5 answers
Mathias
Student
Ridgefield, Connecticut
2
Questions
Asked
673 views
I’m really passionate for sports but haven’t fully committed to a single sport yet, and I just finished my sophomore year of high school, should I try committing to a single one for a college scholarship?
My entire childhood was soccer. When the pandemic hit, I stopped playing and got very rusty, then late pandemic I tried out for a travel team and was a disaster. I played on, knowing that improvement comes with practice. In eighth grade I played basketball. Last year in freshman year I played american football and volleyball (a long break from soccer). This year, I went back to soccer and played not too bad although I was injured for half the season, then I wrestled during the winter (which I loved and was good at), then I played volleyball again (which I have potential in). Since I grew up with soccer and have a lot of it in my argentine culture, I truly have a passion for the sport although my skills in wrestling and volleyball have huge potential. Right now I’m practicing non-stop to get ready for the soccer season in junior year and am thinking in pursuing in that, but I’m not sure if I’m wasting potential in wrestling or volleyball. Should I pursue in one sport and play club instead of two other sports and try getting a scholarship or have my fun in all three?
5 answers
Ilir M.
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ilir’s Answer
Hello Mathias,
The problem you have come across is indeed in need of an answer, but I have to say that you are lucky to be struggling in such a magnificent way! To be great at a number of sports and have options is a true blessing, I hope you realize that this is a "good" problem to have, for one it is because of the options you have that can all lead to a great future. Nonetheless, I hope I can help you narrow down your choices.
Some of my background , I swam competitively for much of my life, and took a break for a few years until I got back into it and swam for my high school sophomore year. Swimming was always "my sport" but I went on to join two other sports teams in the Fall and Spring season, went on to be captain in one of them and captain of my swim team by Senior year. I became captain here and there because I aimed to have the most fun, and to be absolutely passionate about *all* the things I do, and I stood out to my team and coaches, and I had a fantastic time at the end of each day. I wasn't at a scholarship-receiving level of a Swimmer, but I was a walk-on for my college swim team in my freshman year and I had an unforgettable time there (and I got pretty good).
How I relate to you is that I chose to have fun in other sports outside of my main sport. I had a lot and I mean a lot of fun playing those two other sports besides swimming, and I stayed fit and focused all year round by playing other sports in the off-season (I didn't want to go back to club swimming). I have a feeling you would have a lot of fun too.
But you feel that you have potential in wrestling and volleyball. Looking within yourself (and on CareerVillage.org) is a great idea but there are people that will have an even greater and more reliable opinion than most other people. Your coaches.
If you were to ask your respective coaches of wrestling, volleyball and even soccer, they will give you an honest answer of their vision for your future in these sports. They know more about your potential than you may realize, and they would love to help you with this no matter how much of a grouch they may be, they most likely were in your shoes at one point.
Here is another way to look at this; A great motivator in life is regret and steering away from it, because what's worse than trying and failing is not trying at all. You will think about your lack of trying everyday of your life from that point on.
You have so much value and passion connected to soccer, don't think it will go away so easily by jumping into another sport. You're Argentinian for crying out loud! Your blood wants you to dribble that ball everyday! And the hard work you put into your matches and your practices will overcome the breaks you had and any injuries that have slowed you down. If you go all-in while you are young and strong as you are now by going into a club in the off-season, not only will your potential grow and you will standout for a scholarship, but you will be fulfilling that dream you had as a kid to be the best soccer player that you can possibly be! I regret not continuing swimming, my coach's words echo when those rough days come around; "you could be very fast." I wasn't even close to being in your position, there was no scholarship potential or playing the sport for a living. There was just pure passion, and the yearning for speed and explosive energy. And maybe I should have gone to swim for a club instead of those other sports, you see, I don't even know how much better I could have been if I only leaned in fully.
Yes you will be able to have fun in all three if you choose this path, but imagine high school coming to an end and you have none of these sports to continue with seriously. You had a good few high school years, but you may say "what if I was still playing ___?".
Besides being uplifting and motivating, I'll pose some questions for you. You have potential in soccer, volleyball and wrestling, but your heart must* be leaning in one direction. Which of these sports makes you feel the most alive and passionate before and after completing a practice? Forget scholarships and trophies, which of these sparring grounds do you thrive in? Where could you fall of exhaustion after practicing until your legs fall off, and still smile and laugh while you lay there groaning? You have so much soccer experience that is valuable, do you feel like you can leave that behind in your new sport?
If you hear from your coaches and feel that volleyball may be it, or wrestling may be it, then you go all in. Aim for a scholarship in that sport, be exceptional and stand out. You don't have years of experience like soccer, so make up for it in absolute peddle-to-the-metal work ethic. Off days don't exist when you're so young!
I hope this helps Mathias. Go into this with all your heart and courage and you will make it through!
The problem you have come across is indeed in need of an answer, but I have to say that you are lucky to be struggling in such a magnificent way! To be great at a number of sports and have options is a true blessing, I hope you realize that this is a "good" problem to have, for one it is because of the options you have that can all lead to a great future. Nonetheless, I hope I can help you narrow down your choices.
Some of my background , I swam competitively for much of my life, and took a break for a few years until I got back into it and swam for my high school sophomore year. Swimming was always "my sport" but I went on to join two other sports teams in the Fall and Spring season, went on to be captain in one of them and captain of my swim team by Senior year. I became captain here and there because I aimed to have the most fun, and to be absolutely passionate about *all* the things I do, and I stood out to my team and coaches, and I had a fantastic time at the end of each day. I wasn't at a scholarship-receiving level of a Swimmer, but I was a walk-on for my college swim team in my freshman year and I had an unforgettable time there (and I got pretty good).
How I relate to you is that I chose to have fun in other sports outside of my main sport. I had a lot and I mean a lot of fun playing those two other sports besides swimming, and I stayed fit and focused all year round by playing other sports in the off-season (I didn't want to go back to club swimming). I have a feeling you would have a lot of fun too.
But you feel that you have potential in wrestling and volleyball. Looking within yourself (and on CareerVillage.org) is a great idea but there are people that will have an even greater and more reliable opinion than most other people. Your coaches.
If you were to ask your respective coaches of wrestling, volleyball and even soccer, they will give you an honest answer of their vision for your future in these sports. They know more about your potential than you may realize, and they would love to help you with this no matter how much of a grouch they may be, they most likely were in your shoes at one point.
Here is another way to look at this; A great motivator in life is regret and steering away from it, because what's worse than trying and failing is not trying at all. You will think about your lack of trying everyday of your life from that point on.
You have so much value and passion connected to soccer, don't think it will go away so easily by jumping into another sport. You're Argentinian for crying out loud! Your blood wants you to dribble that ball everyday! And the hard work you put into your matches and your practices will overcome the breaks you had and any injuries that have slowed you down. If you go all-in while you are young and strong as you are now by going into a club in the off-season, not only will your potential grow and you will standout for a scholarship, but you will be fulfilling that dream you had as a kid to be the best soccer player that you can possibly be! I regret not continuing swimming, my coach's words echo when those rough days come around; "you could be very fast." I wasn't even close to being in your position, there was no scholarship potential or playing the sport for a living. There was just pure passion, and the yearning for speed and explosive energy. And maybe I should have gone to swim for a club instead of those other sports, you see, I don't even know how much better I could have been if I only leaned in fully.
Yes you will be able to have fun in all three if you choose this path, but imagine high school coming to an end and you have none of these sports to continue with seriously. You had a good few high school years, but you may say "what if I was still playing ___?".
Besides being uplifting and motivating, I'll pose some questions for you. You have potential in soccer, volleyball and wrestling, but your heart must* be leaning in one direction. Which of these sports makes you feel the most alive and passionate before and after completing a practice? Forget scholarships and trophies, which of these sparring grounds do you thrive in? Where could you fall of exhaustion after practicing until your legs fall off, and still smile and laugh while you lay there groaning? You have so much soccer experience that is valuable, do you feel like you can leave that behind in your new sport?
If you hear from your coaches and feel that volleyball may be it, or wrestling may be it, then you go all in. Aim for a scholarship in that sport, be exceptional and stand out. You don't have years of experience like soccer, so make up for it in absolute peddle-to-the-metal work ethic. Off days don't exist when you're so young!
I hope this helps Mathias. Go into this with all your heart and courage and you will make it through!
Thank you so much for such a descriptive and helpful response, and I’ll definitely be taking your advice. I’m glad you enjoyed swimming so much and relate to you when you say sports are played to have fun and make the most out of the things you’re passionate for.
Mathias
Leandre Pestcoe
Technology Consultant
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Leandre’s Answer
Hi Mathias!
I played three sports in high school (cross country, basketball, and soccer) and ended up playing soccer in college. I truly think all three of my high school sports helped me achieve my ultimate goal of playing a college sport. You learn different skills in each that will ultimately help you in whatever sport you choose to specialize in. My advice would be to keep playing all three sports and see which one takes you the farthest!
Good luck!
I played three sports in high school (cross country, basketball, and soccer) and ended up playing soccer in college. I truly think all three of my high school sports helped me achieve my ultimate goal of playing a college sport. You learn different skills in each that will ultimately help you in whatever sport you choose to specialize in. My advice would be to keep playing all three sports and see which one takes you the farthest!
Good luck!
Candy Hipp
Implementation/project management
9
Answers
Lake Forest, California
Updated
Candy’s Answer
I am a head coach of Artistic Swimming, and I can tell you that when you split your time you are a have a knowledge of all but a master in none. You need to pick your sport. I think you should stick with soccer as, from the way you speak, you really miss it. If you want a career in sports then stick with 1 sport and become a coach in the future. So, ask yourself, what sport do you want to help young kids do? If you want to be a professional in your sport then go to college in that field and learn everything you can about the back end of it. Also surround yourself with people in that profession. I hope this helps.
Your advice was so helpful!
Mathias
Taylor Fronk
Sales Support
13
Answers
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hello!
It sounds like soccer is your deepest passion. If you are set on a scholarship, then a single focus would be best. This type of commitment will need to be pursued at full force to achieve what you are after.
Junior / Senior year are the most important years for high school prospects since you are officially able to commit. You'll want to train and rehab around your injury to assist in coming back even stronger.
Work with your coach to create a training plan for you in the off-season, get together a group throughout the spring-summer to scrimmage at a local park, etc. There's no end to what you can do, but you must stay consistent!
It sounds like soccer is your deepest passion. If you are set on a scholarship, then a single focus would be best. This type of commitment will need to be pursued at full force to achieve what you are after.
Junior / Senior year are the most important years for high school prospects since you are officially able to commit. You'll want to train and rehab around your injury to assist in coming back even stronger.
Work with your coach to create a training plan for you in the off-season, get together a group throughout the spring-summer to scrimmage at a local park, etc. There's no end to what you can do, but you must stay consistent!
Ryan Chang
Software Developer
22
Answers
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Mathias,
I would suggest focusing on one sport in this situation. At the very least, try to narrow down your options to the two sports you would like to pursue the most. It may be difficult to find great success in many different sports as it requires a lot of time and dedication during the off season. I recommend trying to pursue soccer since it sounds like it is the sport you are most passionate about; however, scholarships for sports can be very competitive depending on where you want to go. If you feel like you can find more success in wrestling or volleyball, then maybe it's time to consider focusing on one of those over soccer if your main goal is to secure a scholarship.
I would suggest focusing on one sport in this situation. At the very least, try to narrow down your options to the two sports you would like to pursue the most. It may be difficult to find great success in many different sports as it requires a lot of time and dedication during the off season. I recommend trying to pursue soccer since it sounds like it is the sport you are most passionate about; however, scholarships for sports can be very competitive depending on where you want to go. If you feel like you can find more success in wrestling or volleyball, then maybe it's time to consider focusing on one of those over soccer if your main goal is to secure a scholarship.
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