Should You Play High School Soccer, Club Soccer, or Both?

As the fall starts, so does soccer, whether it’s club soccer or high school soccer. Playing soccer is a big commitment, and it’s important to think about what you want to get out of the game. So let’s break down club soccer versus high school soccer so you can make a decision about which one to commit to.

First, Let’s Talk About Club Soccer 

Club soccer allows the opportunity to connect with other serious players earlier on than high school soccer. The time and financial commitment contribute to this and the fact that there are organized leagues for younger age groups. The season lasts most of the year, so only players who are pretty serious about playing tend to stick with it. The year around attribute also ensures that you wouldn’t need to shake off rust between seasons.

The community on a club team is unique and tight-knit since they center around a specific age range. If you stick with your team long-term, coaches have an opportunity to get to know you and help mold you as a player over time. You can also view the long-term growth of your team.

Because of the more flexible nature of the club organization, there is the opportunity for travel and out-of-town tournaments. You’ll run into teams that are above and below your skill level. Both types of encounters are worthwhile and sometimes extremely humbling experiences; since you learn, there is always someone better than you. 

High School Soccer Is Its Own Experience 

The sense of community in school soccer is usually much larger since many spectators will be peers, teachers, and relatives. In addition, schools offer recognition of upcoming games, results, and accomplishments of individual athletes through announcements. This built-in communication can generate a sense of belonging at your school, carving out a social space for you and your teammates. 

Unlike club soccer, your academic performance may affect your ability to participate in practices and games depending on your school’s rules. Grades also matter if you’re planning to play college soccer.

In high school soccer, you may be on the same team as someone four years younger than you or four years older than you, so there can be a larger age range compared to club soccer. It can be a transformative experience for younger players to learn from people who have been playing longer and at a different level.

Another major difference between school soccer and club soccer is that in high school soccer, you usually only have a couple of years to exist on the team before you’re onto the next. This doesn’t allow the depth of nurturing that a club team might offer, but it does offer a variety of different coaches, teams, and playstyles, creating more versatility in you as a player. 

Should You Play Both High School Soccer and Club Soccer? 

Think of it like playing within two entirely different structures. These structures have a different community, different coaches, different players (though there may be crossover), different playstyles, and may bring something different out of you. In turn, you may contribute something completely different to each team, whether that’s playing a different position entirely or not playing at all. This may make you a more flexible and wise player.

If playing college soccer and beyond is your goal, you should note that scouts don’t usually go to high school soccer games unless they’re coming to see a specific player they already know about. It ends up being more efficient for them to attend club games, tournaments, and reputable camps.

It Depends On Your Goals. No Pun Intended. 

Ultimately, the choice is yours, and you can determine what’s best for you and your soccer career. Either approach can help get you where you want to be. In either case, you’ll probably encounter the parent that thinks they should be the coach, refs that unfairly card you, refs that are great, a coach you may disagree with on their methodology, a top tier coach you love who nurtures you and your game, a trainer who was out of their mind, a trainer who truly helped you improve, irreplaceable friendships, memories, sweat, tears, pain, thousands of hours of FUN, and an attic full of dusty trophies.

Featured image via Adobe Stock

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