Junior High

I know that this thread is for High School but my son is going into 7th grade next year in RISD (West Junior High). He has been playing club soccer since 1st grade (Classic and Plano Premier). How is the quality of play at the Junior High level with comparison to Select soccer? Are the quality of Coaches the same as Select? Just trying to create a level of awareness to what to expect for next year.

Generally, my experience is coaching and level of play is significantly lower than in Select.  The soccer played ...  depends on the number and experience of Select players on the respective teams. Practices generally are pass around or shooting only.

I don't have direct experience in RISD.  Two fellow parents that had boys in RISD (not sure of which junior but feeding into JJ Pierce) said it was very much a case of so-so coaching, and mixed bag of highly talented and lessor players.  In some cases players were "played" (rewarded) to keep them performing schoolwork to keep their grades.  That all said both thought that extra touches and practices were helpful and their boys enjoyed the experience of playing for their school.  Caveat, I am guessing that since junior high is lower quality, some select coaches might be less forgiving of choosing school in conflicts.

Thanks Defender13. Our priority is the select team. Conflicts will always go to that team. Hopefully that won't happen too much.

Agree with previous comment. In speaking with parents whose kids play club and high school, the quality of high school coaches (all over the DFW area) is not as high as select. At our high school, "training" is mostly running. Can't directly speak to middle school but have to believe is the same

My 2 oldest play for their school and club teams, school level is much lower however it depends on which players from the clubs "are allowed" to play school sports.

Coaching is more like babysitting and dad coaches during the recreation days.

Don't expect much

Lol, this if funny. Sit back and enjoy them getting to play with classmates.

There were 2 kinds of parents when my dd's played middle-school soccer.

The kind that yelled at their kid, shook their heads and said 'omg' at some of the other kids and contested every call the HS kid in the middle made.

Then there was the kind who leaned back and enjoyed their kids getting to do what they love with their classmates.

I don't remember any college scouts in attendance.

From the "commitment" standpoint, you'll hear com EVERY SCHOOL COACH that school teams come before club teams...

This will go into play with other sports too, so if you have a multi sport athlete, expect to get irritated. Also remember that your kids see the school teammates IN CLASS...

I heard "I pay for, it's priority" turn to "I have a school basketball tournament" pretty fast.