Every professional soccer player started exactly where your child also started, learning to kick a ball and falling in love with the game. While only a tiny percentage of youth players will ultimately reach the high professional levels, understanding the complete pathway from grassroots soccer to pro-am opportunities helps you support your child's soccer development. 

No matter what your child’s goals are, such as playing professionally or even just having fun, knowing what lies ahead allows you to make informed decisions and set appropriate expectations for the journey.

Start at the Beginning of the Journey

Grassroots soccer is where every player's journey starts. This includes recreational leagues and introductory programs for younger age groups. The focus at this level is on building fundamental skills and developing a love for the game. Quality coaching matters enormously here because the habits and techniques formed in these early years create the foundation for everything that comes later.

This is the stage where a child’s passion for the game often develops, so this is a more important stage than it first appears. Also, children who start here usually have a much stronger foundation than those who skip ahead too quickly. This stage typically spans from ages five or six through around age ten or eleven, though the timeline varies based on the player's development and the structure of local programs.

Navigate the Competitive Landscape

How competitive does your child want to be? This is important to know because there are different things that can occur at this stage depending on what they want to accomplish. At this stage, training usually is more intense and the commitment needed at this level increases substantially. 

Players at this stage are usually between ages eleven and eighteen, training multiple times per week and competing in regional or national tournaments.What matters most is matching your child with the best level for him or her. 

High School and College

Another item to consider is that your child may express interest in playing in high school and college. The soccer program, along with your support, can help guide young players on the right path. 

Playing on a school team can be fun and rewarding, and many high school players go on to play in college. However, as a parent, you will want to find ways to help your child balance life, soccer goals, training, and other considerations, so they can thrive.

High school soccer plays an important role in many players' development, and player development continues through college. Many professional players developed significantly during their college years, benefiting from high-level strength and conditioning programs and the maturity that comes with a few more years of development.

Professional Level 

This isn’t the right path for everyone, but it is possible your child might express an interest in eventually playing professionally. This is a worthwhile goal, and the right club can also help your child stay on a path to maximize success in this area.

It is important to understand what the route to becoming a professional player might be in order to be prepared and have the right expectations. For example, some players sign with professional academies as teenagers and bypass college entirely. Others play college soccer and get drafted or sign contracts after graduation. Still others play in semi-professional or pro-am leagues while pursuing other careers.

Playing in a soccer program can help young players develop both on and off the field. By understanding the different levels, you can help your child achieve goals and grow with the sport.