Why do parents allow this to happen?

[Unregistered]

Get them a Peleton.

LOL. Funniest post on TS today. You sir win the internet.

I laugh because it's true... no their fault mind you, it's biology. Que the #metoo movement in 3, 2, 1...

[Unregistered]

From age 13-14+ the better players are practicing 3-4 days a week with 1-2 games per weekend. Middle school is when many kids drop other sports and really start to focus more intensely on one sport. Between club and high school (which is often 6 days/week in season) there's little time for extra strength training or playing other sports. They may play other sports but not at the same intensity. Late middle school and definitely HS is when you really see injuries ramp up - not just because the game gets more physical but also because of over use. Kids that used to be able to play 24/7 suddenly have issues.

I don't disagree with anything you've posted. I'd just like to add that you have to be realistic about what you do and when. The HS season is too intense (like you said, 6 days a week, multiple games per week) to do much outside of soccer. You have to come into the HS season already fit and strong and that means using the summer to focus on fitness and strength and conditioning.

Same goes for winter. Spring is the big competitive season for club soccer so winter needs to be treated as pre-season. Less soccer and more fitness strength/conditioning. No need to play soccer more than 2-3 days per week in the winter, especially if you want to be prepared physically for spring and remain injury free. I know lots of girls like to play basketball in the winter. That is a huge mistake for top level players once you get to HS. The wear and tear on knees and the training schedule doesn't allow for down time, during the winter or between seasons. Can't tell you how many girls I've seen in HS blow out knees in the spring after a tough HS soccer season, a winter HS basketball season and still trying to do club soccer throughout.

[Unregistered]

From age 13-14+ the better players are practicing 3-4 days a week with 1-2 games per weekend. Middle school is when many kids drop other sports and really start to focus more intensely on one sport. Between club and high school (which is often 6 days/week in season) there's little time for extra strength training or playing other sports. They may play other sports but not at the same intensity. Late middle school and definitely HS is when you really see injuries ramp up - not just because the game gets more physical but also because of over use. Kids that used to be able to play 24/7 suddenly have issues.

The top club programs really need to rethink their approach and add off-field work to the regiment. Heck, my 10 year old plays hockey and has two off-ice sessions per week. I suppose there are not a lot of overuse injuries in that sport due to that work even thought he sport is repetition based. I never saw that with my 2 older daughters except for some winter training, and that was more of a novelty at best

[Unregistered]

The top club programs really need to rethink their approach and add off-field work to the regiment. Heck, my 10 year old plays hockey and has two off-ice sessions per week. I suppose there are not a lot of overuse injuries in that sport due to that work even thought he sport is repetition based. I never saw that with my 2 older daughters except for some winter training, and that was more of a novelty at best

You're starting to see more of this in soccer. Most clubs have a "technical/speed & agility/fitness" training session mixed into team trainings. Those sessions are more general fitness than regular practices.

I also know GPS RI has a relationship with professional sports trainers for strength and conditioning workouts. Many of the HS players' families that I know do some sort of strength and conditioning workouts on their own. It's mostly the younger players/families that don't know about it or think it's worth it. We started in 7th grade and have kept at it as we saw the benefits early on. Best money we've spent by far and it's far cheaper than surgery (especially with deductibles today).

[Unregistered]

You're starting to see more of this in soccer. Most clubs have a "technical/speed & agility/fitness" training session mixed into team trainings. Those sessions are more general fitness than regular practices.

I also know GPS RI has a relationship with professional sports trainers for strength and conditioning workouts. Many of the HS players' families that I know do some sort of strength and conditioning workouts on their own. It's mostly the younger players/families that don't know about it or think it's worth it. We started in 7th grade and have kept at it as we saw the benefits early on. Best money we've spent by far and it's far cheaper than surgery (especially with deductibles today).

Not the poster but totally agree that a good trainer that works with young athletes can be invaluable. Not only can they help with speed, strength and agility bit also injury prevention. A good one will adjust workouts based on needs and pogress and won't give everyone a one size fits all workout. By 8th grade your money is better spent doing that than doing supplemental soccer training

[Unregistered]

Not saying kids don’t push themselves but I know of several parents that bend over backwards and hire every specialist, PT, and doctor after an severe injury to return to play to quickly only to reinjure.

[Unregistered]

First world problems

[Unregistered]

Rich people problems.

[Unregistered]

Not saying kids don’t push themselves but I know of several parents that bend over backwards and hire every specialist, PT, and doctor after an severe injury to return to play to quickly only to reinjure.

Know at least one kid on my dd’s team who complains all the time “Ugh! I don’t want to do ______ soccer thing but my mom is making me...”. The one who says this the most actually hasn’t been injured but the mom also makes them do lots of preventative exercises as well. The girl has started to burn out however and has started drinking alcohol and rebelling in other ways. The mom always claims the girl is running the show but the girl has been telling the opposite story since they were little. The girl looks miserable when she plays soccer but is committed to D1 so there’s no letting off the gas.

[Unregistered]

I am positive that HS Soccer is also adding major overuse to our players in the country.

Practicing or playing 7days a week with some practices over 2 hours, no rest or recovery days after matches for 8–10 straight weeks with an unqualified coach or a math teacher.

[Unregistered]

I am positive that HS Soccer is also adding major overuse to our players in the country.

Practicing or playing 7days a week with some practices over 2 hours, no rest or recovery days after matches for 8–10 straight weeks with an unqualified coach or a math teacher.

Maybe we should have HS girls play on U12 fields so they don’t get so burned out.

[Unregistered]

I am positive that HS Soccer is also adding major overuse to our players in the country.

Practicing or playing 7days a week with some practices over 2 hours, no rest or recovery days after matches for 8–10 straight weeks with an unqualified coach or a math teacher.

So have your kid do DA, because no one gets injured playing club 🤨.

Playing in college will be just as intense. Better HS programs have club coaches, not the stereotyped history teacher. HS is for a limited time period and the vast majority survive unscathed. Encourage your player to tell you and their coach if something is giving them problems, before it gets worse.

FWIW I know two HS athletes who injured themselves playing pick up basketball and a flag football game. Injuries happen.

[Unregistered]

I am positive that HS Soccer is also adding major overuse to our players in the country.

Practicing or playing 7days a week with some practices over 2 hours, no rest or recovery days after matches for 8–10 straight weeks with an unqualified coach or a math teacher.

I don't think you are aloud to practice/play 7 days a week. There has to be a day off. I've never herd of a high school practice going for 2plus hours. I think coaches now are more mindful of rest and revory and don't go all out at practices if there's a game coming up. If they want to keep their job they rest the players so they can win the games.
Can we please stop with the all high school coaches are unqualified. I think we are at the point now where high school coaches know what they are doing. Now weather or not they are good coaches that's a case by case just like club soccer coaches there's a ton of those out there that aren't good either.


Question does your kid go to soccer tournaments? They normally play 2 games a day or atleast a game every day for 3days in a row doesn't that seem alittle much?

[Unregistered]

Not the poster but totally agree that a good trainer that works with young athletes can be invaluable. Not only can they help with speed, strength and agility bit also injury prevention. A good one will adjust workouts based on needs and pogress and won't give everyone a one size fits all workout. By 8th grade your money is better spent doing that than doing supplemental soccer training

Typical. NO, NO, NO, NO. You do NOT need to shell out yet more cash to prevent repetitive motion type injuries. You need to be educated and have your child educated on the importance of developing complementary muscle groups. Riding a stationary bike is actually a good start!

[Unregistered]

Know at least one kid on my dd’s team who complains all the time “Ugh! I don’t want to do ______ soccer thing but my mom is making me...”. The one who says this the most actually hasn’t been injured but the mom also makes them do lots of preventative exercises as well. The girl has started to burn out however and has started drinking alcohol and rebelling in other ways. The mom always claims the girl is running the show but the girl has been telling the opposite story since they were little. The girl looks miserable when she plays soccer but is committed to D1 so there’s no letting off the gas.

More often than not, it’s the parents pushing.