Parent guides › Rec or travel
For parents · Ages 8–10Rec or travel?
ages 8 to 10
Many clubs start travel teams around U9, so this is when the decision usually lands on your kitchen table. There is no single right answer. It comes down to your child, your family and the people who will be coaching them.
Pick the coach and the fit, not the team name.
What really changes with travel
- Practice: often twice a week, about 90 minutes each.
- Tryouts, and a real chance of not making the team you want.
- Games in other towns, and more of your weekend.
- Cost, which can be a lot more than rec.
- Expectations about showing up.
Signs travel may fit
- Your child wants it, in their own words.
- They play on their own without being asked.
- They enjoy being challenged, and bounce back from losing.
- Your family can manage the time and money without resentment.
Signs rec may be the better fit
- They love soccer, but also love other things.
- They mainly want to play with friends.
- They get anxious about tryouts or pressure.
- The schedule would push out everything else.
Questions to ask a club
- Who will coach my child, and what training do they have?
- How is playing time decided?
- Do players try different positions at this age?
- What is the full cost for the year, including uniforms and tournaments?
- How much travel is there, really?
What tryouts are like
At this age tryouts can feel big, for kids and for parents. Tell your child to have fun and try hard, and leave it at that. If they do not make the team they hoped for, they are eight or nine. Plenty of time remains, and it is a chance to play a lot somewhere else.
You can change your mind
This is not a one-time choice. Kids move from rec to travel, and from travel to rec, all the time. A year in rec will not close any doors, and a year in travel that does not work out is not a failure.
Questions parents ask
Should my child try out if they’re not sure?
It is fine to try it and see, as long as they know there is no pressure. If they say no, listen.
Is travel soccer worth the money?
It can be, if your child loves it and the coaching is good. Paying more does not guarantee a better experience, so ask questions first.
Can my child play travel and another sport?
Often, yes. Ask the club what they expect, and watch the schedule.
What to say after a game ›My child wants to quit ›Is my child behind? ›What to expect at U9 ›What to expect at U10 ›Next: ages 10 to 12 ›