Oh the irony. |
DP. This is completely not true, and shows a lot of ignorance. Sure, some kids who were best at U8 are still best at U19. But definitely not the best majority. Common sense should dictate here. If what you claim about the "vast majority" was true, there would literally be no need for scouts or even tryouts after U8. |
| If you're not on the A or B team you're wasting your money. Only if your kid lives and breath's soccer and really has aspirations, then maybe let your kid play on the C team, but lower than that just go rec. |
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Hopefully, kids play as long as they want to play and enjoy doing it.
Watching kids play from U8-U18 I definitely see some drop out because they lose their passion for the game (from top to bottom) and the way it shifts in the end the top teams are playing competitively and the bottom teams just enjoy the game and playing with their teammates. By high school, it generally shakes out that way. Lots of reasons kids choose travel teams over rec teams - the organization and support of the clubs, the quality of coaches, and the community of players. Those lower teams often support the better teams by having a deeper playing pool, bringing in money to the club (lower tournaments usually cost less), etc. The larger player pool can sometimes keep teams from falling apart when they get older. I've seen kids peak early and then stop putting in the effort because they think they are the star. I've seen late bloomers who kept working and working and made their way up the ranks. I've seen top kids continue to work hard and keep their skills up. I've seen less-talented kids be dedicated, show up, good teammates, work hard, who enjoy playing until their senior year. There is a place for everyone and none of these paths is determined in elementary school. At the end of the day just enjoy watching your kid play. |
If the kids enjoy it, they shouldn't quit. The point of the game is to enjoy playing on a team. If the coach is not giving them field time, that's wrong, fire the coach. Coaches who don't give the playe s equal time are a problem. |
| Soccer is a stupid game, kids kick a ball. If the kids aren't playing for fun, then WTF? |
? Any game could be called stupid, really. Kids throw a ball. Kids catch a ball. Kids chase a puck. Kids try to hit a little ball around a grassy area into a little hole. Pick any sport and someone can figure out a way to simplify it to its most basic level so that it sounds dumb. |
Move to rec or quit soccer and join a rock band. |
+1. The most stupid game is golf. Hit the ball as hard as you can with a stick then go look for the ball. LOL |
I don't understand this mentality. Only do things you are good at? I've spent plenty of time and money on golf over the years even though I'm not "A or B team" caliber. My level of play has nothing to do with my enjoyment. If I can afford it why not spend money on things my kids enjoy |
+1 It's not a waste of money if my kid is enjoying it, puts in the work, builds skills, gains life lessons and friendships. My kid will never be on the A team (unless there's some puberty miracle), but she was extremely frustrated on her rec team. Being on a lower level club team has been great for her all around. |
+1 I agree with you wholeheartedly. Rec teams often fall apart as kids age out, but club teams tend to be able to sustain multiple play levels. You pay for stability, good organization, and quality coaches. |
Exactly play for the fun of it. Yes it's ok if you are not the best player you can and should play if it's fun. If you are the best player and you are not having fun, you should quit. |
| Soccer is a stupid game. Not being good at kicking a ball is no shame. If it's fun do it. If not, go hit a ball with a stick or a bat or a club if you like or do something else. |
Nah brah. You doing it wrong. If you don't try hit so hard, ball easier to find. |