Average Practice Commute Time

[Guest]

Don't underestimate the quality time that you can have with your child driving to and from training.

Absolutely. Bonding, talking, learning about each other. If a friend is in the car you also learn a lot just listening to their conversations. It's not always family nirvana but you will definitely miss it when it stops

[Guest]

Don't underestimate the quality time that you can have with your child driving to and from training.

Anything longer than 15 minutes and my kid is fast asleep in the car.

[Guest]

Hell no. I’d never do that. But to soccer? Hell yes. Love the game!!

crazy folks

[Guest]

PDA white

[Guest]

More amazing is how bothered you are by it.

I drive an hour to the beach, passing by several ponds along the way. I may drive an hour for a restaurant and pass a few diners along the way. You get the point.

You’re trying to prove a point by saying you drive an hour to a restaurant. We know that’s not true. And even if it is, it probably happens a couple of times a year….not 3 or 4 times a week.

[Guest]

a lot of people end up doing car pools. Certain clubs offer spots to multiple kids from the same town even though on their individual merits, only 1 would get an offer. They do this to make the first year or two for the better player easier. At some point they just cut he others loose and the better one stays because they are use to it.

[Guest]

Bigger question is whether playing soccer is worth any time at all.

[Guest]

Bigger question is whether playing soccer is worth any time at all.

That's up to players and their families to decide, not you.

[Guest]

That's up to players and their families to decide, not you.

People come here to exchange ideas and experiences. So, happy to share. There are other sports and opportunities which may be more enjoyable without the same sacrifices. When I started on this journey, there was a gentleman that was ending it. He said he would never have his daughter play soccer again. She played at MFA. I guess it stunk to high heaven back then. He wished she stayed with volleyball. Played indoors, smaller squads, less travel. I wish we could have stayed with individual sports. Tennis. More life long ability to play than soccer.

As per driving, yes it is bonding time. Just pick a destination that is worth the drive. If it is a mediocre opportunity, money trap, that places its players last over profits, don’t be afraid to say let’s try something else….car pools, new friends, opportunities to get there will open up.

[Guest]

People come here to exchange ideas and experiences. So, happy to share. There are other sports and opportunities which may be more enjoyable without the same sacrifices. When I started on this journey, there was a gentleman that was ending it. He said he would never have his daughter play soccer again. She played at MFA. I guess it stunk to high heaven back then. He wished she stayed with volleyball. Played indoors, smaller squads, less travel. I wish we could have stayed with individual sports. Tennis. More life long ability to play than soccer.

As per driving, yes it is bonding time. Just pick a destination that is worth the drive. If it is a mediocre opportunity, money trap, that places its players last over profits, don’t be afraid to say let’s try something else….car pools, new friends, opportunities to get there will open up.

Would she (and/or you) been happier if she had continued to play soccer but at a different club? From your note, it sounds like the issue was more with MFA than it was with anything else.

In my D's case, she loved the vast majority of her youth/high school/college soccer life and now as a college senior is very sad that it's over. She tried other sports and even enjoyed them, but playing soccer at the competitive level that she was able to achieve means so much to her. She was never tall enough to be able to play basketball or volleyball at a high-competitive level, and while she enjoys playing tennis, she loved being on a team far more.

[Guest]

I wish we went to a different club. My daughter had the potential and brought it up often. Saw that her team was struggling but mostly because the coach’s BS — you’ve heard all about it here..

Not sure about the gentleman. It’s been a while. They moved away. His daughter may have continued to play in college.

sounds like your daughter has done well and has developed into a mature young lady. Congratulations. Much continued success to her.

[Guest]

I wish we went to a different club. My daughter had the potential and brought it up often. Saw that her team was struggling but mostly because the coach’s BS — you’ve heard all about it here..

Not sure about the gentleman. It’s been a while. They moved away. His daughter may have continued to play in college.

sounds like your daughter has done well and has developed into a mature young lady. Congratulations. Much continued success to her.

So why didn't you go to a different club?

[Guest]

You’re trying to prove a point by saying you drive an hour to a restaurant. We know that’s not true. And even if it is, it probably happens a couple of times a year….not 3 or 4 times a week.

I have no problem driving an hour to do something me or my family want to do. No questions asked

[Guest]

So why didn't you go to a different club?

Mostly loyalty to some of the team members. Hind sight is 20/20

[Guest]

Mostly loyalty to some of the team members. Hind sight is 20/20

Girls generally have a harder time leaving friends than boys, but competitive players will usually push themselves into something better. If anyone's child is at least questioning moving, parents should arrange to attend a practice there/tryout. There's no telling if your D would have been happy on a stronger team, or even made the team, but there's no way to no without trying.