone Snapchatting more than interacting with the little ones.

(I may have seen this happen a few too many times and I throw up in my mouth a little bit everytime I think about a parent putting their kid in an environment like this because they simply don't know any better)

In all honesty BigE - you made my Friday.

I can always count on you to deliver insight and humor, with just the right touch of condescension and arrogance.

Not sure which part I found more amusing

- the fact that no one actually asked for advice on U12 club soccer, but we all knew you would show up to give yours

- yes, after couching your response with "in my opinion", adding everytime a parent puts their kid in this environment because they simply don't know any better - because apparently you do know better everytime?

- the broad generalization regarding the "bottom rung kids" the clubs (apparently yours as well?) assign to coach 5 year-olds

- or the dismissive nature in general of "paying a club monthly dues to have their 5 year old out there in a group amongst 20 other tikes being run through "drills" and is being "coached"" . . . when non-club options include "elite" invite-only soccer programs for 4-year olds that train and participate in leagues and play games as a team.  
Shyte BigE - that would be sorta like, say, a tax preparer saying that people with basic tax returns simply don't know any better than to take their return to a Big5, where it will be prepared by interns on Snapshat . . . while preparing returns on the side.


So thank you Ern, haven't laughed this hard in awhile.

Carry on!

Regarding indoor for this age level, I believe Inwood Soccer Center has a league serving this age group. Sole Roll used to before it lost its lease.

Thanks Pro- I’ll check it out

Just checked and PSA also has a U6 option for indoor.