Depends on sport and there are differences btwn boys and girls too. DD stayed with her club team which was essentially year round for all of HS because she was able to do it and loved it but she didn’t need to do it to make the HS team each season. Many of her friends opted out of club and focused on HS sport (and academics). DS needed to continue to train with club team year round if he wanted to stay competitive and make the HS team each year, but thankfully club baseball pauses in the spring for the HS season.

Anonymous wrote:The independent schools require everyone to participate in some after-school activity. Most college projectable athletes still play for their respective club teams. The basketball kids still play with their AAU teams, the soccer kids still play with their ECNL clubs, and the baseball kids still travel down south in the summer with their travel teams.

Some basketball kids do quit the AAU teams, depending on the high school.

Anonymous wrote:The independent schools require everyone to participate in some after-school activity. Most college projectable athletes still play for their respective club teams. The basketball kids still play with their AAU teams, the soccer kids still play with their ECNL clubs, and the baseball kids still travel down south in the summer with their travel teams.

That’s the key point…if your kid isn’t playing in college, then don’t bother with travel.

Only caveat is if your HS coach also coaches a club team and expects your kid to play.

Our swimmer did at first. He was not aiming to be recruited, so after one year we realized it was a bad call, and encouraged him drop down to a level where he could miss practice when school requirements were more important. It was the right move. He still got all the exericse and improvement, but had time to be on the school team (captain and MVP) and had lots of time to experience other interests besides swimming. It was a good balance for him.

He plays varsity baseball for his HS team and does travel ball in the summers.

The independent schools require everyone to participate in some after-school activity. Most college projectable athletes still play for their respective club teams. The basketball kids still play with their AAU teams, the soccer kids still play with their ECNL clubs, and the baseball kids still travel down south in the summer with their travel teams.

Some high school teams want full-time commitment.

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the sport and the school. DS plays baseball at a private with a very competitive team. Travel baseball takes a break in the spring so boys can play on their HS teams, but every kid on the HS team plays travel over the summer and most (including DS) also play travel in the fall. If a kid didn’t keep working on his skills at least in the summer, I think he would be at a disadvantage when the HS season started. But this could be completely different for other sports or at schools with less competitive teams.

My son was a jr/sr varsity baseball starter at an area boys school (one of Landon/Gonzaga/STA) without playing summer or fall baseball once he was in high school so it's possible to do this. Somewhat unusual but possible.

Yes DD -- field hockey + crew. Recruited to HYP. Essentially, she didn't get a lot of sleep.

Yes basketball. DD's school also had fall ball, so it was year round.

It depends on the school and the sport. DD was on the varsity team for her school. She was allowed leave school early and skip practice to train outside. Of course, she committed to going to all ISL games.

I think it depends on the sport and the school. DS plays baseball at a private with a very competitive team. Travel baseball takes a break in the spring so boys can play on their HS teams, but every kid on the HS team plays travel over the summer and most (including DS) also play travel in the fall. If a kid didn’t keep working on his skills at least in the summer, I think he would be at a disadvantage when the HS season started. But this could be completely different for other sports or at schools with less competitive teams.

I’m Hoping my kid will make the baseball team at his highly competitive large public but you never know he will continue to play travel in the summer.

What sport?

Did your kids continue with travel sports in HS? Especially, an academically rigorous one?

DD plans to play in HS (we expect her to make varsity... fingers crossed), but will never play in college.

I would love for her not to do travel, but to do occasional clinics/summer league to maintain her skills. I feel like this would allow her to focus on getting involved in school. I also know the homework load will increase.

On the flip side, I can see how an outside of school outlet has been extremely benefical for her and teach time mgt.

Ultimately, it is her choice. But, any input or points to consider? She will have to decide prior to the start of school due to when tryouts are.