Experience level to start travel?

[Anonymous]

Nine year-old DS recently decided he wants prioritize soccer over lacrosse and would like to play travel, but to date he's done only a year of rec (spring + fall) and hasn't had much technical instruction. His team mostly focused on scrimmaging over drills so his footwork isn't the best. That said, he's a big-for-his-age, athletic kid with a good feel for the game, and probably the best player on his team. He wants to be a GK but is also a very good (at rec level) midfielder.

Is it realistic to think a kid at this stage could make a travel team? We're new to this so I have no idea. If not, any tips on the best way to proceed?

[Anonymous]

Yes, he will make a team, especially if he’s willing to play as keeper. They’re harder to come by.

[Anonymous]

I found that individual skills coaching in a situation like yours (athletic but unskilled) works very well. See if you can find a coach to work with him 2 times per week for the next year even while he plays on a team. He'll catch up.

[Anonymous]

tryouts for fall have come and gone. Call around to local clubs, one will probably be willing to add him to their lowest level team

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much, all--this is helpful.

Any thoughts on whether it would it be better to try joining somewhere now vs. waiting for regular tryouts next spring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much, all--this is helpful.

Any thoughts on whether it would it be better to try joining somewhere now vs. waiting for regular tryouts next spring?

Just join now. A kid that wants to play goalie will always be wanted. That said, def invest in 1 on 1 training as well to improve technical skills.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the clubs have started summer training. Shoot an email to the ones you are interested in and ask to come out and they will assess him.

[Anonymous]

As long as you’re willing to pay there’s a team for you

[Anonymous]

Join now. Just contact the team you want to join and ask if your kid can try a few practices. Then, after your accepted, accept the fact that you will now drive to that practice field 4x per week, 10x months per year for the next 9x years! lol have fun!

[Anonymous]

Your son will be fine. My son started at age 8 straight out of rec. A number of kids joined the following year and I assume most came directly from rec. My son did not have crazy skills but he was better than the average player on his rec team. He moved because he wanted to spend more time on soccer and the kids on his school MSI team just goofed off at practices.

The above poster who suggested willingness to
play keeper helps is wrong. At older ages it’s a definite plus but not at u10. First, at that age they don’t have keeper specific tryouts. Second the position is more
difficult than it looks so unless he’s done position specific training or played it a lot this past year, it’s unlikely he’s going to wow the coach. All players are evaluated on field skills at tryouts until I think u12. Once the season starts, the coach will have kids rotate through the goal to find those with an affinity for it.

[Anonymous]

I second what the poster above. At that age, it's very uncommon to have a set keeper for a team unless there's a kid who really has his/her heart set on the position. Usually, coaches will rotate players through the goal at this age. That being said, if your DS really is interested in being a GK, I would look for a good private GK coach. Very few team coaches have the background and skillset to teach GK skills. Some do but it's rare. As for a team, I wouldn't wait until the spring. I concur with others about reaching out to clubs right now. Most clubs have at least one team (even if it's a lower level) team that could still use players. Get him on a team now and see how it goes. Then the coach(es) will have more familiarity with him by the spring and certainly by the time tryouts are held again and they would possibly move him to a "more appropriate" team. If the team/club doesn't seem like a good fit or you then you've at least gotten DS acclimated to travel soccer and you can attend tryouts at other clubs in your area.

[Anonymous]

I'd go even further than PP. At U10 a coach keeping set positions is a huge red flag. Personally, I'd keep your kid in rec for the year, but sign them up for a winter futsal league that attracts travel players and teams like the St James. I think getting placed on a forth or fifth team that still has an opening could turn the kid off from travel and that they are likely better playing out the year on rec and then trying to make a higher team.

[Anonymous]

GK is the one position in soccer that a kid can start on late in an athletic career and go on to big things. Just ask Matt Turner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GK is the one position in soccer that a kid can start on late in an athletic career and go on to big things. Just ask Matt Turner.

Matt Turner is amazing and my GK son’s idol. But he is an anomaly. Most good GKs spend years developing. But, yes, it’s not a position you need to specialize in at 8, 9 or even 10 (or even should). We let my son start specializing at 10 but we should have insisted he play the field 50% for another year or two.

[Anonymous]

Much easier to make a travel team at a lower grade than as a teenager.