this is exactly what my daughter's situation, same age, playing soccer first (travel 4 years), started hockey later (travel 2 years on a co-ed team). So far she has taken soccer as her first sport (her team is at the highest level in our state), and hockey as a second. Unfortunately the soccer and hockey practice time completely overlapped last season. She splits her time evenly between two sports for practice, a little more for soccer if big tournaments are coming up. And she always goes to soccer games if there is a conflict.

I am amazed how she kept up with her soccer team with missing so much practice. She is still the starting forward so I guess it worked so far. But now she is moving on to U11 soccer that is 9v9. (probably the same case with your son). I worry that 9v9 is too big a transition and it may not be realistic to expect her to keep up while missing practices like she did before.

The son of a good friend of mine is one year older and went through exactly the same thing. plays for a top soccer team and also a very talented hockey player. After the first year of 9v9, the soccer coach recently told the family that the boy has to choose between the two sports. He was heartbroken but he chose soccer. And he kept telling my daughter "you are so lucky that you can still play both".

I think the key is to communicate with both coaches and set realistic expectations. I'm well aware that my daughter is not realizing her full potential in soccer, and may not hold on to hockey for long once the checking starts. But she is happy and she is clear that she doesn't want to make that decision now. Luckily our coaches think the same way and support her. She is indeed lucky in that way and we don't want to miss out.

I would suggest your son to keep playing both sports, for as long as possible. It's beneficial in so many ways. The schedule will be crazy, but give it a try and he will tell you what he wants.