What is you opinion on A's mixing with B's?

Scenario:

We are entered in a very good B tournament for our area. There are 7 first year 10U teams. There is a good mix of 9 and 10 year old's, but either way for most girls it is their first year playing travel.

Enter team 8. They are a 11 year old 10U team. All of their girls have been playing travel at least 2 years. They are an elite organization that plays very good ball. All their teams play local league play up a level. This team competes in a 12U division that has all young 12's but when they play tournaments they play at 10U. They can really hold their own in the division. The team is very impressive. They have several tournaments under their belt.

So to my point. We got our team list for this tournament and noticed they were on the roster. There are several teams not happy about this. We all think positively, but we also think realistically. There is no way any of these 10's can compete with them. We can't help to wonder why they entered this tournament. It is the last one of the year and is known to be the test for the first year 10's to compete against each other in anticipation for next year.

Lastly, and I think this is really what bugs me; I feel like I have to hide my talent from them. They have open tryouts and everyone in the area knows they are the elite team to play for. It has been noted in the past that this organization will walk the sidelines of the games to scout their next years team and hand out cards to the parents. I have no problem saying, I don't want to loose my girls!!

I am looking for opinions from others. I know the opinions from people around here, but I know that you guys in Ohio play at a very high level. How would most of you handle something like this?

That is what we call trophy hunting. It sounds like the coaches are more interested in collecting wins instead of challenging his players. If they are willing to go to that kind of tournament than I wouldn't doubt that they would try to steal your players. Warn your parents that there is a snake and he will be slithering around during games trying to steal players. If you are a good coach and your players are learning and improving, you won't have anything to worry about.

Klump said:

That is what we call trophy hunting. It sounds like the coaches are more interested in collecting wins instead of challenging his players. If they are willing to go to that kind of tournament than I wouldn't doubt that they would try to steal your players. Warn your parents that there is a snake and he will be slithering around during games trying to steal players. If you are a good coach and your players are learning and improving, you won't have anything to worry about.

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On another board I am a member of we frequently say "First post always wins" or "First post is correct"

This is another great example! That is how I feel. I would like to think we are good coaches, I know the girls are having fun and learning so it makes me feel good. I'm glad to hear another person feels the same way.

A team playing down is terrible, The players need to be challenged to get better.
We did quite the opposite this weekend.
Noticed we would not get better in our division (beat up on everyone)
moved up to play in an older age group and play with the B teams.
Girls are nervous playing the older girls, but after loosing a 1 run game found there was no difference, but have to play the whole game, instead of half a game.

The sad things coaches are always scouting players on other teams.
Its like the natural order of things, The thing I have noticed this year are parents are scouting coaches and are starting to approach coaches from other organizations.

I get approached at least by 5 parents a weekend in the past 3 weekends and had 1 last night all ready asking about our organization, tryouts, possible coaches for next year, all those questions I get at tryouts, I am getting now.

Parents are doing early recruiting

Seems like you have two concerns.

First one being that this team is too good. I think that it should be a nice challenge and that you never know what'll happen. Sure this team may be a juggernaut, but everyone can be beat, that's why we play the game. Is there a rule that says, you can't play in this tournament because you're too good? I don't think a top tier team will play in too many "easy" tournaments for the simple fact that it gets boring for everyone involved (parents, players on both teams), this could just be a friendly wind down from their season.

Second issue hidind your talent.
I think this is your biggest worry. From a coaches perspective I can understand wanting to hold onto your team and build them up. Sounds like you really care for them and want to see them succeed. From a players perspective, kids will begin to seperated themselves talent wise. It will come to a point that someone wants to move on to play at a higher level and they will seek out a team that can provide that. All you can do is keep coaching and allow these girls to find their own way and wish them the best of luck should they decide to leave. I say thumbs down on hiding your talent....let the girls play.

Agree with catalyst. If they are good then your girls will get better by being challenged. That is my opinion.

Right on with catalyst

I agree with above. The girls are the same age and put their cleats on one foot at a time. Go and give them all you got, somebody will catch them off guard and thats why we play sports. Thats why we have upsets on the weekends.......

And if you are prepared... a lot of time you can beat a good team on Sunday morning

soft77 said:

A team playing down is terrible, The players need to be challenged to get better.
We did quite the opposite this weekend.
Noticed we would not get better in our division (beat up on everyone)
moved up to play in an older age group and play with the B teams.
Girls are nervous playing the older girls, but after loosing a 1 run game found there was no difference, but have to play the whole game, instead of half a game.

The sad things coaches are always scouting players on other teams.
Its like the natural order of things, The thing I have noticed this year are parents are scouting coaches and are starting to approach coaches from other organizations.

I get approached at least by 5 parents a weekend in the past 3 weekends and had 1 last night all ready asking about our organization, tryouts, possible coaches for next year, all those questions I get at tryouts, I am getting now.

Parents are doing early recruiting

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Parents doing the recruiting. That's a good way to put it. Interestingly enough we have had a few of us compliment our coaching style and ask when our tryouts were. I know it's all talk until we see them at tryouts, but it makes us feel good all the same.

Catalyst said:

Seems like you have two concerns.

First one being that this team is too good. I think that it should be a nice challenge and that you never know what'll happen. Sure this team may be a juggernaut, but everyone can be beat, that's why we play the game. Is there a rule that says, you can't play in this tournament because you're too good? I don't think a top tier team will play in too many "easy" tournaments for the simple fact that it gets boring for everyone involved (parents, players on both teams), this could just be a friendly wind down from their season.

Second issue hidind your talent.
I think this is your biggest worry. From a coaches perspective I can understand wanting to hold onto your team and build them up. Sounds like you really care for them and want to see them succeed. From a players perspective, kids will begin to seperated themselves talent wise. It will come to a point that someone wants to move on to play at a higher level and they will seek out a team that can provide that. All you can do is keep coaching and allow these girls to find their own way and wish them the best of luck should they decide to leave. I say thumbs down on hiding your talent....let the girls play.

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We would never hide our girls. I would rather play the best 9, go at them head on and show them what we have with the hopes of keeping our kids. FOTM is though kids do leave. So I get it.

I do disagree with the what most are saying about being the same age and maybe surprising them. Maybe I can't convey how good they are. They are 11 year olds against out 9's. Their girls have at least two years of experience prior to this year. Most of our came right from rec ball. I'm not whining, just feeling the pressure all the same. I know anything can happen, players can have a bad day, players can have a great day. It ain't over til it's over.