Is soccer still number one for DS

[Anonymous]

He still loves games and hates practice (nothing new here) but I try to explain that only through hard work in practice will he A. Get playing time, B. Get better.

Two things - doesn't every practice involve a scrimmage? My son's practices always do, though it isn't the entire practice
Also, working hard in practice will get you more in tune with playing with your teammates, and help you understand where you need to position yourself, but to get better, you need to practice drills and work on skills outside of practice.

[Anonymous]

It has everything to do with the coach

I don't think so. My son is a U14 now and has played since U9, with many of the same teammates, but a different coach each year. The kids didn't change a lot depending on who coached them.

[Anonymous]

I think having a new coach that barks a lot and consistently stop practice to "teach" (50% of practice consists of this) is part of the issue. I have been mostly positive and supportive of him and even mentioned he does not have to play soccer if he does not like it. I just know he is very good at it and if just finds the motivation to work harder he'll be back to craving soccer every moment he can like he used to. I fear the stories I've heard and read about great young players fizzling out after a few years and fear this might be happening...

Um, you say he is U11. The reality is, a travel sport with three 90 minute-2 hour practices a week, plus 1-2 games per weekend where teams endeavor to move up through a division structure is not all that focused on the kids having fun. Maybe he doesn't want to be as serious about it.