School Sports vs. Club Sports
School Sports vs. Club Sports. Club soccer seems to start earlier and earlier these days. U8 is now considered late to the party. And in this rush to specialize, we sometimes let important opportunities pass us by. In 6th grade, my daughter desperately wanted to play for her middle school team in addition to her club team. It felt like a lot of soccer, I was worried about the toll it would take on her body. At the time it seemed impossible to fathom how we could fit anymore practices or games into her very busy schedule.
Typically, it’s recommended kids sample different sports or at least do a lot of multi-movement activities, it helps with burnout and overuse injuries in the long run. But I understand the pull kids feel who play club. The opportunity to showcase their skillset/hard work they’ve put into their sport to their school community is hard to pass up.
Can Your Child Not Play Club And Still Succeed?
My daughter eventually wore me down and I allowed her to do both, at the same time. She and two of her buddies made the 6-8th grade team and it was one of the best experiences they’ve ever had.
There’s something different about High School sports
I should also note, we are fortunate to have an amazing club coach who supported his team playing school sports and told the kids to choose their middle school soccer game over their club practices when they overlapped.
Here are 7 benefits of playing school and club sports
1. SKILLS/ENDURANCE INCREASED: Kids played soccer twice as much for almost two months, so their skills noticeably improved and they had more endurance on the pitch.
2. CONFIDENCE BOOST: For my 6th grader and her friends, making a team that included good 7th and 8th grade players was not an easy feat. It gave them a little pep in their step.
3. PLAYING NEW POSITIONS: They were able to try positions they don’t typically get to play on their club team.
4. INCREASED PHYSICALITY: They had to play against a lot of 8th graders, which increased their mental and physical toughness and made playing against bigger girls in club easier.
5. SCHOOL PRIDE: It just matters more. When your teachers come to your games and you experience something together with your classmates, it creates community and gives sports more meaning.
6. NEW FRIENDSHIPS: Playing with older or younger girls created bonds and friendships with different kids from their school that they otherwise wouldn’t have received.
7. MENTORS: One of the best experiences was getting to know the older players. They were supportive and kind and became great role models and mentors to my daughter and her friends.