Find the Right Fit: The 6 Considerations for Choosing a Soccer Club

The youth soccer industry can be a tough one to navigate.

Unlike anywhere else in the world, there are comparatively fewer ‘top-level’ organizations despite the country boasting more registered youth soccer players than many of the world’s leading soccer nations. There are multiple arguments for this, with many laying the blame on US Soccer/MLS and the almost unique closed market that makes up the US Soccer pyramid.

Regardless of the reason, the lack of professional organizations has left local clubs trying to fill the void and provide an environment that will allow young players to chase their goals– whether that be a college scholarship or a professional contract. The issue is that, intertwined with those hungry for success in the soccer world, are those who are good at the sport and want to satisfy their competitive nature but aren’t necessarily chasing the same dreams.

Therefore, organizations must consider differing expectations and prioritize those that reflect their club’s values and goals. Before a parent chooses which club to send their young player to, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure their experience matches the expectations they set for themselves.

Geography

Most of us can agree that sitting in a car for long periods isn’t fun. For players or parents!

Before choosing a club, it’s important to consider the required travel for practices, games, and tournaments. Ultimately, the goal of youth sport is to promote a healthy lifestyle, and when a 2-hour car ride each way is required on a school night, the desire to remain active forever may be tarnished.

Of course, there are instances that require a significant sacrifice of time and travel. And for some, that extended travel isn’t as much a dread. So, it’s important to consider the effects of joining a club that requires travel, which can put strain on both the athlete and their parents/guardians.

Staying local, regardless of your player’s ability, can help to promote healthy competition between local organizations, thus diminishing the need for regional travel to compete. It can also help keep your player engaged in the game by representing a local organization while creating social bonds with others from similar locations.

Questions to consider:

• How far would I need to travel to attend training and games?
• Are there clubs closer to me geographically?
• Can clubs closer to me provide the quality of teammates and coaches my player needs?

Goals

When setting out on your soccer journey, it’s of paramount importance to assess and set your own personal goals. Is it your player’s dream to play at the top level, or is it to engage on more of a social level whilst fostering a lifelong passion for the game that will pass beyond the limits of youth soccer?

To make it to the top, whether that be playing professionally or earning a spot at a Division 1 college, a huge sacrifice is needed from the individual and their family. Not only in terms of commitment to a club, but also the time commitment to honing skills through individual practice and free play.

Before you begin, both the player and the parent need to understand what it takes to reach the highest levels and set goals accordingly. If this is the goal, then your player needs to play and train with like-minded individuals whilst receiving the necessary support from their club.

However, the majority of youth players either aren’t setting their sights firmly on the top or don’t possess the drive and determination needed.  And that’s OK!!! It then becomes important to find a club that will foster a love for the game, develop your player’s skills, and create a social environment that will keep your player healthy and involved in soccer for life.

There is always the chance that your player’s goals will change and they have different experiences, so before making your decision, honestly define your goals and ensure you/your player understand what that goal means at that moment in time. Whether that be professional soccer, high school play, or lifelong participation, you can find the right fit for you.

Questions to consider:

• What is my player’s goal for soccer?
• Does the club provide the necessary resources and support for my player to achieve his/her goal?
• Does my player’s work ethic and behavior match their goals?

Culture

As stated, National Governing Bodies in sport agree that the main goal of youth sport is to promote an active, healthy lifestyle. Remaining passionate about soccer (or any sport) beyond 18 years old is a great way to achieve this goal, as a passionate person will look to stay involved through playing (competitively or socially), coaching, or spectating. In fact, becoming a fan of a professional team can be a vital ingredient in developing a lifelong passion, and the club should be fostering this.

Furthermore, youth soccer can play a huge role in defining a person. Consider whether the club promotes your athlete’s holistic development through standards, values, and empathy. Is this information available to you? Again, your goals will help to define which values are most important to you, and which culture is the best fit for your player.

Questions to consider:

• What is that club doing to foster my player’s love for the game?
• Are the staff passionate about the game?
• Do they create a positive environment that allows my player to express themselves and enjoy what they are doing?
• Does the club offer anything that will keep my player engaged with soccer beyond their youth?
• What does the club do to make players aware of the global obsession with our sport?

Structure

Before choosing your club, investigate its structure to ensure it meets your expectations. A proficient organization will have a leadership structure that can provide support from top to bottom.

In US soccer terms, there is a traditional format in which a coach will be placed with random teams, aiming to keep club members content and their money coming in. All across the world, clubs are

implementing a new structure which takes the pressure off the individual coach – still holding them accountable for their performance, however providing additional support to the coach, players, and parents through the leadership structure.

Recommended Reading: The Phase Model: Why It’s the Steel City Way.

Questions to consider:

• Will my player receive the appropriate support from the immediate coaching staff and club management?
• Is my player’s coach a good fit for their age/gender?
• Are there measures in place to ensure constant reflection of the club’s staff and processes?
• How does the club make decisions on a general level that may affect my player? Is there a board, or does the club allow those at the top to make decisions?

Winning vs Development

This debate has been rumbling on for years. The majority of clubs all state that development is their main priority, yet there are those who will transparently announce that they chase victories and trophies.

A ‘trophy first’ club will likely display a number of key indicators. During games, the ball may spend a lot of time in the air, being played long as the players look to prey on opposition mistakes as close to their goal as possible. Squad rotation may mean substitutes play only 5 or so minutes per half. Player recruitment may focus on athleticism and maturity over technical ability, with heavy emphasis placed upon the importance of the tryout period.

In contrast, a ‘development first’ club will look to employ a game strategy that encourages players to keep the ball on the floor, maximizing the number of situations a player will face during a game.

They likely aim to retain as many players as possible year over year, whilst recruiting, and they seek to understand each player beyond their current ability. i.e., Where have they come from; where are they in their maturation?

Questions to consider:

• What matters most to you – Accolades or developing skills?
• How does the club find the balance between winning and development?
• How does the club back up their stance with their product?

Soccer!

Amazingly, the soccer piece is also important. We believe that there is no one ‘right’ way to play the game. Everyone has their own ideas on how best to play, whether that’s because of the players at their disposal, the club/coach’s goals, the level of play, the age group, etc., etc.

When watching a club, you should be able to identify their style of play regardless of the team you’re watching. So when evaluating a fit, if you were to take the jersey off, would you still know what club you were watching? If not, this is likely more of a ‘rent-a-shirt’ agency.

Therefore, before choosing your club, it’s important to understand what to expect when you watch them play:

Questions to consider:

• Does the club have a mandated playing philosophy? Or does each individual coach have the freedom to instruct their players as they see fit?  How is this set?
• Is my player being given the opportunity to develop as an individual, or does the team come first?
• If you asked the club/coach, could they clearly define what they are trying to do and why?

How to find pertinent information.

1. Speak to staff in management positions at the club(s) you are considering. The Director of Coaching, or, in our case, the Phase leaders, should be able to provide you with all the information you require.
2. Speak to the coach of the team you are considering. Whilst this coach may offer the same information as the director in terms of clubwide policies, you may also be able to learn about the coach’s personality and coaching style.
3. Search through the club website. You should be able to find most, if not all, relevant information from staff to club philosophy and values.
4. Speak to current club members. Those who have been with the program will be able to let you know whether the club does what they publicly say!

Ultimately, there will always be a degree of trial and error when choosing a club, as the proof is always in the product. However, doing your research to find the club that best caters to your player’s ambitions will go a long way toward ensuring you have a positive experience.

As stated, each player will have different goals and look for different things. This isn’t an attempt to preach what your goals should be, but rather, it’s to highlight that there are different approaches to development and that your players’ journey can be a successful one.