<p>Which is better? DS, who is in 8th grade, changed sports this year after playing football for most of his life. He is very athletic and was a “star” two-way starter for his undefeated, county-champion football team. </p>
<p>His new sport is club level, and required tryouts. The coach for the top club in the area asked my son to join the “A” team he personally coaches, and he is an excellent coach. Before agreeing to join, I asked the coach whether my son might be better served starting out on the “B” team until he learned the ropes, but coach strongly felt DS should be with him. So far, DS loves the sport, his team, and his coach, and doesn’t miss football at all. He has improved so much in just two months, and I can comfortably say he belongs on the “A” team though he still has a lot to learn. However, the team he is on has several kids who have been playing this sport for years, and are incredible athletes. These boys are deservedly the starters. </p>
<p>We had our first tournament this weekend, and completely dominated every other team. DS only got in for a few plays, but did really well while he was in. Then again, every kid on the team did really well. I just don’t see DS, athletic though he is, improving enough to ever surpass other strong athletes with more experience under their belts to gain a starting spot. On any of the other teams we faced, DS would have been one of the better players, and likely received a lot more playing time.</p>
<p>So to my original question: will my son ultimately become better at his sport by being on/practicing with a terrific team but not starting, or would he be better served getting more reps at his position with a good, but not top, team? He would like to play this sport in high school, and none of the kids on his current team will attend his school, so there’s no competition there. He will also still play Club throughout high school. Just looking for some perspective here…</p>
<p>We are committed to this team through next summer, so time will tell. He is happy right now. His happiness is my top priority, but DS is a really easy-going kid and can be happy in almost any situation as long as he’s playing with nice kids. At this point, he’s only two months in, and I am really just wondering which scenario others think will make him a better player in the long run. In football terms, is it better to be second-string for the Crimson Tide, coached by Nick Saban but riding the bench, or a starter for Ole Miss?</p>
<p>He is now playing volleyball. We are a football-loving family, but all the studies about brain injuries made us decide to pull the plug, and he has really taken to v-ball so no regrets. He is a very good natural athlete, so I want him in a situation where he will be able to develop to his full potential.</p>
<p>We’re in SoCal, so volleyball is big, both beach and indoors. I know it’s not as popular in other states, but our little beach town is home base to several pros and former Olympians. Competition at the high school level will be stiff.</p>
<p>Are there any teams where he would get more playing time, but which have some players who are at his level or higher, and coaching that can help him and them improve?</p>
<p>Is it also the case that the league events are such that a club cannot form second, third, etc. teams to enter the event in order to give the players other than the top players more playing time? In some club level sports, it is common for large-enough clubs to enter multiple teams so that the non-top players can get playing time.</p>
<p>I recommend playing/training on the beach. It helped our D with quickness and stamina. Added benefit to your son…more girls play than guys.</p>
<p>As I think about it some more, I know that D played on teams with some disparity in skill. That limited the kinds of plays they could run and, we learned, limited her development in her position. Something to consider when choosing a team to play for.</p>
<p>I would stick with the top coach, even though he doesn’t get game playing time. Practice is where skills are taught, so he’s learning from the best and being challenged by the better players.</p>
<p>My friend’s son played basketball at the number 1 hs basketball program in the country. He did not get a lot of playing time but he was seen in practice and recruited to some mid-level programs and also the Ivy’s plus top academic schools.</p>
<p>Play with the best if you have an opportunity.</p>
<p>Athletes want playing time. Kids coming into high school who have done club sports through 8th grade often find it is too time demanding to continue doing club sports in high school and doing high school sports too. Concentrate on studies first.</p>
<p>A lot can be learned/skills can be improved at practice, provided practices are run well. For example, playing defense against really good offensive players can help hone skills and, don’t forget, volleyball is a skill sport. If he’s getting good coaching, he can really benefit from being a bench-warmer on a more competitive team. This is not typically something a player or his family decides. Program directors/head coaches usually make this call. Very little skill improvement is gained from playing games against inferior competition, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Are there many colleges offering real athletic scholarship money for men volleyball players? With Title IX, I’d be surprised if much scholarship money is available unless the boy athlete is one of best players in the nation.</p>
<p>Wait and see what the club team looks like next year before committing. His playing time could increase due to injuries, disciplinary problems, or players dropping out.</p>
<p>lizard, Both my sons played volleyball. Younger son was an all state player and also played club. Older son only played in high school . Both had some recruiting interest but decided not to pursue it. Younger son did play club volleyball in college for one year . The club team had tryouts and was very competitive as there just aren’t that many men’s varsity programs . At the time my kids were in high school, there were only about 22 Division I men’s programs but hundreds of women’s programs.</p>
<p>Been there, done that. Playing will make him better, not sitting on the bench. The more touches he gets on the ball, the more he will learn. The “A” team coach wants decent bench players to help train his already A-list players. It is my experience that coaches care very little for the individual players and will say whatever they need to recruit even bench/practice players. I would get him on a decent team where he will get playing time and change teams again once the coach will give him playing time.</p>
<p>If the coach is as good as you think, I would say to stay with the top team and give it a little bit of time. Your son is obviously very athletic–but some of the volleyball players who are currently better than him are only better than him because they have been playing longer and have more experience, especially when it comes to making the split second volleyball decisions on the court. Your son will rapidly improve by playing against the best in practice–playing time in the games/tournaments will certainly come in good time.</p>
<p>After a little while, it would be good for your son to have a talk with the coach about his progress as a player, and about how he might earn more playing time.</p>
<p>I agree with waiting to commit, but when the time comes nearer, talk to the kid.
What is the long-range goal of the sport? To become a pro and make millions? To get a full-ride scholarship? To have the fun and lessons that come with competition and team sports?
If a kid plays for the $, go for the top team. If he’s in it for fun, there is little fun sitting on the bench for a great team.</p>
<p>I say he should switch to running! I’m only half-joking. At our HS cross country banquet, about half the team were kids who switched from soccer - every one of them said it was the best decision he or she had ever made. No politics, and everybody gets to run. It’s the most supportive sport I’ve ever seen. Parents cheer on ALL the kids - doesn’t matter what team they’re on. And it’s a sport that you can do really well in if you’re willing to run the miles.</p>