When does the "not great kid" finally hang it up

[Anonymous]

When does the "not so good kid" finally get to the point where their parent stops paying for club soccer? When the roster expands and the number of teams shrinks? When middle and high school sports take affect? Our team has a couple kids who just aren't at the same level and the coach gives them equal playing time (as he should).

[Anonymous]

The club will fill the available spots with the best talent that tries out and wants a spot. If no one better ever shows up and wants the spot, they will give to a player that does. What else exactly do you propose happen? It is team sport and no one can play if they don't have enough to field a team.

[Anonymous]

Oh, hopefully never. I hope the "not so good kid" keeps on playing because they like playing and because their coaches, team mates and other parents make them feel like a part of the soccer family.

Because Being Kind is the best thing we can do to others.

Because being good in Soccer does not translate to professional success in life for majority kids in life, but can translate to happiness and health for 100% of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, hopefully never. I hope the "not so good kid" keeps on playing because they like playing and because their coaches, team mates and other parents make them feel like a part of the soccer family.

Because Being Kind is the best thing we can do to others.

Because being good in Soccer does not translate to professional success in life for majority kids in life, but can translate to happiness and health for 100% of kids.

+100000

[Anonymous]

Fine the right level where the player can enjoy the sport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, hopefully never. I hope the "not so good kid" keeps on playing because they like playing and because their coaches, team mates and other parents make them feel like a part of the soccer family.

Because Being Kind is the best thing we can do to others.

Because being good in Soccer does not translate to professional success in life for majority kids in life, but can translate to happiness and health for 100% of kids.

X1000

[Anonymous]

My kid who was a "not great kid" when he was younger (rec play then 4th and 5th (!) level teams when he started travel) is now a very competitive HS player on his way to play in college and who wants to play professionally.

If they are interested, let them play as long as possible. Development takes years. I am super appreciative of those youth coaches who encouraged him to play and gave him time even when he was a clumsy fourth-tier player.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope OP's kid gets kicked off the team.

That makes you no better than OP.

[Anonymous]

My oldest is a Freshmen in HS. He’s a good player—but I can’t wait until Club soccer is done. The drama, the politics, a-hole parents, you become jaded. He, on the other hand, loves it so I would never say this in front of him. I’m sitting a car now because we had to get up at 6am on a Sunday for a game.

Younger sibling is in 7th so I potentially have 5 more years of this youth soccer BS.

I gave up Club After Junior year. I had been playing since I was 5 and was on the top team in the area my entire youth. I was burned out and started having other interests. I had zero desire to play in college. About 50% of my team went on to play in D1 schools and a few others received scholarships in a different sport—basketball (goalie), tennis, etc.

My nephews gave up sophomore year in HS.

I let my kids lead. My older one has a huge passion for it. I see my younger one starting to lose that passion- but he’s a really good player. He loves a sport he’s not as good at it.

[Anonymous]

Wow. You realize none of these kids are going to the Olympics right...

[Anonymous]

Whenever he wants, if he is my son. I only have one kid, and the money is not a big issue (we're not super rich, but comfortably upper middle class). He loves to play, so as long as he wants to, why not?

[Anonymous]

Hopefully never if they enjoy it. I would hope they could find a rec team to continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is a Freshmen in HS. He’s a good player—but I can’t wait until Club soccer is done. The drama, the politics, a-hole parents, you become jaded. He, on the other hand, loves it so I would never say this in front of him. I’m sitting a car now because we had to get up at 6am on a Sunday for a game.

Younger sibling is in 7th so I potentially have 5 more years of this youth soccer BS.

I gave up Club After Junior year. I had been playing since I was 5 and was on the top team in the area my entire youth. I was burned out and started having other interests. I had zero desire to play in college. About 50% of my team went on to play in D1 schools and a few others received scholarships in a different sport—basketball (goalie), tennis, etc.

My nephews gave up sophomore year in HS.

I let my kids lead. My older one has a huge passion for it. I see my younger one starting to lose that passion- but he’s a really good player. He loves a sport he’s not as good at it.

I am the PP above with a kid who is headed to college soccer, and I agree with you. I actually think it was a blessing in disguise that my kid was never on the top teams until he was a teenager. The environment in the lower team levels was so much healthier. I'm so glad he was not exposed to some of these toxic, aggressive jerks as a younger kid.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what category the kid falls into- we have two “not so good kids” on my daughters team. One opening talks about hating soccer and how her parents make her play club and the other works really hard and loves the game but just hasn’t caught up to the other girls. I will keep #2 for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, hopefully never. I hope the "not so good kid" keeps on playing because they like playing and because their coaches, team mates and other parents make them feel like a part of the soccer family.

Because Being Kind is the best thing we can do to others.

Because being good in Soccer does not translate to professional success in life for majority kids in life, but can translate to happiness and health for 100% of kids.

👏🏻 thank you