<p>I play goalie for soccer. I am a sophomore. </p>
<p>how much should I practice a week to improve as a keeper and be able to make college soccer, division 1 or 2? What should I focus on improving?</p>
<p>I don’t have answer but you can get answer by your own. </p>
<p>DD has played soccer since 8. He was playing at very competitive region and school before college. Now he doesn’t play soccer at all at D3 school.</p>
<p>i am looking for recommendations. if i wanted to just come up with an answer on my own i wouldn’t have posted this</p>
<p>I would just practice as many times as I have normal practice with my highschool and then play with a bunch of summer teams and practice with them.</p>
<p>You should practice enough so that you’re good enough to compete at that level. For some that would require thirty minutes practice per week. For others it would be unachievable.</p>
<p>No one here can answer for you.</p>
<p>As other posted, there is no one can tell you how much is enough. You should look for the benchmark. For example, which division your playing, region or national pool, academic team or not, your team playing at well known tournaments and what is your playing time. Those things can help you to make decision. Playing at D2 and D1 are very competitive. DD has one recruited from D2 but not D1. He spent most of his free time doing/playing soccer before college. It is hard work but is worthy. I do encourage you practice more but not quantifying how much.</p>
<p>Are you on a Club Soccer Team? If not, find out if there are any Club Teams in your area and try out for one. If possible, do as much research as you can and determine the most competitive program in your community. Try out for a Team that has a history of collegiate recruiting success. The Coach(es) for such programs will be able to advise you as to how many practice hours you’ll need to committ to for a chance at being recruited into a collegiate program. </p>
<p>If you’re not on a Club Team, is there a Community College in your area? If so, perhaps you can inquire if you could practice with the Team after regular work outs? (If you were allowed to do so, you’d need to secure the permission of the Athletics Director at the CC, your parents permission to scrimage with the college Team, and most likely your parents would also need to sign a medical release/waiver in the event you suffered any injuries). If you’re looking to be recruited at the NCAA Div 1 or Div 2 level, plan on becoming a year-round Soccer player and focus your energies on finding the right Club program that can assist in developing your skills/continued improvement. </p>
<p>Once you’re exposed to Soccer training at a higher level, Coaches will be able to tell you your areas of strength as well as the areas wherein you should work to become more competitive. Your Coach will be able to best advise you on how many hours you must dedicate practicing your game skills. </p>
<p>Much success to you !!!</p>
<p>Yes I am on a club team.</p>
<p>Maybe I should have rephrased my question- how much should i play a week to continue to improve without overdoing it?</p>
<p>How many hours should you play per week without overdoing it? </p>
<p>ANSWER: As MANY weekly training hours as you (your Coach) and Parents are comfortable. At the NCAA Division 1 and 2 level, you will be competing against Soccer Players like yourself who’ve spent countless hours relentlessly pursuing their goal of playing on an NCAA Soccer Team. Ask you Coach what he/she thinks about your weekly schedule and the number of hours he/she recommends you practice? Then, make sure you set your goals to attend weekly work outs as recommended. Since you’re on a Club Team, be sure to participate in as many tournaments as you can between now and the summer prior to the start of your Senior year. </p>
<p>Has your Club Team sent any other athletes to NCAA programs? If not, is there another local program that you might consider trying out for? Think about creating a recruiting profile on web sites such as berecruited.com (the one I’ve mentioned in other post, simply because it is the one I used for my Son/- another sport). Recruiting sites can assist in helping you create a recruitment profile complete with photos, stats and academic information. You’ll still need to actively follow-up with any Coaches who are interested in your abilities. Keep your stats current and up-to-date. Remember to apply to the NCAA Eligibility Center (during your Junior year) in order to be eligible to participate in NCAA Division 1 or Division 2 Soccer. </p>
<ul>
<li>Eligibility clearance is not required for NCAA Division 3. </li>
</ul>
<p>Here’s a story that perhaps might give you some encouragement~</p>
<p>There was a young Man who tried out for his High School’s Varsity Basketball Team during his sophomore year, and was rejected. (He wasn’t even given the chance to suit up and sit on the bench). That “rejection” motivated him. He worked at his game EVERYDAY- morning/noon/& night. During his Junior year of High School, he tried out for his School’s Basketball Team and was chosen a “starter” on the Varsity squad. After spending a successful career at UNC @CH, this young Man became an NBA “All-Star”, accomplishing All-Star status over multiple NBA seasons. </p>
<p>His name is: Michael Jordan !</p>
<p>Although FEW athletes will EVER turn professional, Michael’s journey began when he decided to work harder/longer and smarter than his opponents. </p>
<p>Much Luck to you !!!</p>
<p>Since you are a sophomore, you have more time you should spent much time you have but don’t hurt yourself which includes time for high school, club/academic, scrimmage and season game. Once you were in junior you will be loaded a lot of AP courses and visiting colleges. I don’t believe you would have much time for soccer. So spend time playing soccer as much you can and don’t hurt yourself and maintain the good grade. So why not? If it is your passion.</p>
<p>@LilMamma </p>
<p>Great post! Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>I hope my club team participates in many tournaments. I know we will at least participate in 2.</p>
<p>My club team have sent several alumni to NCAA teams. I have started making profile on recruiting sites, but I have read most college soccer coaches don’t use them, football, baseball, etc. coaches use them. Also most of them require money to be spent to use their full features.</p>
<p>I just found out about the Eligibility Center yesterday. I am glad I did before it was too late.</p>
<p>The Michael Jordan story is the story that gives me the most encouragement. I was rejected my freshman year and planned on working really hard last summer. Yet for some reason i wasn’t committed enough. But I will be now! </p>
<p>@soccerboy
Thanks for the post! I must be able to balance soccer with academics. I signed up for 3 AP classes my Junior year and I may take an online class in the summer so that would be 4. I know i will take at least 3 AP classes, but I will probably drop the fourth one and just not have a class the end of the day. Exactly what you said soccerboy! Why not, it is my passion!</p>
<p>I would disagree statement about soccer coach not using the web site you mentioned. At the high end D1 or very selective schools they have budget for recruiting, I would agree with it. The vast of major of D3 schools they do using that web site. At least three coach contacted DD form it.</p>
<p>I would not rule out possibility of playing D3 teams. Some of them are very competitive to be recruited as D1, for example NESCAC.</p>
<p>One thing is going soccer camp in summer for recruiting. Be prepared and fit. You need to stand out form the crowd. It is a brutal process. DD got one D2 recruited from it.</p>