For those of you who’ve been through this stage, what advice would you give to families and players who are starting their first year in 16U?
Any tips for helping player adjust and succeed at this level?
Things you wish you knew when your child first moved up?
6 kids through high school and 5 through college with one in now playing sport doesnt make me an expert, but I did learn some lessons along the way that I would tell my adult son or daughter when it is thier turn to parent.
Character is key, work ethic reveals that to thier coaches and team mates. There are no shortcuts or talent that can oversome that reality. You as a parent can’t own what they do but you can support them, help guide thier character and the rest follows. PB&Js before bed, peanut butter protein shakes in between meals and a comforting home. Help them define success as getting the most out of the expereince, thier teammate relationships and physical confidence, not a scholarship, CIF or Club results, not even playing time. Did they do thier part, put there best effort out there for the team? If so Success! Anything else is icing.
Be coachable.
Uncoachable athletes are unemployed college students.
Do your research and due diligence to find the right fit for your family. With any level, it’s not necessarily playing for a championship team. You want your kids to get playing reps. For example, I’ve seen a number of athletes at the 14u-16u program play on the B or even C team and end up due to hard work and high character end up being ALL-CIF and even All-Conference players in college. It’s about game experience and reps for development. No use winning a medal if you’re sitting the bench most of the game.
Agreed completely re reps
But - I can’t recall a player going from up year 14U B or C to college contributor, let alone all conference. Have any notable examples you can share?
There are quite a few examples. Just one here:
Cody Ferguson (CIF SJS Div 1 (highest division) MVP 2019, Second Team All-WWPA 2021 (as a sophomore), started all games (?) that he played for Santa Clara.
Cody was on American River 14U B team as an 8th grader. That AR 14U B team finished 7th from the bottom in the Bronze division at the JOs (i.e. 90th overall). And AR 14U A team was not a powerhouse either - they finished 9th in Gold.
Off the top of my head
Caleb Francisco (Los Alamitos/Long Beach State) was on the 14u C Team at SoCal. Was on the B Team, but wasn’t playing much–opted to join the C Team for playing time.
Toring Stanley was on the B Team at 16u and I believe 18u (SOCAL), but became the standout of those teams–elevating to an All Conference player in college.
Nick Kennedy (Newport/CMS) was a B-Team player at 14u/16u and will probably be DIII (POY).
Thomas Marr (Los Alamitos/SOCAL/UC Davis)–was on the 16u B team at SOCal and is now a starter at UC Davis.
Will Nomura was a B team 14u his first year of 14u. Became a starter at UC Davis. By the time he was a second year 14u he had worked his way to being a starter on A.
Rachel Fattal was on the 14U B team at SOCAL her first year.