Originally Posted by Anonymous
Playing time? My son plays for a top DC area team. He comes off the bench. His playing time has been significantly reduced. He basically gets one run a quarter which can be really short depending on the flow of the game. He’s frustrated and unhappy. Curious as to how much time other clubs give to non-starters. Worth switching teams? Better to move to a lower caliber team where he’s a “go-to” player?


It’s really tough to say. Unfortunately some of these teams Know that kids that they pick up won’t play but parents are willing to spend the money for the prestige of being on these top teams. You have to be very careful and honest with yourself and your son about his skill level. These teams love their cash cows. Then you add the fact that politics come into play and parent influences.

The crabs do a great job of developing their players. Once you reach middle school they prepare you for high school ball. They practice a ton and develop you. When it comes to playing time they give your kid every opportunity to prove yourself if you don’t then you don’t play.The big crab has no pity for anybody but you will get your opportunities. And the closer you get to eighth grade if you are not locked into one of the local high schools then you can kiss yourself goodbye.

The Hawks do a really good job of evaluating players in there tryouts. If you make the hawks you know you were one of the best players on the field. Cash cows are a rarity on their first teams. Unless of course players decline offers and they go down the list. But once Hogan releases you to your teams it’s a crapshoot. I hear that team has tons of outside influences primarily the parents. The parents have made that team toxic and you will see it next year most of those players will be off to other teams.

DC dogs. As you already know all they care about is winning. That coach has something to prove and he would do anything and everything to prove it. And unfortunately his practices really do not allow you to develop because he is to focus on the winning and preparing his top lines. Too much to prove.

Hope this helps!