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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Sorry, I have a million more questions:

When people say that he should or shouldn't specialize what do you mean?

My understanding is that coach told him that he can play one complete half in the goal (because none of the other players like it), and that in the other half he plays some other position, and gets rotated in and out the same as the other kids.  When he plays soccer with family or in the neighborhood it looks like he's in the goal a lot but not always.  Do you consider that specializing?

Are there goalie specific camps or classes?  Would you consider that specializing?

Or do you mean specializing in soccer?  At this point he plays a lot of different things, although with covid it's a little different.

This is his fifth season of rec soccer.  So, he's not a total beginner, he knows the rules.  But before covid, he played a lot of ice hockey.  After a year off the ice, we're thinking of making a change for the fall.

Also, how does he find teams to try out for?

Can he try out for both classic and travel, and then choose after?

And, how much does a classic or travel team cost?  I don't want to let him try out if I'm going to have to say no in the long term.

Finally, how far and often do "travel" teams travel?[/quote]

Great question about specialization.  Guaranteed no one will give you a specific answer because noone knows.  It's a buzzword that parents that don't know shit use to sound like they know what they are talking about and to put kids down who love soccer and want to play it all the time to justify their kid sucking.  At least 9 out 10 times this is the case. But generally speaking...specializing could mean...only playing one sport year year or only playing one position whenever you play that sport.  So it's both based on your comment.  It sounds like your son plays GK half time at most. Wgich is OK. Game understanding and ability to play with your you feet is very important for GKs so the needs just as much field time or more than GK. So maybe even do halftime GK every 3rd game.  When it comes to specializing in a sport... generally, people are talking about overuse injuries.  Mostly in baseball because of the constant throwing motion of only one arm and basically just running straight.  Think about how soccer players move.  How does playing baseball help them?  So I don't want to give too many of my personal biases here but, even if your kid is just absolutely bonkers for playing soccer all day every day, there is a lot of value of playing individual sports...such as tennis. Kids learn to depend on themselves and only themselves.  Great agility and movement in tennis for example as well.  Basketball...especially for a GK, rebounding is such a great skill that transfers to GKs.  Smaller space. Lots of decisions. Learning time and space. Etc etc.  But talk to a trusted performance trainer about specialization and the pros and cons. Us parents will argue all day about this. But I think you'd be fine to play soccer year round with a break in the summer (swim, play tennis, play pick up soccer at the park, shoot on dad or vice versa, etc) In the winter. add basketball and maybe in the summer too.  Play pick up basketball all year round with friends.  In the winter play a little futsal when you can. Futsal is becoming more and more popular so look for futsal in the summer too.  Just let your kid lead the way and you'll be in good shape.  Oh and of course ice hockey is great whenever.

There are plenty of GK trainers out there and that would be great for your kid if you can afford it.  Just as there are pitching coaches, shooting coaches, etc.

As to how far you travel....There are several different leagues and most clubs have teams that play in different leagues depending on their commitments.  For example, some clubs play ECNL.  Their top team is required to play in ECNL league, their 2nd team might play in EDP, their 3rd in NCSL. Maybe top team plays CCL and 3rd teams play NCSL...so this is hard to explain to you but.....The basic geographic area is Baltimore, to Frederick, DC down through Fredericks burg out to Falquier County.  Some leagues include VA Beach, Roanoke, Richmond, etc.  Some leagues include teams from PA and the Carolinas.  All depends on which leagues the team plays in.[/quote]

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