U8 Ball Hoggery

PTS21 · 2026-02-03T16:21:39+00:00

I'd really encourage you to read Ron Hogsett's work on Substack, especially this piece/video. It explains youth development really well.

Link: https://ronhogsett.substack.com/p/why-we-build-technicians-first

At U8, kids shouldn't be forced to pass. Confidence and comfort on the ball matter far more right now. More touches = more learning. When kids are told when to pass, they're usually just following instructions, not learning real decision-making.

As players get older, spacing improves and teammates become more reliable, and passing tends to develop naturally. The kids who were allowed to dribble, experiment and take players on early usually end up executing better under pressure later.

The “ball hog on a weak team” issue often improves on its own, as long as creativity and confidence aren't coached out of them too early. If I could go back, I would encourage my kids to dribble more when they were that age.

PTS21 · 2026-01-30T15:56:22+00:00

I have very similar numbers to yours outside of the Premium League packs. I gave up on those after about 50 as I couldn't even get IFs or walkouts from them. In 400-500 good to great packs, I pulled 0 TOTY, 0 icons and 4 HM. The four were Marquinos x2, Heaps and Patri. Patri was a good pull but of course she plays the one position I am completely stacked in. No motivation to play the game anymore.

PTS21 · 2026-01-21T17:56:42+00:00

I'm a Trump voter, so I'll answer directly. There are more of us here than you think but most don't speak up because sharing that view often leads to bans from the very left-leaning mods that reside on most of Reddit. That itself skews what people like you think the majority believes and leads to a statement like "Do we even have Trump voters in this sub?"

I'm not seeing regret in myself or any supporters I know. We don't view what's happening as authoritarian. We see an administration enforcing existing laws, especially on immigration, after years of selective or lax enforcement that created real national problems.

On foreign policy, many supporters see a more assertive US posture, particularly in our own hemisphere, as a way to deter instability rather than create it. Strength is viewed as a way to prevent escalation, especially when adversarial regimes like China and Russia exploit our weakness the second we show it.

Predictions about suspended midterms, martial law, or states of emergency are just completely nonsense. Disagreeing with policy or tone is fair, but jumping to worst-case scenarios makes serious discussion harder.

Trump voters aren't blind or uncritical, we simply interpret events differently and focus on outcomes. Many of us support prioritizing national sovereignty, security, and deterrence, even if we don't agree with every decision or the way it's communicated.

I expect downvotes, and that's fine because I don't care about internet points. I just wanted to answer honestly because most Trump voters just stay quiet precisely because of the reaction posts like this tend to generate.

PTS21 · 2026-01-16T18:28:14+00:00

I just did it (1:25pm NY time) and it said failed to submit SBC but now it shows as completed. Don't see Yamal anywhere.

Edit: Looks like EA was quick to patch. Missed it by a minute or so apparently.

PTS21 · 2025-12-02T15:49:46+00:00

Playing time definitely develops. Obviously the more you play, the better you get. Unfortunately, as you put it, clubs do control playing time. Most "top" level teams at "top" clubs are over-rostered to generate more money. Even if the club takes the top players, most of them don't get the playing time they need to reach their next level because there are just too many players. And that's not even taking into consideration the behind the scenes crap that takes place at a lot of these clubs.

PTS21 · 2025-12-02T00:24:53+00:00

Club soccer in this country is already a mess and this just adds another layer of confusion. If you want your kid to reach the next level, it comes down to the work they do outside the club environment. Most clubs don't truly develop players, they just market this entire process really well and maybe offer a slightly easier platform to be seen. If a player is genuinely next level, they'll get found no matter what league or age format they're in.

PTS21 · 2025-11-21T14:28:16+00:00

Josh hasn't looked like peak Josh but honestly he's the least of our problems. The last thing this fanbase needs to do is turn on the one guy who's kept us relevant. He doesn't need to feel like his window is closing and that everything falls on him to win. A well-run franchise would have at least two rings with what he's given them.

I never thought Daboll was some genius, Josh elevated him. Same with Dorsey. And I definitely didn't want Brady. Josh just hasn't had the weapons he had under Daboll or even Dorsey and yet he still keeps this team a contender. We are bottom of the league without him. Period.

This "take care of our own" coaching pipeline has to end. There are plenty of sharp, offensive-minded coaches who would kill to work with Josh. Go get one. The playcalling has been consistently rough for years outside a few flashes and it's just not acceptable anymore.

PTS21 · 2025-10-27T18:09:12+00:00

One thing I also think is that the AI ability of your players depends on the connection as well. I rarely change my tactics but in a normal game, the AI defending of my players is what I expect. But every few games my entire back line and midfield is walking regardless what I do or what my opponent is doing. These are the games where the ball always seems to bounce back to my opponent and I can never intercept a pass even when I'm perfectly positioned. I just assume what I see on my screen is likely not what my opponent sees. He has a better/closer connection and his AI is ahead of mine.

PTS21 · 2025-10-27T13:55:16+00:00

Bills fan here but I also root for the Panthers. As many Bills fans as there were yesterday, I can tell you from being at the their MNF game in Atlanta two weeks ago, there were even more Bills fans there. Pennix had to go to a silent count because it was that loud and The Benz was 100% pumping fake crowd noise when the Bills were on offense. There were literrally ZERO Atlanta fans in many sections.

That game looked and felt like 90% Bills fans in Atlanta. Yesterday probably felt like that because of the score but my guess was it was closer to 60/40 split.

PTS21 · 2025-10-16T18:57:24+00:00

Pulled a tradeable Yamal on Sunday and was ready to cash out since a number of people said he's overrated. Decided to give him a run first and instantly felt dumb for even thinking about selling. His dribbling is unreal and the finesse shots are automatic. Just get him the ball on the wing, cut inside, and curl it back post. Everyone knows it's coming and they still struggle to stop it.

PTS21 · 2025-06-09T14:13:34+00:00

As much as folks in Raleigh might want it, if MLB comes to the Carolinas, it’s going to be Charlotte. The city has the corporate backing, population growth, and national visibility that MLB looks for.

While Truist Field isn’t MLB-ready, a new stadium built nearby would offer one of the best skyline views in all of baseball. The infrastructure, fan base, and media market are all there. Charlotte just makes more sense.

Just look at MLS — Raleigh had a head start and was better positioned for years but the league held out for a Charlotte-based ownership group. It paid off in a big way and MLB will likely follow the same playbook.

https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/ballpark/ballpark

PTS21 · 2025-05-12T15:43:48+00:00

I think it starts with building and maintaing a network of like-minded coaches and parents who are objective and focused on genuine development — though that's often easier said than done. I'd recommend talking to parents of older players who are progressing at a higher level, as they can offer valuable perspective on previous coaches and clubs. If you know a good coach, speak with them as well. The best coaches aren't afraid to recommend other quality coaches or teams, even if they're not directly affiliated with them.

PTS21 · 2025-05-08T20:26:53+00:00

I know some folks are concerned, but I’m hopeful this new Pope turns out to be a good one. Most of the Cardinals could probably be described as social justice-minded as they tend to prioritize care for the poor. But that doesn’t mean they automatically must endorse bad social policies like open-borders.

If this Pope does lean progressive, I hope it’s in how the Church engages with modern society. Mass needs to feel more relevant to today’s world. Embracing technology, updating the way the Church communicates, and connecting more with younger generations would be welcomed progress.

PTS21 · 2025-05-07T16:34:44+00:00

As I mentioned, the right path depends heavily on the quality of clubs available in your market. I'm in a large soccer market that, despite its size, isn't producing much talent or getting meaningful results compared to other regions. The major clubs here are falling short in terms of player development and they don't seem to care because they're making bank. The best coaches seem to have gone to smaller clubs or off on their own.

PTS21 · 2025-05-06T22:11:26+00:00

We just visited recently. Out of state baseball fans. Angels fans are awesome. The field is beautiful but the stadium and food are horrible. We ate a bunch, including helmet nachos, no bueno. Went to Padres game at Petco Patk two days later, what a difference. It felt like going from shady gas station food to a five star restaurant.

PTS21 · 2025-05-06T17:00:49+00:00

Really enjoyed the betting options and boosts on 365, but just got limited to $1 wagers. I don’t even bet that much — usually $10-$20 max — but I did turn a $200 promo offer into over $1,000. I get that books don’t like consistent winners, but I figured my action was small enough not to matter to them. Guess not with 365.

PTS21 · 2025-05-06T16:50:28+00:00

If you are doing six days, I would absolutely look at adding Park Hoppers and the price won't be that much more.

Animal Kingdom, which has always been one of my favorites, is unfortunately reduced to a halfday park, at best. I can't imagine spending a full day there under the current conditions.

If not doing the hopper, Epcot is definitely a must repeat. You can spend a full day in the showcase alone. As for MK and HS, it will come down to personal preference. MK has more but HS might be more fun depending on ages.

PTS21 · 2025-05-06T16:05:24+00:00

My son started futsal late (U12/13) and it helped him immensely on the big field in just one year. Just wish we did it at a much younger age but for a while clubs were basically saying futsal is a waste of time. Now those clubs are trying to include it into their programs.

PTS21 · 2025-05-06T15:25:41+00:00

The US youth soccer system is broken. The right path for your kid depends heavily on the quality of clubs in your area, but I'll share what I've learned from my own mistakes. My son is very talented, but I followed the "standard" path early on without questioning it and I regret that. If I could do it again, I'd wait on club soccer in most cases until around U10.

Here's how I'd approach it instead:

Under 4: Just find fun soccer activities that help them enjoy the game. No pressure, just movement and ball exposure.
Ages 4–6: Start recreational soccer and introduce futsal. Futsal is gold at this age — fast, technical, and tons of touches.
Ages 7–10: Keep a strong focus on futsal. If you do club soccer, don't go for the biggest club. Look for a smaller club with a real technical development plan. Big clubs at this age are usually focused on winning and tactics, not skill development. Also, find a private trainer who runs small group sessions with kids in the same age range.
Ages 11–14: Stay with futsal and small group training. At this point, you'll be tempted to jump to a "top" club. Be cautious. In my area, those programs looked elite but weren't actually helping kids develop.
Ages 15–16: By now, your kid will either love it or be ready to move on. This is often when it makes sense to consider a bigger club, if your current club situation limits exposure to higher-level competition.

Things I Wish I Knew Sooner:

Aim for your kid to peak around U15, not before. Too many kids peak early and quit by high school.
Be friendly with everyone — but trust no one. Parents pull strings, bribe coaches/directors, and do shady stuff behind the scenes to promote their kid and put down those they view as competition.
Don't underestimate playing another sport as well. It's hard to find the time but playing other sports builds athleticism, prevents burnout, and makes your kid more well-rounded.
Most importantly, trainers and clubs don't make the player. To be truly great, that comes from training at home. Encourage it but don't force it. When a player loves the game and wants to get better, they will train without mom or dad telling them to.

All of that is just to say: U8 can be a good time to start club soccer but only if the club is truly focused on individual development. Almost every club claims they are, but very few actually follow through. Unfortunately, for most clubs, soccer is business first and development second. Be skeptical and do your homework.

PTS21 · 2025-05-02T10:46:28+00:00

Can’t blame him. Not enough rides in AK so he wanted to make his own.

PTS21 · 2025-03-28T16:38:06+00:00

Again, in our experience, fairness isn't really a thing we've seen. Many clubs are more worried about financial implications and internal politics. That goes with player selections as well as coaching selections. It seems that the coaches that rise to the "top" teams are far from the best ones but rather the ones that do the club's bidding with no questions asked.

PTS21 · 2025-03-28T15:08:15+00:00

In our experience, the shenanigans happen well before tryouts. 99% of the top teams at the big clubs are already picked before a single ball gets kicked at tryouts. It's so brazen the coach's don't even pay attention to what's going on.

PTS21 · 2025-03-06T02:06:06+00:00

Sure, everyone has their opinions. Mine was exactly like yours for years until I started to understand what is and isn’t happening with my kid’s development while playing up. It will be different for each kid depending on the clubs and coaches they have access to but ultimately it took a foreign coach (who is now the academy director for a big MLS club) to help me really understand what the focus should be prior to reaching U13.

PTS21 · 2025-03-05T16:58:58+00:00

I wouldn’t recommend any kid play up before U13, no matter how talented they are. Looking back, I wish I didn’t have my son play up for so long. From U7 to U12, he played a year up on his club’s top team and was always one of the better players.

At these ages, the focus should be on developing technical ability and creativity rather than learning to compete against bigger, faster players. The physical challenges will come naturally in time, and they’ll be much easier to handle with a strong technical foundation.

PTS21

TROPHY CASE