Anonymous wrote:Our son was in the exact same boat two years ago. We chose Potomac and have been mostly happy. But it was a big adjustment for our son going from the strongest player to sitting on the bench a lot. I would just make sure your son understands that the level of play will be quite different and most coaches will not give even playing time. .

You need to register online before showing up for tryouts.

It does not help these kids at all at that age to sit on the bench for extended time. Find a team where he will play.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Following up on this thread. My son just turned 6 and has been playing with Brit-Am, and we are considering Potomac U8. My main concern is the time commitment for a 6 year old. 2 practices plus a game most weeks. He loves soccer, but is interested in other sports too.

Does anyone have any feedback on if kids are playing other sports concurrently, or if kids get burned out at this age playing only one sport?

6 is young and do you have other children? My 8 yo is playing for a different club this year and has other interests. I seriously underestimated the time commitment for me and the rest of the family. Two practices and a game doesn’t sound like much on paper but they have been long, some have been far and it has been almost year round. We’ve had to say no to a lot of other interests to balance out driving with the rest of the family.

+1. Two practices a week and a game was really draining on my 8 year old and some of the practice times were very late so there's that to think about.

I think because of this there has been an uptick in the quality of good but young players (u8/u9) sticking with smaller clubs like PPA, MD Fusion, etc. Not worth Potomac or Bethesda necessarily at this age, ironically especially if your kid is a very good player.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Following up on this thread. My son just turned 6 and has been playing with Brit-Am, and we are considering Potomac U8. My main concern is the time commitment for a 6 year old. 2 practices plus a game most weeks. He loves soccer, but is interested in other sports too.

Does anyone have any feedback on if kids are playing other sports concurrently, or if kids get burned out at this age playing only one sport?

6 is young and do you have other children? My 8 yo is playing for a different club this year and has other interests. I seriously underestimated the time commitment for me and the rest of the family. Two practices and a game doesn’t sound like much on paper but they have been long, some have been far and it has been almost year round. We’ve had to say no to a lot of other interests to balance out driving with the rest of the family.

+1. Two practices a week and a game was really draining on my 8 year old and some of the practice times were very late so there's that to think about.

OP, The reality is a lot of kids begin with BSC or Potomac at U8/9. It is much harder to get in if your child is older. I know a child who went to a U10 tryout and is a very good player and they were really looking for true stars to fill out the few openings.

This isn't how it should be but it is. The level of play at U8/9 at these clubs unless you are in the top team is not much higher than rec. You won't have the players who are running off the field or picking grass or running in the wrong direction but the ball handling skills are very similar to rec.

So if you have a good player now who may or may not be a star and can afford the time and money go ahead and try out for BSC or Potomac. It's pretty easy to get in at this age. If you have a child with a lot of clear talent you could have him play rec or do clinics and save your money and wait until U11, U12 or later and it he will develop just fine.

Why are parents so focused on travel at u8/u9? Brit-Am and other MSI classic programs are very good. My experience has been that most of the kids playing on BSC's top teams at u15 and higher were not the same kids playing at u9/u10. The reality is that players come from other teams, including classic, at u12 and higher and push out the kids who have been at BSC since u8.

Anonymous wrote:Following up on this thread. My son just turned 6 and has been playing with Brit-Am, and we are considering Potomac U8. My main concern is the time commitment for a 6 year old. 2 practices plus a game most weeks. He loves soccer, but is interested in other sports too.

Does anyone have any feedback on if kids are playing other sports concurrently, or if kids get burned out at this age playing only one sport?

6 is young and do you have other children? My 8 yo is playing for a different club this year and has other interests. I seriously underestimated the time commitment for me and the rest of the family. Two practices and a game doesn’t sound like much on paper but they have been long, some have been far and it has been almost year round. We’ve had to say no to a lot of other interests to balance out driving with the rest of the family.

Anonymous wrote:Following up on this thread. My son just turned 6 and has been playing with Brit-Am, and we are considering Potomac U8. My main concern is the time commitment for a 6 year old. 2 practices plus a game most weeks. He loves soccer, but is interested in other sports too.

Does anyone have any feedback on if kids are playing other sports concurrently, or if kids get burned out at this age playing only one sport?

Of course. And lots of people do it.

Anonymous wrote:Following up on this thread. My son just turned 6 and has been playing with Brit-Am, and we are considering Potomac U8. My main concern is the time commitment for a 6 year old. 2 practices plus a game most weeks. He loves soccer, but is interested in other sports too.

Does anyone have any feedback on if kids are playing other sports concurrently, or if kids get burned out at this age playing only one sport?

We have sons at Potomac who are in their teens and continue to play other sports while also playing for top team. Same is true for our daughter on BSC’s top team. I personally think playing multiple sports is critical to avoiding injuries and burnout that can happen if only playing one sport.

Following up on this thread. My son just turned 6 and has been playing with Brit-Am, and we are considering Potomac U8. My main concern is the time commitment for a 6 year old. 2 practices plus a game most weeks. He loves soccer, but is interested in other sports too.

Does anyone have any feedback on if kids are playing other sports concurrently, or if kids get burned out at this age playing only one sport?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda's tryouts for U8 boys were postponed due to the expected storms tonight. I have a U9 son at Bethesda, and we've been very happy with the program. They don't expect kids to come in with skills at that age, though many do because their older siblings play. They give pretty equal playing time to everyone at U8 and U9 in our experience, and don't care about size at all. Quick is a bonus.

I second this. I have kids at BSC and the top teams have plenty of small players.

OP here - thanks, this is helpful. My son is small - about 48/48 (inches/lbs) but a quick and smart player. Size hasnt mattered thus far, but with more competitive players I think it might!

A 4' tall 7 yr old is small? My son was 3'8" when he was 7 1/2 and tried out for a U9 travel team 2 yrs ago. He made it - because he is smart and quick - and has loved the experience. Loves the competition, has made great friends, and definitely improved as a player from the professional coaching you just will not get with a parent coached team in rec. He's only 4'2" and 55 lbs now as a 9 1 /2 yr old finishing up U10. Most kids are bigger but some are smaller and still thrive. The play can be more physical in travel so your son needs to be prepared for that. BSC and Potomac are solid clubs. DC Stoddert is another alternative but may not be in your range from a distance standpoint. It can't hurt to tryout and see what happens. You can always decline the invite. Or wait until summer/fall training starts and attend a practice session to see what it's about. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:MSI is the recreational program. MSC Premier is the travel program. Why don't you try out for that...

I'd recommend Bethesda or Potomac before MSC. I think both will do a better job with foot skills, and that's the most important thing at his age. You could luck into a great situation at MSC, but it's very hit or miss.

2010 Boys Academy
May 10,5:00-6:15 ,Potomac ES
May 12,6:00-7:15 ,Julius West MS
May 19,6:00-7:15 ,Julius West MS

Try out as a 2011 anyway

http://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=926955

MSI is the recreational program. MSC Premier is the travel program. Why don't you try out for that...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda's tryouts for U8 boys were postponed due to the expected storms tonight. I have a U9 son at Bethesda, and we've been very happy with the program. They don't expect kids to come in with skills at that age, though many do because their older siblings play. They give pretty equal playing time to everyone at U8 and U9 in our experience, and don't care about size at all. Quick is a bonus.

I second this. I have kids at BSC and the top teams have plenty of small players.

OP here - thanks, this is helpful. My son is small - about 48/48 (inches/lbs) but a quick and smart player. Size hasnt mattered thus far, but with more competitive players I think it might!