Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

Is the Premier Development League (PDL) good for youth soccer? It is very possible that many smaller clubs may not survive for the perception of not being truly competitive and developmental for their fees.  Do you believe there too many clubs now ? If a club lacks a level 'B' coaching director and isn't currently fielding a Premier 1 or 2 level team (no points), all requirements to join the PDL, are they not competitive enough in the U-13 and down brackets (prior to LPTs) to be worth considering competitive (select) soccer ? I'm confused, what is the reason and role of the PDL? I'm just looking for honest answers and opinions. Thanks.

[Great Dane]

Is the Premier Development League (PDL) good for youth soccer? It is very possible that many smaller clubs may not survive for the perception of not being truly competitive and developmental for their fees.  Do you believe there too many clubs now ? If a club lacks a level 'B' coaching director and isn't currently fielding a Premier 1 or 2 level team (no points), all requirements to join the PDL, are they not competitive enough in the U-13 and down brackets (prior to LPTs) to be worth considering competitive (select) soccer ? I'm confused, what is the reason and role of the PDL? I'm just looking for honest answers and opinions. Thanks.

I'm sure there's lots of people out there right now with shovels digging up that dead horse.  :lol:  :lol:   Am I the only one that gets a little tired of repeating and hearing the same thing over and over again?    :roll:  :mrgreen:

[Yes]

The Player Development League is very good for soccer.  Consider this:

1.  It is a choice driven system.  You can place your DS or DD on a PDL team or not.

2.  Teams inside and outside the PDL system can play soccer.  The PDL does not take anything away from that.

3.  The PDL games are friendlies.  They are scrimmages that do not have a score or standing.  All games have equal outcomes regardless of who won or loss.

4.  Most PDL games do not have referees.  That frees up these referees to referee district or state games.

5.  Club choice.  Clubs admitted into the PDL have a choice to play inside the league or to opt out without penalty.

The PDL on balance is very good.  It provides for choice without the district restrictions previously in place to prevent choice.

I like it a lot!!!

[Dragon-Slayer]

Sorry all. Didn't know this has been already discussed and decided.  I'm new to this form and was looking for non cynical, honest responses. Looks like I got one good answer so far detailing the reasons why it is good. Thanks for Yes.  Let's move on and drop the subject. It's obviously not worth more discussion.

[Dragon-Slayer]

Sorry all. Didn't know this has been already discussed and decided.  I'm new to this form and was looking for non cynical, honest responses. Looks like I got one good answer so far detailing the reasons why it is good. Thanks for Yes.  Let's move on and drop the subject. It's obviously not worth more discussion.

Hey ask away!  sorry for making light of your question

[ROCK]

Sorry all. Didn't know this has been already discussed and decided.  I'm new to this form and was looking for non cynical, honest responses. Looks like I got one good answer so far detailing the reasons why it is good. Thanks for Yes.  Let's move on and drop the subject. It's obviously not worth more discussion.

You are asking a fair question and this forum is well suited to get both perspectives.

The PDL is new, and by its very nature controversial.  Some love it, some hate it.  But, in reality its too new to form an opinion if whether its good or bad for soccer.

If you have a DD or DS on a PDL team and you have something to share, share it.  If you feel left out of something you didn't know about-stay tuned to this site.

As long as you and your DS/DD are working hard on developing soccer skills, you are not missing the most important thing in player development.  If you want to join a PDL team, there are still openings on about a third of the smaller club teams.

Welcome to the hotest blogg on Washington Soccer.

[Great Dane]

LMFAO Dragon Slayer!!  :lol:  :lol:   Great one!

[Great Dane]

Sorry all. Didn't know this has been already discussed and decided.  I'm new to this form and was looking for non cynical, honest responses. Looks like I got one good answer so far detailing the reasons why it is good. Thanks for Yes.  Let's move on and drop the subject. It's obviously not worth more discussion.

Hey Tovenaar...you must excuse my poor choice of humor.  :mrgreen:   It's just this issue has been hashed over and over and over and I'm thinking people are going to start running out of things to say, or should I say different ways to say the same thing.  If you're new to the forum, then WELCOME!!!  And, I hope you find some good feedback on your question.  This is the place for people to do just that, get feedback on questions they have.  Bottom line is people seem to have about as many opinions on this as there are colors in the rainbow.  If you don't get responses you're looking for here, look back a few pages on the threads and you'll probably find lots of PDL stuff - especially in the spring time frame.  

If your DD is on a PDL team, then it’s probably more likely you’ll be able to start noticing the positives with what they’re trying to accomplish.  But, I suppose that doesn’t mean everyone in the PDL likes everything about it either.  If your DD is on a very good team (say just as good if not better than some in the PDL), then it's easy to see how they are left to feel like an outsider looking in.  And there are some that are outside the PDL seem to be glad they are.  So, you're going to get people on all sides of the fence and it doesn't necessarily correlate to whether your DD is inside or outside the PDL.  Personally, I think it's great in many ways, but I'm sure it will continue to evolve over the next few years and hopefully become better and better as time passes, working through some of the concerns that many have at this time.  Anyway, welcome Tovenaar…don’t be a flash in the pan….keep postin!!  :mrgreen:

[cheese]

Sorry Tovenaar, there are many of us wise-crackers that love to make wise-cracks every chance we get :oops:

But we can be civil also.

Is PDL good.....Yes, it has great potential.  It has good merit.  It's really not a bad idea.

Is PDL bad......Yes.  It hurts the smaller clubs that just can't get that super Director but can get those coaches that are top notch that just want to coach and not worry about fees or getting too big.  If you don't live near a PDL team and can't afford $3 per gal. then you get stuck with even weeker teams cuz all the "good" players migrated to a PDL team.

Will it work.......Many think yes, many think no.  I think with so many different levels of PDL teams (Great to terrible) and the fact that clubs will try and manipulate the system to benifit their club IT WILL FAIL in it's current state.  If improved (and I have no idea how) it could grow into something big.

That's a lot of words for only 2 cents.  

[TeamAuburn]

If you don't live near a PDL team and can't afford $3 per gal. then you get stuck with even weeker teams cuz all the "good" players migrated to a PDL team.  

Not sure I agree with everything you said Cheese, but your heart is in the right place.

[cheese]

If you don't live near a PDL team and can't afford $3 per gal. then you get stuck with even weeker teams cuz all the "good" players migrated to a PDL team.  

Not sure I agree with everything you said Cheese, but your heart is in the right place.

I''m not set in stone one way or the other on this.  Just throwing out a few thoughts.

It could be the next best thing....only time will tell.

[Coach Play Observe]

The PDL is neither the savior nor the executioner of youth soccer.  Both the proponents and the opponents tend to exaggerate its impact.    The major advantage of being a PDL club is being able to compete against similarly talented teams on a regular basis.  Non-PDL clubs have to work harder to find similarly talented teams to play against.  Non-PDL teams will have to attend costly tournaments and travel a great deal to find good competition on a regular basis (see e.g., Crush Academy, Auburn Strikers, and lots of eastern Washington teams).

Rather than speculate about the impact of the PDL, I say we just give it a chance.  Adjustments will need to be made along the way, but it is worth a try....

[Dragon]

Good post as always CPO

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. I really didn't mean to start a flame war. I was looking for discussion on both sides of the issue. Just want to be informed for next season.  I really don't know how I feel about the PDL either. I think the best advice really is to see how it goes.  I'll look back through the forum for previous disuccsions.  For me, it comes down to fun for the kids with a competitive edge to help them find their natual talents. I just love watching our girls working so hard and enjoying it.   Hey, is everyone going to the Real Madrid vs D.C. United game?  I couldn't get reasonable tickets because I waited till 5:00pm the 1st day of sale. If your going....... YOU LUCKY DOGS, enjoy !

[nosoupforU]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. I really didn't mean to start a flame war. I was looking for discussion on both sides of the issue. Just want to be informed for next season.  I really don't know how I feel about the PDL either. I think the best advice really is to see how it goes.  I'll look back through the forum for previous disuccsions.  For me, it comes down to fun for the kids with a competitive edge to help them find their natual talents. I just love watching our girls working so hard and enjoying it.   Hey, is everyone going to the Real Madrid vs D.C. United game?  I couldn't get reasonable tickets because I waited till 5:00pm the 1st day of sale. If your going....... YOU LUCKY DOGS, enjoy !

it seems like if your club is not PDL eligible it's called elitist and snobbish. For those in it it's very good competition without the heavy pressure of winning all the time.

One thing it does seem like it will do is separate the wheat from the chaff. The good teams will become readily apparent, and the posers will also.

The reverse side of that coin is a team that belongs to a PDL club may be in, and not deserve it in any way.

Like anything new it will need some time, and some reflection on it's merits and drawbacks before it can be properly judged. Hopefully the people behind the PDL will remedy some of it's detractions as they go along.

It's premise is good; showcase the best teams in Wash as opposed to the best players ala ODP. The logistics will be fine tuned and Wash state soccer players and parents will make the ultimate decision be participating in it, or leaving it. Time will tell.

[yote19]

Armageddon might write, "What happens if non-PDL teams win state cup? :shock:

[Dragon]

:lol:

would that be da end of the world or sumthin :lol:

[yote19]

For some maybe--da Da DAAAAAA!!!!

[ROCK]

it seems like if your club is not PDL eligible it's called elitist and snobbish. For those in it it's very good competition without the heavy pressure of winning all the time.

One thing it does seem like it will do is separate the wheat from the chaff. The good teams will become readily apparent, and the posers will also.

I disagree.  The PDL is a nice option for organizing the younger ages.  The good teams are good teams and the good clubs are good clubs.  The PDL helps these teams develop, but it does not make them good teams.

For DDs/DSs inside or outside of the PDL (I have relatives of each) they each have to work hard to develop their skills.  There is no substitute for working hard practicing inside and outside of pratice.

Saying PDL is is this way or that way is like trying to argue US Club Soccer is better than US Youth Soccer.  They are both useful organizations for teams to use, but neither makes a team good or bad.

[nosoupforU]

it seems like if your club is not PDL eligible it's called elitist and snobbish. For those in it it's very good competition without the heavy pressure of winning all the time.

One thing it does seem like it will do is separate the wheat from the chaff. The good teams will become readily apparent, and the posers will also.

I disagree.  The PDL is a nice option for organizing the younger ages.  The good teams are good teams and the good clubs are good clubs.  The PDL helps these teams develop, but it does not make them good teams.

For DDs/DSs inside or outside of the PDL (I have relatives of each) they each have to work hard to develop their skills.  There is no substitute for working hard practicing inside and outside of pratice.

Saying PDL is is this way or that way is like trying to argue US Club Soccer is better than US Youth Soccer.  They are both useful organizations for teams to use, but neither makes a team good or bad.

I think you said what I said,,,?

[Mufasa]

Armageddon might write, "What happens if non-PDL teams win state cup? :shock:

At U11 this very real possibility.

[yote19]

yup I agree

[nosoupforU]

yup I agree

FCV Courage, methinks so 2