Multiple Sport High School Athletes

[Anonymous]

I am curious how other parents manage their teenager's interests to play multiple sports in high school, including soccer.

I find my teen struggles with understanding the value of rest and downtime as part of their on-field performance. At some point the sports activities in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer overlap. Bodies get tired. Being tired can lead to injury. More is not always better. Quality can be better than quantity. And let's not forget that an education is part of this environment too!

Are your teen's multiple sport choices based on schedule or athletic ability, even if their chosen sports overlap on the calendar? What can you share about your approach to supporting your teen in managing their time and their body? How have you got past injuries that come with playing sports (small or big)?

[Anonymous]

Mine did one season doing high school track and soccer. Worked it out with the coaches when it came to practices, meets, games, etc. It was a lot to juggle, especially with club soccer still going on.

By the end, they reached their own conclusion it was too much physically. We felt the same and were happy to see them trim down their schedule the following year. In our case, track was what got the short end of the stick and what was not continued the following spring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine did one season doing high school track and soccer. Worked it out with the coaches when it came to practices, meets, games, etc. It was a lot to juggle, especially with club soccer still going on.

By the end, they reached their own conclusion it was too much physically. We felt the same and were happy to see them trim down their schedule the following year. In our case, track was what got the short end of the stick and what was not continued the following spring

I feel we are on that same path. My daughter loves soccer, but is also good at track. Winter track seems to be the only option to allow for soccer. But that also means back to back sports that sometimes overlap. It is hard to get ready for Districts or Regionals in track while at the same time trying to spool up for soccer tryouts.

[Anonymous]

I've always been confused why Virginia doesn't allow students who make a HS sport/team that has mandatory practices to wave their physical education class - maybe replace it with a study hall.

[Anonymous]

They use the health/pE classes to cover all the mental health/ STD topics the state mandates they cover.

[Anonymous]

If your kid qualifies for regionals or states in track- they won’t be allowed at the normal soccer tryout. At least that is what happened this year. They can’t tryout until their winter season is complete.

[Anonymous]

My daughter did basketball and my son did indoor track. For both it is mostly for the social aspect. They seem to hold up fine. Soccer is their main sport though and it seems to me they put less pressure on themselves with their winter sports. Hopefully it’s almost a mental break. They aren’t ECNL so winter training for soccer happens but if they have a game or meet they can miss a session, and if there is a tournament they can miss a HS practice. It’s a balancing act for sure though. D may have to change that if she makes varsity next year but the JV coach seems to be very fair with the kids.