POSITION STATEMENT ON HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
POSITION STATEMENT ON HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
Outlaws Soccer supports high school athletics and believes the majority of Outlaws athletes should participate in high school soccer and represent their school and community. We firmly believe as well, Outlaws athletes who are elite soccer players with elite aspirations must look at alternatives to high school soccer in coordination with their individual goals.
SUPPORT FOR POSITION STATEMENT ON HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
The following is meant to clarify the preceding position statement, and where Outlaws Soccer stands in regard to high school soccer as it relates to Outlaws Soccer Players. This is not simply high school versus club.
Outlaws Soccer fully supports high school athletics. Furthermore, we support athletes and families who want to support their academic institution as well as their local community. There are several benefits that come naturally when an athlete participates in their high school’s soccer program. Examples of these benefits include recognition by the local media, recognition at their school, the opportunity to play in front of friends and sometimes larger crowds, the opportunity to play with friends in a new environment under different coaching, and an every day training schedule, plus 15-20 matches played. In addition, younger players have the opportunity to train and play with and against older, (perhaps) bigger, stronger and faster players. These all can be positive affects from playing high school soccer.
The majority of Outlaws players should participate in high school soccer if given the opportunity. Pride in school and community is healthy.
From a technical standpoint, there are also some draw backs to playing high school. Some of the following are generalizations and are not meant to address specifically any one high school program, nor do they address every high school program. In general, relative to an elite level, high school soccer is played with less control and at a lesser level (than elite club level at Outlaws). Less control refers to less passing, less purpose and thought behind the action. Less control also refers to the physical style of play and/or lack of control by athletes over their own body. There are high school coaches who abuse the ability to train every day by treating it more of a fitness class than a soccer session. On the other hand, there are coaches who care not at all what transpires at training and allow players to control the environment. Both of the previous statements lead to frustration and frustration saps players of passion and spirit. Many players can play through this, but players with elite aspirations struggle more than others. Where it may be an opportunity to lead or to learn how to adapt, many players are not prepared to do this without instruction. In many cases it seems high school coaches act as if the athlete’s soccer season is the few months they are with the high school team, and thus, don’t really care about the other nine months which the athlete is playing. There seems to be little thought to what else the athlete is going through or has endured prior to joining the high school team or what is to follow after the high school season. This apparent lack of regard to the athletes mental or physical state makes the high school training regiment that much more potentially harmful to the athlete’s mind and body. The risk of injury because of this seems to be much higher. Because of the wide variety of players who are selected for high school teams there are many inconsistencies in training. Where the bigger schools tend to have several talented players, the elite players are still playing daily with players who are at a much lesser level. Again, frustration and poor habits arise because of this.
Elite players should play 10 or 11 months a year. The more consistent the environment and instruction that the players receive can enhance the players ability to learn, grow and mature. A program that is structured to the players needs over a full year’s time is in the best interest of the player. A year round program caters to the player’s needs and to the understanding that there are both peaks and valleys in training and performance throughout the year. From the benefits of playing high school soccer listed earlier, the matches played, the everyday training schedule and players playing against older (bigger, stronger, faster) players are all positives. However, if the matches are played with less control and are combative in style not conducive to a soccer player “playing”, and if the everyday training is not approached with thought and care with the concern of player development, or if the bigger player plays with less control or coordination or if bigger/smaller doesn’t apply to a given athlete, then those positives are quickly diffused, and in fact, become negatives.
It is up to each athlete to decide if the positives outweigh the negatives. These may be different for every player. It is up to each athlete to do his or her own research on the quality of his or her program as well as the league they play in, and to come to a conclusion as to whether or not playing high school helps them achieve, or get closer to achieving, their personal goals within the game. This is how we encourage high school aged Outlaws athletes to decide whether or not high school soccer is in their best interest. “How does this decision relate to my goals?” Playing high school soccer is an individual decision before it is a team’s decision (club or high school). There is inherent pressure on players to represent their school. Tradition says players should play high school. Most parents who are/were athletes participated in high school athletics, therefore in many ways expect their son or daughter to participate. But does tradition represent the best path to achieving one’s goals? Again, the question centers upon the athlete’s goals. The question is not, what are the athlete’s friends doing? Nor is it, what do my parents want? Enjoyment is definitely important but this also is not the determinant. Sacrifices are necessary if a player chooses to remain in Outlaws Soccer rather than play high school soccer.
Commitment to achieving one’s goals will take sacrifice. For example, if the athlete’s goals include earning a position on the national team, or if they include playing professionally, or if they include playing at the highest level college soccer offers, or if the athlete and his or her club team aspires to be champions (state, regional, national), then high school soccer is not in their best interest. If the athlete’s goals include becoming the best soccer they can possibly be, high school soccer is not in their best interest. The athlete must take into honest account their ability level and the reality of these goals being achieved. The athlete must face the very reality of whether or not they are willing to commit to achieving their goals because many people are not. The decision to not play high school is not the easy way out. In fact, taking the path less traveled is seldom the easier route.
As stated earlier, the majority of Outlaws players should participate in high school athletics and do all they can to make their high school experience as rewarding as possible. For the most elite players in Outlaws Soccer who have the highest of expectations and the ability as well as the fortitude to support these expectations, high school soccer without question is not in their best interest (provided the club has a reasonable plan, of course, to support the player’s goals). Playing Outlaws Soccer over high school does not guarantee success. Ultimately, no matter the environment, it is incumbent upon each individual athlete to make that happen.
-
Upcoming Events
Polls
Loading ...