Post by Michael (Admin) on May 14, 2014 7:50:59 GMT -5
This ties in with tryout season but what are some best practices with getting commitments from returning players for the fall,especially for teams that are self-managed?
Club-managed teams have the weight of the Club to demand payment by a certain date or else, with varying degrees of success. The strong arm approach does seem to lock players in as does the requirement that parents spend $300 on uniforms/practice shirts/warm-ups/bags/etc., which can feel like wasted money if the team isn't a good fit.
For a self-managed team, there aren't many sticks or carrots to be used to get returning players to commit. You can demand payment but can't really enforce it. You can say that the spot is open if the payment isn't received but there is always the "check's in the mail" response and since the manager is likely just another volunteer parent, there probably isn't too much stomach for a confrontation.
What about timing? Committing early helps the coach know how many holes need to be filled but can backfire and really isn't fair to a player that might want to look around (and is upfront about it). But, to allow a player to string along a team indefinitely isn't fair to those who are committing or the coach.
I would suggest that a verbal commitment be made before a date certain - possibly the final tryout date and a initial installment payment shortly there after, with the understanding that if payment isn't received the spot will be considered open.
Most of the youth soccer world functions on volunteers, relationships, and being true to one's word. There are few out there that seem to take advantage of that, which results in strong-arm tactics of clubs, etc. from time to time. Usually, those are the parents/kids that you probably don't want on your team anyway but too many of them can devastate a team.
As a manager - communicate, communicate, communicate. Give the parents plenty of opportunities to communicate back.
Good luck!
Club-managed teams have the weight of the Club to demand payment by a certain date or else, with varying degrees of success. The strong arm approach does seem to lock players in as does the requirement that parents spend $300 on uniforms/practice shirts/warm-ups/bags/etc., which can feel like wasted money if the team isn't a good fit.
For a self-managed team, there aren't many sticks or carrots to be used to get returning players to commit. You can demand payment but can't really enforce it. You can say that the spot is open if the payment isn't received but there is always the "check's in the mail" response and since the manager is likely just another volunteer parent, there probably isn't too much stomach for a confrontation.
What about timing? Committing early helps the coach know how many holes need to be filled but can backfire and really isn't fair to a player that might want to look around (and is upfront about it). But, to allow a player to string along a team indefinitely isn't fair to those who are committing or the coach.
I would suggest that a verbal commitment be made before a date certain - possibly the final tryout date and a initial installment payment shortly there after, with the understanding that if payment isn't received the spot will be considered open.
Most of the youth soccer world functions on volunteers, relationships, and being true to one's word. There are few out there that seem to take advantage of that, which results in strong-arm tactics of clubs, etc. from time to time. Usually, those are the parents/kids that you probably don't want on your team anyway but too many of them can devastate a team.
As a manager - communicate, communicate, communicate. Give the parents plenty of opportunities to communicate back.
Good luck!