Advice on When to Make Switch - U10

[Guest]

I think that completely misses the point of trying to frame it so a young mind can understand...just b/c a kid wants to play soccer doesn't mean they understand what they will be missing in order to play soccer. and yes, there are vastly different parenting styles out here, my wins are another parents failure, that's life

[Guest]

Great post. It's hard for many parents to comprehend that another child is different from theirs. That's why the comments about "it's early" and "they shouldn't be dedicated to one sport yet" aren't always embraced...because they couldn't possibly understand what it's like to have a driven child like that.

Also add, "playing up" isn't some magic elixir. Could help for some, but not all. Ultimately, it also doesn't mean anything in the long run since the determining facture should be physical attributes, which will eventually level out some.

Everyone knows those kids and families at U10 who think all they want is to play soccer, and are "laser focused". But it is very rare to find a *full roster* of these kids at such a young an age, even at academies. So if OP has a good situation at their current "high level EDP" club, do not switch to an academy thinking it will be better. Most likely you will just be put on a bigger roster, with perhaps slightly more committed kids and families, but competing at the same EDP level, and still likely in the "equal playing time" situation that exists in U10 soccer. And may or may not get opportunities like additional trainings or playing with an older team. Better to do supplemental training & keep player involved with other engaging activities like going to pro matches etc..

[Guest]

My U10 child plays high level EDP for our local travel program. Love the coach and the program has made many accommodations - playing up a birth year, guest play opportunities, etc. While skill is factor, the biggest difference is my child's intensity and hunger around the sport. Will play and practice every day, whereas most of the team plays other sports, or just isn't interested in playing more soccer after soccer - ha! For a lot of reasons, positives about the program listed above, logistics and fear of turning this love of soccer into something stressful, would love to delay making a switch for as long as possible. Is this realistic? If you did it, how did you manage your kid's drive for more, more, more in an environment where most are not like that...

If you did end up making the switch, tell me how you evaluated programs - the questions you asked, how many practices your child attended, etc. I want to be smarter if we go down this road.

Few questions what team, gender, and are they a 2013 or 2014?

[Guest]

I think that completely misses the point of trying to frame it so a young mind can understand...just b/c a kid wants to play soccer doesn't mean they understand what they will be missing in order to play soccer. and yes, there are vastly different parenting styles out here, my wins are another parents failure, that's life

Just because another kid doesn't want to play other sports and only wants to play soccer, doesn't mean the parents understand how much more that kid will gain by dedicating themselves to the sport

[Guest]

Just because another kid doesn't want to play other sports and only wants to play soccer, doesn't mean the parents understand how much more that kid will gain by dedicating themselves to the sport

My comment was about the kids decision, I didn't even mention what the parent thinks or believes. What does this comment have to do with framing the choice so a juvenile can understand it?

[Guest]

Thanks! Def kid driven but not in the sense of, I want to be on this club, just wants to play all the time and loves the intensity of playing up. It sounds like we have a great situation and can continue to supplement if needed at least for a couple more years!

Definitely wait. Being on a team they like with a good coach is what you want at that age. Take it year by year. Next year they might need more, or the year after.

In the meantime...i knkw theyre soccer mad, but tey to encourage other things. Ive seen plenty of soccer mad kids (or other sports) that lose interest in

[Guest]

Oopps....in middle school and they can be lost.