Can work rate be improved?

[Anonymous]

DD recently joined an ECNL team from EDP. We were thrilled to see she was selected, but have quickly found her playing time is limited. The big difference between her play and her teammates seems to work rate. She just looks lazier than everyone else on the field although I don’t think that is the case. Maybe ECNL is not for her and we’ll figure that out this year. In the meantime, is there anything that can be done to improve work rate?

[Anonymous]

Conditioning

[Anonymous]

Messi looks lazy
Effectiveness > workrate

[Anonymous]

Work rate is a combination of fitness and desire (plus a little soccer IQ of where to run on the field). Can all definitely be improved if the player wants to put in the work

[Anonymous]

I would not be too hard on her. There are a lot of reasons a player may seem slower. It could be the game and competition is a little faster than she is used to, or maybe she is playing a different position or formation and is a little uncertain of what she should be doing, or maybe she is still getting used to her teammates and their playing style. All of those things could make her appear slower than her teammates and opponents, but one would expect it to improve as she practices and plays more with the team.

It could also be that she is not in the same playing condition as many of her teammates. It is difficult to keep up a high work rate if a player is not in great shape. A lot - not all - of ECNL players will do extra conditioning outside of practice. If lack of conditioning is an issue for your DD, she could work on this before or after practice. Getting in great shape is easier to do in the off-season, but it can be improved during the season as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Work rate is a combination of fitness and desire (plus a little soccer IQ of where to run on the field). Can all definitely be improved if the player wants to put in the work

No it’s a combination of speed, how the player looks when they run and running around a lot. I have seen many a player at the ECNL level run around a lot but do nothing. They look good running and the coach likes that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD recently joined an ECNL team from EDP. We were thrilled to see she was selected, but have quickly found her playing time is limited. The big difference between her play and her teammates seems to work rate. She just looks lazier than everyone else on the field although I don’t think that is the case. Maybe ECNL is not for her and we’ll figure that out this year. In the meantime, is there anything that can be done to improve work rate?

What is the cause? Fitness, in which case the answer is obvious? Or she just doesn't understand what she needs to be doing? When does the issue occur - when she has the ball, when her team is in possession but she doesn't have the ball, when the other team is in possession, in transition, all of the above? Will your daughter listen to and accept advice from you? Is the coach capable of explaining to your daughter what's required?

You should have access to game film in ECNL - sit through it with your daughter and show her what you see. If she can see the difference between her and her teammates on film it may help her understand better. If not, I believe you can find a private coach who can watch game film and show here what she is doing wrong (I don't have a recommendation for you though as I have not done this myself).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Messi looks lazy
Effectiveness > workrate

There is only one Messi. Your travel soccer player better be running.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD recently joined an ECNL team from EDP. We were thrilled to see she was selected, but have quickly found her playing time is limited. The big difference between her play and her teammates seems to work rate. She just looks lazier than everyone else on the field although I don’t think that is the case. Maybe ECNL is not for her and we’ll figure that out this year. In the meantime, is there anything that can be done to improve work rate?

That's all mental and your dd needs to change her attitude. Some kids are high motor and some are not. Focus on what she does well and that's what the coach should look at. You can't have all the players having the same skill set.

[Anonymous]

Work rate is a big deal. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

1. Mentality
2. conditioning

Soccer IQ has nothing to do with work rate.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It’s called the bench.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD recently joined an ECNL team from EDP. We were thrilled to see she was selected, but have quickly found her playing time is limited. The big difference between her play and her teammates seems to work rate. She just looks lazier than everyone else on the field although I don’t think that is the case. Maybe ECNL is not for her and we’ll figure that out this year. In the meantime, is there anything that can be done to improve work rate?

Do you mind sharing the age group? Age group really does determine the answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD recently joined an ECNL team from EDP. We were thrilled to see she was selected, but have quickly found her playing time is limited. The big difference between her play and her teammates seems to work rate. She just looks lazier than everyone else on the field although I don’t think that is the case. Maybe ECNL is not for her and we’ll figure that out this year. In the meantime, is there anything that can be done to improve work rate?

Do you mind sharing the age group? Age group really does determine the answer.

U14

[Anonymous]

Jesus. I’m reading these texts and not one mention of a constant in soccer. Technical skills. Focus on technical which will breed confidence on the ball. Confidence on the ball creates confidence in movement

It could be as simple as she’s not sure what to do when she does NOT have the ball. Watch games - women’s games or men’s and follow her position with or without the ball. It’s easy to watch a game and follow the ball.

YouTube has tactical camera game recordings of the World Cup. Very good stuff. Good luck - it’ll come with her comfort and confidence

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Work rate is a big deal. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

1. Mentality
2. conditioning

Soccer IQ has nothing to do with work rate.

Work rate if not done efficiently can actually be out smarted bt soccer IQ. They are all tools in your box. Being the better athlete is the most important tool you have.