What to do when player is on the line between teams?

[Shining]

Hi- our DS is on the line between 2 teams in our league. He is currently playing with the better team, but is one of the weakest players and often gets less playing time during games. He is starting to get discouraged, which I hate to see. He is still young - elementary school aged - so he will have plenty of soccer years left if he chooses to stick with the sport. Can you help us think through the pros and cons of staying on this “better” team (if he is invited to) next year vs dropping down a team? Is that even possible?

Thanks so much!

[greypanther]

First- Ask your dc opinion and take that into account. Especially if he is 3rd-5th grade.

You never want to be the best or worst in a team. But competition is so fierce in this area, I would stay at the higher team for the ptactices (and occasional game time) and maybe play additional games with a midlevel rec or pretravel team that is not carded and plays on the other weekend day.

[NVA-Soccer]

Shining wrote:Hi- our DS is on the line between 2 teams in our league. He is currently playing with the better team, but is one of the weakest players and often gets less playing time during games. He is starting to get discouraged, which I hate to see. He is still young - elementary school aged - so he will have plenty of soccer years left if he chooses to stick with the sport. Can you help us think through the pros and cons of staying on this “better” team (if he is invited to) next year vs dropping down a team? Is that even possible?

Thanks so much!

Play with the team he will play more with, his confidence will grow, he will be happier.

[DMVCoach]

You should first talk to your son about how he feels about the whole thing. Opinions can change quickly at a young age.

Next depending on how that goes, you should talk to the coach about what your son needs to do to earn more playtime. Try not to get defensive when you hear the answers, and make it clear you're approaching not out of anger, but in an earnest effort to understand, and don't do it after a game, setup a time to have a quick chat.

[SoccerSkeptic]

What does your son do outside of team practices/games? Does he play soccer at recess or after school with neighborhood kids? Does he do any outside clinics? Does he love soccer and willing to put in extra work? If the answers to these questions are yes, stick with the higher team. Training with and versing more skilled kids will make him better. Once you drop down, it isn't impossible, but it is very hard to climb back up. If the answers to these questions are no, drop down to the lower team so he has more fun.