To be clear I wasn't saying they should instead try for an athletic scholarship. The value is the participation and lessons learned that you carry throughout life. I still use those lessons.

 

I understand what you were saying, and I completely agree.

If you are a 16 year old who just realized that athletics is not going to be paying your college bills, can you really afford sacrificing the time spent working for any HS sport? Cost of higher education is driving kids out, while competition for scholarship escalates the commitment.

 

I can agree with this to some extent.

Most kids up to freshman year. Can play for there parents. It's in high school that the kids have to actually put the time an work in. To be able to play. Lot more work to play high school

Football. An it's a lot tougher of a sport. Most kids don't wanna take that type of beating everyday. Just a opinion

Most kids up to freshman year. Can play for there parents. It's in high school that the kids have to actually put the time an work in. To be able to play. Lot more work to play high school

Football. An it's a lot tougher of a sport. Most kids don't wanna take that type of beating everyday. Just a opinion

 

I also think this is important, as well... Too many coaches, at all levels, do too much full contact stuff, IMO.

I also think this is important, as well... Too many coaches, at all levels, do too much full contact stuff, IMO.

 

I think they do more at the youth league and middle school levels. I know a good amount of high schools who use bags the vast majority of the time, even individual skill specific drills.

 

The January-July off season grind I think deters a lot of the kids. Then July, August, September heat, even into October and here it is 80+ out there wearing all the gear.

 

Lift. Run. Lift. Run. Practice. Practice. Practice. Football is just flat out harder and I think that's has to do with the drop more than anything.

I'd like to know how many HS kids only play club sports now versus on a high school team. That would lift soccer participation but would not change football numbers.

No because football requires more of a year round commitment as far as weightlifting and conditioning. This off season work is considered long, hard, and boring by some of todays kids who need quicker and instant stimulation. Other sports you typically play year-round and throw in some weightlifting and conditioning.

 

Anyone who says football requires more of a year round commitment, isnt the parent of a soccer player.

 

I love the game of soccer, but it NEVER ENDS. Of all the sports, it never has an offseason (spring, fall, summer, indoor .. never stops). Trust me..I've dropped off kids at more February outdoor training sessions and been to more Sunday 7am indoor games than I'd care to admit.

You can't really compare these numbers between sports for various reasons.

 

Football does not cut. A football team can have 100 players. Basketball does cut. So Varsity/JV/Frosh you can have maybe 30-36 players. So the basketball number is going to be fairly static no matter what. If 10 basketball players leave to play another sport there are 10 to take their place. If the football team normally has 100 and has only 90 this year it could be for various reasons.......e.g. the economy forced 10 kids to find a part time job.......the 10 kids that never play decided it is not worth it.......or 10 left to another try another sport......

 

 

Some schools (especially in KY) did not offer soccer and have added it recently. So that should increase their numbers as it would for Lacrosse or Bass Fishing

IMO: I feel as if soccer has increased bc over the summer the USWNT won the World Cup, bringing attention to the game! Inspiring kids all over the country.

 

Soccer is a difficult sport, it's not just about "kicking" a ball. It's a lot more than that!

 

They have certain passes, and shooting! I bet most of you anti-soccer people don't even know the proper way to shoot a power shot!

 

Yes soccer is low scoring, but that's because it's a game about strategies and team work!

 

Football is competitive I've talked to kids who play both sports.. Sometimes coaching has A LOT to do with it!

 

Most kids think soccer is "lame", "stupid", "easy", until they actually try it!

 

Yeah football brings in more crowds, the games last longer, it's a Friday night and teens go there to hang out; how many of them actually watch the game? It's more of a social place for HS students.

Anyone who says football requires more of a year round commitment, isnt the parent of a soccer player.

 

I love the game of soccer, but it NEVER ENDS. Of all the sports, it never has an offseason (spring, fall, summer, indoor .. never stops). Trust me..I've dropped off kids at more February outdoor training sessions and been to more Sunday 7am indoor games than I'd care to admit.

 

Who said anything wasnt year round...the difference is soccer is playing year round...football trains year round for about a 3 month season.

 

 

And yes I have done the soccer thing...

Who said anything wasnt year round...the difference is soccer is playing year round...football trains year round for about a 3 month season.

 

 

And yes I have done the soccer thing...

 

This is a good point. Even in off-season, other sports have GAMES. Football cannot offer that "light at the end of the tunnel."