Policies/Procedures > Dual Carding

Dual Carding

Why is Buffalo United supporting no dual carding for their older "A" teams?

Theory

The belief in youth soccer by the people at the top (United State Youth Soccer) is that kids play too much organized soccer and they are burning out and developing overuse injuries. Starting at u13 our teams enter two leagues, train three times a week, as well as participate in a couple of tournaments. Just as important as what the kids are doing is what they are not doing. They need to be kids, rest, hang out with friends, play another sport (recreationally), etc.

I believe it also hurts the travel clubs because the players who are not willing or able to play for BUSC should be getting the lions share of playing time and involvement in the games at the travel level. Instead most coaches allow the BUSC players to not come to training and then operate during games at the critical positions and hog the majority of the playing time. Or worse yet, the roster positions these part time players (BUSC kids) take up prevent another kid from playing at all. The best thing for all kids is that they are placed athletically or academically, in the appropriate environment. Nowhere do you see students in both advanced math and general math. They are placed according to their abilities and readiness levels.

We consider our program to be an extension of the travel programs. The travel programs are created to service the children in their respective areas in the game of soccer. We are created to service those same children, but specifically the ones who are looking for a little more than the travel clubs are able to provide. Because of the way we are designed we provide an environment with coaches who are knowledgeable and not just well-intentioned volunteer parents, opportunities with the ball that average out to three times a week for about 9 months out of the year, opportunities to train with players of similar abilities and goals, and opportunities to compete against some of the best soccer talent in the state, region, and nation. Travel programs should be commended for developing a child to the point where they can move on to achieve the level of success in the game they desire. I am sure knowing that player was able to advance themselves closer to their goals and dreams is far more rewarding than winning a few more games or playing in the B division instead of the A division.

BUSC is a big commitment for both the players and their families. Soccer and growth in it has to be important to our members or the program will not be a fit for them. If soccer is important then playing with the same friends they see every day in school will be less important. The kids that make the jump to our program are surrounded by 17 other kids who share the same passion as they do and usually strong friendships result from that.