What do we really want out of all of this? What truly defines your success and enjoyment? Are you measuring it by your win/loss columns? Are you allowing the alphabet league tell you what type of player you are? Measure yourself based on your own progress and goals. It can be tough sometimes with the influences of your peers and social media. The number one thing to ask yourself is this. Am I developing as a person and as a player?
The current soccer landscape is comparable to a gold rush. Everyone wants to be the first to get somewhere. Whether thats playing in one of the "top" leagues or getting a player’s social media account to 1 million followers. If you are truly putting in the work, then you will get to the level that you deserve to be at. The added stress of having to be somewhere by the age of 10 is unbelievable. Slow down, enjoy the ride, and let the players play.
If you are in an environment where you are growing and pushing yourself, then you have found the right place. Your coach should be teaching you life lessons as well as the sport. Players are not robots and have to be handled with care. The real world will be there for them before they know it. I have seen too many players stay in a toxic environment just because of the status that comes along with being at that club. If you are on a roster of 23 - 30, not playing much, paying the same amount as the players who play weekly, and still being promised a pathway to college you may want to take a step back to understand where you truly are. The 1% will make it through and the .5% will continue to climb to the next level. Understand that value at a young age, or any age, is much more important than status.
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