"elite level" ?? I thought you said he was U14. Do you know what Elite means?

Anonymous wrote:My ds is playing U14 DA right now and came to us last night asking for a break. Schoolwork has been overwhelming this year and with the practice and game schedule, they haven't had a moment free most of the season.

Has anyone just taken a half or a full season off and then come back to the game? We plan to maintain the fitness classes they are taking even if not playing soccer, and he wants to go jogging with his friends who are on the cross country team. I just wonder if they could get back into an elite level following a bit of a break. Anyone BTDT?

p.s. I also secretly worry about burnout. I'm not entirely sure they would come back but I don't want to close the door to it if this is just a temporary down.

If you don't want to close the door, or you think this might be a temporary thing, why not allow him to skip a practice here or there? I am sure this is not cool in a DA environment, but it might buy you a bit of time to get through the holiday season and see if this is an ongoing problem.

This kid is U14, which means 12 or 13 years old.

Just do it - If your kid is asking for a break, you need to give him one. He'll either miss it and return or he won't, but he will have some control, which at 14, is pretty much required.

You wrote ds and he in various places, so do readers a favor and drop the clunky “they.”

Anonymous wrote:My ds is playing U14 DA right now and came to us last night asking for a break. Schoolwork has been overwhelming this year and with the practice and game schedule, they haven't had a moment free most of the season.

Has anyone just taken a half or a full season off and then come back to the game? We plan to maintain the fitness classes they are taking even if not playing soccer, and he wants to go jogging with his friends who are on the cross country team. I just wonder if they could get back into an elite level following a bit of a break. Anyone BTDT?

p.s. I also secretly worry about burnout. I'm not entirely sure they would come back but I don't want to close the door to it if this is just a temporary down.

You secretly worry about burnout?

Your 12/13 year old telling you he wants a break from playing soccer = burnout.

i don't even understand why this is a question.

Your kid is 14 asking for a break. He's feeling overwhelmed.

Who cares about soccer? Is this going to be his life long career?? Doubt it.

If he is that good then he will be at least a walk on in college.

It's soccer, get over it.

I was a high level player that dropped out Sophomore year in HS. I lost the drive. I still really liked the sport, but it was competing with too many other things I wanted to do and schoolwork. I was a STEM major in college.

This is a common age for kids to start figuring out if they want that kind of commitment because it is a huge commitment.

I have a sibling that played pro shortly after 4-years on a D1 scholarship and he said he started to lose the love and definitely was not at his best the last few years he played.

I think your kid definitely could come back if the desire is there. I have seen many high level kids have that much time off due to a serious injury and are able to come back.

The worry about if it will cause them to realize they don't want to come back is crazy---since if THEIR heart (not yours) isn't in it---it's not worth doing at that level. I played for my HS the last 2 years and won a HS State Championship which was a lot of fun---but I had quit Club by then.

Anonymous wrote:why don't you just take from thanksgiving until the end of the year, that should be enough time to recharge

There are still DA showcases in December (which further complicate the schoolwork issue by having the kids out 3-5 days) -- no "break" then....

why don't you just take from thanksgiving until the end of the year, that should be enough time to recharge

As a parent of a U15 DA player, I can tell you that managing your time in high school is much harder than middle school. The amount of time spent on homework is crazy - and my DD is up late every night trying to keep up. Between practices and school work, she has very little time for other activities. But she refuses to give up soccer.

Op here.

Thanks. We started our son on fitness classes a few years ago for injury recovery & injury prevention (flexibility). They actually enjoy the classes and are learning their way around a gym. Back of mind, long term is they do end up giving up organized sports at least they may stay healthy with some fitness regimen.

Teammates last year were not nice nor was coach but this year coach is much better and a couple of trouble makers left so chemistry is slightly better. To dwell a bit in stereotypes, I would say my kid is not a 'jock' or a "soccer bro". A bit more reserved and laid back. Not really gunning for a scholarship or pro offer, but, if they wanted, think they could compete for a D1 team.

Think the time issue is the biggest one. Homework this year ramped up to a severe level and with practices sometimes going very late, it's just getting harder and harder to get everything done and get enough sleep. He is up many days at 6am finishing off whatever homework they couldn't get done the night before. Think this is leading to some resentment of soccer taking away time from other things (i.e. it's intense homework or intense sports--very little down time).

My son's friend took off for a year and came back and plays for a semi pro team.

If you are really good, you are really good.

I think if you are mediocre and you are just trying to make your HS team, it would be harder.

My son is a D1 athlete in another sport and August-September he did nothing for the sport... October-November, he did no practices and went to 1 weekend of tournaments and maybe did some work alone. He is always doing PT.

Also, his good friend was on cross country and he did his 10 mile run with him every Friday.

Why is your 14 year old taking fitness classes? Is your hope they could return to the same team? If so, talk to the coach and your child. I would worry about burnout too. Maybe they need to find a way to love the game again. Are their teammates nice? I took a season off in college and returned for my senior year. I was good enough to do that, however, and the coach (reason I left) had changed.

My ds is playing U14 DA right now and came to us last night asking for a break. Schoolwork has been overwhelming this year and with the practice and game schedule, they haven't had a moment free most of the season.

Has anyone just taken a half or a full season off and then come back to the game? We plan to maintain the fitness classes they are taking even if not playing soccer, and he wants to go jogging with his friends who are on the cross country team. I just wonder if they could get back into an elite level following a bit of a break. Anyone BTDT?

p.s. I also secretly worry about burnout. I'm not entirely sure they would come back but I don't want to close the door to it if this is just a temporary down.