Starting Soccer at Age 11

[Anonymous]

My DS announced that he'd like to start playing soccer. Some of his friends are in various leagues and I think he wants to get in on the action. I know nothing about soccer and dread watching it but if he wants to give it a go, I support him. Problem is because I know nothing about soccer, I have no idea where there may be a good fit. It seems at his age, if kids are playing soccer, they're pretty serious and competitive about it. Is there a chill rec league where an 11 year old can play without fear of disappointing teammates? Just want a program where he can learn some skills and have some fun. I'm sure he knows the basics of the game from PE. We're in the Falls Church area but willing to spread out search in order to get a good fit. Like so many people it's been a tough time. If this gives him something to look forward to, I'd drive to Middleburg, ok, maybe not that far. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, there are definitely rec leagues that he can play in. Many of the bigger clubs in NoVA have rec leagues. There's also travel soccer which will have a mix of kids who aren't necessarily very good but want more competition than rec might offer (usually found on the "lower tier" travel teams) and the top tier teams, of course, is where the more talented, more dedicated players tend to be found. At U-11, teams aren't playing in ECNL or GA yet but at the older ages (usually U-13+), that's where you typically find the best players and the toughest competition. Obviously the big differences between rec and travel in a "normal" year are the amount of travel and the amount of practicing involved as well as the costs (naturally). Hope that helps just a little bit!

[Anonymous]

This might give you a good place to start: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/athletics/sports-directory/youth-soccer

[Anonymous]

OP it's totally fine to start at age 11.

I will not be popular on this thread. A lot of kids burn out by age 11. Also, boys in particular grow a ton in middle school and walk onto many sports in HS.

My son didn't play many sports til HS. Started varsity Lax 9th grade, Played college division 1 no videos, no recruiting just walked on. While that part isn't that common. I watched time and time again kids starting later. Way less injuries.

[Anonymous]

I volunteer with one of the large community sports leagues in Fairfax. It is VERY common for kids to try soccer later in elementary school. We get many players trying soccer in 5th-6th grades.

[Anonymous]

why don't you play with Arlington's rec program? a ton of kids from falls chuch play in it

[Anonymous]

Lots of good advice here. Also, if your son is interested have him watch European pro leagues like EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Champions League. Tell him to pay attention to patterns of movement, patience of players and movement off the ball. Good luck to him, it’s a great sport to play.

[Anonymous]

There was an interesting study that said many professional athletes actually excelled (and became pro) in their SECOND sport. So broadly speaking it is not too late. A soccer caveat: the challenge will be to find competent coaching in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

I’d do some research on where practices are. At least when I was commuting for work, something to be mindful of in this area. I’m also in falls Church but closer to Tysons, and we played with Vienna travel for a couple of years based on where they practiced (Tysons, Luther Jackson). I hear good things about their rec league too. Good luck! Have fun. It’s great he wants to try it out.

[Anonymous]

If he is really serious you may want to contact PAC travel soccer.

They are convenient to Falls Church. They are generally willing to add players mid season.

If he played with them he would catch up to his peers quickly assuming he has some athletic ability.

Their technical director is legit and very understanding of young players with not a lot off experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is really serious you may want to contact PAC travel soccer.

They are convenient to Falls Church. They are generally willing to add players mid season.

If he played with them he would catch up to his peers quickly assuming he has some athletic ability.

Their technical director is legit and very understanding of young players with not a lot of experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP it's totally fine to start at age 11.

I will not be popular on this thread. A lot of kids burn out by age 11. Also, boys in particular grow a ton in middle school and walk onto many sports in HS.

My son didn't play many sports til HS. Started varsity Lax 9th grade, Played college division 1 no videos, no recruiting just walked on. While that part isn't that common. I watched time and time again kids starting later. Way less injuries.

I would add that’s also the age some kids are stepping back down to Rec after either getting more serious about a different sport or just burning out on travel

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is any problem to start at age 11, but if he's looking for a rec experience, unless you know that something is wrong with your local league, I can't see why you wouldn't just stick with that. It creates the highest chance of making local friends through the sport, and the quality of any volunteer coaching is a crapshoot no matter what - some are great, some less so, but not by league.

[Anonymous]

High school soccer coaches look for speed not experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it is any problem to start at age 11, but if he's looking for a rec experience, unless you know that something is wrong with your local league, I can't see why you wouldn't just stick with that. It creates the highest chance of making local friends through the sport, and the quality of any volunteer coaching is a crapshoot no matter what - some are great, some less so, but not by league.

+1. And when you sign up for rec, you can request he be placed with friends or with kids from a certain school.