Summer team changes

New to this forum and to "Club" Soccer. Daughter playing Lake Highlands this first year. We aren't happy with our team and would like to look around. When are contracts officially done and are we able to contact coaches to discuss opportunities before that contract ends or is that in bad taste to do so? Want to make sure we do things right but also know we aren't staying put and don't want to miss out on getting to a club/team/coach where it is a better fit.

I believe around mid-May you are allowed to practice with other teams. I'm sure this board will blow up with teams looking and open tryouts once it is appropriate to post. If you know you are leaving no matter what, once your obligation is finished just let the coach know you are looking for a different opportunity, team closer to home, or etc. If you are more up in the air, it's a little more complicated. More than likely your coach will find out anyway, so probably better to just be honest. If you want to guest play in a tournament before July 1, I believe your existing coach would have to sign a release.

1) Make a list of the teams you are interested in
2) Find out where they practice and see if it's somewhere you are willing to drive
3) If you happen to be playing them in the next few weeks text the coach your daughters number and ask them to take a look at her during the game because you are interested in maybe making a change next year.
4) DO NOT do #3 unless your kid gets playing time or it will backfire
5) The second State Cup is over have at it...but just know that you and your kid will be photographed and sent via text to parents AND your coach with "At Sting try-outs - Isn't this girl on your team"?

AllTheBluebellsAreBlue wrote:1) Make a list of the teams you are interested in
2) Find out where they practice and see if it's somewhere you are willing to drive
3) If you happen to be playing them in the next few weeks text the coach your daughters number and ask them to take a look at her during the game because you are interested in maybe making a change next year.
4) DO NOT do #3 unless your kid gets playing time or it will backfire
5) The second State Cup is over have at it...but just know that you and your kid will be photographed and sent via text to parents AND your coach with "At Sting try-outs - Isn't this girl on your team"?

Pretty much what I was trying to say. lol

AllTheBluebellsAreBlue wrote:1) Make a list of the teams you are interested in
2) Find out where they practice and see if it's somewhere you are willing to drive
3) If you happen to be playing them in the next few weeks text the coach your daughters number and ask them to take a look at her during the game because you are interested in maybe making a change next year.
4) DO NOT do #3 unless your kid gets playing time or it will backfire
5) The second State Cup is over have at it...but just know that you and your kid will be photographed and sent via text to parents AND your coach with "At Sting try-outs - Isn't this girl on your team"?

I personally wouldn't recommend #3. Too many people with loose lips out there that can cause issues for you and your DD with your current team.

What I would recommend, is that if you do have some teams in mind that you think could be a fit for your DD, that you take the time to go watch one or more of their games this Spring. Watch how the coach interacts with the players and refs during a game. This will be a lot more telling than how a coach will act during tryout season when he/she is in salesperson mode. Watch the style of play on the field, be as objective as possible as you can about where your DD would fit in from an athleticism and skill standpoint. Pay attention to the substitution patterns of the coach. Also, spend some time on the parent sideline quietly listening and observing to get a feel for the "culture" on the team.

Yes, it's time consuming, but if you can invest the time, the likelihood that you will make a good decision that you and your DD are happy with, increases exponentially. If you are going to spend anywhere between $1k-$3k (or maybe even more) a year for your kid to play in Lake Highlands, it should be worth the time to do your research.

I have personally done #3 this year a few times. I've received great feedback and have a few coaches who want us to join them this summer without the stress of trying out. There is no better way to sell your kids ability to play. But they have to be a strong player in order for it to work. You also need to know you are done with that team/club in the event it does get back to the wrong people. I'm a few years ahead of this age group. Showing up to random try-outs with no prior relationship to the coach hasn't helped us personally.

So many little girls can do all kinds of fancy tricks that get noticed during these try-outs. Then the whistle blows and they are ineffective, too small, can't quite figure out how to put the skill into the live game. Things like heart, aggression, good timing, the ability to see the field and make good passes (IQ) etc aren't seen until the whistle blows for others.

I tried something new this year and it's worked for us. BUT, if it isn't your style or your kid can really show off during large scale try-outs that's of great benefit.

Thank you for the great feedback and advice. Will have to seriously think about #3...... could see that being great but also see that as an issue based on how the team is playing or who they play. Soccer talent on a struggling team might look very average at first impression. I've seen some strong soccer players look very mortal in games and then they move to a team who knows how to read the field and space and consistently connect passes and their talent really comes out.

Dallas Texans 09 Dallas team is looking for new players, hopefully we are on your list  Oh and i like #3.  I think it is a good approach, and number 5 is so true. Soccer World is way too small. text me 214-477-5623