Player Selection Process
As we begin the process of selecting our 2018 Varsity Team and our 2018 Junior Varsity Team, I felt it was very important to share with all parents and players the criteria that we will use as a coaching staff when making these important decisions. As many of you know, Howland is a pay to play school district, so it is important to me to ensure that kids not only get practice experience, but also game experience. To ensure playing time, our plans are to have 13-14 players on the Varsity team and 18-20 players on the Junior Varsity team. Several players may split time between both teams. The Varsity team is a very competitive team where playing time is strictly based on what is needed for success. The JV team is also extremely competitive in nature but we will also focus on all players developing which might affect results. The current roster lists 43 players that have expressed an interest in playing soccer this fall. So it would appear that between 9-10 players may not be selected to either squad. In each case, we will advise the player why he wasn’t selected and what improvements need to be made. Our hopes are that the players who are not selected will continue with us in the winter in the hopes of making the team the following season. All decisions regarding rosters will be final.
1. Class Expectations
Seniors-Are expected to be Varsity starters and strongly contribute to the success of the Varsity team. No Senior can be on the JV team.
Juniors-Are expected to be on the Varsity team and contribute. Exceptions would be if the player’s position is too full on the Varsity level so that playing JV for playing time is necessary and the following year Varsity space will open up. These players should dominate on a JV field.
Sophomores-Should start or strongly contribute to the JV team. Often times they have the ability to play varsity but lack the mental or physical maturity to handle the extremely high competitive environment. The thought is one more year of development and they will be a main contributor on the Varsity team the following year. This is for many kids by far the most frustrating year.
Freshman-At the premier end they could contribute to Varsity, at the high end they should start for the JV team, the mid level should contribute in JV matches, and some may show signs of athleticism that when coached might lead to Sophomore success but receive very little gametime. This is the class where future projections and dedication sometimes outweigh current playing level.
*Most of the time, a Junior will be able to physically manhandle a Freshman. However, when looking at what is best for the program over a 4 year time span, we view players based on 1 , 2, or 3 year projections and not necessarily on what the current situation shows.
2. Objective Results
Objective results are those that can be measured such as juggles, mile time, 40 yard dash time, push ups, sit ups, etc. Once again, the expectation is a Junior should do better than a Freshman. However, our comparisons are more based on grade and age level. Freshman to Freshman comparisons, Junior to Junior comparisons, etc
3. Subjective Decisions
This is based on the evaluation and expertise of the Coach. This becomes very scutinized because we all see our children in a positive light which can be very different from an independent evaluator. Some examples of areas that are subjective in nature that a Coach has to make a decision on are:
1. How does that player fit into the system we are hoping to play?
2. If a position has a lot of depth can I as a coach ensure the student gets playing time? Do I have too many strikers, goalkeepers, etc?
3. Do I project this player in 2 years to contribute at the Varsity level?
4. How versatile is the player?
As a coaching staff we have well over 100 combined years in the sport including a couple coaches who have been at the top level of youth coaching for many years. So there is a lot of expertise in the program compared to similar area high school programs. While we might miss on players that we choose from time to time, we have largely been correct. It is understandable to be upset if your son does not make the team, but please understand this is an extremely difficult process and for many kids this will be the first time they are told “No”. Somewhere along the way in the sport someone always tells us no. As I love to share with the kids, I would love to be a pro soccer player, but along the way someone told me No. This is a real taste of reality and a good life experience for students. Not every applicant gets the job. Hopefully, parents use this as a learning experience and not an opportunity to advocate for their kid and against a coach.
4. Dedication
Dedication is the trickiest requirement of all. Mandatory practice begins August 1st thru the end of the fall season. Every opportunity we provide for getting better the rest of the year is strictly optional. It is true a player may choose not to participate in any offseason program, show up on August 1st and take a spot on the team simply because they are just better or they play a position of need.
The dedication of a player does play a major role with Freshman mid level to lower level players when we project out over several years. In other words, do I project this Freshman will work diligently in the offseason to become a better player? Most of the time, upper level players do not struggle on the dedication front, but there are exceptions. Remember these are projections NOT requirements of the student athletes.
Note
Making team selections is by far and away the hardest part of coaching. Part of having a successful program is many kids want to be a part of it. Unfortunately though, space is limited during the fall. I would like every student to succeed, but just like in life people get filtered out. This holds true when deciding between JV & Varsity as well. We have successfully built a strong Div2 soccer program with a schedule to go along with it. This means our JV schedule will be as strong as many area Varsity programs. Any kind of negative stigma attached to being a JV player at Howland as a Sophomore or Junior is senseless. In every major Div 2 program in the state, the JV team is loaded with Juniors and Sophs. That strong JV team is needed by the Varsity to train against to get better. Once that cycle is completely built, that is when our program can compete against the very best. Then when it is the JV players time to play Varsity, they will have the same situation and ability to develop.