Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 11:59     Subject: rec soccer
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He's in middle school. Playing for fun is always "worth it".


Agree. Keep rec as long as you can, even when they join a travel team. It's soccer for pure joy.


many rec leagues rules prohibit travel players.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 11:55     Subject: rec soccer
Anonymous wrote:
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.


honestly I don't know if it's even worth it. have him take some time off. boys I know took time off and either only guest played or just did indoor leagues during the winter.


This is such a sad comment. This is what is wrong with youth sports! Parents who say "it's not worth it" to participate in something fun. Ugh.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 11:39     Subject: rec soccer
Anonymous wrote:He's in middle school. Playing for fun is always "worth it".


Agree. Keep rec as long as you can, even when they join a travel team. It's soccer for pure joy.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 11:13     Subject: rec soccer
He's in middle school. Playing for fun is always "worth it".
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 10:49     Subject: rec soccer
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.


honestly I don't know if it's even worth it. have him take some time off. boys I know took time off and either only guest played or just did indoor leagues during the winter.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 09:23     Subject: Re:rec soccer
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you. He has played with multiple clubs and no pressure from us. He is not happy and thinks rec may make it fun again.

If Arlington is solid that’s the goal for him — we wanted to figure out where to do it. He’s a q4 2011 so the issue is I don’t want him in Alexandria league as he’d have to play with HS kids instead of 8th graders as well. My hope is once we identify we can find a few classmates who may also want to play rec.

So you think you can convince some of his travel friends to also switch down to rec? How incredibly selfish of you. Just put him in the local rec club where kids from his school play. He'll make friends with them.


She didn't say anything about "travel friends". She said ask some other classmates if they want to play rec with him. FFS try reading.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 09:21     Subject: Re:rec soccer
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you. He has played with multiple clubs and no pressure from us. He is not happy and thinks rec may make it fun again.

If Arlington is solid that’s the goal for him — we wanted to figure out where to do it. He’s a q4 2011 so the issue is I don’t want him in Alexandria league as he’d have to play with HS kids instead of 8th graders as well. My hope is once we identify we can find a few classmates who may also want to play rec.

So you think you can convince some of his travel friends to also switch down to rec? How incredibly selfish of you. Just put him in the local rec club where kids from his school play. He'll make friends with them.


That's a weird take. OP, sounds like a good idea! Make your plans then inform others. They can make their own choices. They may be happy to join another league with a friend. It's the opposite of selfish.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 21:00     Subject: Re:rec soccer
Anonymous wrote:Thank you. He has played with multiple clubs and no pressure from us. He is not happy and thinks rec may make it fun again.

If Arlington is solid that’s the goal for him — we wanted to figure out where to do it. He’s a q4 2011 so the issue is I don’t want him in Alexandria league as he’d have to play with HS kids instead of 8th graders as well. My hope is once we identify we can find a few classmates who may also want to play rec.

So you think you can convince some of his travel friends to also switch down to rec? How incredibly selfish of you. Just put him in the local rec club where kids from his school play. He'll make friends with them.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 12:26     Subject: Re:rec soccer
Thank you. He has played with multiple clubs and no pressure from us. He is not happy and thinks rec may make it fun again.

If Arlington is solid that’s the goal for him — we wanted to figure out where to do it. He’s a q4 2011 so the issue is I don’t want him in Alexandria league as he’d have to play with HS kids instead of 8th graders as well. My hope is once we identify we can find a few classmates who may also want to play rec.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 11:14     Subject: rec soccer
Arlington has a solid rec league. I hope he has fun playing again!
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 11:05     Subject: rec soccer
Anonymous wrote: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


Kid is u14! Read more.