Tall kids playing; Short kids sitting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if its been mentioned but I am sure our team is not unique. Our shortest players are our top players and don't get benched. They get around larger players easily until those larger players start fouling, then its up to the ref how the game will go.

Unfortunately, hundreds of youth coaches don't realize this. And, they're blocking a greater talent pool because of their focus on tall kids who can kick and push their way to a few goals at age 10 but are being outskilled by 16. By then the skilled, smaller kids have had the motivation zapped out of them and either give up or move on to other sports. Our problem is not talent - it's talent identification and management. Americans are awful at it, and that's largely due to two things. 1.) Pay for play 2.) Fixation on size.

Right, we have experienced this scenario. When my kid was U8-U9 the big kid with strong kick was the super hero. When the team became U10-U12 the big kid was lost in the game while this teammates were showing up. Why did this happen? The big kid never learned the game, it was easy for him to dribble and pass by everyone and score, didn’t learn to use teammates to overlap, passing moving along together, and not being offsite. In this case size affected the kids development to play with a team. Soccer is a team sport and some coaches forget it. I know a coach that regardless of the lack of understanding of the game would still select this kid for A team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if its been mentioned but I am sure our team is not unique. Our shortest players are our top players and don't get benched. They get around larger players easily until those larger players start fouling, then its up to the ref how the game will go.

Unfortunately, hundreds of youth coaches don't realize this. And, they're blocking a greater talent pool because of their focus on tall kids who can kick and push their way to a few goals at age 10 but are being outskilled by 16. By then the skilled, smaller kids have had the motivation zapped out of them and either give up or move on to other sports. Our problem is not talent - it's talent identification and management. Americans are awful at it, and that's largely due to two things. 1.) Pay for play 2.) Fixation on size.

Youth Basketball, Baseball and Football are all pay-to-play as well. But at least they have coaches that can identify talent.

[Anonymous]

Most pro soccer players from all over the world are elite athletes. Almost all travel soccer players from the USA are not elite athletes. So whether your kid is tall or short technically gifted or not. If he's not and elite athlete he's not even in the conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most pro soccer players from all over the world are elite athletes. Almost all travel soccer players from the USA are not elite athletes. So whether your kid is tall or short technically gifted or not. If he's not and elite athlete he's not even in the conversation.

My kid was running a sub-6 minute mile at age 10. Is that an elite athlete? What is an elite athlete? You don't need a 45 inch vertical jump to play soccer well.

[Anonymous]

If the technical skills were equal and you have your choice a 5'7" kid or a 6'1" kid who are you taking and why? Im interested to hear the philosophy from each side on whether would choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the technical skills were equal and you have your choice a 5'7" kid or a 6'1" kid who are you taking and why? Im interested to hear the philosophy from each side on whether would choose.

Depends on the position and composition of the team. But, all things else equal...I take the kid with fight...the type of kid who will run through a brick wall. Because that's who will foster a culture. So, don't know that height would really factor in. It would be more about the complete skill set and what the team needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most pro soccer players from all over the world are elite athletes. Almost all travel soccer players from the USA are not elite athletes. So whether your kid is tall or short technically gifted or not. If he's not and elite athlete he's not even in the conversation.

My kid was running a sub-6 minute mile at age 10. Is that an elite athlete? What is an elite athlete? You don't need a 45 inch vertical jump to play soccer well.

I would take into account speed, lateral and linear, strength. quickness ,power. explosiveness. You dont need a 45" vertical but if you have in you tool box its a plus. If your 6'4" with a 45' vert you have a big advantage on winning headers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the technical skills were equal and you have your choice a 5'7" kid or a 6'1" kid who are you taking and why? Im interested to hear the philosophy from each side on whether would choose.

Depends on the position and composition of the team. But, all things else equal...I take the kid with fight...the type of kid who will run through a brick wall. Because that's who will foster a culture. So, don't know that height would really factor in. It would be more about the complete skill set and what the team needed.

Ok EVERYTHING THE SAME except height 5'7" or 6'1"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if its been mentioned but I am sure our team is not unique. Our shortest players are our top players and don't get benched. They get around larger players easily until those larger players start fouling, then its up to the ref how the game will go.

Larger players fouling? This thread is so cliche. Most hits from a big to a small player are assumed to be fouls by inexperiencedr refs. Especially after the small player rolls over 3 times to get the foul.. my very tall/ big son never has a foul called in his favor, regardless of how hard he is pushed or kicked because he's able to take the hit and keep playing while smaller kids fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most pro soccer players from all over the world are elite athletes. Almost all travel soccer players from the USA are not elite athletes. So whether your kid is tall or short technically gifted or not. If he's not and elite athlete he's not even in the conversation.

My kid was running a sub-6 minute mile at age 10. Is that an elite athlete? What is an elite athlete? You don't need a 45 inch vertical jump to play soccer well.

I would take into account speed, lateral and linear, strength. quickness ,power. explosiveness. You dont need a 45" vertical but if you have in you tool box its a plus. If your 6'4" with a 45' vert you have a big advantage on winning headers.

In the US, you might want to consider how long your 6'4" kid with 45" vertical jump is going to be playing soccer full time. Because you might be getting yourself a two week rental until basketball or American football season rolls around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most pro soccer players from all over the world are elite athletes. Almost all travel soccer players from the USA are not elite athletes. So whether your kid is tall or short technically gifted or not. If he's not and elite athlete he's not even in the conversation.

My kid was running a sub-6 minute mile at age 10. Is that an elite athlete? What is an elite athlete? You don't need a 45 inch vertical jump to play soccer well.

Your son was not an elite athlete because he could run fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if its been mentioned but I am sure our team is not unique. Our shortest players are our top players and don't get benched. They get around larger players easily until those larger players start fouling, then its up to the ref how the game will go.

Larger players fouling? This thread is so cliche. Most hits from a big to a small player are assumed to be fouls by inexperiencedr refs. Especially after the small player rolls over 3 times to get the foul.. my very tall/ big son never has a foul called in his favor, regardless of how hard he is pushed or kicked because he's able to take the hit and keep playing while smaller kids fall.

Yet another reason to stop playing kids like your son so much. Because you're not bringing your own refs to the match, sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if its been mentioned but I am sure our team is not unique. Our shortest players are our top players and don't get benched. They get around larger players easily until those larger players start fouling, then its up to the ref how the game will go.

Larger players fouling? This thread is so cliche. Most hits from a big to a small player are assumed to be fouls by inexperiencedr refs. Especially after the small player rolls over 3 times to get the foul.. my very tall/ big son never has a foul called in his favor, regardless of how hard he is pushed or kicked because he's able to take the hit and keep playing while smaller kids fall.

Yet another reason to stop playing kids like your son so much. Because you're not bringing your own refs to the match, sorry.

This makes no sense. Sounds like you missed the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most pro soccer players from all over the world are elite athletes. Almost all travel soccer players from the USA are not elite athletes. So whether your kid is tall or short technically gifted or not. If he's not and elite athlete he's not even in the conversation.

My kid was running a sub-6 minute mile at age 10. Is that an elite athlete? What is an elite athlete? You don't need a 45 inch vertical jump to play soccer well.

Your son was not an elite athlete because he could run fast.

Oh, it's the lineman who weighs 450 lbs. and can just push a guy 5 yards, right? Idiotic American thinking. Running super fast does not make an athlete, but you know an athlete when you see one. And athleticism alone does not make a great soccer player. Bruce Jenner was a great athlete. Need I say more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if its been mentioned but I am sure our team is not unique. Our shortest players are our top players and don't get benched. They get around larger players easily until those larger players start fouling, then its up to the ref how the game will go.

Larger players fouling? This thread is so cliche. Most hits from a big to a small player are assumed to be fouls by inexperiencedr refs. Especially after the small player rolls over 3 times to get the foul.. my very tall/ big son never has a foul called in his favor, regardless of how hard he is pushed or kicked because he's able to take the hit and keep playing while smaller kids fall.

Saw a short player being favored by the ref many times, it was a home game for this player. It was as the ref was a close friend or players relative.