VA: It’s a choice the player and family make, the age of the player, etc. Each school program varies in strength and quality of coaching and competition. Some younger high-level players who are good enough for Varsity teams aren’t permitted to play on the Varsity team due to school rules and instead get placed on JV teams.

A: Clubs don’t place restrictions on players but High Schools do, specifically CIF. The short answer is ‘no’ (because of CIF/SJS rule 600 which prevents high school players from playing more than 5v5 competition) but you can train with the club as long as you are not playing more than 5v5. At Surf we offer small group training sessions several times per month during the High School season so this allows players to do both. These are light technical sessions and players can only participate if they are fit/able not risking injury.

A: We don’t allow players to miss their HS practices for River Islands Surf practice unless HS practice is canceled and there is no direct conflict.

A: Yes. But we always make sure it fits the micro/macro schedule. E.G. we won’t permit players to train the same day as a game they have played substantial time in and not before a game on the same day. If a player doesn’t get much time with Varsity (maybe a freshman who is on the squad but doesn’t get much time/training) then we permit participation because they clearly aren’t fatigued.

A: High School soccer isn’t considered a recruiting platform for colleges. College coaches may occasionally see local games if they are convenient but you won’t find many colleges traveling to scout. Not playing HS soccer does not damage your chances of playing college soccer.

A: Many do- every family is different. We have players declining to play HS soccer so we try to give them that option. It all depends on the player/family. Everyone is in a different situation so there is no simple answer.

This year, our older ECNL Boys teams are scheduled to participate in the Phoenix Nov 17-19 and Las Vegas Dec 15-17.  Player can join their High School teams after Dec 17th. 

A: High Schools aren’t permitted to prevent players from seeking additional training on their own time. They can ‘suggest’ this of course but not insist. Like club soccer, we can’t tell you not to do other sports or do your own training outside of club. It’s up to them and you what you feel is important/beneficial.

Coaches are certainly entitled to make sure you aren’t injured and at risk of injury from doing more training in the same way a club coach would. River Islands Surf supports HS coaches who don’t want their players training before games and we support them in requiring players to get adequate rest so they can perform to the best of their ability for their HS programs.

A: Older players who play at a high level of club soccer usually are required to show up to one HS practice a week as a courtesy. With freshman or sophomore players HS coaches should publish their tryout schedule to clubs so we can coordinate. It’s up to you/the family to get that information in advance so we can plan ahead. You should get these tryout dates by mid-October. Older River Islands Surf players typically play Surf College Cup / ECNL National Showcase / DPL Showcases in late November – December and fully commit to HS soccer after these event.

A: Tell your HS coach that you have obligations to your club and that while you want to try out for HS soccer you are also wanting to honor your commitment to club soccer. HS coaches know that you are still in season with your club and that you are trying to juggle your club commitments. Ask your high school coaches to contact us if they have any scheduling questions. We will also send your HS coaches an email if you wish. We have not experienced many High School coaches insisting players attend every tryout and miss club soccer. Many of our coaches have coached High School soccer and understand the conflicts. Schedule conflicts can easily be rectified with some simple communication.

A: Most HS coaches are reasonable about this and we are too as long as you clearly communicate the schedule conflicts in advance.

A: If the coaching in HS is based on long-term development of the players then ‘yes’. If a JV player has the opportunity to be brought up to varsity and the coach wants to reward younger players then this is a good thing. There are some community benefits in terms of the social recognition of playing for your local school and the social aspects of playing hs soccer. Again, it all depends on who is coaching and what type of hs program you are playing at. Some HS coaches do a good job of trying to create a seamless environment where they also recognize that they are sending players back to the club healthy and better off than when they came into HS soccer. If players play HS soccer and come back better than when they leave us then we are happy of course!