Public and private schools compete in soccer, and high school soccer players generally compete on one of three teams: varsity, junior varsity or freshman. Not all schools have all three teams, and some may only have a varsity team. However, for those schools with large student bodies and a lot of players, the best and oldest play on varsity, developing players play for JV teams and school newcomers play on the freshman team. However, many skilled freshmen can progress straight to varsity.
Several differences exist between the way soccer is played in American high schools and in other parts of the world, and even in different parts of the country. For instance, Massachusetts high school soccer teams play in the fall alongside American football teams. However, some boys high school soccer teams play in the spring in Washington state. Most American high schools also use a backward counting clock and no injury time, similar to NCAA soccer rules, whereas FIFA rules dictate a forward counting clock with referee's given the discretion to add injury time at the end of each half.
Many high schools recognize individual achievements of soccer players, presenting them with team awards like MVP, unsung hero and best defender. These awards aren't necessarily limited to varsity teams, as JV and freshman teams can present awards as well. For many exceptional varsity high school soccer players, wider recognition is often earned. This can come in the form of local newspaper all-star teams, league and conference all-star teams, and state, regional and national all-star selections. In fact, the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) annually announces a list of high school All-American and All-Region selections.
Public and private schools compete for state, and sometimes regional, championships at the varsity level. For example, many public and some private Massachusetts schools compete for MIAA state championships, while other private schools in the state compete with schools from around the region for NEPSAC championships. Although there is no national high school soccer championship competition, entities like ESPN RISE and the NSCAA rank high school programs to determine the best regionally and nationally.
Although many soccer players participate in private clubs that also play a role in helping them get in front of college coaches, high school soccer provides players the opportunity to build their resume and allows college recruiters to see them play. Even for those players who don't end up playing in college, playing high school soccer is a valuable extracurricular activity to have on a student's resume.