Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Join the usl team. Still practicing. The other clubs still practicing are either their teams heading to nationals or also their super y teams. Pay no attention to what you see on instagram. Also. Maybe an unpopular opinion but kids can use a few weeks off. Join a swim team. Go canoe at camp. Soccer is not life.
There are other parents onboard with this "unpopular opinion" and more is not necessarily better. These kids don't need a 12-month season. A break is good for injury-prevention and recovery, as well as mental health. Kids can continue training on their own or try some different activities. They will be ready to hit the fall season refreshed. There is a huge body of research on the benefits of periodization in athletic training and this is used with most college and pro programs. Teams/clubs that are limping into the play-offs right now with several key players injured or with overuse/repetitive motion strain might consider looking into this. Instagram makes it seem like youth players need to be training 5+ days a week with tournaments every weekend and parents get big-time FOMO and worry that if their kid isn't doing ALL the things, they will fall behind. Setting the right culture should be the responsibility of club directors and coaches, and they should do what is best for the players (based on the best evidence) and not bend to parent pressure.