Does Size Matter (org size)?

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Sep 23, 2018
61
8
What are the advantages/disadvantages of org size? For the sake of discussion I would consider the following as criteria of size:

National Franchise (200+ teams)
Regional Franchise (100-199 teams)
Mid-size org (11-99 teams)
Small org (2-10 teams)
Independents

I understand the answer may be different based on age level, but I would be curious the good, bad, ugly at each.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
If you assumed that the coach would be the same regardless of org, Does one have a benefit over the other?

Depends on the org. At the older ages, well-known coaches in large orgs tend to do better with recruiting, but even that varies. One of the small orgs in our area is run by a guy who used to be with a large org, and does very well with getting his players recruited.

Also....Coaches are NEVER the same. Similar, maybe.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
I am not sure. Probably favor the mid-size that has some form of organization. It is probably important when DD gets to 2nd year 14u that the coach/org has some college connections. That being said I think short well done skill videos are and will become more valuable especially for the less than D1 schools.

Does anybody have any experience with Real Time Athletes?

My main problem with organizations is that they are not organized. Maybe they have some motto to put on t shirts but they lack real structure. They are all about the money so any guy/gal that can get ten families to cough up money for uniforms and dues can start a team with no checks and balances. No standards. No unified coaching style or goals. So one 'fill in the blank' organization may have a team(s) with great, informed, experienced, encouraging coaches and another team within the same org. could be horrible team with inexperience berating losers as coaches. You would think that the organization's leadership would be concerned about who is putting their name on their jerseys but in reality they don't. Just show me the money.

"In our experience, nothing will affect your experience more than the coaches of the team. "

^^^^^ I agree.^^^^^^

I am happy with my DD team. Coaches are experienced and encouraging. No daughters on the team. One of the AC I particularly like keeps up with the latest in coaching mindsets and teaching skills and it shows. He actually reads books. Imagine that. He probably is a member of DFP, too!
 
Apr 20, 2015
961
93
Agree that it depends. You have national organizations that are small on purpose and do not franchise like bill Conroy's Beverly bandits out of Chicago and the Alabama Thunderbolts less than 20 teams all high quality that name means something always if you play for them. Then you have organizations like batbusters and firecrackers that franchise where certain team names under certain coaches are always premier high quality and you can take it to the bank they will have fantastic players...the rest of the teams are a crap shoot


Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
Be wary of organizations in the same area with multiple teams at the same level, my DD was on a team like that for two years, and it was the cash cow to finance the other teams. She is now on a single, no organization team, college experienced coach, the best team she's been on.
 
Oct 19, 2019
58
18
There isn't a good answer, really.

I'd say put your kid on a team with one team per age group with solid coaching and that plays at the level of the team they have.

A non parent coach is typically better.

As always, everyone's mileage will vary.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
I haven't been through the whole recruiting thing yet but here are my two cents.

At the younger ages the most important thing is that your child is getting the proper instruction, whether that be through the organization, private instructors or the parent(s) (preferably a combination of these). Next on the importance list at that age would be is the org/team playing in tournaments which will allow your child to get valuable game reps against players which will challenge her abilities. If your kid has A level skills but is playing in all C level tournaments, then it is probably time to go looking for a new team/org.

As the child gets older the goals of the player need to be taken into consideration. Does the exposure the organization provides (through tournament bids, connections, etc) match what the player plans on doing beyond HS? If your player has only local colleges in mind, in particular D2/D3 schools, to me it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be traveling all over the country for tournaments when playing local tournaments and showcases (along with sending out skills videos, etc) would probably be enough. I see this with my DD's org. They play in a bunch of National tournaments but 3/4 of the kids that play in college are committing to schools within 100 miles. Seems like a waste of money to fly to CA to play in PGF when none of the schools you are interested (and able to play at) in are going to be there. College is expensive, put that money in a college fund.
 
Last edited:
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
The coaches matter most. Of course their ability to coach, attract, and develop players, but also their ability to help with recruiting. Those things matter more than any organization. If college ball is the goal then help with recruiting and having connections to college coaches is the most important aspect of the team and that usually rests with the coaches far more than the organization.
 

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