How much soccer is too much soccer?

[Unregistered]

My u12 daughter was just asked to play on a 3rd team. She plays in NEP and travel through our town. She would basically be playing soccer every day of the week. She loves soccer and wants to do it, but I am concerned about burnout and injuries. Thoughts?

[Unregistered]

She would basically have no time for muscle recovery which will increase her chances for injury nevermind the mental burnout.

[Unregistered]

My u12 daughter was just asked to play on a 3rd team. She plays in NEP and travel through our town. She would basically be playing soccer every day of the week. She loves soccer and wants to do it, but I am concerned about burnout and injuries. Thoughts?

Bad idea, dad. She is 11 years old. She will get injured without resting.
Overuse injuries are serious problems at a younger age, especially with girls.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00613

If she has a stress reaction or god forbid, a stress facture, she is done with soccer
for a season. Othropods are quite conservative with kids, so it will most likely be cast,
pt, and no soccer for months.
Why? You think she will develop more playing more games, while punishing her young body?
You suck if you are thinking this way, dad.

[Unregistered]

Bad idea, dad. She is 11 years old. She will get injured without resting.
Overuse injuries are serious problems at a younger age, especially with girls.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00613

If she has a stress reaction or god forbid, a stress facture, she is done with soccer
for a season. Othropods are quite conservative with kids, so it will most likely be cast,
pt, and no soccer for months.
Why? You think she will develop more playing more games, while punishing her young body?
You suck if you are thinking this way, dad.

OP, There are no doctors on this board. I suggest you go elsewhere for professional medical advice from people you trust not from ignorant anomious posters.

[ForzaAzzurri]

You said that SHE wants to do it, right? Then, assuming (logistically/financially/etc) your family can make it work, then let her do it. I would advise to not be swayed by (dire) warnings from the "pundits", who fail to realize that every athlete/situation is different.

[Unregistered]

It's my opinion that kids should have at least 1 rest day a week.

My son is 12 and, like your daughter, wants to play ALL THE TIME.

He's already had 2 groin pulls and was on crutches for 2 weeks for achilles tendinitis.

If she's going to play alot, a proper warm up and cool down is a must. A stretching routine or yoga is also helpful.

Last year my son played club and town and had goalkeeping practice. So every day of the week.

This year he is playing club and MS. No town. So he'll have Saturdays off.

Cross training is also important. My son plays basketball, in addition to club, during the Winter season. It's good to work different muscles.

If you are ok with it, she could do 3 teams but miss some practices. We did that with town and our town program is ok with that for club kids.

[Unregistered]

The number of teams she plays on is less important than the number of consecutive days she plays without rest. The key questions in my opinion:
1. Are you confident in your ability to recognize when she needs a break, and in your conviction to sit her when YOU see she needs it Physically, socially, or mentally (this is where most parents cave)
2. Have you worked out a schedule and set a clear model for resolving conflicts that inevitably occur.
3. Have you communicated #1 and #2 with all of the coaches and are they fully on-board and comfortable with her schedule (cant attend all for all) their spot in the priority model when conflicts arise.

[Unregistered]

The number of teams she plays on is less important than the number of consecutive days she plays without rest. The key questions in my opinion:
1. Are you confident in your ability to recognize when she needs a break, and in your conviction to sit her when YOU see she needs it Physically, socially, or mentally (this is where most parents cave)
2. Have you worked out a schedule and set a clear model for resolving conflicts that inevitably occur.
3. Have you communicated #1 and #2 with all of the coaches and are they fully on-board and comfortable with her schedule (cant attend all for all) their spot in the priority model when conflicts arise.

Al important issues above. And keep in mind schedules rarely align in your favor and there will be constant conflicts and weekends where she could have 4 games in a weekend. That takes a toll on the body, her social life and your family life.

Both of mine did travel and club (and had MS in the fall) at that age but dropped travel by U13. Not only did it get to be too hectic and they were burning out, but they weren't getting much of anything out of travel other than having fun with their friends (and they play with them now in HS). If they wanted to do it we would have, but they asked to stop. Last thing you want is burn out, mentally and physically. As they start going through puberty and ids get bigger injuries are much more common, along with over-use issues

Finally, don't forget you're the parent. You're the best judge if she can handle it, but you can also say no.

[Unregistered]

so I am a coach (not a professional) and parent with children around this age...and definitely not a doctor. All I can tell you is that last year by the end of the spring season, I had kids breaking down, injuries within the game seemed to increase, i had some kids whose doctors told them they had some injuries more overuse/physical stress related...which I didnt see at younger ages. Kids are playing club and town, some starting to play ODP and middle school as well. And few are doing other activities like karate and baseball. How I dont know. But all I know as a parent is that sometime I watch my son move around like an old man morning after a game or busy weekend. So I forced him to take the summer off for the most part other than backyard stuff. I suggest you speak with your child's pediatrician for sure. You want to let them be as active as possible but I also I have an obligation as a parent to help him stay healthy.

[Unregistered]

The u10-14 superstars of today will not necessarily be at the top when they are u18.
Pace yourself and be sure that your child has a healthy balance. 3-4 days a week is more then enough.

[Unregistered]

It's my opinion that kids should have at least 1 rest day a week.

My son is 12 and, like your daughter, wants to play ALL THE TIME.

He's already had 2 groin pulls and was on crutches for 2 weeks for achilles tendinitis.

If she's going to play alot, a proper warm up and cool down is a must. A stretching routine or yoga is also helpful.

Last year my son played club and town and had goalkeeping practice. So every day of the week.

This year he is playing club and MS. No town. So he'll have Saturdays off.

Cross training is also important. My son plays basketball, in addition to club, during the Winter season. It's good to work different muscles.

If you are ok with it, she could do 3 teams but miss some practices. We did that with town and our town program is ok with that for club kids.

Goalie? Seriously? I think standing around is acceptable 7 days a week.

[Unregistered]

OP, There are no doctors on this board. I suggest you go elsewhere for professional medical advice from people you trust not from ignorant anomious posters.

"ignorant anomious"

Oh, the irony....

[Unregistered]

Bad idea, dad. She is 11 years old. She will get injured without resting.
Overuse injuries are serious problems at a younger age, especially with girls.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00613

If she has a stress reaction or god forbid, a stress facture, she is done with soccer
for a season. Othropods are quite conservative with kids, so it will most likely be cast,
pt, and no soccer for months.
Why? You think she will develop more playing more games, while punishing her young body?
You suck if you are thinking this way, dad.

Anyone have actual experience with a child that got a metatarsal stres fracture? How long out from soccer? Were they 100% after the rest?

[Unregistered]

My u12 daughter was just asked to play on a 3rd team. She plays in NEP and travel through our town. She would basically be playing soccer every day of the week. She loves soccer and wants to do it, but I am concerned about burnout and injuries. Thoughts?

You are the parent. Start parenting, which sometimes means doing what's best for your kid as opposed to what he/she wants all the time.

In my opinion, you should ask yourself (before discussing with her) what the purpose or value of each of the teams is. If one is doing the best job of developing skills and knowledge of the game, and another is proving to be a great social outlet and lots of fun, of what value is the 3rd team? If you are going to seriously consider a 3rd team, I would expect that the 3rd team offers something unique and very valuable in order for you to accept all of the challenges and RISKS that come with juggling a 3rd team.

I would then discuss the options with her, identifying the positives and negatives of each team's situation and how they combine and add value to her soccer experience. I would be very surprised if you couldn't choose 2 of the 3 teams that would satisfy 95% of your needs.

[Unregistered]

Anyone have actual experience with a child that got a metatarsal stres fracture? How long out from soccer? Were they 100% after the rest?

Shouldn't you be talking with a pediatric orthopedic doctor who specializes in young
athletes, namely soccer, lacrosse, cross-country etc? I assume that you went to a
foot/orthopedic specialty clinic. They should be able to refer you to that sub specialist.
Ask for recovery PT clinic who specializes in recovery for young athletes, not old women with broken hip clinics.