<p>I go to a school in southern california, where almost every girl plays/ played soccer, and the majority play competitively. I was at high school soccer practice the other day and a group of girls and myself got around to talking about our club teams (some states call these select/ year-round/ travel teams, it's basically a competitive version of soccer that goes all year long, you have to try out for teams, etc.). I play on a pretty competitive team, but my club team is more of a "have fun, try hard" type of environment than "a win at all costs" environment. Most of the girls on varsity, however, play on extremely competitive teams, are traveling across the country every month for "college showcases" (where scouts see you play), play 3 times a week and go to strength trainers/ personal trainers for a couple times a week, etc. </p>
<p>I love soccer and I love my club team, but most of the other girls complained about their coaches, teammates, practices...they all wanted to quit but though they had to keep playing because of their parents. </p>
<p>My parents and I were discussing the reasoning behind these parents forcing them to play. Some of them have to know that they aren't going to play soccer in college, and even if they do, they'd be playing a sport that they hate. Most of them come from families with significant wealth also, so it's not like they are all desperate for scholarships. And women's professional soccer doesn't provide a whole lot of career options or money in the long-term.</p>
<p>So, have any of you experienced a similar situation and know the reasoning for it? Have you/ your friend been pushed to play in a sport that you hate? Are you planning on playing in college?</p>
<p>I play varsity tennis at my high school. I’m okay- I’ve played singles 1 or doubles 1 since freshman year and made it to state every year as well. Tennis is okay, I like it, and some of my friends play tennis. I could play in college, but I’m not going to. I’m not in love with it (I like lacrosse more), but it’s fun and I’m good at it. It’s just my high school sport. :)</p>
<p>We have quite a few girls who are in competitive sports that their parents put them into at first but then they grew to love it. A lot are actually playing DI in the next couple years. Do they really hate soccer or are they just saying that to have something to complain about? It may be just me but I think it would be simple to tell a parent that they want to pick up another sport. A lot of people complain about having to go to practice but actually love it in the end.</p>
<p>My doubles partner in tennis is pretty much the same way. He’s never really showed much interest in tennis; it seemed like he was playing it just to simply play a sport. A year ago, he got a private coach who can tell that this kid really just isn’t that motivated, so he pushes him insanely hard in effort to toughen him up and make him better, but it really just makes him hate tennis even more. Although his game is definitely improving, you would think he would be a god now with the type of training he does, but really he’s still just… above average. It’s pretty sad to see people like this, to be honest; you can see their heart isn’t in it, so why do they go through what they do when they really just couldn’t care less? It gets to the point where this guy doesn’t ever want to play tennis outside of his private lessons because he’s so worn out and tired of the sport. It’s frustrating being his doubles partner sometimes, but I don’t have the biggest selection to choose from on my high school team, and he is decent.</p>