Article written by FSQ’s Director of Sport, Matt Young
New Team – Same Player. Club Hopping: The Fast Track to Nowhere.
Club / Team hopping in youth sports has become a common trend, with parents frequently moving their children from one club/team to another in search of what they believe are better opportunities for development or because their child’s friends are joining a new team. While these moves are often framed as being in the best interest of the child’s growth, the reality is that many families are simply looking to place their child on teams with superior talent, where they can dominate less competitive opponents. This emphasis on winning over development often leads to short-term success, but it neglects the deeper, long-term process of nurturing the athlete’s abilities and character.
The issue with repeated club/team hopping is that it can create instability for the young athlete. Each time they join a new team, they must adapt to a new environment, establish new relationships and adjust to different coaching styles, which can delay progress. After switching between three or four teams, families may begin to realize that the same challenges follow them wherever they go. A player’s growth is ultimately determined by how they approach the game, their commitment to learning and their ability to overcome challenges—not by constantly seeking out a new team. The idea that simply changing teams will fix fundamental development issues is a misconception; improvement comes from within, not from external changes.
In the end, club/team hopping reflects a misunderstanding of what youth sports should be about. It’s easy to chase the allure of a winning team, but true development is about working through adversity, building skills over time and fostering traits like resilience and teamwork. Constantly seeking out the “next best team” often leads to frustration and missed opportunities for real growth.
As the saying goes, “No matter where you go, there you are.” It’s the player’s mindset and dedication that make the difference, not the team they’re on.