Youth soccer players in 8th-10th grade should attend 2-3 large ID camps per year to get on coaches' radar early. Consistent participation, video updates, and direct communication matter. Coaches start tracking players as sophomores and can offer scholarships then.
How do you know which ID camps you should pick in order to play college soccer? The first thing I want you to keep in mind when you talk about ID camps is it really matters how old you are. If you are between 8th and 10th grade, without knowing your exact situation, typically going to Mass ID camps is the move because one, college coaches can see you and you can get an idea of what level is realistic for you by asking the coaches, what level should I aim for? That's number one. Number two is when you go to these camps, if you're an exceptional level for your age, the coach will be like, wow, you're really good, now I know who you are, you are, I'm going to keep track of you during this process. And if you're a high-level MLS Next or ECNL player, by 8th, 9th, 10th grade, you should be going to those camps like a maniac, like 2 to 3 a year for sure. Now, the more important factor is when you go to those camps in 8th to 10th grade, the coaches will say to you, this was really great, great to know you, send us video, keep us updated with your schedule. You've started the first— imagine you're painting a wall and you've got a— you have to paint it literally with a toothbrush. You dip it in paint and then you put the paint in the wall. That's all you've done. You've taken a little bit of paint, You have a lot more wall to cover, but at least you've gotten the very first drop started. And then building on the next drop and next drop, it gets easier and easier. So that's why it's so important to start super early. And coaches love to see progression. As long as you grow, the coach will go, oh wow, you've been coming since you were 12, 13 years old? You've improved a lot. I bet you you'll improve a lot again. You know what, here's an offer when you're a junior. Here's an offer when you're a sophomore. And therefore, here's a bunch of money because the money is available earlier. If you want more help, give me a call, links in the bio. Talk soon.
