Reducing the academic load to play elite soccer.

[Anonymous]

Met with some DA parents (U17) and several of them noted that they have had to make some "academic sacrifices" for their kids given the elite soccer schedules. "We moved to a different school that was easier" and "we are skipping some AP classes this year" were some comments I heard. I even heard the story of one kid, who is on the national team callup / shortlist has even gone so far as to switch to homeschooling.

Do you think this is common? Are there a lot of DA kids at the tougher academic schools or are there just a few outliers? I've seen DA players get into Harvard / Stanford etc so some are able to balance, but wondering if there are people who have made the choice to dial it back a bit academically so they can purse sporting dreams.

[Anonymous]

You need to get your priorities straight. School, then soccer. The fact that you are asking this question should make you wonder.

[Anonymous]

I see no problem with reducing academic load to provide balance. It goes both ways, a kid should not play DA at the detriment of academics but a kid should not just study all the time with no physical outlet or ever having risen to the highest level of some activity. Playing at the highest level of the sport is also a learning tool.

The commitment, teamwork, dedication, and expertise to play at the DA level should not be overlooked as a learning tool to create a well balanced member of society.

I would rather work with a well balanced person than one who spent all his/her time in the books or vice versa on the soccer field.

[Anonymous]

It is not so much a big deal in high school. If you are playing DA that's what you are doing for extra stuff while in school. The rest is schoolwork. That's how it works in college frankly, although obviously even more so as the time committment increases in college.

So, to that end, the DA is a decent introduction to what is coming. The reality is that playing means some sacrifices for academics. You can obviously can and should still do well, but some majors in college and classes in high school do not fit well with the time requirements for a competitive program.

As an aside -- while obviously some science oriented majors are very difficul to accomplish in college - mostly because of the need to spend time in labs or various sorts - that also applies to the arts. You can't really work on a sculpture while you are riding a bus.





playing a Div 1 sport at a big school will mean limiting

[Anonymous]

My son plays a different sport. When it was apparent he would be recruited to a top academic school, just below ivy we cut all AP classes.

Why would you take all those classes if you are already into a college?

We were not interested in cutting a semester off of his college career.

[Anonymous]

Educate your brains people. Why would you skimp on academics for soccer unless you were a professional being paid? That seems really really misguided. Don't do that.

[Anonymous]

I have heard of people doing this. It's also common in gymnastics.

I have never seen it work out well in the few examples I know personally. Invariably the child has had a subpar education and then has ended up either not playing college or playing college but not further.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of people doing this. It's also common in gymnastics.

I have never seen it work out well in the few examples I know personally. Invariably the child has had a subpar education and then has ended up either not playing college or playing college but not further.

Ditto. I've watched this for decades. So many "star" high school athletes completely crap out at the college level and never actually play their sport. Several kids I know went to sub par colleges just because they got "signed" to the college team and that means so much to the kids in high school. One coach was red faced and spitting because I said I would not send my child to a smaller/lesser school to play they sport they showed some promise in. They'd go to the best college they'd get in. My kid was recruited by 2 non impressive, not- good reputation colleges and we didn't even call them back. The high schools must get some kind of kick back from getting the kids signed because I have seen so many smart athletes sign at some really bad schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of people doing this. It's also common in gymnastics.

I have never seen it work out well in the few examples I know personally. Invariably the child has had a subpar education and then has ended up either not playing college or playing college but not further.

Ditto. I've watched this for decades. So many "star" high school athletes completely crap out at the college level and never actually play their sport. Several kids I know went to sub par colleges just because they got "signed" to the college team and that means so much to the kids in high school. One coach was red faced and spitting because I said I would not send my child to a smaller/lesser school to play they sport they showed some promise in. They'd go to the best college they'd get in. My kid was recruited by 2 non impressive, not- good reputation colleges and we didn't even call them back. The high schools must get some kind of kick back from getting the kids signed because I have seen so many smart athletes sign at some really bad schools.

Kickback? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Educate your brains people. Why would you skimp on academics for soccer unless you were a professional being paid? That seems really really misguided. Don't do that.

High school is just a way to get to college.

Everybody has different paths.

Some overload APs and some have a talent.

Neither is right or wrong .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of people doing this. It's also common in gymnastics.

I have never seen it work out well in the few examples I know personally. Invariably the child has had a subpar education and then has ended up either not playing college or playing college but not further.

Ditto. I've watched this for decades. So many "star" high school athletes completely crap out at the college level and never actually play their sport. Several kids I know went to sub par colleges just because they got "signed" to the college team and that means so much to the kids in high school. One coach was red faced and spitting because I said I would not send my child to a smaller/lesser school to play they sport they showed some promise in. They'd go to the best college they'd get in. My kid was recruited by 2 non impressive, not- good reputation colleges and we didn't even call them back. The high schools must get some kind of kick back from getting the kids signed because I have seen so many smart athletes sign at some really bad schools.

You sound bitter.

[Anonymous]

Wake up parents, u14 kids from DA clubs already doing home school to prepare for the professional soccer career, who needs high school or college!!!

[Anonymous]

I know of some dancers who home school half days. These are elementary school students who have talent reps and are brand ambassadors and that kind of thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Educate your brains people. Why would you skimp on academics for soccer unless you were a professional being paid? That seems really really misguided. Don't do that.

High school is just a way to get to college.

Everybody has different paths.

Some overload APs and some have a talent.

Neither is right or wrong .

Try to find a better high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wake up parents, u14 kids from DA clubs already doing home school to prepare for the professional soccer career, who needs high school or college!!!

Lol. That will work for exactly one child in the metro area in all sports. But I am sure it is yours and yours and yours and mine.