Should you take health and physical education for four years to become a professional soccer player? Is it optional?

No, not at all. However it is extremely unlikely to become a professional athlete. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Perhaps working in a field related to soccer, athletic trainer, sports marketing, youth development... this way you can choose your own destiny.

Hi Paul,
I was an athletic director at a small independent school many moons ago. 4 PE credits were mandatory for each year for every student. Of course, a team sport gave 3 credits due to its intensity and commitment. The other credit could be met by cycling, yoga, tai chi, and other modalities that would round the individual spirit.

I agree with the professionals above about a professional career in sports. But, I will answer based on the physicality and mentality of sports.

Obviously, athletes make the professional scale, but those who don't still benefit from having that goal and being physically fit. There are so many opportunities in the sports world in which you can apply yourself.

Pursuing health and wellness gives you the opportunity to try other sports. Cross training is very important to prevent burnout and injuries. My daughter is a huge soccer player (she had the same goal at one time), will play soccer in college and will continue on adult leagues. It is all good. But, meanwhile she took a virtual course in wellness about VO2, metabolism, etc. which enabled her to tweak her fitness program. She does yoga with me which gave her focus on stretching and balance.

PE is to give students a glimpse into other sports and provide a well rounded and healthy individual. It is optional, but take the opportunity to learn about your physicality and hone your mental skills (balance and focus).

Good Luck!

Hi Paul,

I like to think about career goals in a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C approach. Your plan A sounds like, "To become a professional Soccer Player." Great! Now you need to think about a Plan B and Plan C. I encourage you to talk with your Guidance Counselor in High School and your Career Center in college about your other interests. Even if you become a professional soccer player, what do you want to do after that? You wouldn't be able to do that for your whole career. So it is important to be well rounded as you think about Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. Use your resources and ask for help for those who are trained to coach you around career issues.

All best wishes,

Alison

I agree with the other advice posted above, and wanted to more directly answer your question. For your Plan A (becoming a professional soccer player), you do not need 4 years of health and P.E. You should challenge yourself academically as much as you can - both to get into college and play soccer on that level (since many U.S. pro players are drafted by MLS teams out of college), and to prepare yourself for a Plan B/Plan C, which may require a college degree. Depending on your Plan B/Plan C, you may want to focus especially hard on a few subjects - for example, if your Plan B is to become a physical therapist, you may want to take extra science courses and an extra health course.

Also, look into the academic standards for colleges you may want to attend. If you play soccer on a travel team and work really hard to get recruited by a certain school, it doesn't matter if you don't have the right courses under your belt to gain admission.