Child just happy with rec soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the recent mad scramble for MSI Classic -- with backstabbing, tears and hurt feelings -- was any indication of what lies ahead in the world of semi-selective soccer, then recreation level is the way to go.

Is this your child’s individual experience finding a team or something more wide reaching?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is very good technically at soccer. We enrolled in one of the ASA academy's two years ago and she really thrived. Attended one travel try out and again did great, but did not want to go to second and was still offered a spot on 3rd team, probably would have gotten higher if she went to second try out. No interest. We chalked it up to too many other interests or burn out from academy. Play rec spring and fall, did very well; granted not the highest level of competition as many went ADP and travel.

This year we skipped try outs altogether. Child just has no interest in anything more than rec. Her team is no more as the players have moved on and she does not even really have any friends on current team. I am not trying to push her to do anything serious at soccer, but at this point it feels like she just is taking the path of least resistance and enjoys not being challenged/competitive.

Is this normal? Players who did not make ADP last year have been practicing and eager to make the next level and mine is naturally gifted but zero drive. Academically she is also a bit on the lazy side but does ok. Her favorite hobby appears to be gossiping and clothes. Not sure if I am to blame or should be pushing her to push herself more, if that makes sense.

Normal. Raise the child you have, not the child you want. You're doing fine.

[Anonymous]

This is the eternal balance of parenting!

Pushing a child in sports is no different than pushing a child into a musical instrument at age 2 or math at age 3. If they have a natural gift you can encourage it by buying the toys/games that foster the behavior/activity but you cannot make them play it, let alone get good at it.

Our son was the worst on his team at 2 of 3 sports he played. He was best at basketball for reasons unknown but also the shortest on his team so that was going nowhere fast.

We started having both our boys privately coached for soccer and in one season he went from worst to middle of the pack. What a difference in his confidence and enjoyment of the game! That being said, we could only push him so far and while he still is not great, he is in a happy spot thinking he is good enough. That is all you can really do. Do I wish he wanted more? Sure, but my playing days are done and it is his choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the recent mad scramble for MSI Classic -- with backstabbing, tears and hurt feelings -- was any indication of what lies ahead in the world of semi-selective soccer, then recreation level is the way to go.

Is this your child’s individual experience finding a team or something more wide reaching?

+1
It's a coach issue.
Some are able to handle this with grace and others are just jerks. Ours managed tryouts with everyone feeling good in the end, but I have a friend with a child at another school and their experience sounds exactly as you describe. Not looking forward to seeing this team on the field next season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she happy? Is she getting exercise? Don't go out of your way to pay for the privilege of messing up a good thing.

Yeah if she’s happy then let her play with her current team.

[Anonymous]

Not every kid is uber competitive. My daughter was happy to join a classic team but has no interest in travel despite being moderately talented. She’s said if push comes to shove she would do rec with her friends if she could only do one thing.

She also doesn’t want to go a to a competitive soccer camp she wants to be a junior counselor for a little kids camp.

Soccer is primarily for physical fitness and fun so that’s fine with me.

[Anonymous]

OP, I find the more my kid is on the iPad, the less she wants to do anything outside. Not sure if that is a factor, but it could be if screen time is not managed.