Summer Planning

I've been searching the older girls forums and can't find the information, so I was hoping some of you could help. We are attempting to think about next summer. I want to take a vacation at some point and would like some advice on when (or if) it's an option. Thoughts on what a timeline looks like for the summer?

Better take it now. Or after QT.

Each team is different but most coaches don't want you to take off in June. They want perspective new players (and Parents) to see that the team has enough players to make and also to showcase the teams better players.Most want you to wait until after July and the team is signed. The 1st or second week in July is usually the best time.

2nd (or 3rd) week in August if you are serious about qualifying for LH. Most coaches will be practicing, conditioning, signing during June/July. May is tournament heavy also. If you've qualified and aren't relegated the next year, then the summers should calm down somewhat.

Life as you once new it is over! Vacations are not an option anymore. When you have a little extra money to take a vacation you won't have the time. When the soccer gods find out you have Extra money, they will find a way to take it. When on a soccer field and its 100 degrees imagine your on the beach. When its 30 degrees imagine your skiing. It's great.

So basically, soccer=life? Maybe I'm not ready for this. She may be, but the rest of us? This was not in my instruction manual when I brought her home from the hospital. :-)

For those playing at a high level. Its not life, but it is a LIFESTYLE.

Summer vacations? Do they exist? You might be safe for mid August between QT and the first week of league games. Possibly early June if your coach is good with it and your DD's spot on the team is fully secure.

There were '04 teams still looking for players after QT. If soccer is not life, take your summer vacation.

On the bright side you will make a lot of new friends and lose all your old ones because you don't have time for them. Your new friends will have a far away zombie like stare. They will speak of things like college scholarships when the kids are 10. They will wonder why you aren't taking your daughter too agility, speed and skills training the three days a week you don't have practice. They will question why the coach keeps playing their dd in the wrong position. AND Always remember it's the coaches job to make these kids faster and more athletic, so if they don't get a scholarship it's the coaches fault for not doing this OR playing her in the right position to begin with. If you recognize all this you will be just fine.

soccerjack wrote:On the bright side you will make a lot of new friends and lose all your old ones because you don't have time for them.  Your new friends will have a far away zombie like stare.  They will speak of things like college scholarships when the kids are 10.  They will wonder why you aren't taking your daughter too agility, speed and skills training the three days a week you don't have practice.  They will question why the coach keeps playing their dd in the wrong position.  AND Always remember it's the coaches job to make these kids faster and more athletic, so if they don't get a scholarship it's the coaches fault for not doing this OR playing her in the right position to begin with.  If you recognize all this you will be just fine.

Deja vu

While there are a lot of clever, and sadly accurate, responses here, talk with your coach.  Each situation is unique, and while most coaches with LH aspirations may discourage vacations until post-qualifying -- that will only give you like a two week window in August -- some will be fine with it as long as it doesn't conflict with summer tournaments, especially if your dd's spot is secure.

banana kick wrote:While there are a lot of clever, and sadly accurate, responses here, talk with your coach.  Each situation is unique, and while most coaches with LH aspirations may discourage vacations until post-qualifying -- that will only give you like a two week window in August -- some will be fine with it as long as it doesn't conflict with summer tournaments, especially if your dd's spot is secure.

Agree

IF you are a team outside the top 10, and there is a question about qualifying (second weekend) or PPL qualifying (gasp-lol). Then those weekend and weekends are vital as well. Ask coach. If you are looking at new teams, or if coach is prickly, you should probably take it in early June and let the chips fall when you get back. There is always a group of parents who just don't "get it" and plan soccer around their lives rather than lives around soccer-lol. Find your level and then put soccer as the priority you feel it deserves. There are always those who put it number 1...if you do, find a team of those people. If not, find another team...you will save yourself a lot of stress.