I agree, there are some posters on this thread who just want to be contrarian on every point. It's much more helpful to be positive, we can disagree but the trolling and sarcasm doesn't add much. |
This will not meet the meaningful as too many people will take it personal but: 1) My kid came to Bethesda to find other kids like him who live and breathe futbol. There are plenty of places to play in this area if you don’t fit that mold. You can still play at BSC if you don’t fit that mold, depending on your skill level. 2) it is perfectly okay if your kid is playing multiple sports and have a wonderful life. I think Jalen Brunson’s dad told him him you can be great at 2/3 things but not all 3: 1) Your sport 2) Your education 3) Your social life My kid is too young to sacrifice social life yet but if he stays on the path, I am not sacrificing education so he will have to give up the sport if he wants his social life. When my kid goes to his friends house, they invariably play soccer or are exchanging soccer cards or in the pool. Our summer has been built with time at the beach, pool, amusement parks, movies, museums, sailing, travel, playground with friends, etc. My kid is having a great summer. He still is tallying 30+ hours a week in camps and pickups with other players from BSC, Achilles, Arlington, Armour, etc. Now that you know that the top kids you see don’t have magic pixie dust sprinkled on them, you can help your child set appropriate goals based on what they want to achieve. The entire world plays futbol. US is the only sport focused on American football so if you are 6’2” and in decent shape, you can start late and potentially catch up with the best. You simply can’t make up the hours in soccer with the whole world as competition. The neuromuscular patterns that control ball mastery are ripest for formation between the ages of 7-14. It is awkward to see kids who still believe in Santa and enjoy toys with kids meals go so hard in a sport but this is the reality we are in. Like the Matrix, accept the truth pill or keep thinking your child can hit their long-term goals on 3 practices a week in the fall and spring. |
What's the "right quality of work"? I think the basic point is that definition is different for everyone. I've seen lots of kids at BSC who are busting their asses in practice, extra training sessions, working on their own, etc and it doesn't mean they're better players than some of the kids doing less. |
You described quantity The PP said right amounts of quality work. Which I'm sure compliments talent and potential. |
Spot on - especially the neuromuscular patterns at 7-14. |
Who has ever seen a documentary or interview of a top level professional soccer player's parents where they say, DS hung out doing social activities most of his time? |
If your son loves this schedule than that is awesome. For everyone on this thread, 99.9% of our kids aren't going pro, try to enjoy the process and the games. It will likely be over before any of us expect. |
I assume most people on here know that their kid is not the next Messi. |
Enjoy the process. They grow up quick. |
So what if all aren't going Pro? People should only but strong efforts into low fruit paths? Let's end all musical instruments lessons and singing lessons and acting classes and math tutors and science extra programs etc since majority won't become top tier performers or NASA scientists |
But they'll take the discipline and work ethic into whatever other fields they may end up in if not professional soccer Not just be satisfied with half-assing it and getting medals because of teammates efforts |
What's this false notion that the top soccer players are lacking in academic performance or sacrifice academics?
The Ivy League and D1 rosters are filled with F students? |
No, the previous post was arguing that you can only pick two of three; sport, academics, and social life. I am not sure I agree but the poster was saying sport and academics first, no social life if you want to stand out in the other two. |
30 hours + a week for soccer is crazy if your kid is young. Your not concerned about injury? |
All the parents who's sons are high level soccer players, strong academic performers and enjoying life socially are scratching their heads reading this nonsense |