Spring Soccer - Should I Play or Not? I need Advice!

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USNA2018

5-Year Member
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Dec 19, 2013
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I'm having a really hard time making an important decision: should I play school soccer in the spring or not?

I received a Letter of Assurance to the Naval Academy back in October, a nomination from my senator in late November, and my official appointment this past Monday. I am extremely excited as this has been my dream for my entire life.

Now I need to make an important decision on whether to play soccer in the spring or not. I have played soccer for my entire life and have yet to incur any serious injuries (*knock on wood*). However, as I face the beginning of my senior year soccer season, I know that I absolutely cannot get injured as it may revoke my appointment.

My mom (she is known as USNA02 on the forums) is leaving the decision up to me, as she should, and I am grateful for that. The fact of the matter is, I can argue for both sides of the situation. I can say that it is not worth risking my lifetime dream to play a few months of soccer as I could get injured. All it takes is one little accident in practice or a game and I could be medically disqualified. But on the other hand, I can say that I could get hurt doing anything else (twisting an ankle on the sidewalk, participating in PT in JROTC, or even training for I-Day). There is just no telling what will happen. Playing soccer will keep me in shape, keep me active, and keep me doing something I love to do for the last few months I have before I head off to Annapolis.

My coach promises me that he will "take care" of me and that I should have no worries of getting injured. Of course, his advice is biased and I know that. My mom has made her opinion known that she doesn't want me to play, but, like I said, she is not going to make the decision for me.

I have read through the other threads on this type of subject, but I am still struggling to make a decision. All I am looking for is advice from other candidates, appointees, midshipmen, BGOs, or parents on what to do. Thank you.
 
Do what you think is best for you. If you are going to play tentatively, then don't play in my opinion. I think you are more liable to get hurt trying not to get hurt than just playing as you have nearly your whole life. You are nearly an adult and once you get to USNA you will have to make the best decisions for you and your future (which is very tough at 17 or 18) without parents being there every step of the way (they are only a phone call away).
 
I feel for you...

...as a Mother of a member of the future 2018 USNA class, I see you mother's point. As a coach, I'd like you to play - plus, more than likely, you are a strong leader on the team, and I agree with Navyhoops - either play or don't. Meaning, if you play, than play like you've always played.

I do not envy your decision.
 
USNA2018, congrats on your appt. This is a simple question of risk. Are you willing to risk a $200,000+ education and all of the potential future advantages to play soccer? In the event you are inured what is your plan B? Are you willing to put your dream of attending the USNA on hold while you are recuperating from an injury ( assuming you will get a waiver for said injury)?The odds are that you will not get hurt this season but why chance it? This site is littered with stories of kids getting hurt prior to reporting and getting sent home, or DQ'd. Lastly, budget concerns make cutting injured cadets/midshipmen easier and waivers harder to come by. While some may agonize over this decision I would not and would opt to not play and would advise my DS the same.
 
I know this has to be a tough decision for you. Whatever the decision is you must be willing to live with it. Last spring during track season, the last meet of the year my DS suffered an injury that put him on crutches for 3 weeks. At the time of his injury,as he was carted off of the track, his major concern was his ability to make it to Summer Seminar and if the injury would impact him medically long term. He eventually recovered fully and now has an LOA and a Nomination. The question of doing track for this upcoming Spring has been answered based on what he saw flash before his eyes at his last meet. Obviously, each person has different motivations for what they do and why. Whatever you decide, you must be willing to live with that decision. In our case, my DS has decided not to do track this upcoming Spring.
 
You Have To Run

To prepare for plebe summer you have practice for the Physical Readiness Test: curl ups, push ups and 1.5 mile run. Spring track is the ideal training for the 1.5 mile run. If you don't do spring track you still need to run. It would seem that spring track and training on your own would pose similar risks of a running injury. Spring track here is a coed sport, and the camaraderie, the bus trips and the team suppers at fast food restaurants make the track team a lot more fun than training solo. I would say "no" to skiing, ice skating, snow boarding, rock climbing and cliff diving. However, spring track seems to me like a reasonable activity, especially since you have to be running anyway to get in shape for plebe summer..
 
One morsel for thought. As a GENERAL rule, if you have an appt and develop a short-term medical issue that precludes you from starting on I-Day AND that issue later fully resolves, you would be offered a spot in the next class. Yes, you'd have to go through the entire process again, but it would likely be a dream deferred, not ended. That said, some medical issues don't resolve and "general rules" aren't guarantees.

I agree w/the poster above that, if you play, you give 100% and, if something happens, it happens. Or you sit on the sidelines and do so w/o the guilt of "what if" I had played.

One piece of advice I received years ago that becomes even more wise as time goes on: "Don't look back." Make your decision and move forward.
 
We are having the same discussion in our household. Son just heard he is Principal Nom for our MOC. He is also a soccer player and team captain --we think he should sideline this year--he has been very clear he's playing! Every time he gets taken out on the pitch I just cringe and hold my breath. It is going to be a long season!
 
One word: Play

Seriously, you might regret it if you don't. I chose not to run track or pole vault my senior year of high school for the same reason and I've regretted it ever since. I missed out on some amazing times with friends I competed with for almost eight years. Don't let the fear of an injury keep you from playing, go for it and have a good time!
 
I am in the exact same situation as you, but with lacrosse. But my fear is more of concussions, which I have gotten in the past. In my situation, I do not believe I will be playing. Frankly, I am more of a soccer player than a lacrosse player, and I'm not very close with the guys on the team (I am not into smoking pot and partying). I know I will regret it. I love the sport, but losing Annapolis is not a risk I am willing to take. And even if I do not get disqualified, Plebe summer with an injury such as a concussion seems purely miserable.

Furthermore, I know how I am with training. Lacrosse is a skill-based sport, and I will be in better shape doing more vigorous training.

I can't say yes or no for you, but hopefully my situation aids you decision. Plus I have talked to my coach and he said even if I don't play full time, I can still hang out with the team when I want, maybe yours will say the same.

Best of luck
 
NavyHoops said:
Do what you think is best for you. If you are going to play tentatively, then don't play in my opinion. I think you are more liable to get hurt trying not to get hurt than just playing as you have nearly your whole life. You are nearly an adult and once you get to USNA you will have to make the best decisions for you and your future (which is very tough at 17 or 18) without parents being there every step of the way (they are only a phone call away).
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I agree with NavyHoops.
If you are struggling to make your decision, and if you will be worried every time you play, don't play. My DS never had to struggle to play football and lacrosse in his senior year. He never had to make decisions, as he knew he was going to play. Of course, as a Mom, I prayed everyday and was scared every time my son got a big hit, but I knew he was playing hard. My friend's son who was originally appointed as a class of 2016 tore his ACL while playing soccer, but he came back as a class of 2017. If you are worried and do not want to risk, don't play
 
What does playing spring soccer get you?

In general, you can't bubble wrap yourself once you get your appointment. At the same time, no reason to take unnecessary risk.

Probably the only reason why I would let my DD play spring soccer if she had an appointment to a SA is if she is going to try out or play soccer at the SA. Understand having a passion, but being an adult means sometimes giving up on what you like.

Probably work hard so far to get where you are, why not take several months off as the grind will start again when you report and it won't stop until you retire.
 
I would play. I play football, a sport more known for giving out injuries and wouldn't miss my senior season for the world. Enjoy your senior year and leave with no regrets. Take the field with your friends one last time.
 
Can't Stop Living

USNA2018 said:
I'm having a really hard time making an important decision: should I play school soccer in the spring or not?

I received a Letter of Assurance to the Naval Academy back in October, a nomination from my senator in late November, and my official appointment this past Monday. I am extremely excited as this has been my dream for my entire life.

Now I need to make an important decision on whether to play soccer in the spring or not. I have played soccer for my entire life and have yet to incur any serious injuries (*knock on wood*). However, as I face the beginning of my senior year soccer season, I know that I absolutely cannot get injured as it may revoke my appointment.

My mom (she is known as USNA02 on the forums) is leaving the decision up to me, as she should, and I am grateful for that. The fact of the matter is, I can argue for both sides of the situation. I can say that it is not worth risking my lifetime dream to play a few months of soccer as I could get injured. All it takes is one little accident in practice or a game and I could be medically disqualified. But on the other hand, I can say that I could get hurt doing anything else (twisting an ankle on the sidewalk, participating in PT in JROTC, or even training for I-Day). There is just no telling what will happen. Playing soccer will keep me in shape, keep me active, and keep me doing something I love to do for the last few months I have before I head off to Annapolis.

My coach promises me that he will "take care" of me and that I should have no worries of getting injured. Of course, his advice is biased and I know that. My mom has made her opinion known that she doesn't want me to play, but, like I said, she is not going to make the decision for me.

I have read through the other threads on this type of subject, but I am still struggling to make a decision. All I am looking for is advice from other candidates, appointees, midshipmen, BGOs, or parents on what to do. Thank you.
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When my son received his appointment in January 2012, he was in the heart of wrestling season with his teammates as the captain. We had a short discussion regarding injuries. He basically told me he couldn't stop living because of an appointment. He went on to finish the year without serious injury and even picked up mountain bike riding to stay in shape. But, you can bet your bottom dollar I made sure he wore his helmet and eye protection. Congrats on your appointment. Cheers.
 
My Son received his appointment a year ago at the start of wrestling season. I do not think you can live your life in a bubble because of your appointment. Whatever happens---happens. My son finished wrestling and made it to I-Day with no problems but ironically tore his ACL at the end of Sprint Football. He is on the road to recovery and looking forward to playing again. You received an appointment because your are a leader and competitor. Go lead and compete and finish your senior year. You could get hurt doing anything. Ultimately it has to be a decision you are comfortable with.
 
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When Son #1 received his LOA and nomination to USAFA he was still in football season (he was their starting running back) and would never have thought of stopping playing because of a fear of getting hurt. After football it was his Senior powerlifting season which he had prepared for over the previous 4 years. He had made it to Nationals as a Junior and had every intent of winning Nationals as a Senior (he took second). In the Spring it was track, which he was in long-jump, high-jump, and triple-jump. He was captain of all three teams as a Senior and would not have stopped playing any of the sports for fear of getting hurt. It is what he is. I don't believe in the concept of bubble-wrap because I don't think you should back down from the very things that made you competitive for the Academy.

The reason that I bring that up is that it is his competitiveness and drive that kept him going through the Academy and pilot training. His desire to be the best is why he graduated at the top of all of his trainings and is now living his dream of flying fighters. It is my opinion that you need to keep going in your sports that you have put so much time into to get where you are.

Stealth_81
 
So here's the deal, yes, you might get hurt, but you slip on ice in your driveway and break something (know someone who had that happen) or you could also get hurt bad enough during your plebe summer that you have to repeat it during training or something else happens. Stuff happens. If you aren't being dumb about it and taking stupid risks, you should do what's you're going to enjoy. Don't worry about the future. Its going to work out how its supposed; one of the worst things that I think you can do is limit yourself in the present because you're afraid of uncertainty in the past. You're going to miss opportunities now.

Its a bit different if you have a history of injury already, in which case, you might want to think about it more cautiously. USNAhopeful2018, I totally understand where you're coming from on the concussion angle, particularly if you're trying to pass a flight physical down the road like I am. Its influenced the decisions I've made about whether or not I should keep playing for the club team here that I play at USMA because of the high risk for it, and what I had to do was cost benefit analysis. Right now, its better for me to stay on the team and with the girls that I love to be around then quit, but if something were to happen more, I'd probably back off of it.

Good luck to y'all. Its going to be fun. Enjoy senior year and your time at the Academy. Don't second guess everything you're doing now. You've been doing the right things to get to where you're at otherwise USNA probably wouldn't have picked you up. Just keep avoiding doing stupid things and don't take stupid risks and you're okay. Don't stop living your life though.
 
Casey said:
Its a bit different if you have a history of injury already, in which case, you might want to think about it more cautiously. USNAhopeful2018, I totally understand where you're coming from on the concussion angle, particularly if you're trying to pass a flight physical down the road like I am. Its influenced the decisions I've made about whether or not I should keep playing for the club team here that I play at USMA because of the high risk for it, and what I had to do was cost benefit analysis. Right now, its better for me to stay on the team and with the girls that I love to be around then quit, but if something were to happen more, I'd probably back off of it.
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Thank you for the support of my decision. Don't worry, I haven't stopped enjoying sports yet. I just traded. Right now I'm playing in a men's soccer league, and I've never had more fun with the sport.
 
USNAhopeful2018 said:
Thank you for the support of my decision. Don't worry, I haven't stopped enjoying sports yet. I just traded. Right now I'm playing in a men's soccer league, and I've never had more fun with the sport.
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Concussions aren't anything to mess with. I enjoy my ability to read and write, and don't want to mess with that. Good luck with the soccer. Its an awesome sport (first love) and good luck at the Academy.
 
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