Tryout season is nearly upon us. As in other years, I’ve heard parents talking on the sideline about switching clubs.
I once asked a coach to compare two clubs. He said, “Same shit, different shirt.” I appreciate honesty.
So you’re probably not going to see much difference if you switch clubs. They all claim “development” and “possession”. Few deliver. Disregard their Power Points and their PDFs. Do YOU see quality out on the fields? Ask your kid. They know who can play and who can pretend.
We heard from one parent who had hopped to our club from Club Z, “Oh, Club Z plays possession, nothing but passing.” After playing one of their teams though, my kid said, “Team X were like a rec team, I don’t want to play for them.” Club Z may preach possession, but Team X didn’t play it. There’s no hiding on the field, the game proves what you are teaching.
Clubs don’t develop players, coaches do.
As with everything, context matters. For instance, stability can be positive, but if you’re with a stable but terrible club/team/coach, maybe stability isn’t so great, no?
So our advice … if you find a quality coach, follow them wherever they go. Don’t be afraid to change clubs, but only for the right reasons (e.g. coaching). You have no allegiance to the colors.
So, do you think it’s ok to club hop?