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For parents · U15 and older

Club or high school soccer:
how to decide

By Gabe Ramos · U.S. Soccer Coach Educator · Updated November 2026

In high school the question changes from rec or travel to club or school, or both. There is no single answer. It depends on what your child wants from the game.

The one thing to remember

Ask what your child wants from the next few years of soccer, not what everyone else is doing.

What high school soccer offers

  • Playing for your school, in front of your friends.
  • A short, intense season.
  • A team made up of people your child sees every day.
  • Memories many players keep for the rest of their lives.

What club soccer offers

  • A longer season, often over much of the year.
  • Coaching focused on one team and its development.
  • Games against strong players from a wider area.
  • A team that may stay together for years.

Doing both

Plenty of teenagers do both, and it can be a great experience. It can also be a lot. Watch the total load: school, two teams, travel and sleep. Schedules can clash, so ask both coaches what they expect, early. Rules on playing for both also vary, so check what applies in your area.

If they want to play in college

Talk to their coaches about what would help most, and what level is realistic. Do not assume the answer. Ask, and let your child do most of the asking. It is good practice for what comes next.

If they just love playing

Then high school soccer may be all they need, and it might be the best time they ever have in the game. There is nothing second-rate about that. Plenty of players look back on their school team as their favorite.

How to decide together

  • Ask what they want from the next few years.
  • Walk through a typical week for each option.
  • Ask where they are happiest, not where they look best.
  • Let them make the call, and back it.

Questions parents ask

Is club soccer better than high school soccer?

They are different. Neither is better for everyone. It depends on what your child wants.

Can my child play both club and high school?

Often, yes, but rules and schedules vary. Check with both coaches and your state association.

My child is exhausted from playing both. What should we do?

Take it seriously. Talk with them and their coaches about cutting back, and make sure they get real rest.

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