There are both benefits and drawbacks to playing up an age group in soccer. ⚽This week, Blayze soccer coach Sarah Woldmoe answers this question.
Playing a year up can be beneficial for a soccer player. I played two years up through most of my youth. Or I played on boys’ teams. This helped me to increase my speed of play as well as my ability to handle challenges both on and off the field.🥅
Some kids may be happy dominating💪 players at their normal age level; however, this may not be the best for their development in the long run.
At the same time, if you move your player up to an older age bracket, the player might struggle with finding their place on the team. Some may not like that they are not the best player on the team or find themselves sitting on the bench more than their younger team.😒
Benefits:
- When you are the weaker player on a stronger team, 💪you can develop faster.
- You can use the older teammates as mentors and teachers on what to do.👬
- Playing with more difficult teams teaches lessons about competition and adversity.🙌
- You can increase your speed of play.🏃♀️
Drawbacks:
- You may receive less playing time ⌚than before.
- You will have to work hard to earn your starting position.
- Some players may get discouraged at being smaller or not as fast/physical as their teammates.😐
Ultimately, playing with players that are better than you should never be something that you shy away from. Playing a year or two up can help to make you a better player if you work hard and have a positive attitude regardless of the circumstances.
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