My ECNL DD skipped one season of HS soccer, played 2 seasons, and was out injured for 1 season. She is playing Div 3 soccer now in college. She is happy that she played 2 seasons even though it cost her significant playing time on her ECNL team those seasons. It really is an individual choice based on each girls situation and objectives.

Anonymous wrote:Not sure where you all live but my DS HS team was made up mostly of mid level travel players with some high level travel players mixed in. A handful who played in DA (albeit not able to stay at that level) but mostly CCL, EDP, Div 1 NCSL. Coaching can be hit or miss, but many of the varsity coaches in the area are travel coaches.

If your kid is a NCSL or CCL level HS age kid, yes, the quality of the soccer probably seems good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)

HS is terrible soccer. Yes

Such a perspective of a parent that knows better. After all a kid could not possibly want an experience outside of ECNL, GA, CCL or ...

Its simply beneath you to consider anything besides your cherished "elite" league.

Good luck with that scholarship

HS soccer is terrible. You’re entitled to think otherwise.

I don't think the reason to play HS soccer is for the level of soccer though is it? The point of high school soccer is that it's one of those life experience things that kids enjoy and remember for the rest of their lives.

Sorry, but I can’t afford to spend $7k a year for my kid to skip half of it for “the experience”.

I played HS sports and I can honestly say I’ve spent a total of 7 minutes over the last 30 years thinking about it. It isn’t overrated and it is t underrated, it is just a small part of a very small portion of ones life.

But on a pragmatic position, the quality isn’t worth the experience. If my kid wants to run a lot track would be a better experience and less risk of injury.

Not sure where you all live but my DS HS team was made up mostly of mid level travel players with some high level travel players mixed in. A handful who played in DA (albeit not able to stay at that level) but mostly CCL, EDP, Div 1 NCSL. Coaching can be hit or miss, but many of the varsity coaches in the area are travel coaches.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)

HS is terrible soccer. Yes

Such a perspective of a parent that knows better. After all a kid could not possibly want an experience outside of ECNL, GA, CCL or ...

Its simply beneath you to consider anything besides your cherished "elite" league.

Good luck with that scholarship

HS soccer is terrible. You’re entitled to think otherwise.

I don't think the reason to play HS soccer is for the level of soccer though is it? The point of high school soccer is that it's one of those life experience things that kids enjoy and remember for the rest of their lives.

My DS (9th grade 2019-2020) went out for HS soccer. We kept an open mind. I saw the 11v11 scrimmages with which they closed tryouts as well as the sheer amounts of standing around, sitting, and otherwise wasting time that occurred. I advised him to not do it. He chose to anyways, and then got to spend two hours an evening dealing with wasting time, lots of sprinting, and, in short, all the terrible things that people say about high school soccer. Oh, and he's a midfielder...but in HS soccer, there's no midfield. Defenders get the ball, kick it forward as hard as they can. It bounces around in the other team's defense until it's either cleared or out for a goal kick.

He hated it. Got saved by covid.

Anonymous wrote:My older girl played both and stopped after the first year. She went to the high school practices which were basically just running with little soccer. The level of play was low with lots of hard fouls on any of the skilled players(both in practice and at games). Just not worth it.

I have heard a lot of this happening in HS. My DD will be going into 9th and I'm worried about injuries. Seems much rougher level of play than skilled travel club play (in general - clearly there are some dirty teams that play too rough out there).

My older girl played both and stopped after the first year. She went to the high school practices which were basically just running with little soccer. The level of play was low with lots of hard fouls on any of the skilled players(both in practice and at games). Just not worth it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)

HS is terrible soccer. Yes

Such a perspective of a parent that knows better. After all a kid could not possibly want an experience outside of ECNL, GA, CCL or ...

Its simply beneath you to consider anything besides your cherished "elite" league.

Good luck with that scholarship

The title of the thread is “ GAL and ECNL players choosing not to play HS soccer?”

What answers did you expect to find here? Sorry to burst your bubble but not everyone believes HS soccer to be the end all beat all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)

HS is terrible soccer. Yes

Such a perspective of a parent that knows better. After all a kid could not possibly want an experience outside of ECNL, GA, CCL or ...

Its simply beneath you to consider anything besides your cherished "elite" league.

Good luck with that scholarship

HS soccer is terrible. You’re entitled to think otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)

HS is terrible soccer. Yes

Such a perspective of a parent that knows better. After all a kid could not possibly want an experience outside of ECNL, GA, CCL or ...

Its simply beneath you to consider anything besides your cherished "elite" league.

Good luck with that scholarship

At some clubs anyway, they won't have "choice" in the matter. Clubs will use the HS carrot and then when it comes down to it, make it clear that trying to do it would be a bad decision. Possibly after they've used that carrot to have a player make a decision. Typical.

Anonymous wrote:Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)

HS is terrible soccer. Yes

Anonymous wrote:Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)

yes

Are there any GAL or ECNL players who plan to choose not to play HS soccer? (Assuming there is HS soccer)