The summer club season is wrapping up in the next few weeks, just time for… next year’s tryouts 😵‍💫.

This raises the question: Should we stay where we are, or is it time for a change?

We’ve already had numerous conversations with families debating whether or not to switch club programs for this upcoming year. In some scenarios, these are families seeking advice and in others, it’s just been brought up in conversation.

The truth is, there isn't one right answer.

For some players, changing clubs is the right move. For others, leaving a situation in pursuit of something that looks better on the surface can end up being a step backward.

Rather than telling you what to do, we'd encourage you to think through the decision using a simple framework.

Before comparing clubs, ask yourself: What do we actually want out of the club experience?

The answer isn't the same for every family.

Every family has values, whether they've identified them or not. The challenge is that many don't realize what they value until they're forced to make a difficult decision.

When factoring in a decision to leave a club, it’s first worth grounding yourself in why you are doing it at all. What things do you value the most from the club experience?

Too often, families chase what feels like a better opportunity without first defining what "better" means for their family.

There's nothing wrong with any of those priorities, but it's important to know what yours are before making a decision.

Here are some common priorities that we hear:

The difficult part is that you usually can't maximize all of these at once. Choosing one often means giving up a little of another.

If you're considering leaving, something probably isn't lining up between what you value and what you're currently experiencing.

For example, if you value getting recruited the most but you feel that your current club is not helping with that, this creates tension.

Other examples might be that you feel you are not playing enough or you don’t think the coaching is high quality.

It’s important to identify the tension you are facing, and to be specific about it.

This step is critical because if you can’t clearly identify the problem, it’s difficult to know whether switching clubs is actually the solution.

Sometimes the tension isn't playing time, recruiting, or coaching quality. It may simply be that the player no longer enjoys being in the environment.

Pay attention to whether they're excited to attend practices and tournaments, feel comfortable making mistakes, and play with confidence rather than fear. Enjoyment is often directly connected to confidence, development, and long-term participation

We need to face reality here. This is where we see most mistakes happen.

Even if the current situation you are in is not perfect, or even optimal, for what you want… is there actually a better solution out there?

Ask questions before making assumptions.

Remember, every program has strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes you don't discover the challenges until you've already made the move.

Changing clubs isn't just about what you gain. It's also about what you leave behind.

If those things exist, they're worth placing value on.

On the other hand, if your player is new to the program, doesn't have strong relationships yet, or genuinely isn't in an environment that fits their goals, making a change may be much easier.

Every situation is different, but make sure to take the time to reflect on the positives of your current situation.

One of the easiest mistakes is making a decision based only on what's happening today.

Try to think a year or two down the road.

Sometimes patience is the best decision. Sometimes a fresh start is.

The key is making the decision intentionally, not emotionally.

The thought of joining a new team can be exciting, especially when another program is actively showing interest.

But being wanted isn't, by itself, a reason to leave. Plenty of people have been flattered into a bad decision.

Truthfully, we're a little nostalgic for the days when you just played with your friends and stayed put. There's something to that we miss. But this is the world club lacrosse is now. It’s the same as transferring colleges or switching jobs. Not loving the trend doesn't make it any less real, and it doesn't help your family make a good decision this month.

Every move comes with trade-offs. The goal isn't to find a perfect situation, because it rarely exists. It's to find the environment that best matches what your family values and what your player needs to continue growing.

As club tryouts approach, take the time to ask questions, gather information, and think through the decision from every angle. It's a lot easier to live with an informed decision than an emotional one.

Coach Class and Coach Dunn

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