Epic Rant From Robe

[raoul]

I only saw one second place trophy thrown in a roadside ditch on the way home from the state tournament in S'Port

Years back there was a select soccer team (based out of Lafayette High mostly) that was very good. If they didn't win a tournament, whatever hardware they received was destroyed the next practice.

Wouldn't happen today.

[Cajun90]

The ex of the select team that was affiliated with a high school makes me think of examples i see today when im not sure if some are real teams or an excuse for a hs coach to get more time with his or her players outside of lhsaa and nfhs guidelines

While every sport is different in soccer the rule is seven or more players from the same high school cannot workout or play games outside of the designated LHSAA times under the direction of high school coaches or it is considered illegal.

Actually ran into that situation this past year. US Soccer changed they way they age bracket causing some kids to move to different club teams. One ended up with more than seven players which resulted in a change in coaching. It is my experience that what you are alluding too doesn't happen. The penalties and risk are just too great to take that kind of chance.

[CajunJack55]

Here's my unpopular opinion...I do not see anything wrong with recognizing kids for sticking with a team for a season no matter what place they come in. These kids aren't stupid, they know when they win a league or tournament and when they don't. Participation trophies aren't as big of a deal as people make it out to be.

The problem is the helicopter parents and the ones who put their kids on a pedestal and they were usually on that WINNING team. Growing up those were always the kids who took loosing the worst and who weren't ready for the real world once baseball was over...not the kid who got a stupid little trophy for third place.

[31Ragin97]

some California softball and baseball teams it is impossible to tell when they are a prep team and when they are a "travel" team. at least back in the American legion days we changed our shirt.

[31Ragin97]

While every sport is different in soccer the rule is seven or more players from the same high school cannot workout or play games outside of the designated LHSAA times under the direction of high school coaches or it is considered illegal.

Actually ran into that situation this past year. US Soccer changed they way they age bracket causing some kids to move to different club teams. One ended up with more than seven players which resulted in a change in coaching. It is my experience that what you are alluding too doesn't happen. The penalties and risk are just too great to take that kind of chance.

thanks, very good info. along those lines what do you make of 7 on 7 summer football....

[ZoomZoom]

""If you're not first, you are last."

Ricky Bobby

Dale Earnhardt..."Second place is just the first loser"

[ZoomZoom]

While every sport is different in soccer the rule is seven or more players from the same high school cannot workout or play games outside of the designated LHSAA times under the direction of high school coaches or it is considered illegal.

Actually ran into that situation this past year. US Soccer changed they way they age bracket causing some kids to move to different club teams. One ended up with more than seven players which resulted in a change in coaching. It is my experience that what you are alluding too doesn't happen. The penalties and risk are just too great to take that kind of chance.

You hit on an important point. Soccer has ONE national organization. To make the national team, it is pretty much earned on the pitch. Skill and desire go hand in hand.

Basketball tends to be AAU. But plenty of recruiters and quazi agents.

Baseball, multiple national organizations. Everyone gets a coke and trophy.

Yup, LHSAA regulating soccer but 7v7 football thrives. Money to be made.

[CajunNation]

Travel teams in any sport are a net negative on families and a HUGE negative on community building.

They destroy community youth leagues everywhere.

They also discourage the kid from playing other sports.

[MelRock]

If parents would put the money in savings they spend on these travel teams, they would have their kids college paid for. People need to get their priorities straight.

[CajunJack55]

If parents would put the money in savings they spend on these travel teams, they would have their kids college paid for. People need to get their priorities straight.

Then how are they supposed to live vicariously through their kid?

[CajunEXPRESS]

On my grandson's high school team you need not apply to play unless you participated in the coaches travel team.

[Textitan]

As a high school coach I will say, like Coach Robe has, that it is a necessary evil. The issue is the local leagues, at least in our area, have dwindled to where the quality of play is so bad that if a kid is legitimately good they almost cannot stay at the local league and keep up with kids who are playing on travel teams. There are tons of negatives, but if you are going to play against quality opponents, you almost have to play select ball. I just wish they were regulated more. I can tell you this, if you want to keep travel/select ball from becoming even more uncontrollable, then college coaches will have to start recruiting high school games again instead of summer travel tournaments. Logistically I understand why they do it, but it gives credence to the select coaches promising exposure. Then the parents buy into it. Reality is, even if they get a scholarship it won't be much money. As a poster said above. It would be wiser to put that money into a savings account.