When is it too late to start soccer?
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Anonymous
| My kid can run and sort of kick a ball, but can’t do both. A lot of kids seem to have started at 3 and I see 6 year olds in “elite” travel teams that require tryouts and training. At what age would my kid feel too behind to be joining as a novice? I’m assuming by age 10-11, kids have at least casually played their chosen sport on rec or sports class if they are looking to join league play right? |
Anonymous
| My 11 year old started last year and while she's not the best athlete on the team, she's not the worst. |
Anonymous
Hello soccer parent, thanks for posting the question! You should expect multiple answers... all depending on what you might want for your child in the short, medium and or long-term(s), respectfully; and the realistic outcome based on when they start and where they would likely end-up. Kids with no team experience should start out in rec soccer at any age. But by middle school (an without any rec soccer experience), these kids know they would not be able to make their middle-school team and unless they are playing rec with a good friend, their soccer days would most likely be numbered. But thats ok. I have a 10 year old neighbor who is athletic and just started rec soccer. He enjoys it and will do a few skills clinics and sign up for rec soccer again. -He could easily go on to make the entry "level travel" (aka bottom) travel team in most clubs next year. Its possible, he would probably not not make the top team until he did 3 years of level at this point. Even at the top-team, he wouldn't be considered in the elite category yet. My daughter is also 10, she started playing at age 4, and is now starting her 4th year of travel at the pre-ecnl level... its the clubs top team, it is still not at an elite level. But she would probably go on to make the middle-school and high school teams. If she continues on, playing 10 months of the year at the top level, she could become elite and be a prospect for college. maybe even a D1 school. But to circle back, if your kid loves it, go ahead and sign them up for rec at least. Then if they really love it, and you can stand to dedicate a lot more time and money, let them go to travel tryouts next spring. I have seen a few kids come out to travel in middle school and get hit hard by a reality check that every one else is very good. Some stay because they have friends and don't mind being at the bottom of the pack and some leave after 1/2 a year. --if you keep it fun and go at your kid's desired pace, its not to late to join. But if your expecting them too then play in middle school/ high school and or college... she ship is uniting the ropes and setting sail by about 10 or 11 for a lot of kids. 
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Anonymous
| It depends on what you and your kid want from soccer. Age 10-11 is not too late. My boys played from ages 6-19, and continue to play the beautiful game. They don’t play for their college, they aren’t on Olympic or national development teams, and never nationally ranked, but they have played for various club teams, and their HS team which has been a huge highly. We have seen lots of kids join and quit at various ages and stages. Don’t let anyone make you think your kid is behind. If he/she is interested, just sign them up and see where it goes. Lots of running, pick up games and dribbling, and playing year round including indoor Futsol in the winter and conditioning and agility training will go a long long way to improvement. Also watch men’s and Womens soccer together - my boys find this super exciting and motivating. Find a rec club that takes beginners and go from there. |
Anonymous
| Around age 57 I'd say. |
Anonymous
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There is no age limit. There are rec teams everywhere.
6 year olds on travel teams are not the norm. |
Anonymous
| 65 |
Anonymous
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Two of my kids both started rec at 6 and added travel at 10. One of the kids on my son's middle school team had never played soccer before. He fell in love with it in 7th grade and joined a travel team this year. He's very good, but I think it's because he's very athletic and works a lot on his own.
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Anonymous
| So in general...it's never too late to start rec soccer. Find a team with some friends on it and see how it goes. But starting late lowers how high the level the kid can get to. Of course there are freaks that can start whenever and excel but, in general, if your kid starts at age 11 and can't run and kick a ball at the same time yet...probably won't make travel for a while and, by travel, I mean the lowest levels of travel that isn't much better than rec. So no matter the age, find a rec team with some friends on it and just see how it goes. The good thing about rec is that there are two seasons to a year whereas travel is a year long commitment. So your rec season will start in late August probably and end in late October. |
Anonymous
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Like a PP said, it all depends on what your kid wants to get out of footy for the next year or so.
But rest assured, 6 is the perfect age to have all options open in their soccer future. |
Anonymous
| Arsene wegner says if you're not a good player by 14, you can't play the game |
Anonymous
Well if Arsene Wegner said it I guess it’s immutable. |
Anonymous
Also, that’s not what he said. |
Anonymous
| Never too late. There's a level of soccer for every kid if he wants to play. Sure, he may not become a professional or reach the "elite" leagues but I think that's obvious; he can still love the game and have fun. |
Anonymous
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No limit.
Later you start the harder it will be to play on a college team but that only happens for a vanishing number of players anyway (esp. males given foreign competition) so it’s functionally irrelevant. Just start with rec and see how it goes. I’m pretty skeptical about how “elite” many of these U-little teams are anyway. |