Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one will approach you.

Thank you. I don’t know why I thought parents for contacted and encouraged to try out for pre-travel/travel. Maybe because I overheard a min who made it sound like her kid was invited to do it, and other parents of older kids we know who have done travel sports have made it sound like coaches really wanted their kids to do it. I guess making kids feel wanted is part of getting their money?

I’m all about rec for as long as possible other than the fact that it’s parents coaching. It’s fine when the kids are 5-6 but last year my kid’s coaches didn’t seem to know much about soccer at all. I’d rather he learn from someone who actually knows the sport, but I guess we would need to be paying a lot more money for that. The other sport he’s doing this year with actual coaches is way, way more expensive. On the other hand my rule is no single activity more than twice a week before age 10, to avoid burnout. We’ll see if I can stick to it.

Everyone is invited to try out for travel.

In retrospect I thought the same as you with our kid as we didn’t know how it all worked either.

Just reach out to any local clubs and good luck.

Some clubs like have a level between rec and travel. Loudoun Soccer has challenge starting in 3rd grade, at basically the same cost as rec.

Like everything there are choices to make. We always tease that my daughter could have easily made the Olympic dressage team if we owned a horse, and if she took years of lessons and competed.

All you can really do as a parent is: (1) provide support when and if you can. Can’t afford a $30K horse and bording costs? Well - guess Dressage is out. (2) Stuff has to work with your family. Multiple kids mean multiple activities. On the other hand there is some truth that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Kids need activities of many types to learn and improve themselves. (3) And this is a big one. You have to be involved enough to know what is working and what is not. Find some activities your kid can excel in. Maybe that’s sports but it may not be a sport like soccer. As a parent you have to stay on top of things enough to be a help in guiding your kid.

What makes a good soccer player? At every age it is (1) speed. (2) quickness (3) coordination (4) skills. A slow highly skilled player will not succeed beyond a basic level though that should get them through high school. A fast less skilled player will not succeed either and likely could make use of their speed to better effect playing some other sport.

It is not a big deal now, but it is something you need to be cognizant of as your kid gets older. Years ago, on another site mostly with coaches - the question was discussed as to how late a kid who was a good athlete, quick and fast, with good work ethics, could they start playing and potential be playing at a high amateur level by the time they were 18. The conclusion was that with a couple years of supplemental private coaching a 11-12 year old could do it. After that they don’t have time.

The thing is - in all competitive activities there are people who are already doing the activity. Some of those folks have excellent talent and skills too. They are working hard to improve too. You can Usain Bolt at the starting line of the 100m race, and if you give old me a 80 yard head start, I will win every race. The other kids are not waiting for your kid to catch up.

Finally, the thing a ton of parents of young athletes ignore is puberty. You, as parents, have the best idea of where your kid is going to end up size and speed wise after going through puberty. As my daughter’s soccer coach told us long ago, the best kids at 9 are rarely the best kids at 13, and there is a mother gyration by 18. The difference with boys is that puberty is lengthened for the group. Lots of boys keep growing during college. Again, as a parent, you need to keep that in mind too. When will your kid grow and where will he/she likely end up?

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t worry about when to move. Base it on your child. Do they want to play more soccer? Would they want to do 2-3 practices plus games on Sundays? If the answer is yes, for them AND you as the parent, then move them over. If they are indifferent or not interested in more soccer, keep them in rec. you need the talent and the desire, especially at a young age. Dont move them if they don’t want MORE. More soccer, more driving, less free time for other things.

This, OP. We switched our kids when they wanted more soccer, not because we have great expectations. We purposely sought out less competitive clubs with minimal actual travel, which is working for us so far.

I wouldn’t worry about when to move. Base it on your child. Do they want to play more soccer? Would they want to do 2-3 practices plus games on Sundays? If the answer is yes, for them AND you as the parent, then move them over. If they are indifferent or not interested in more soccer, keep them in rec. you need the talent and the desire, especially at a young age. Dont move them if they don’t want MORE. More soccer, more driving, less free time for other things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my son were good, i woud bring him by u9.

Unfortunately by u10 coming from rec, they are already far behind their peers and have to take a couple years to catch up. This is what happened with my ds. Great raw talent but did not have the coaching. In just 1 year he has caught up with team 2 teammates.

If yoi stay in rec longer, have him play up a year, this will help him be competitive with team 1 and 2. Or, consider small group training on the side with a real coach while in rec when you can.

This is BS

Many many kids particularly boys grow a ton in MS and HS.

Many kids make HS teams and travel teams who did not play as 3 - 12 year olds LOL

As for Division 1 soccer, my kid never played until 9th grade. Recruited in 10th.

We're not speaking of making a highschool team. Thats not very difficult for some schools.

And the question is not making "a travel team". Anyone can do that. Our club has 6 teams in my ds age group.

Things have changed some in the 10 years since your kid was there. To each his own.