Which is better? Playing time on “lower level” OR sitting the bench on “higher level”. This is a very popular question many players and parents have. There are many scenarios, so it’s important not to compare.
Some players have the opportunity to prove a coach they can do it. Other players need to instead drop down a level to gain experience and confidence. The worst thing would be sitting the bench, not improving and losing your love for the game. Below you’ll learn some different stories to help decide what’s best for you.
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Tryout season and playing time
For many of you tryout season is busy and oftentimes a little stressful…
During the tryout season I get several questions from parents asking what’s a good path for their kids soccer journey.
It depends on the 3 main things:
- The individuals mindset and desires
- Age
- Location
For those looking for a specific age group, there’s a short Age Breakdown below.
One thing for sure is, I believe Playing Time should outweigh a certain team or league. No matter what age!
Playing time is the ultimate goal.
A friend who’s an A-license coach
The other day I was talking on the phone with a friend who played D1 college soccer and now has his A-license (top coaching badge).
He’s coached youth for big and small clubs, ODP, and at the college level.
When reflecting back on some of his best growth as a player, it wasn’t on the “all star” high level teams. On the top tier teams you’re often a role player… “take 2 touches and do what we say” vs playing different positions with freedom and joy on a regular team.
This coaches main frustrations over the last 10 years:
- When parents want their kids to play in the highest league. League status over good coaching & playing time.
- Oftentimes these bigger clubs have very average coaches leading the top teams.
- The coaches don’t develop because they have the best players to make them look good and they can replace a player in a second.
Your location matters in youth soccer
Smaller soccer towns don’t give the same opportunities, therefore you might have to stick it out traveling to play at the “bigger teams/leagues.”
Another scenario is some players live close to a good team that plays “2nd or 3rd tier” league… They’ll choose to play there vs going tier 1 and still go to the same colleges that the tier 1 players go.
Again, not all the best players play ECNL or MLS Next. Some of the best players actually play in tier 5 leagues because they can’t afford expensive clubs, or some don’t want to do all the travel.
Either way, you shouldn’t worry about traveling to a bigger club under the age of 12-13, but around 14-15 you probably need to make the move.
On the contrary, you might have to play in a smaller less competitive league.
Either way remember to keep training on your own.
Some kids play at big clubs but don’t develop because they don’t get the right training. Location matters, but don’t let it be an excuse for not reaching your goal.
Now more than ever before kids from smaller towns who put in the work are improving because of technology. Many of my online trainees are from all over America and other countries. I love to see videos they send in showing their progress!
Some of my favorite stories are from the small town kids who use my online ball control courses and end up playing for big clubs or even college later on.
ID camps are other good ways players are seen, regardless of the league they play.
More important than location is your mindset.
You can improve the right way, the main thing will be the competition or lack of.
3 reasons why some players in Tier 3 are better than in Tier 1
- Not everyone wants to or can commit to the travel, which spreads out the talent.
- There are players who peak in the middle of the season.
- Sometimes great players get overlooked by coaches during tryouts.
You don’t have to play Tier 1, especially for girls.
I know girls who played Tier 3 all the way through HS and ended up playing D1 college.
There are about 30% more D1 programs for women’s college soccer.
Either way continuing to work on the technical part is the key.
You can develop on your own by doing your ball control courses
Playing time no matter what age or level
On another note:
Playing D1 college shouldn’t be the ultimate goal either. There are D2 schools that are better than D1. D1 means the school has a larger enrollment. Of course the top 30 D1 schools are very good.
Either way the key is to continue PLAYING…
Why go to a big school and sit the bench for 3 years and finally get playing time your senior year.
Again, at every age let’s Enjoy the Now. Take it year by year. Have goals yes, but have fun and give yourself the best opportunity to develop by getting playing time.
Age Breakdown
- Some players Ages 7-10 are super good either naturally or because they trained a lot.
- Ages 10-11 and 12-13 might not be on that level, but from ages 10-13 those that put in good technical ball control will catch up. I’ve seen kids playing rec soccer at age 10 who from age 10-13 put in work on the technical end and go to play college soccer. Athletic ability & drive of course plays a big role.
- Ages 14-17 is when you want to have already prepared because that time is so fun to play with schoolmates and it’s the time you want to be clean on the ball to get recruited to college. The kids that keep the purposeful training mindset are the ones who continue to develop.
- Ages 18-21 is always a joy to see the college kids come back and continue working on their skills. The maturity and drive will continue far after soccer.
When my daughter’s rec team went select
At age 12 my daughters team went rec to select… For 4 years I volunteer coached that team…
From age 7-11 they grew in every way…
Age 10 we turned it up…
3 things we did: (U10)
- Entered Winter and Summer indoor leagues playing club teams and we got 2nd place out of 9 teams.
- At age 10 is also when we started practicing 2x per week for 90 mins each.
- Seven of the girls [4 consistent] would do private small group with me.
By playing rec from age 7-11 the families all saved over $10,000 easy, not to mention time.
Age 12 went select starting in (Girls Classic League) which is a mid tier in North Texas. They stayed top 6 out of 18 teams all year and were the only independent team, not to mention all from the same town. 9 of the girls were from my rec team, 3 others from rec and then 4 from big clubs.
My point: Even though they were playing rec through age 11, the top eight players were easily club level because of the consistent training.
The last rec season we inherited a player who came from club, but she was technically behind. It’s easy to see that her old coaches didn’t teach her enough of the important fundamentals.
So don’t think playing “club” is going to solve all the problems…
Make sure your kid is being taught proper skills!
The stress and pressure of youth soccer
There are great youth players who are playing in the “Top Leagues” but are stressed out. Some people think that if you go down a level you’ll lose the chance to play in the top league.
Not true.
Coaches are going to pick the best players MOST of the time.
Kids all develop at different ages and stages:
Don’t compare yourself with others and then get frustrated. Keep working hard! Remember stories like Michael Jordan who didn’t even make the HS varsity team his Soph year.
Some kids thrive in the best leagues at ages 7-10 all the way up, while for others it takes time to work their way up.
The individual’s personality plays a role too. Parents know their kids best this way, so do what’s best for you. Don’t worry about others.
Communicate with your family and decide what’s best. Things change each year.
Pro footballer drops down not for playing time but confidence
COOL STORY How a Brazilian Pro player Boosted Confidence:
A few years ago there was a player (Paulinho) who started CM on BRAZIL and BARCELONA. The year before & after Barcelona he went to play in the Chinese league to boost his confidence.
We’re talking about a top world class player who went to play in a league that’s not even a top 12 league.
WHY?
To play with less stress and raise confidence.
Yes, the money is good in China for top players, but it’s good in Spain too.
Sometimes that’s what youth players need. Move down for a season to get playing time or even be a top 5 player.
Everyone can’t be a top 5 player I know, but if you can get out of the stressful “Am I going to get to play today” situation – do it.
When do leagues start to matter if you want to play college soccer?
I think by age 15 is when leagues start to matter more, but developing on your own at home doing the ball control courses, Also wall passing drills and for some private or small group training is going to be how you best improve technically.
If a player doesn’t want to play college, than for sure club league level doesn’t matter.
College recruitment:
Players need to always improve technically. Then by 9th and 10th grade get a great highlight video to send off to coaches. Learn how a soccer highlight video can save you big money.
Be persistent in reaching out to them. Bug them and show them you want to play for their school. Reach out to 50-100 colleges. Most only contact 5-7. that’s not enough. It’s hard work, but you can do it.
I’ve seen great players who never got recruited because they didn’t reach out to coaches. Average players who are persistent will get in.
There is much more to talk about, so feel free to reply this email with questions.
Enjoy your soccer and remember it’s like life… A rollercoaster.
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