Travel soccer at 7

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll give you a different perspective because everyone is so obsessed with getting left behind.

When my kid was 9, we ended up leaving travel ball in early March because of a move. This meant that he missed the last 2.5 months of travel. No team practices or games. In that time he said that he wanted to get better so we developed a plan for him...lots of training at home and some private/group sessions. We are talking 12+ hours a week. In those 2.5 months and the additional 3 months of summer, he got SOOOOO much better. He is now MLS Next and visiting academies. Team practices and games are not what they need to be focused on at this age.

You don't need to be on a team to get better. Focus on the basics and ball mastery. They can become a beast at 12+ years old without travel ball.

While this may be true, this requires a kid who loves soccer and has an inner drive to improve. Nothing OP has said suggests this is the case. It sounds like OP's son is naturally good at soccer but it's not their favorite. If OP signs their kid up for travel they could end up in a situation where they are essentially dragging their kid to practices.

Look, I get it. My kids are both pretty talented in the sport that I excelled in growing up. I see the potential and know exactly what to do at which ages to maximize their potential. But the problem is, they like it but don't love it. They aren't interested in the more intense path that I took. They prefer other sports that frankly they aren't as talented in. As a result they are falling behind other kids who are taking the more intense path. But I have to accept that as a parent. I am not going to sign them up for some intense year round program when they aren't asking for more. I don't want them looking back on childhood and resenting me for making them spend hours per week doing something they enjoy less than other things, just because I thought they could be good at it.

This statement made me laugh out loud.

Why, maybe OP is/was a coach or some sort of a talent scout... maybe he has an idea of how to gauge early abilities. Granted probably not as accurately as OP thinks, but I wouldn't discount it completely.

Ha, I typed this and reading it back I see how it sounds. I didn't mean it like I have some 20 step training plan that I would make my kids follow to guarantee success. More that I understand the sport very well from my own experiences and staying involved with the community. I know which clubs/coaches are the best and what kind of environment is best at different ages. A lot of parents around here get excited about their kids' early talent and push them into heavy training too young, which burns them out. I have a good understanding of the long view, how much changes with puberty, and how to work through the inevitable setbacks. But I am clueless about soccer and feel like I've just been guessing. I wish I had understood what to look for in a soccer club and coach for a kid who loves it and wants to learn all they can. A few years in I can see a gap between my kid and those from other clubs that had an actual plan for development.

I have two kids a few years apart and I am making sure not to make the same mistakes with the younger kid... I see how a lack of decent coaching/competition early on was/is detrimental to my older kid, now we have to work to bridge the gap. The younger one is benefiting and is already on a much stronger path forward. Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training. I didnt do the lessons because I think my kid will play professionally, I just wanted her to be on par with her peers and not feel like she is lagging behind.

You might need to do the same to bridge that gap.

Blaming bad coaching for your kid's lack of progression is wild. Stop relying on team practices/games and coaches to improve your kid. If they were working hard to make sure there wasn't a gap in the first place you wouldn't need to scapegoat some coach from the past. "Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training." Unfortunately, you are to blame for ever thinking you could just pay a club money, drop them off at training with some random dude with a certificate, and expect them to come out better players.

And to confirm...yes, you will ABSOLUTELY need to be doing hours of work outside of team practices to maintain a level with the top teams. From an early age. Include pickup, street ball, futsal, individual training, and privates. You cannot expect a coach to get your player there and assuming they can is the adult making a big mistake for their kid.

Wow, someone has got a chip one their shoulder on the subject matter - likely a coach that is subpar...

In the situation described, it was absolutely the coach's fault. The entire team did not progress as far as they should have, there were genuine training gaps - team training gaps, not just individual ones. Also, the whole point of what I described was - me learning that we should have started putting more emphasis on coaching/competition at an earlier age... you raged against me, but literally restated what I already stated, but you sound unhinged about it.

Not every parent knows all the right moves when their kid starts with soccer, it takes time to learn that "yup" if you want your kid better, they need extra practice - how the hell was I supposed to know (my 1st/2nd year) with a soccer club (and club soccer in general) that $4k plus uniform does not pay for decent training unless you are on the 1st team.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids. We require them to all play rec until 4th grade then they can do classic. I can’t deal with the logistics of travel given we already juggling. They are all enthusiastic kids and like doing multiple things.

One of them classic is her level anyway. Another is a standout but it is what it is. He burns off the extra energy in track (those practices are next to our house) and what he lacks in ball control he makes up in that extra kick.

I really wouldn’t overthink this. If your kid is naturally sporty and does multiple things they’ll be better than 90% of other kids anyway and find something to do with that. 90% means high school athlete but not college athlete. Which is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll give you a different perspective because everyone is so obsessed with getting left behind.

When my kid was 9, we ended up leaving travel ball in early March because of a move. This meant that he missed the last 2.5 months of travel. No team practices or games. In that time he said that he wanted to get better so we developed a plan for him...lots of training at home and some private/group sessions. We are talking 12+ hours a week. In those 2.5 months and the additional 3 months of summer, he got SOOOOO much better. He is now MLS Next and visiting academies. Team practices and games are not what they need to be focused on at this age.

You don't need to be on a team to get better. Focus on the basics and ball mastery. They can become a beast at 12+ years old without travel ball.

While this may be true, this requires a kid who loves soccer and has an inner drive to improve. Nothing OP has said suggests this is the case. It sounds like OP's son is naturally good at soccer but it's not their favorite. If OP signs their kid up for travel they could end up in a situation where they are essentially dragging their kid to practices.

Look, I get it. My kids are both pretty talented in the sport that I excelled in growing up. I see the potential and know exactly what to do at which ages to maximize their potential. But the problem is, they like it but don't love it. They aren't interested in the more intense path that I took. They prefer other sports that frankly they aren't as talented in. As a result they are falling behind other kids who are taking the more intense path. But I have to accept that as a parent. I am not going to sign them up for some intense year round program when they aren't asking for more. I don't want them looking back on childhood and resenting me for making them spend hours per week doing something they enjoy less than other things, just because I thought they could be good at it.

This statement made me laugh out loud.

Why, maybe OP is/was a coach or some sort of a talent scout... maybe he has an idea of how to gauge early abilities. Granted probably not as accurately as OP thinks, but I wouldn't discount it completely.

Ha, I typed this and reading it back I see how it sounds. I didn't mean it like I have some 20 step training plan that I would make my kids follow to guarantee success. More that I understand the sport very well from my own experiences and staying involved with the community. I know which clubs/coaches are the best and what kind of environment is best at different ages. A lot of parents around here get excited about their kids' early talent and push them into heavy training too young, which burns them out. I have a good understanding of the long view, how much changes with puberty, and how to work through the inevitable setbacks. But I am clueless about soccer and feel like I've just been guessing. I wish I had understood what to look for in a soccer club and coach for a kid who loves it and wants to learn all they can. A few years in I can see a gap between my kid and those from other clubs that had an actual plan for development.

I have two kids a few years apart and I am making sure not to make the same mistakes with the younger kid... I see how a lack of decent coaching/competition early on was/is detrimental to my older kid, now we have to work to bridge the gap. The younger one is benefiting and is already on a much stronger path forward. Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training. I didnt do the lessons because I think my kid will play professionally, I just wanted her to be on par with her peers and not feel like she is lagging behind.

You might need to do the same to bridge that gap.

Blaming bad coaching for your kid's lack of progression is wild. Stop relying on team practices/games and coaches to improve your kid. If they were working hard to make sure there wasn't a gap in the first place you wouldn't need to scapegoat some coach from the past. "Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training." Unfortunately, you are to blame for ever thinking you could just pay a club money, drop them off at training with some random dude with a certificate, and expect them to come out better players.

And to confirm...yes, you will ABSOLUTELY need to be doing hours of work outside of team practices to maintain a level with the top teams. From an early age. Include pickup, street ball, futsal, individual training, and privates. You cannot expect a coach to get your player there and assuming they can is the adult making a big mistake for their kid.

Wow, someone has got a chip one their shoulder on the subject matter - likely a coach that is subpar...

In the situation described, it was absolutely the coach's fault. The entire team did not progress as far as they should have, there were genuine training gaps - team training gaps, not just individual ones. Also, the whole point of what I described was - me learning that we should have started putting more emphasis on coaching/competition at an earlier age... you raged against me, but literally restated what I already stated, but you sound unhinged about it.

Not every parent knows all the right moves when their kid starts with soccer, it takes time to learn that "yup" if you want your kid better, they need extra practice - how the hell was I supposed to know (my 1st/2nd year) with a soccer club (and club soccer in general) that $4k plus uniform does not pay for decent training unless you are on the 1st team.

I am not a coach, but I'd probably be subpar if I was. It isn't the coaching holding your kid back. It is the lack of time put into it. I have a chip on my shoulder because I'm sick of people telling me it's unfair my kid is getting more playing time or opportunities when he is putting in 12+ hours a week into his craft outside of team training. Blame the coach, the club, the other players, but never look inward...constant excuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll give you a different perspective because everyone is so obsessed with getting left behind.

When my kid was 9, we ended up leaving travel ball in early March because of a move. This meant that he missed the last 2.5 months of travel. No team practices or games. In that time he said that he wanted to get better so we developed a plan for him...lots of training at home and some private/group sessions. We are talking 12+ hours a week. In those 2.5 months and the additional 3 months of summer, he got SOOOOO much better. He is now MLS Next and visiting academies. Team practices and games are not what they need to be focused on at this age.

You don't need to be on a team to get better. Focus on the basics and ball mastery. They can become a beast at 12+ years old without travel ball.

While this may be true, this requires a kid who loves soccer and has an inner drive to improve. Nothing OP has said suggests this is the case. It sounds like OP's son is naturally good at soccer but it's not their favorite. If OP signs their kid up for travel they could end up in a situation where they are essentially dragging their kid to practices.

Look, I get it. My kids are both pretty talented in the sport that I excelled in growing up. I see the potential and know exactly what to do at which ages to maximize their potential. But the problem is, they like it but don't love it. They aren't interested in the more intense path that I took. They prefer other sports that frankly they aren't as talented in. As a result they are falling behind other kids who are taking the more intense path. But I have to accept that as a parent. I am not going to sign them up for some intense year round program when they aren't asking for more. I don't want them looking back on childhood and resenting me for making them spend hours per week doing something they enjoy less than other things, just because I thought they could be good at it.

This statement made me laugh out loud.

Why, maybe OP is/was a coach or some sort of a talent scout... maybe he has an idea of how to gauge early abilities. Granted probably not as accurately as OP thinks, but I wouldn't discount it completely.

Ha, I typed this and reading it back I see how it sounds. I didn't mean it like I have some 20 step training plan that I would make my kids follow to guarantee success. More that I understand the sport very well from my own experiences and staying involved with the community. I know which clubs/coaches are the best and what kind of environment is best at different ages. A lot of parents around here get excited about their kids' early talent and push them into heavy training too young, which burns them out. I have a good understanding of the long view, how much changes with puberty, and how to work through the inevitable setbacks. But I am clueless about soccer and feel like I've just been guessing. I wish I had understood what to look for in a soccer club and coach for a kid who loves it and wants to learn all they can. A few years in I can see a gap between my kid and those from other clubs that had an actual plan for development.

I have two kids a few years apart and I am making sure not to make the same mistakes with the younger kid... I see how a lack of decent coaching/competition early on was/is detrimental to my older kid, now we have to work to bridge the gap. The younger one is benefiting and is already on a much stronger path forward. Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training. I didnt do the lessons because I think my kid will play professionally, I just wanted her to be on par with her peers and not feel like she is lagging behind.

You might need to do the same to bridge that gap.

Blaming bad coaching for your kid's lack of progression is wild. Stop relying on team practices/games and coaches to improve your kid. If they were working hard to make sure there wasn't a gap in the first place you wouldn't need to scapegoat some coach from the past. "Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training." Unfortunately, you are to blame for ever thinking you could just pay a club money, drop them off at training with some random dude with a certificate, and expect them to come out better players.

And to confirm...yes, you will ABSOLUTELY need to be doing hours of work outside of team practices to maintain a level with the top teams. From an early age. Include pickup, street ball, futsal, individual training, and privates. You cannot expect a coach to get your player there and assuming they can is the adult making a big mistake for their kid.

Wow, someone has got a chip one their shoulder on the subject matter - likely a coach that is subpar...

In the situation described, it was absolutely the coach's fault. The entire team did not progress as far as they should have, there were genuine training gaps - team training gaps, not just individual ones. Also, the whole point of what I described was - me learning that we should have started putting more emphasis on coaching/competition at an earlier age... you raged against me, but literally restated what I already stated, but you sound unhinged about it.

Not every parent knows all the right moves when their kid starts with soccer, it takes time to learn that "yup" if you want your kid better, they need extra practice - how the hell was I supposed to know (my 1st/2nd year) with a soccer club (and club soccer in general) that $4k plus uniform does not pay for decent training unless you are on the 1st team.

I am not a coach, but I'd probably be subpar if I was. It isn't the coaching holding your kid back. It is the lack of time put into it. I have a chip on my shoulder because I'm sick of people telling me it's unfair my kid is getting more playing time or opportunities when he is putting in 12+ hours a week into his craft outside of team training. Blame the coach, the club, the other players, but never look inward...constant excuses.

Fine and fair enough, I see your point and unlike the many trolls on here I can understand where you are coming from and your frustrations. You never said how old you kid was, I can see how this would be an issue with an older child, but this discussion was about really young kids "travel soccer at 7" - there are not all that many kids that do 12+ hours of training at 7. My bad coach story is from when my kid was on a U9 team, they were one of the middle/better players on that team, but the whole team, not just my kid did not progress. It really was the coach's fault as it seemed that they were just not prepared to coach that age group adequately. Also, this was only my second year with any sort of club soccer and I was still figuring out my role in all of this.

With my younger kid, we are definitely doing things the way you mention. Actually both kids are doing much more practicing outside of club (by their choice). But also, the coach at the new club is much more experienced with the age group and you can see the team progression as well. So its not a one size (blame) fits all situation.

[Anonymous]

Soccer coach here.

#1 There really isn’t anything called travel soccer at 7 or 8 years old. It is mostly just rec. soccer with fancier jerseys. How you spend your money is up to you but don’t come expecting world class training and elite matches. It will not happen.

#2 At the ages of 7 and 8 coaches are largely focused on teaching fundamentals and creating a fun atmosphere for kids. Competition really isn’t emphasized until 10-11.

#3 It doesn’t sound like your kid really enjoys soccer. That’s ok! They are seven-kids change their mind all of the time on what they like and don’t like.

[Anonymous]

No need for travel soccer until 10. Just focus on getting your child good training at hp elite or something similar. They will be leaps and bounds better than everyone else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soccer coach here.

#1 There really isn’t anything called travel soccer at 7 or 8 years old. It is mostly just rec. soccer with fancier jerseys. How you spend your money is up to you but don’t come expecting world class training and elite matches. It will not happen.

#2 At the ages of 7 and 8 coaches are largely focused on teaching fundamentals and creating a fun atmosphere for kids. Competition really isn’t emphasized until 10-11.

#3 It doesn’t sound like your kid really enjoys soccer. That’s ok! They are seven-kids change their mind all of the time on what they like and don’t like.

So you say, but Bethesda plays up their 1st team 7 and 8 year olds... yes, its mostly at soccerplex (so the traveling is not far), but they test out their fundamentals against older kids. I am not saying this is the right thing to do or is typical, but its definitely not rec level

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No need for travel soccer until 10. Just focus on getting your child good training at hp elite or something similar. They will be leaps and bounds better than everyone else

You think that just training at hp elite or something similar is better than playing on a strong club's 1st team for 3 years? By the time your kid is 10, they are competing against kids that have been on a club team and likely had secondary training at places like hp elite, so leaps and bound better than 3rd team players, but not 1st team players - at least until puberty hits

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll give you a different perspective because everyone is so obsessed with getting left behind.

When my kid was 9, we ended up leaving travel ball in early March because of a move. This meant that he missed the last 2.5 months of travel. No team practices or games. In that time he said that he wanted to get better so we developed a plan for him...lots of training at home and some private/group sessions. We are talking 12+ hours a week. In those 2.5 months and the additional 3 months of summer, he got SOOOOO much better. He is now MLS Next and visiting academies. Team practices and games are not what they need to be focused on at this age.

You don't need to be on a team to get better. Focus on the basics and ball mastery. They can become a beast at 12+ years old without travel ball.

While this may be true, this requires a kid who loves soccer and has an inner drive to improve. Nothing OP has said suggests this is the case. It sounds like OP's son is naturally good at soccer but it's not their favorite. If OP signs their kid up for travel they could end up in a situation where they are essentially dragging their kid to practices.

Look, I get it. My kids are both pretty talented in the sport that I excelled in growing up. I see the potential and know exactly what to do at which ages to maximize their potential. But the problem is, they like it but don't love it. They aren't interested in the more intense path that I took. They prefer other sports that frankly they aren't as talented in. As a result they are falling behind other kids who are taking the more intense path. But I have to accept that as a parent. I am not going to sign them up for some intense year round program when they aren't asking for more. I don't want them looking back on childhood and resenting me for making them spend hours per week doing something they enjoy less than other things, just because I thought they could be good at it.

This statement made me laugh out loud.

Why, maybe OP is/was a coach or some sort of a talent scout... maybe he has an idea of how to gauge early abilities. Granted probably not as accurately as OP thinks, but I wouldn't discount it completely.

Ha, I typed this and reading it back I see how it sounds. I didn't mean it like I have some 20 step training plan that I would make my kids follow to guarantee success. More that I understand the sport very well from my own experiences and staying involved with the community. I know which clubs/coaches are the best and what kind of environment is best at different ages. A lot of parents around here get excited about their kids' early talent and push them into heavy training too young, which burns them out. I have a good understanding of the long view, how much changes with puberty, and how to work through the inevitable setbacks. But I am clueless about soccer and feel like I've just been guessing. I wish I had understood what to look for in a soccer club and coach for a kid who loves it and wants to learn all they can. A few years in I can see a gap between my kid and those from other clubs that had an actual plan for development.

I have two kids a few years apart and I am making sure not to make the same mistakes with the younger kid... I see how a lack of decent coaching/competition early on was/is detrimental to my older kid, now we have to work to bridge the gap. The younger one is benefiting and is already on a much stronger path forward. Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training. I didnt do the lessons because I think my kid will play professionally, I just wanted her to be on par with her peers and not feel like she is lagging behind.

You might need to do the same to bridge that gap.

Blaming bad coaching for your kid's lack of progression is wild. Stop relying on team practices/games and coaches to improve your kid. If they were working hard to make sure there wasn't a gap in the first place you wouldn't need to scapegoat some coach from the past. "Unfortunately, the only thing that worked in our situation was getting private lessons to bridge the gap in training." Unfortunately, you are to blame for ever thinking you could just pay a club money, drop them off at training with some random dude with a certificate, and expect them to come out better players.

And to confirm...yes, you will ABSOLUTELY need to be doing hours of work outside of team practices to maintain a level with the top teams. From an early age. Include pickup, street ball, futsal, individual training, and privates. You cannot expect a coach to get your player there and assuming they can is the adult making a big mistake for their kid.

Wow, someone has got a chip one their shoulder on the subject matter - likely a coach that is subpar...

In the situation described, it was absolutely the coach's fault. The entire team did not progress as far as they should have, there were genuine training gaps - team training gaps, not just individual ones. Also, the whole point of what I described was - me learning that we should have started putting more emphasis on coaching/competition at an earlier age... you raged against me, but literally restated what I already stated, but you sound unhinged about it.

Not every parent knows all the right moves when their kid starts with soccer, it takes time to learn that "yup" if you want your kid better, they need extra practice - how the hell was I supposed to know (my 1st/2nd year) with a soccer club (and club soccer in general) that $4k plus uniform does not pay for decent training unless you are on the 1st team.

I am not a coach, but I'd probably be subpar if I was. It isn't the coaching holding your kid back. It is the lack of time put into it. I have a chip on my shoulder because I'm sick of people telling me it's unfair my kid is getting more playing time or opportunities when he is putting in 12+ hours a week into his craft outside of team training. Blame the coach, the club, the other players, but never look inward...constant excuses.

Fine and fair enough, I see your point and unlike the many trolls on here I can understand where you are coming from and your frustrations. You never said how old you kid was, I can see how this would be an issue with an older child, but this discussion was about really young kids "travel soccer at 7" - there are not all that many kids that do 12+ hours of training at 7. My bad coach story is from when my kid was on a U9 team, they were one of the middle/better players on that team, but the whole team, not just my kid did not progress. It really was the coach's fault as it seemed that they were just not prepared to coach that age group adequately. Also, this was only my second year with any sort of club soccer and I was still figuring out my role in all of this.

With my younger kid, we are definitely doing things the way you mention. Actually both kids are doing much more practicing outside of club (by their choice). But also, the coach at the new club is much more experienced with the age group and you can see the team progression as well. So its not a one size (blame) fits all situation.

We had a sensible disagreement on DCUM and came out alive. Point taken and there is still time for your kids if they want it.

[Anonymous]

Rec.

My son pushed for travel (club) soccer and has not looked back. We stopped baseball and other sports without fear of being left behind because he was not interested in it and HE WAS GOOD.

If the kid is not training on his own, keep him out of club. This applies to any sport.