At what age to make the move from Classic/ Select/ Rec to Travel?

[Anonymous]

My kid is a very smart, very determined player who probably punches above her weight just by virtue of being able to really see the game and knowing where to be on the field.
Not great technique, has never really been taught. Loves playing soccer and can't get enough. Wants to play more and more.

At what age would you imagine it would be ideal to move from her current select team to a travel team? In your experience what is a good time to make the switch? (Both in terms of age, and in terms of development.)

On the flip side, at what age would you imagine that it's already probably too late to make the switch? (Not to mention too early.)

Especially curious to hear firsthand experience. Thanks in advance for your feedback

[Anonymous]

It really depends. If you can find a strong classic/select coach who knows the game and wants to develop the team into one which plays up a year and enter local tournaments then that is a great option. I would say that if your kids really show potential, I would enter travel by U13/u14.

Don't buy into the notion that you have to begin travel by u10.

[Anonymous]

What age is she now? Is she on a casual, parent-coached rec or classic team?
If she's on a professionally coached select team I don't really understand your comment about how she's never really been taught good technique.

[Anonymous]

U13/U14 is usually considered a kind of cut off. Some say it's the optimal time to switch while others might say it's kind of like her last chance to switch to higher levels without being too behind.

[Anonymous]

I know plenty of kids that play select with strong coaches that don't make the switch until MS (U13). MOST MSI Classic teams are NOT "select." There are too many different levels on most teams and parent coaches don't have a lot of experience in coaching. But there are some coached by companies like Brit-Am or Toca that might have a more consistent level of players and better coaching.

I would go to a lot of tryouts and maybe attend some practices with current teams to figure out what group looks like the right level.

[Anonymous]

For top travel teams, ideally U7. Latest is U10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What age is she now? Is she on a casual, parent-coached rec or classic team?
If she's on a professionally coached select team I don't really understand your comment about how she's never really been taught good technique.

U11. professional not parent coach, they work on passing and shooting but not really on individual ball skills at all, so far as I can tell. That said, she's scrappy and manages to make things happen on the field, in a "not pretty but gets the job done" kind of way. She also practices casually with a rec team sometimes, too, because we live next door to the practice field and the weather has been so nice

So she likes her current team, and I'm not dying to pay more or drive more -- but I can also see that this is all becoming important to her, and I'm worried that she'll miss the boat if we don't switch soon. It's not that she's a better player than everyone else, to be honest -- better than average, but not the star player -- but she really wants to improve, and has asked about playing travel.

I'm not imagining her as an elite player, just a kid who loves playing as much as possible, and will be really thrilled to see herself improve. Ok to wait? Or might she really benefit from the extra practice and coaching at this stage?

[Anonymous]

well, you are already playing MSI classic, so why don't you try out for MSI premier... you are are already part of the club

https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=902827

[Anonymous]

well maybe you're not part of MSI, there are so many middle ground levels in Maryland I can't keep track anymore. But MSI is one of your options.

[Anonymous]

Move to travel asap if the kid has talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What age is she now? Is she on a casual, parent-coached rec or classic team?
If she's on a professionally coached select team I don't really understand your comment about how she's never really been taught good technique.

U11. professional not parent coach, they work on passing and shooting but not really on individual ball skills at all, so far as I can tell. That said, she's scrappy and manages to make things happen on the field, in a "not pretty but gets the job done" kind of way. She also practices casually with a rec team sometimes, too, because we live next door to the practice field and the weather has been so nice

So she likes her current team, and I'm not dying to pay more or drive more -- but I can also see that this is all becoming important to her, and I'm worried that she'll miss the boat if we don't switch soon. It's not that she's a better player than everyone else, to be honest -- better than average, but not the star player -- but she really wants to improve, and has asked about playing travel.

I'm not imagining her as an elite player, just a kid who loves playing as much as possible, and will be really thrilled to see herself improve. Ok to wait? Or might she really benefit from the extra practice and coaching at this stage?

If money/time isn't an issue, then go for it, why not? My DD sounds like a similar type player and got on a C team of a bigger travel club with a friend and loves it. At this point, it's about them having fun, keeping in shape, etc. Not about who is best or college, etc. Maybe middle school/high school teams depending on how puberty changes things but mostly about fitness and keeping them off the ipad lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:well, you are already playing MSI classic, so why don't you try out for MSI premier... you are are already part of the club

https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=902827

At U11, it’s actually called MSI Academy: https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=902827

I recommend you reach out to Coach AJ DeLaurentis for your daughter to start attending a few practices as soon as possible. This will help you & your daughter decide if you would like to join a travel team.

[Anonymous]

Is MSI academy substantively different / better from other Moco travel options?
Or were you just recommending it because they draw from the classic league?

[Anonymous]

If you are moving up the travel directly from classic, you have to remember that you're player has never received any real training before. MSI is a good stepping stone. Figure your DD is U12 next year, so she has missed out on 3 years of professional training, plus any U8-year preparation. Bethesda is the other Club that comes to mind but over there you will mostly find players at have gone through that process already. MSI has 2 teams and it is less of it intense competitive environment compared to Bethesda add the players still develop there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is MSI academy substantively different / better from other Moco travel options?
Or were you just recommending it because they draw from the classic league?

Fewer teams so more intimate and more attention.