A year off at the elite level?

[Anonymous]

OP, my U14 DS just asked me the same thing. He’s not DA but one step below. But burnout is burnout. I’m going to respect his self-awareness and let him take a break for a season. We’ll reassess after that. I know that if he wants to re-enter the sport at that point at whatever level, he’ll be mentally healthier, which may in the end make him a better player. If he really wants to go all in at that point, he’ll be more motivated to work hard and play his best. We really just want him happy, balanced and playing because he loves it. So a break could be the best thing that could happen for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my U14 DS just asked me the same thing. He’s not DA but one step below. But burnout is burnout. I’m going to respect his self-awareness and let him take a break for a season. We’ll reassess after that. I know that if he wants to re-enter the sport at that point at whatever level, he’ll be mentally healthier, which may in the end make him a better player. If he really wants to go all in at that point, he’ll be more motivated to work hard and play his best. We really just want him happy, balanced and playing because he loves it. So a break could be the best thing that could happen for him.

So-is the team down a man in the spring because he’s dropping out midseason?

[Anonymous]

My U15 (turned 14 last month) is having a lot of issues with his knees due to growth. He has a size 11 shoe- but hasn’t had his growth spurt/hit puberty so he is 5’3”. It’s frustrating. He has to sit out a lot. Sports orthopedist said he’s on the cusp of a major growth spurt and it’s causing havoc on his patella tendon.

So- he’s sat out a lot. He missed a tournament last weekend. I’m not worried about ‘falling behind’. He does what he can when he can.

He still has a strong desire to play. I have to say the break from the 4-5 days per week has been fantastic for all of us. He’s looking forward to Futsal with friends in January—but skipping next 2 weeks of practice to heal.

The people telling you he will fall too far behind have no perspective. My brother missed a year at this age with a bad injury and had a full scholarship, NCAA records and a pro career.

What’s the alternative? Force a kid to do something he no longer has passion for? That’s going to turn out well...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, my U14 DS just asked me the same thing. He’s not DA but one step below. But burnout is burnout. I’m going to respect his self-awareness and let him take a break for a season. We’ll reassess after that. I know that if he wants to re-enter the sport at that point at whatever level, he’ll be mentally healthier, which may in the end make him a better player. If he really wants to go all in at that point, he’ll be more motivated to work hard and play his best. We really just want him happy, balanced and playing because he loves it. So a break could be the best thing that could happen for him.

So-is the team down a man in the spring because he’s dropping out midseason?

No, there’s a replacement lined up. But even so, the team deserves a player who will give his all. DS is not there right now so even if they were a man down it’s better for everyone if he takes a break. I’m also not going to force him to do something that’s making him miserable and anxious and ignore his mental health. I know what you’re implying here but believe me, we had a full-on discussion about honoring commitments, etc. before he left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"elite level" ?? I thought you said he was U14. Do you know what Elite means?

Are you new to this board? If not, you know what the F he means. Stop being a d-bag.

Awesome response. You used all your big words.

I dont know what he means. What 12/13 yr old is ELITE? Is the kid scouted by colleges? Pro teams? NIKE contract? WTF?

I'm not the PP, but why are you so nasty? The kid plays DA, which suggests that he is one of the better players in his age group. That is a higher level than a rec player or one on a mediocre travel team, so arguably "elite." Knowing that the kid plays at a higher level is relevant to to discussion of the consequences of taking time off.

I'm not. No it doesnt suggest anything like that at all. DA is not elite. It's not relevant at all what team he hates playing on.

You’re a loser. Go back to to your hole Mr. negativity. This was a good thread until you piped in with your pedantic drivel.

Ha! "Pedantic drivel" is the perfect way to describe the contributions of this type of poster. I'm going to use that phrase on here in the future if you don't mind me stealing it.

To the OP, it does sound like your son is at the burnout stage. If I were you, I'd ask him more about exactly what is stressing him out just so you can be sure it really is all soccer-related (or related to the balance of soccer and academics). In my experience with boys' DA, it actually is quite rare for a kid who gets a lot of playing time to want to drop out given that they have to really love the game to make it that far.

I do know a kid who took a year off from DA because of issues unrelated to injury. He absolutely needed a break from various stressors in his life at at that point. During that year, he continued to train on his own and with friends on his DA team when they had the time, and he played a different sport in HS. When he came back after the break, it took him a few months to get fully reintegrated into the team and get a lot of minutes, but he ended up at the same level as before and is playing D1 now. I'll note that he had great relationships with the coaches and his teammates before the break, and stayed in communication throughout. It might be hard to come back to the same program without those sorts of strong relationships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My ds is playing U14 DA right now and came to us last night asking for a break. Schoolwork has been overwhelming this year and with the practice and game schedule, they haven't had a moment free most of the season.

Has anyone just taken a half or a full season off and then come back to the game? We plan to maintain the fitness classes they are taking even if not playing soccer, and he wants to go jogging with his friends who are on the cross country team. I just wonder if they could get back into an elite level following a bit of a break. Anyone BTDT?

p.s. I also secretly worry about burnout. I'm not entirely sure they would come back but I don't want to close the door to it if this is just a temporary down.

Let him take off. I would say that this is probably his way to say he is not into soccer. He probably does not want to let you down with that news. The time commitment and dedication required by a DA program will not be good or nice for someone who just "sort of likes soccer".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"elite level" ?? I thought you said he was U14. Do you know what Elite means?

Any age DA is elite level. It requires a 5-6 day commitment to the sport year around which includes tons of travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"elite level" ?? I thought you said he was U14. Do you know what Elite means?

Are you new to this board? If not, you know what the F he means. Stop being a d-bag.

Awesome response. You used all your big words.

I dont know what he means. What 12/13 yr old is ELITE? Is the kid scouted by colleges? Pro teams? NIKE contract? WTF?

I'm not the PP, but why are you so nasty? The kid plays DA, which suggests that he is one of the better players in his age group. That is a higher level than a rec player or one on a mediocre travel team, so arguably "elite." Knowing that the kid plays at a higher level is relevant to to discussion of the consequences of taking time off.

I'm not. No it doesnt suggest anything like that at all. DA is not elite. It's not relevant at all what team he hates playing on.

This guy obviously does not have a clue what DA is about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"elite level" ?? I thought you said he was U14. Do you know what Elite means?

Are you new to this board? If not, you know what the F he means. Stop being a d-bag.

Awesome response. You used all your big words.

I dont know what he means. What 12/13 yr old is ELITE? Is the kid scouted by colleges? Pro teams? NIKE contract? WTF?

I'm not the PP, but why are you so nasty? The kid plays DA, which suggests that he is one of the better players in his age group. That is a higher level than a rec player or one on a mediocre travel team, so arguably "elite." Knowing that the kid plays at a higher level is relevant to to discussion of the consequences of taking time off.

I'm not. No it doesnt suggest anything like that at all. DA is not elite. It's not relevant at all what team he hates playing on.

This guy obviously does not have a clue what DA is about.

Might not be a guy, but agree with you PP, either way. Sounds like he or she may be jealous too. As for OP, I applaud your DS for not being afraid to let you know how he’s feeling about all of this. Oftentimes it’s hard for kids to speak up for fear of disappointing their parents. He obviously feels emotionally safe enough to express his state of mind. His decision to leave a sport he’s been playing for a long time can’t have been easy for him. If he wants to come back to it at some point at the same level, I’m sure he’ll find a way.