re: Does anyone here want their child to pursue sports as a career?

I've worked with him for a couple of years. I got him the whole pro setup last year for Christmas and have him kicking off a 1" tee. He's money.

He's always been the strongest, most accurate kicker his age (obviously just around here) and he's getting better at a good clip. He likes it. He kicks all the set plays in soccer and is very accurate. He likes the pressure and makes kicks no other kids on his Allstars or select teams could make. I have a feeling if he's the best kicker in soccer for age he'll be the best kicker in football. IDK, it's something we work on and something he likes, we'll see how it goes.

You don't plan to send your kid college on your dime?

At that age, let him play on a team with his friends. Unless he's a fricking stud, even though he's been selected for the A team, he likely won't get much playing time because of the incumbents already on the team. His skills will go to shite.

Better he play with his friends and get more field time.

MLS has C leagues, there are tons of people 'playing professionally'. Obviously the Premier League is a joke to think about.

Hell the youth US teams are insane. Those kids have a shot.

He's a top 2-3 kid overall, he'd be the tallest, fastest, best kicker on the A team first day. It's complicated since this year they are moving to birth year, so whole teams are moving brackets...the A team played U9 last year, they're A because of the coach, not because all the kids are stars.

By my senior year of high school, I knew only a select few kids who truly wanted to pursue a career in sports. A very small percentage of those kids were highly achieving students. Most of us had played sports since we were 5/6 and were ready to move onto other passions.

most parents that couldn't do shite on the field in their youth will promote their kids substantially.


especially softball dads. they are the worst. in fact......I can't tell you how many of them want to hide under a rock when their daughter says:

dad, I'm quitting college softball because of the following reasons:
a) I have to go to practice everyday at 1pm. my biology class is set for 2pm. I can't take it. I also have a lab at 330 pm. can't take that either. dad, I want to be a nurse and......if I continue playing softball.......it will take me 6-7 years. so..........I'm done

or

b) I'm gay now and I don't want to play softball anymore because one of my teammates just dumped me for the pitcher.

I follow the philosophy of... I will help them be as good as they want to be... If they want to play with friends at that age, great... If they want to pursue more rigorous competition..ok I don't let them play year round at an early age and I listen to their dreams and temper it with reality.

quote:

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lace up a helmet i

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What year is it?

Y'know this issue is starting to become relevant in my family's life. My son is a placekicker. He played youth league ball and was more than impressive, but really exploded during jr high. He enjoys it so we started working with some of the National Camps and he has majorly turned heads. He has a private coach who currently kicks for a top D-1 University. Our thought process has always been, " As long as it is fun and you are learning and getting better...great...no harm."

But, with more than one HS coach having serious interest in him and with his current skill set, it is hard to not go into his HS career without having an eye on the next 3 years. I think we are really going to try hard to stick with our current thought process....in other words, as long as he is having fun, getting better and something he wants...then he will get 110% of my support, which includes money and time for training. If it turns into a scholarship, great....if not no harm no foul. We created some good memories during this time.