Before we dive in, do me a favor and move my emails to the primary inbox so you can see the next edition. Each of my emails going forward will have the “⚽️” emoji so they are easy to find.

Key Takeaways ⚽️

1. Pros and cons of both 🚏

2. Which path should you choose❓

3. Action plan to get started ‼️

(This newsletter is a 5-minute read in total)

If you’re serious about playing college soccer, you’ve probably asked yourself: Should I play high school soccer or join an academy? The answer depends on your goals, competition level, and how you approach recruiting. Let’s break it down so you can make the best choice for your future.

Follow along below ↓

High School vs. Academy Soccer:

If you’re serious about playing college soccer, you’ve probably asked yourself: Should I play high school soccer or join an academy? The answer depends on your goals, competition level, and how you approach recruiting. Let’s break it down so you can make the best choice for your future.

The Pros & Cons of High School Soccer

✅ Pros:

• School Pride & Leadership: You represent your school, build friendships, and develop leadership skills.

• More Playing Time: If you’re one of the top players, you’ll get more minutes and have a bigger impact.

• Multi-Sport Flexibility: High school soccer lets you play other sports and stay involved in school activities.

❌ Cons:

• Lower Competition Level: Not all high school programs are strong, and the level of play can vary.

• Less Exposure: Most college coaches don’t recruit from high school games unless your team is highly competitive.

The Pros & Cons of Academy Soccer

✅ Pros:

• Top-Level Competition: You’ll train and compete against the best players in the country.

• More Exposure to College Coaches: College scouts regularly attend academy showcases and tournaments.

• Structured Player Development: Academy programs provide advanced training, fitness plans, and tactical education.

❌ Cons:

• No High School Soccer: Many academies don’t allow players to compete for their high school teams.

• More Travel & Cost: Academies require a bigger financial and time commitment.

Which Path Should You Choose?

#1 If You Want to Play College Soccer:

• Academy soccer is the best route if you want maximum exposure and development.

• If you play high school soccer, make sure you also compete in club showcases where college coaches scout.

#2 If You’re Late to Recruiting:

• Play at the highest level possible right now—whether that’s an academy or a strong club team.

• Create a highlight reel and start reaching out to college coaches immediately.

#3 If You’re Still Unsure:

• Look at where current college players from your area were recruited from—high school, academy, or club?

• Talk to your current coaches about your best options.

Biggest Takeaway:

At the end of the day, your path matters less than your effort. If you consistently reach out to coaches, showcase your talent, and stay proactive, you’ll create your own recruiting success. Need more help? I’ve got resources to guide you every step of the way! 🚀

Next Steps 💯

Go through our framework and decide for yourself what will work best with your schedule, time constraints, commitment level, and skill.

1. Pull a list of 5 clubs/academies local to you

2. Make a list of tryout dates

3. Create a training plan to prepare for those dates, taking into account nutrition, fitness, and technical ability.

If you choose the high school route do the same specific to the high school you will be attending. Playing on a club team can greatly impact your development and prepare you for high school soccer. I highly recommend club soccer regardless of your goals. High school coaches will ask you where you play club soccer during the tryout.

If you like this type of content. Our exclusive community breaks down our full college recruiting process, join below ↓

Feedback is appreciated! Let me know in the comments what pain points, topics, and questions you have so I can continue to provide the most value for this community :)