When Changing Soccer Teams is the Right Thing to Do

May 21, 2024
By Anisa Guajardo

Change is the most challenging yet rewarding experience for any soccer player. It’s the beginning of a new year, and there might be things you want to do differently. Perhaps you’ve been toying with the idea of moving to a new team.

The prospect of changing soccer teams can be daunting, but there are specific instances in which changing teams is the right choice.

Whether you feel uncomfortable or undervalued, looking for something new and different, or perhaps seeking more of a challenge, changing soccer teams can be the catalyst for personal growth and soccer-related fulfillment you’ve been searching for.

Are You Unhappy?

A good telltale sign it’s time to change teams is if you’re feeling downright unhappy. I’m not talking about one unhappy moment after losing a match. I’m talking about feeling unmotivated, uncomfortable, and sad consistently.

If you feel nothing has worked after you’ve done everything you can to make the best of your situation, it may be time to change soccer teams.

Do You Feel Unappreciated?

If you feel disrespected or unappreciated, it’s probably time to think of a switch. If you continue feeling undervalued after a long time, you have every right to go out in search of a better fit.

It may take trying out for ten teams to find your place, or it may take just one. The point is everyone’s path to happiness in soccer is different, and you shouldn’t feel discouraged or “stuck” in an unideal situation.

Be assertive and confident about what you want in a team. Go where you are valued, and you will indeed thrive.

Do You Crave a New Challenge?

Maybe you’re in a situation where you feel valued, comfortable, and content, yet you sense a yearning for new challenges and new horizons. Probing deeper into this sensation will likely reveal a longing for change; new coaches, new ideas, new philosophies, and new teammates.

Sure, changing soccer teams will be scary at first, but uncomfortable situations lead to maximum growth. Moving on to another team to seek new challenges means your last team did what it was supposed to do: teach you what you need to learn in order to level up.

Are You Getting Complacent?

It’s very natural for a player to seek a sense of comfort and security within their team, but it’s dangerous to rely solely on that feeling and not pursue what lies beyond the bubble.

It may be that you’re the star on your team, a starter, and relied upon heavily. It’s hard to be challenged in an environment like this. If this is you and you feel a sense of discomfort or boredom but don’t know why the answer may lie in your need for a new change of pace.

If your coaches or teammates don’t test you on a daily basis, how can you ever reach your full potential?

I’m going to be completely honest with you; the comfort zone is where dreams go to die.

The thought of changing soccer teams can seem daunting and scary, but everything worthwhile usually is. Knowing when changing soccer teams is the right thing to do is an integral part of your career. Making the necessary change and braving all the accompanying discomforts is a guaranteed way to catapult you toward your full potential.

Featured Image via Adobe Stock @Rawpixel.com