SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP Early Commitment? It's Up To You.

Interesting Topic. How much of committing early is about the financial aspect?

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/soccer-blog/comments/275

I agree with the blog poster. I can only speak with the experience of my daughter and her friends whom we helped in the process. I fully understand the need for a sophomore player to be in contact with their school(s) of interest and to be making themselves known but have never understood the need for an early committment. I can see the financial side, but an early committment is not binding in any legal way so it might be foolish to make financial plans around an early committment. Add to this that a "committment" is different between a D3, a D2, and a D1, or NAIA, etc. Besides, kids mature much between their sophomore year and HS graduation and many things can change.

I can think of many needs to commit early:

1. Many of the top players in the country verbally commit their junior year.

2. There are players who like to know where they are going.
They want to plan for their education, career, and soccer future.

3. I know of players who use it as motivation to work even harder both on the field and in the classroom.

4. It gives the player a place/ school / team to identify with and to look forward to.

5. It takes the guessing out of where they will go.

6. It is an honor to be recruited and recognized for your talent and hard work, especially, your junior year.

7. Financially, it can be a huge plus!

I am going to challenge LadyVolDads post about maturity. I believe that the true test of maturity comes during first semester freshman year when the athlete adjusts to 1. being away from home 2. the college training, travel, and game schedule (not to mention the higher level of play and competition for playing time while becoming a part of the team) 3. the rigorous academic environment
High school takes place while the athlete is still living at home with family / friends for support. (Yes, they are still supportive as the athlete leaves; however, their physical presence is not a constant...