High School vs. Club Debate in Minnesota

Choosing whether to play club or school soccer is a major decision that could define a youth player’s career. They might have friends they want to join with on either side, but then there is also the aspect of their future. When weighing out all the factors you’ll be sure to consider which team is better, which team has a better atmosphere, which gets more recognition, which one scouts will pay attention to more, or which is the best choice now. Some will choose to play both, but eventually one will take precedence and this could rub the other the wrong way.

Well Minnesota Youth Soccer Association has made this choice easy for their players. They’ve approved high school soccer associations banning their players from participating in both club and high school teams simultaneously. Although this may clarify where a player’s priorities lie at the moment, it could create a disadvantage for players opting for high school soccer. HS soccer is well worth your time, but club soccer brings in a wider array of competition and exposure to get youths better prepared for college.

What do you think? Should the choice be up to the families and players? Is it better to focus on one team, rather than spread things too thin?

~Sam@bluesombrero.com

Comments

[Coach Art]

Here in New Jersey, the high school season lasts from tryouts at the end of August to state championship finals in mid-November. Club teams do not play during that time frame. This allows players to participate on club teams and high school teams. While many high school teams do not get much recognition, neither do many club teams. Elite players attending top flight public and private high schools will get as much recognition as any academy team. They need to play both to advance their careers. Elite players attending mediocre high school programs must play for elite club teams but can and should enjoy the camaraderie of their high school classmates. In any event, playing separate seasons solves the problem. If club teams start to encroach on the high school season, they will do a real disservice to their players in denying them the opportunity to gain recognition if they play for elite high school programs. I want to make it clear that these are only my personal opinions but that they are based on decades of experience in both youth and high school soccer.

[Karl Sonneman]

Minnesota does not have overlapping seasons. Club soccer actions can go on to August 15 and then high school (both boys and girls) runs to late October. Club and indoor play continues during the winter (and of course it is really winter here) Fall club soccer exists for ages younger than high school.

This seems the best of all worlds. The parents behind our club have told us that club soccer exists to support and build high school teams (we feed to two high schools). Since the overwelming majority of players will likely end their formal playing careers after high school, this works very well.

[Peter Olson]

The only problem with the club soccer is many of the players making that choice are not going to have a "career" in soccer. The upper levels of soccer are getting watered down as to many "elite" clubs exist.

So many players are sacrificing playing in a community with friends that will share their successes and failures for a life time for a dream that will not happen. It is sad that in most other sports the high school atmosphere and sports experience is where one was recruited from. Now players need to spend to much money and travel far from home to play.

There are not any memories being made. There is nothing better than winning a league or district championship for your hometown team. This is a memory that will last forever.

Peter Olson

[ScottBinTN]

I thought most states already banned them from playing both simultaneously.

I can't imagine any high school team giving a child the opportunities that club play offer. Especially as far as scholarships are concerned. First, you have the coaching issues. How many high schools have qualified and advanced licensed coaches that are employed in the school system? That's one of the requirements for coaches in my area, East TN. The crazy part is that county and city schools are sanctioned by 2 different entities. The sanctioning body for county schools allow both while the body that regulates city schools don't! Second, what high school has the kind of schedule that hand-picked tournaments can provide in the way of competition.

I say if you're serious about going to strong soccer colleges, skip high school play.

[Rob Smith]

I am writing as a parent of daughters who played both high school and club soccer in the Maryland.

In this age of youth sports where kids, particularly the high level travel players, are being worn down from too much training and playing, limits need to be set. However, there is no need to chose club vs. high school during the high school season.

My oldest daughter played for a 4 time State Champion (U16 - U19). Nearly all of them played in college their freshman year.

During high school season, girls played and trained with their school team. No club practice during the high school season, no league play, and only one or two tournaments during the high school season to help the players in their college recruiting and to keep the players connected. After the high school season, they went back to regular club training and playing.

A player can have both, but during the high school season the school represents the primary soccer activity. In this way, players can have a proper balance without having to chose one over the other.

Rob Smith
Maryland

[troyware@aol.com]

After reading about this over and over, I think the decision is obvious; There is no reason why kids cannot play both.
Successful programs take into consideration the local philosophy, talent of both coaches and players, field availability, etc and make it work. Kids that can play Division 1+ will do it. Yes, they need access but in too many cases it comes down to money with club teams. They are becoming very expensive. In many smaller communities the recruiting is brutal and ends up not beig in the intrest of the kids.
Michael Jordan did not peak as a basketball player in Wilmington, NC until he was junior in high school.
Club sports do not make that an option. Basedon how he played before that he would have been written off already.

[Stephen Hardy]

I can confirm the previous post by ScottBinTN whereby the secondary school governing body (TSSA) does not allow for a player to COMPETE in both school (middle or high) soccer and travel soccer at the same time. I emphasize COMPETE because the middle school or high school player can still participate in travel soccer practices (not scrimmages, friendlies or tournaments) during the school season as long as the practice involves skills practice or small sided games (smaller than 6v6). There is A LOT of misinformation out there, I called TSSA directly. My son did not play middle school soccer during his 6th grade year and focused on travel. This was based on his premier level travel coach advising him against playing "school ball" and misinformation about what he could or couldn't do at the same time. Now with clarification my son just finished 7th grade and playing for his middle school team (did I mention that it is only about 8 weeks long?) and regardless of wins or losses he feels he gained from it. Different coach, different teammates, different skill levels. The rewards are not tangible but he feels it helped him to be a better player. He continued to train with his travel team and reaped the benefits there as well. Other than the article referring to Mark Berson I don't see any posts about how important summer camps can be in getting your player "seen" by potential coaches. Numerous summer camps are within 5 hours of me (Nashville) that provide staff comprised of head coaches or assistant coaches from D1, D2 and NAIA schools. Between my son's summer camp last year, select season, middle school season and summer camp this year I believe that this has been his best year developing his overall skills. Having been involved in soccer for 27 years I find this balance to be a good thing. Best regards.