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Post by SoccerFirst on Dec 7, 2021 12:40:42 GMT -5
I am just curious if any of your players or teams have seen an increase in injuries late into this season. I ask bc I’ve been coaching high school for nearly a decade and yes, we usually end up with 1-2 ACLs before or during season. A pulled muscle or rolled ankle here or there. In a normal season we might have 2 returners not able to tryout, but this year has been particularly bad for my girls. I’m curious if your child’s team provides enough recovery time after a 2 game weekend or leading up to a heavy play weekend. We have players across the ECNL-SCCL spectrum at various clubs with significant injuries, some season ending, some players out 8 weeks, others being booted or braced and told NO activity for 4+weeks bc the only thing that can help is rest. Just curious what y’all have seen out there.
Just food for thought, while some high school coaches are club coaches, we don’t have a coaches meeting where we communicate with club coaches on individual player’s schedules. So if your player is in team sports or weight lifting class, plus playing competitive club, do you know if your kid is maxing out in the weight room leading up to a club event or the day following a two match weekend? Even if your club coach gives your player a day off for recovery, is your player truly taking the day off?
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Post by atlfutboldad on Dec 7, 2021 17:13:56 GMT -5
We had our first 2 ACL's at U15 between the top 2 teams last year. Several ankles on our team this year, an LCL, broken toe and my daughter has been nursing an un-diagnosed pelvis-area/high-groin injury since last January (no solid diagnosis with thousands spent between doctors/X-Rays/MRI/PT). We're in week 3 of 6 weeks off of soccer work prior to HS tryouts to hopefully get it properly healed up.
As for the 2-match weekends, we had 5 in a row this year. I pulled my daughter out of Monday practices during that stretch.
Do soccer players max out? Should they really? I doubt the best players in the world risk the injury of it.
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Post by soccernoleuk on Dec 7, 2021 18:43:01 GMT -5
This year our ECNL-R team has had multiple injuries, though not all have been from overuse. One girl had a fracture in her foot, and another broke her kneecap in an off field incident. We had a third girl injure her knee and she sat out about 3 weeks. A fourth has been battling leg issues almost all season, which is probably due to playing soccer as well as doing other things in High School.
A few weekends ago my daughter pulled a leg muscle in her tournament game (the Sunday game). At first I didn't think much of it, but over Thanksgiving week I really gave it thought, and I can't help but think it had something to do with overuse. The week from 11/13 - 11/21 was especially busy. Below is a list of activities for the 2 previous weeks leading up to the injury.
11/6 – Game in South Carolina
11/7 – Game in South Carolina
11/8 – Club Training
11/9 – Club Training
11/13 – Game in South Carolina
11/14 – Game in South Carolina
11/16 – HS Fitness & Club Training
11/17 – HS Fitness
11/18 – Club Training
11/20 – 2 Tournament Games
11/21 – Injury in Tournament Game
Additionally, she is in weight training at school, so add on some sort of work every day Monday – Friday.
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Post by wolves97 on Dec 7, 2021 20:46:08 GMT -5
We had our first 2 ACL's at U15 between the top 2 teams last year. Several ankles on our team this year, an LCL, broken toe and my daughter has been nursing an un-diagnosed pelvis-area/high-groin injury since last January (no solid diagnosis with thousands spent between doctors/X-Rays/MRI/PT). We're in week 3 of 6 weeks off of soccer work prior to HS tryouts to hopefully get it properly healed up. As for the 2-match weekends, we had 5 in a row this year. I pulled my daughter out of Monday practices during that stretch. Do soccer players max out? Should they really? I doubt the best players in the world risk the injury of it. Sir, You may have already looked at this, but my son had a torn hip labrum that they had to do a contrast MRI to see. It manifested itself almost like a hip flexor or groin pull. Apologies if you’ve already been down that road, but thought I’d mention it. |
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Post by soccerballz on Dec 8, 2021 9:20:45 GMT -5
I think playing on Turf so much nowadays is contributing to this and yes lack of rest. We as parents sign our kids up for winter futsal, summer programs and extra training thinking this gives our kids the extra edge. I see where parents let their kid that is obviously in pain still play without a diagnosis from a doctor. Usually takes another month of playing like this for the damage to really kick in. But yes, high schools need to calm down with the extra PE class weight room training and conditioning before the club season is complete.
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Post by atlfutboldad on Dec 8, 2021 16:02:05 GMT -5
We had our first 2 ACL's at U15 between the top 2 teams last year. Several ankles on our team this year, an LCL, broken toe and my daughter has been nursing an un-diagnosed pelvis-area/high-groin injury since last January (no solid diagnosis with thousands spent between doctors/X-Rays/MRI/PT). We're in week 3 of 6 weeks off of soccer work prior to HS tryouts to hopefully get it properly healed up. As for the 2-match weekends, we had 5 in a row this year. I pulled my daughter out of Monday practices during that stretch. Do soccer players max out? Should they really? I doubt the best players in the world risk the injury of it. Sir, You may have already looked at this, but my son had a torn hip labrum that they had to do a contrast MRI to see. It manifested itself almost like a hip flexor or groin pull. Apologies if you’ve already been down that road, but thought I’d mention it.
We did an MRI without contrast, the CHOA doctor who specialized in hips said everything looked good. The pain isn't around the hip or flexor, instead more focused around the inner front pelvic/groin area. I'm not saying that its not the labrum, but that doesn't appear to be it, although she does experience the leg getting "stuck" or not moving like she needs on occasion, mainly with really small quick movements. But no soreness or stiffness. It all started when she played on a tight groin muscle and there was weakness soon after (that's all resolved). Will see how the next 4 weeks of PT go to see if she can get over it. Not excited about dropping another grand on an MRI, but if it persists into HS play, we're likely going to have to dive deeper and get an arthroscopic investigation. One girl on our team had a labrum repair back in June and is only now done with PT/getting back to training.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Dec 8, 2021 17:01:39 GMT -5
Sir, You may have already looked at this, but my son had a torn hip labrum that they had to do a contrast MRI to see. It manifested itself almost like a hip flexor or groin pull. Apologies if you’ve already been down that road, but thought I’d mention it.
We did an MRI without contrast, the CHOA doctor who specialized in hips said everything looked good. The pain isn't around the hip or flexor, instead more focused around the inner front pelvic/groin area. I'm not saying that its not the labrum, but that doesn't appear to be it, although she does experience the leg getting "stuck" or not moving like she needs on occasion, mainly with really small quick movements. But no soreness or stiffness. It all started when she played on a tight groin muscle and there was weakness soon after (that's all resolved). Will see how the next 4 weeks of PT go to see if she can get over it. Not excited about dropping another grand on an MRI, but if it persists into HS play, we're likely going to have to dive deeper and get an arthroscopic investigation. One girl on our team had a labrum repair back in June and is only now done with PT/getting back to training.
Has anyone checked for a sports hernia? |
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Post by atlfutboldad on Dec 8, 2021 17:57:53 GMT -5
We did an MRI without contrast, the CHOA doctor who specialized in hips said everything looked good. The pain isn't around the hip or flexor, instead more focused around the inner front pelvic/groin area. I'm not saying that its not the labrum, but that doesn't appear to be it, although she does experience the leg getting "stuck" or not moving like she needs on occasion, mainly with really small quick movements. But no soreness or stiffness. It all started when she played on a tight groin muscle and there was weakness soon after (that's all resolved). Will see how the next 4 weeks of PT go to see if she can get over it. Not excited about dropping another grand on an MRI, but if it persists into HS play, we're likely going to have to dive deeper and get an arthroscopic investigation. One girl on our team had a labrum repair back in June and is only now done with PT/getting back to training.
Has anyone checked for a sports hernia?
Kinda, but the thing that rules that one out is there are not any issues when twisting that are usually indicative of a sports hernia. No lateral or external rotation issues whatsoever either.
I was worried for a while it was an avulsion fracture at the proximal attachment of the groin muscles, because that's where the pain is, and there was the most initial discomfort in PT when raising the straight leg with the toe pointed out (as in passing the ball). But she could go weeks of practices and games without discomfort or re-injury, but then the right full sprint or having a kick cut short by a collision with another player's leg might bother it (those were the worst instances). Sometimes for an hour and then basically pain free, sometimes for 2-4 days.
Apparently the lift after a few reps during trap-bar deadlifts bothered her in HS conditioning today. She's been weightlifting for months now with no issues though. The trainer wanted the lift to be explosive and that's likely what made it pull, quick motions. I just have to wait for her to tell me some new different motion bothers it, then we target her doing eccentric exercises and getting stronger at whatever that motion is.
Its a quandary. My best guess is its the pectineus, since it does internal rotation and flexion, but really no way to prove it. No one really found anything in the MRI and 3 clear x-rays. At least theres 3.5 more weeks of non-soccer PT and strength training.
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Post by BubbleDad on Jan 19, 2022 1:27:34 GMT -5
I'll tell you the problem ... as a former track runner where we did a warm up lap, partner/individual stretching before, during and after practice as well as meets.
Youth soccer is HORRIBLE at taking care of our kids' bodies. I rarely see proper cool downs after practices and games plus stretching in the middle of practices.
Kids shouldn't go sit down right after the game, they should start the cool down process as their coach discusses the game.
Icing after games is important too. Pack a small cooler to take to practice to ice those ankles, knees and muscles that may be aching. Ice or Epson salt baths right after practice is great and should happen at least once a week.
We have to make time for yoga and chiropractor work after or between sports activities. My daughter and I do 10 minutes of yoga in the morning on weekdays ... so good for the body.
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Post by totalfootball1 on Jan 21, 2022 9:21:23 GMT -5
To avoid this happening annually, I think there needs to be a look at the schedules. An average ECNL team in U15+ plays 16/17 league games, 2/3 showcases (3games each), and pre season friendlies. All roughly 4 months.
Then, HS soccer starts begin January with most schools doing daily practice and playing a season that last roughly 3 months + playoffs if you make it.
I have seen many coaches not knowing or, even worse, not caring about muscle preparation etc… I’ve been like that myself earlier in my coaching days. However, soccer is not a seasonal sport! It takes time to develop a playing style and there needs to be a balance between rest-workload.
The system of two different short/cramped up seasons, two different coaches that don’t communicate, different training regimes, lack of knowhow among Coaches, its just asking for trouble. Especially with girls in the ages mentioned. (Considering the physical changes/development of wider hips that puts more pressure on the knees/ACLs)
Just my consent as a coach of 15yrs with experience in different countries with pro to U5s.
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Post by justwatching on Jan 21, 2022 14:45:36 GMT -5
To avoid this happening annually, I think there needs to be a look at the schedules. An average ECNL team in U15+ plays 16/17 league games, 2/3 showcases (3games each), and pre season friendlies. All roughly 4 months. Then, HS soccer starts begin January with most schools doing daily practice and playing a season that last roughly 3 months + playoffs if you make it. I have seen many coaches not knowing or, even worse, not caring about muscle preparation etc… I’ve been like that myself earlier in my coaching days. However, soccer is not a seasonal sport! It takes time to develop a playing style and there needs to be a balance between rest-workload. The system of two different short/cramped up seasons, two different coaches that don’t communicate, different training regimes, lack of knowhow among Coaches, its just asking for trouble. Especially with girls in the ages mentioned. (Considering the physical changes/development of wider hips that puts more pressure on the knees/ACLs) Just my consent as a coach of 15yrs with experience in different countries with pro to U5s. Agreed. What's the solution? One game a weekend year round with no High School similar to old DA. Shortened HS or shortened club season? |
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Post by soccernoleuk on Jan 21, 2022 19:41:11 GMT -5
To avoid this happening annually, I think there needs to be a look at the schedules. An average ECNL team in U15+ plays 16/17 league games, 2/3 showcases (3games each), and pre season friendlies. All roughly 4 months. Then, HS soccer starts begin January with most schools doing daily practice and playing a season that last roughly 3 months + playoffs if you make it. I have seen many coaches not knowing or, even worse, not caring about muscle preparation etc… I’ve been like that myself earlier in my coaching days. However, soccer is not a seasonal sport! It takes time to develop a playing style and there needs to be a balance between rest-workload. The system of two different short/cramped up seasons, two different coaches that don’t communicate, different training regimes, lack of knowhow among Coaches, its just asking for trouble. Especially with girls in the ages mentioned. (Considering the physical changes/development of wider hips that puts more pressure on the knees/ACLs) Just my consent as a coach of 15yrs with experience in different countries with pro to U5s. Agreed. What's the solution? One game a weekend year round with no High School similar to old DA. Shortened HS or shortened club season? I don't see where shortening High School would help much as a lot of the players are showing up to High School already injured. To me the club season is rigorous at the ECNL level. From looking at schedules, most U15+ teams play approximately 25-30 games in approximately 20 weeks. Unfortunately these games are not spread out through the week, as they are all played on weekends. If there were games on say Tuesday evenings and one on the weekend, I think it would help. Players would have a few days in between to rest & recover. Another thing to consider at the club level is training. A lot of ECNL teams are training on the field 4 nights a week. Combine that with 2 weekend games, and the players are physically working 6 days a week. When do their bodies have a chance to rest & recover? I think there are a few things that can help keep players healthier: - Make at least 1 night a week a video session instead of on field training. The players would still be learning, but their bodies would also be recovering. - Better warmup & cool down at training sessions. How many teams show up for training and their coach is still busy with another team? How many teams are rushed out because coach needs to get to his/her next team? - Space out games better. U15+ players having games on 2 or 3 consecutive days definitely wears down bodies and makes everyone more susceptible to injuries. Just my $0.02 cents. |
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Post by totalfootball1 on Jan 21, 2022 22:21:29 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I’m a club coach that had my upbringing in Europe, which means no culture of school soccer. I believe High School soccer should be stopped or gear it towards the SCCL level players. The quality coaches in High School soccer are as rare as diamonds, without a minimum coaching education level that ensures they know what to do. Coaching every day and play games, that is U18/19 pro academy schedule. As a coach you need to know the physiological impact of that and how to create a periodization that prepares your players for that workload. I don’t see that happening for the simple reason that there’s no incentive besides honor/culture. The ECNL is not the golden standard, I know! However, most coaches have been through the UEFA or USSF licenses and work their way up to the A. (Some of the big clubs have it as an requirement to coach their ECNL team) To give you an example: in the Netherlands, they start pre season end of July and have their youth cup games starting late august (similar as FA Cup in England). September the league starts home home and away games, with 12-14 games in the fall, 2/3week Christmas break and early January they start again with 12-14 games. If you do well in the youth cup games, they’ll be played spread out over the whole season. - one game per week - 3 session per week (only the pros and the top top amateur clubs do four in the youth teams) - two tournaments max This is a country the population of NYC metropolitan area and reached 3 WC finals, won one Euros, has three clubs that won collectively six champions league. I would love for clubs here creating senior teams/leagues and become a thing of pride and a goal to reach for youth players. That way it can take over the role of HS soccer. These teams can stay amateur play a similar season schedule and even enter the pyramid as an amateur level league that could become really good. Agreed. What's the solution? One game a weekend year round with no High School similar to old DA. Shortened HS or shortened club season? I don't see where shortening High School would help much as a lot of the players are showing up to High School already injured. To me the club season is rigorous at the ECNL level. From looking at schedules, most U15+ teams play approximately 25-30 games in approximately 20 weeks. Unfortunately these games are not spread out through the week, as they are all played on weekends. If there were games on say Tuesday evenings and one on the weekend, I think it would help. Players would have a few days in between to rest & recover. Another thing to consider at the club level is training. A lot of ECNL teams are training on the field 4 nights a week. Combine that with 2 weekend games, and the players are physically working 6 days a week. When do their bodies have a chance to rest & recover? I think there are a few things that can help keep players healthier: - Make at least 1 night a week a video session instead of on field training. The players would still be learning, but their bodies would also be recovering. - Better warmup & cool down at training sessions. How many teams show up for training and their coach is still busy with another team? How many teams are rushed out because coach needs to get to his/her next team? - Space out games better. U15+ players having games on 2 or 3 consecutive days definitely wears down bodies and makes everyone more susceptible to injuries. Just my $0.02 cents. |
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Post by soccernoleuk on Jan 22, 2022 0:11:12 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I’m a club coach that had my upbringing in Europe, which means no culture of school soccer. I believe High School soccer should be stopped or gear it towards the SCCL level players. The quality coaches in High School soccer are as rare as diamonds, without a minimum coaching education level that ensures they know what to do. Coaching every day and play games, that is U18/19 pro academy schedule. As a coach you need to know the physiological impact of that and how to create a periodization that prepares your players for that workload. I don’t see that happening for the simple reason that there’s no incentive besides honor/culture. The ECNL is not the golden standard, I know! However, most coaches have been through the UEFA or USSF licenses and work their way up to the A. (Some of the big clubs have it as an requirement to coach their ECNL team) To give you an example: in the Netherlands, they start pre season end of July and have their youth cup games starting late august (similar as FA Cup in England). September the league starts home home and away games, with 12-14 games in the fall, 2/3week Christmas break and early January they start again with 12-14 games. If you do well in the youth cup games, they’ll be played spread out over the whole season. - one game per week - 3 session per week (only the pros and the top top amateur clubs do four in the youth teams) - two tournaments max This is a country the population of NYC metropolitan area and reached 3 WC finals, won one Euros, has three clubs that won collectively six champions league. I would love for clubs here creating senior teams/leagues and become a thing of pride and a goal to reach for youth players. That way it can take over the role of HS soccer. These teams can stay amateur play a similar season schedule and even enter the pyramid as an amateur level league that could become really good. I don't see where shortening High School would help much as a lot of the players are showing up to High School already injured. To me the club season is rigorous at the ECNL level. From looking at schedules, most U15+ teams play approximately 25-30 games in approximately 20 weeks. Unfortunately these games are not spread out through the week, as they are all played on weekends. If there were games on say Tuesday evenings and one on the weekend, I think it would help. Players would have a few days in between to rest & recover. Another thing to consider at the club level is training. A lot of ECNL teams are training on the field 4 nights a week. Combine that with 2 weekend games, and the players are physically working 6 days a week. When do their bodies have a chance to rest & recover? I think there are a few things that can help keep players healthier: - Make at least 1 night a week a video session instead of on field training. The players would still be learning, but their bodies would also be recovering. - Better warmup & cool down at training sessions. How many teams show up for training and their coach is still busy with another team? How many teams are rushed out because coach needs to get to his/her next team? - Space out games better. U15+ players having games on 2 or 3 consecutive days definitely wears down bodies and makes everyone more susceptible to injuries. Just my $0.02 cents. All of that is fine if the topic is "How do we get the US to become elite in the World". However, the topic is dealing with overuse injuries. If people want to blow up the system for the less than 1% who actually have a chance to go pro, that is one thing. For the other 99%+ there needs to be a balance. Are there issues with High School soccer in places? Sure Are there issues with club soccer in places? Yes there are. FYI, high school soccer is about a lot more than development to the kids. They get to play in front of all their classmates, teachers, and others that do not go to their club games. They then get to see those same people in the hallways at school, and more often than not get recognition for what they did on the field. Unfortunately there are a lot of club coaches that don't see that or don't care. I know I am lucky because my player is at a school with awesome coaches (who are very well certified & have or do coach at local clubs) and very skilled teammates. It may actually come as a surprise, but her experience in High School this year will be far superior to what she has ever experienced within club soccer. |
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Post by totalfootball1 on Jan 22, 2022 1:01:03 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I’m a club coach that had my upbringing in Europe, which means no culture of school soccer. I believe High School soccer should be stopped or gear it towards the SCCL level players. The quality coaches in High School soccer are as rare as diamonds, without a minimum coaching education level that ensures they know what to do. Coaching every day and play games, that is U18/19 pro academy schedule. As a coach you need to know the physiological impact of that and how to create a periodization that prepares your players for that workload. I don’t see that happening for the simple reason that there’s no incentive besides honor/culture. The ECNL is not the golden standard, I know! However, most coaches have been through the UEFA or USSF licenses and work their way up to the A. (Some of the big clubs have it as an requirement to coach their ECNL team) To give you an example: in the Netherlands, they start pre season end of July and have their youth cup games starting late august (similar as FA Cup in England). September the league starts home home and away games, with 12-14 games in the fall, 2/3week Christmas break and early January they start again with 12-14 games. If you do well in the youth cup games, they’ll be played spread out over the whole season. - one game per week - 3 session per week (only the pros and the top top amateur clubs do four in the youth teams) - two tournaments max This is a country the population of NYC metropolitan area and reached 3 WC finals, won one Euros, has three clubs that won collectively six champions league. I would love for clubs here creating senior teams/leagues and become a thing of pride and a goal to reach for youth players. That way it can take over the role of HS soccer. These teams can stay amateur play a similar season schedule and even enter the pyramid as an amateur level league that could become really good. All of that is fine if the topic is "How do we get the US to become elite in the World". However, the topic is dealing with overuse injuries. If people want to blow up the system for the less than 1% who actually have a chance to go pro, that is one thing. For the other 99%+ there needs to be a balance. Are there issues with High School soccer in places? Sure Are there issues with club soccer in places? Yes there are. FYI, high school soccer is about a lot more than development to the kids. They get to play in front of all their classmates, teachers, and others that do not go to their club games. They then get to see those same people in the hallways at school, and more often than not get recognition for what they did on the field. Unfortunately there are a lot of club coaches that don't see that or don't care. I know I am lucky because my player is at a school with awesome coaches (who are very well certified & have or do coach at local clubs) and very skilled teammates. It may actually come as a surprise, but her experience in High School this year will be far superior to what she has ever experienced within club soccer. The top 1% can only be elite leve if the 99% has a platform to excel on their level. And I still believe that club soccer, if organized properly, can fulfill everything that HS soccer is providing. To me, school is to learn and study and develop social skills. Use the resources for school teams (regardless of sports) for proper year around PE classes. When you can spread club leagues over spring and fall, coaches and parents can actually create a good balance of rest and workload. Right now, that is impossible because of the two separate league system. |
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Post by bogan on Jan 22, 2022 15:00:58 GMT -5
All of that is fine if the topic is "How do we get the US to become elite in the World". However, the topic is dealing with overuse injuries. If people want to blow up the system for the less than 1% who actually have a chance to go pro, that is one thing. For the other 99%+ there needs to be a balance. Are there issues with High School soccer in places? Sure Are there issues with club soccer in places? Yes there are. FYI, high school soccer is about a lot more than development to the kids. They get to play in front of all their classmates, teachers, and others that do not go to their club games. They then get to see those same people in the hallways at school, and more often than not get recognition for what they did on the field. Unfortunately there are a lot of club coaches that don't see that or don't care. I know I am lucky because my player is at a school with awesome coaches (who are very well certified & have or do coach at local clubs) and very skilled teammates. It may actually come as a surprise, but her experience in High School this year will be far superior to what she has ever experienced within club soccer. The top 1% can only be elite leve if the 99% has a platform to excel on their level. And I still believe that club soccer, if organized properly, can fulfill everything that HS soccer is providing. To me, school is to learn and study and develop social skills. Use the resources for school teams (regardless of sports) for proper year around PE classes. When you can spread club leagues over spring and fall, coaches and parents can actually create a good balance of rest and workload. Right now, that is impossible because of the two separate league system. Like promotion/relegation…never gonna happen but it’s a nice thought. |
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Post by BubbleDad on Feb 4, 2022 12:58:34 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I’m a club coach that had my upbringing in Europe, which means no culture of school soccer. I believe High School soccer should be stopped or gear it towards the SCCL level players. The quality coaches in High School soccer are as rare as diamonds, without a minimum coaching education level that ensures they know what to do. Coaching every day and play games, that is U18/19 pro academy schedule. As a coach you need to know the physiological impact of that and how to create a periodization that prepares your players for that workload. I don’t see that happening for the simple reason that there’s no incentive besides honor/culture. The ECNL is not the golden standard, I know! However, most coaches have been through the UEFA or USSF licenses and work their way up to the A. (Some of the big clubs have it as an requirement to coach their ECNL team) To give you an example: in the Netherlands, they start pre season end of July and have their youth cup games starting late august (similar as FA Cup in England). September the league starts home home and away games, with 12-14 games in the fall, 2/3week Christmas break and early January they start again with 12-14 games. If you do well in the youth cup games, they’ll be played spread out over the whole season. - one game per week - 3 session per week (only the pros and the top top amateur clubs do four in the youth teams) - two tournaments max This is a country the population of NYC metropolitan area and reached 3 WC finals, won one Euros, has three clubs that won collectively six champions league. I would love for clubs here creating senior teams/leagues and become a thing of pride and a goal to reach for youth players. That way it can take over the role of HS soccer. These teams can stay amateur play a similar season schedule and even enter the pyramid as an amateur level league that could become really good. All of that is fine if the topic is "How do we get the US to become elite in the World". However, the topic is dealing with overuse injuries. If people want to blow up the system for the less than 1% who actually have a chance to go pro, that is one thing. For the other 99%+ there needs to be a balance. Are there issues with High School soccer in places? Sure Are there issues with club soccer in places? Yes there are. FYI, high school soccer is about a lot more than development to the kids. They get to play in front of all their classmates, teachers, and others that do not go to their club games. They then get to see those same people in the hallways at school, and more often than not get recognition for what they did on the field. Unfortunately there are a lot of club coaches that don't see that or don't care. I know I am lucky because my player is at a school with awesome coaches (who are very well certified & have or do coach at local clubs) and very skilled teammates. It may actually come as a surprise, but her experience in High School this year will be far superior to what she has ever experienced within club soccer. What school does your daughter go to? |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 4, 2022 14:13:59 GMT -5
Personally -- not a fan of 4 nights a week of training. Kids become robots. If the 4th night, is all recovery and light and fun. I'm all for it. But 4 nights at 1.5 hours a night is a lot.
Part of the biggest issue with soccer compared to other sports is the absence of gym rats. I've said this for years. I know some kids are out there individually working out etc and busting it to make it - but I'm also not talking about private trainers, speed and agility training, a few hours a week at some performance center etc --- i'm talking about the gym rats, the kids in hoops who wake up and get to high school early and shoot 100 threes every morning and work on their handle.
For whatever reason, soccer just isn't' a gym rat sport. Maybe i'm wrong - but the tops hoops players are always playing ball and working on their game. Most kids go to training 3-4 times a week and then rarely touch ball again outside of those organized sessions.
side note as well -- high school soccer also holds kids accountable for their actions:
you have bad grades, your not playing.
you get in a fight at school, your not playing etc.
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Post by atlfutboldad on Feb 4, 2022 17:59:31 GMT -5
I'm agreed thus far on the high school experience being superior than the majority of our club years so far. Mine as a freshman feels welcome and part of the team. There's a lot of camaraderie within the team; they win and pull for each other. Its cool she gets to play with older, mature skilled players. Even seeing her teammates during the day to chat and such is good. Between games 2 nights apart this week they did a cooldown session rather than practice and watched film today. As she gets older it will be on her to take more of a leadership/mentor role which will be cool to see.
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Post by soccerparent02 on Feb 4, 2022 18:51:42 GMT -5
My kid practiced or played soccer 6 days a week all year round.He had from Christmas to mid January off (4 weeks maybe). Kid practiced at home and did running to condition.
Soccer didn't hold him accountable for grades. He held himself accountable and WE did as his parents. He enjoyed high school soccer but it was nowhere near as competitive as his club team where he played on the top team in the SE in his age group and played at the National level.
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Post by atlfutboldad on Feb 7, 2022 9:18:08 GMT -5
Of course there are better club options, but if your child isn't playing on a top 10 club team in the country (0.001% of players in the city), playing on a good high school team can be a better experience than 80% of the club teams in the city. In ATL it seems to be primarily the big Cobb/Forsyth/Gwinnett schools and the private schools (Westminster, Marist, St Pius X, Blessed Trinity, etc). At many of these schools if you make varsity you're playing with 4 age groups of very good/excellent players, which are likely better than the team within their age group they play with in club.
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Post by soccerparent02 on Feb 7, 2022 10:24:11 GMT -5
...unless your kid plays club with those top "high school" players. All that wanted to play college went on to the next level.
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Post by soccerloafer on Feb 7, 2022 13:48:36 GMT -5
I'm agreed thus far on the high school experience being superior than the majority of our club years so far. Mine as a freshman feels welcome and part of the team. There's a lot of camaraderie within the team; they win and pull for each other. Its cool she gets to play with older, mature skilled players. Even seeing her teammates during the day to chat and such is good. Between games 2 nights apart this week they did a cooldown session rather than practice and watched film today. As she gets older it will be on her to take more of a leadership/mentor role which will be cool to see. Mine had a great HS experience, and they were good players at a good club (RPL, DPL level) with offers to play at small schools - went to college for academics. Playing with older girls, camaraderie, actual good coaching, playing in front of friends, growing into leadership roles not possible with club (captains rarely change at club, but change every year in HS). Mine became better by playing HS. Completely agree that the experiences may vary. Big Cobb / Fulton / Forsyth / Gwinnett schools have the numbers and $$s to have a good program. |
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Post by mightydawg on Feb 8, 2022 9:10:40 GMT -5
High school soccer pro/con list:
cons:
1. Quality of soccer is generally around an SCCL level or lower
pros:
1. Camaraderie
2. Playing for school pride
3. Playing in front of fans
4. Playing against club teammates and former club teammates
5. Rivalries
6. Leadership
7. No parents yelling from sidelines (likely due to not wanting to embarrass themselves or their kid in front of school people)
8. No parents going berserk at refs (high school simply does not put up with it)
9. No parent coaches
10. No parents kissing the coach's ass at every opportunity
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Post by oraclesfriend on Feb 8, 2022 9:32:52 GMT -5
High school soccer pro/con list: cons: 1. Quality of soccer is generally around an SCCL level or lower pros: 1. Camaraderie 2. Playing for school pride 3. Playing in front of fans 4. Playing against club teammates and former club teammates 5. Rivalries 6. Leadership 7. No parents yelling from sidelines (likely due to not wanting to embarrass themselves or their kid in front of school people) 8. No parents going berserk at refs (high school simply does not put up with it) 9. No parent coaches 10. No parents kissing the coach's ass at every opportunity Number 7 is not always true. I have seen/heard plenty of parents yelling. I will say though the stadium seating does drop that a little even at club games. The further away you are the harder it is to yell at the players. They can't hear you... |
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Post by mightydawg on Feb 8, 2022 10:56:26 GMT -5
Very true. Maybe 7-10 should add "Noticeable reduction" in front of everything.
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Post by Keeper on Feb 8, 2022 13:56:49 GMT -5
High school soccer pro/con list: cons: 1. Quality of soccer is generally around an SCCL level or lower pros: 1. Camaraderie 2. Playing for school pride 3. Playing in front of fans 4. Playing against club teammates and former club teammates 5. Rivalries 6. Leadership 7. No parents yelling from sidelines (likely due to not wanting to embarrass themselves or their kid in front of school people) 8. No parents going berserk at refs (high school simply does not put up with it) 9. No parent coaches 10. No parents kissing the coach's ass at every opportunity Damn you must be lucky. #2 - most girls schools and lower level boys teams barely have any fans other then parents. Seen more or about the same at most club games. #7 - #10 have happened a lot in the first 6 years of our HS ball experience. Next year starts the last four so maybe it changes. . Constant parents yelling or worse teenage boys (those fans you talked about) at players and the Refs. ADs and Principals rarely do anything especially when one of them is the booster club or plays the politics right. Never seen a HS Ref kick a parent out even for cursing from stands. Luckily GCPD did, eventually. No player parent coaching but again most coaches are parents and would struggle with a Rec team. And tons of ass kissing to coach to make sure lil Johnny and Suzie make the team, get their number, become a Captain and get plenty of playing time. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 8, 2022 15:13:18 GMT -5
I've seen some legendary student sections of the years at girls playoff and "big" rivalry regular season games. Environments that can never be replicated at the club level!
At times they cross the line for sure, but man -- the kids are having so much fun.
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Post by soccerparent02 on Feb 9, 2022 13:04:57 GMT -5
Ive witnessed many parents and students be completely inappropriate at high school games. Unless your player plays at one of the huge high schools, the level is a 4th or 5th division club overall. You may have 3 that play at the highest level but the rest are nowhere close. I agree the comraderie is what makes it appealing to the elite players as its not the competition.
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