Making the jump from recreational soccer to travel or academy level play can be a pretty huge decision for players and their family. There is going to be an increased commitment and the more competitive atmosphere creates a major shift from the games your child has been playing up until this point in recreational soccer. Before you decide to make the jump over, it's important to understand what is really involved and how to prepare your child for the change in play. 

Understanding the Difference in Commitment

Starter level recreational soccer will usually involve one practice per week and a game on the weekend. And the games are usually within a tiny geographic area like your town or city. Now, travel and academy soccer is going to change this up. Your child needs to expect that they will have at minimum two practices per week, plus games. 

Not only that, but the games might require driving an hour or more over to different towns. The season also typically extends longer. Rec soccer will typically have a ten to twelve week schedule. Competitive programs on the other hand, usually operate year-round. So, because of the new commitment level for your child, you need to be realistic about whether or not your family can sustain the needed dedication to the sport.

Assessing Your Child's Readiness

Not every kid who's good at rec soccer is ready for competitive play. Technical skill is just one tiny piece of the overall soccer puzzle. You need to find out if your child has the work ethic to train harder and more frequently. If they don’t really have the spark to do so, maybe this new level of play isn’t right for them. It is also important to consider their emotional maturity too. 

Competitive soccer involves sitting on the bench sometimes and handling more pressure. Some kids end up thriving within that environment. But other players don’t enjoy it at all. If you want to know whether or not your child is ready for a higher level of play, look at how they are responding to challenges they face in rec soccer. 

Do they bounce back from mistakes, or do they get hung up? But the most important question to consider is if this is something they genuinely want.

Preparing for Tryouts and Evaluations

Travel and academy programs require tryouts. Which can be a little bit intimidating for kids coming from rec soccer where virtually everyone makes the team. Help your child prepare by spending some time working on fundamental skills. Things like first touch, practicing passing and ball control. Talk to your child about what to expect. 

Explain that tryouts are competitive and not everyone will make the team, but that trying out itself is an accomplishment. Help them set personal goals for the tryout that they can control rather than focusing solely on making the team.

Making a Smooth Transition

If your child does make the travel or academy team, the first few months will be an adjustment period. The pace of play and practice is much faster and the expectations from coaches are much higher. Encourage them to be patient with themselves as they adapt to the new environment.

Stay in regular communication with coaches, especially early on. Ask how your child is adjusting and what they can work on at home.  Celebrate small improvements and remind them why they wanted to make this jump in the first place. Some kids adjust immediately while others need a full season to feel comfortable. Give them time and space to find their footing.

These are all great ways to help them thrive as soccer players transitioning into the next stage of their careers.