Anonymous wrote:Our DS is going back to rec after playing travel since u7. He wants to play with less pressure and have fun again.

What is the stronger of the rec programs that will allow him to enjoy himself. We are in the Arlington/alexandria/falls church area. He practices on his own and has asked for time off as he’s burned out and wants to just play for fun again.

Some school friends play annandale but we were thinking Arlington may give him decent fields and kids who have skills who are liking him not specializing in soccer.

If his friends play in the Annandale league, then you should put him in the Annandale league so he can play with his friends.

Isnt the sportsplex all the way out in Maryland somewhere? They live in Annandale.

Anonymous wrote:He doesn’t want to play 3 times a week plus games with kids and travel. He wants to play for fun where kids don’t yell at each other and soccer is fun again.

I realize most teams are set but aren’t there 8th graders as a few other kids from his club are stepping back too - we are leaning towards Arlington as mg understanding is it can be higher quality rec and better fields.

I can sympathize with that. We have 3x type A bossy soccer girls on my DDu11 travel team...the amount of yelling from these kids is unreal. It is toxic on some level for sure. My DD has to stick with a few best buddies to put up with it. It reminds me of the scene in the movie, "King Richard" where Serina & Venus William's dad decided not to play his kids in competitive tennis because the parents and kids were all toxic and he didn't want that to affect his kids.

Also, I would look at Indoor Soccer at the sportsplex, I think they have leagues about every 8 weeks and your kid can just join a rec team... lots of fun when we did it over the winter.

U7? JFC ...

If your child doesn't want to do an academy program Let them just enjoy next year. The amount of kids who walk on to second teams at u9,10,11, and 12 would surprise you. There are clubs in the DMV area who specifically look for All Star rec kids that they recruit through u12.

Do you know how many 'elite top team travel players' stick with soccer from u9 through u14? About 30%.

Let your kid enjoy the sport. I've watch rec kids walk onto ECNL teamsv at 11 and 12

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure there will be discernible difference. Pick whatever is most convenient for you. Rec teams change from year to year with coaches and kids coming and going. You won't find reliable details unless from actual families playing right now that you know.

This.

Find friends.

He doesnt have even one school friend or acquaintance who plays rec? You can request the same team.

I'm not sure there will be discernible difference. Pick whatever is most convenient for you. Rec teams change from year to year with coaches and kids coming and going. You won't find reliable details unless from actual families playing right now that you know.

He doesn’t want to play 3 times a week plus games with kids and travel. He wants to play for fun where kids don’t yell at each other and soccer is fun again.

I realize most teams are set but aren’t there 8th graders as a few other kids from his club are stepping back too - we are leaning towards Arlington as mg understanding is it can be higher quality rec and better fields.

You should go NCSL. It high level rec.

Anonymous wrote:He’s u14 and a q4 birthday. He wants a break and wants to find fun in it. But the kids he knows who play rec aren’t his buddies at school.

He’d be ok playing on a rec team with no one he knows? Because most teams are made of clusters of friends.

He’s u14 and a q4 birthday. He wants a break and wants to find fun in it. But the kids he knows who play rec aren’t his buddies at school.

Also, burnout is common around tryout season... it's making everyone crazy.

What age?

Just let him play with his friends.

Our DS is going back to rec after playing travel since u7. He wants to play with less pressure and have fun again.

What is the stronger of the rec programs that will allow him to enjoy himself. We are in the Arlington/alexandria/falls church area. He practices on his own and has asked for time off as he’s burned out and wants to just play for fun again.

Some school friends play annandale but we were thinking Arlington may give him decent fields and kids who have skills who are liking him not specializing in soccer.