U-Little that won’t play defense

[Anonymous]

We have an 8 year old DD in her second year of travel. Pretty technical for her age and loves to score. However, she does not put in any real effort on defense and shows little desire to do so. It’s almost like the game stops for her once she or her team lose the ball.

Any tips on how we can get her to care about the other side of the ball?

[Anonymous]

An 8 year old child is not a bonsai tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have an 8 year old DD in her second year of travel. Pretty technical for her age and loves to score. However, she does not put in any real effort on defense and shows little desire to do so. It’s almost like the game stops for her once she or her team lose the ball.

Any tips on how we can get her to care about the other side of the ball?

buy her an ice cream every time she hustles back and wins the ball back on d

[Anonymous]

Stop doing travel until he has the skill and commitment to the game.

[Anonymous]

Give her a trophy when she participates in defense.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just wanted to add that this isn’t our first and DD has multiple older siblings that play. We’ve tried many of the bribery and positive reinforcement ideas with her already. None have seemed to work so our current approach is to leave it alone but it’s painful to watch.

[Anonymous]

Kids like yours are honestly frustrating to have on the team. They force kids like mine to play defense most of the time because they do a good job back there and always run back if they get beat. The kids who don’t like defense only end up playing back there long enough for the coaches to say they are rotating positions for everyone. Then kids who play defense well hardly ever get to play up front. My kid is all about whatever helps the team but I can tell it bothers them that certain kids just put on no effort on defense. My kid is no superstar but they put in max effort no matter where they are asked to play. I wouldn’t have signed them up for travel if they didn’t understand that you don’t just stand around after your team loses the ball.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like she’s not ready for travel.

I would pull her.

[Anonymous]

The best players on a team have the most range, speed and desire to be good players. They also play defense, that's not your kid, realize that early, get them out of travel sports and into rec sports.

[Anonymous]

Try signing up for rec basketball or a basketball clinic. Everyone has to play offense and defense in basketball, and it may start clicking. Plus basketball is great cross-training for soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just wanted to add that this isn’t our first and DD has multiple older siblings that play. We’ve tried many of the bribery and positive reinforcement ideas with her already. None have seemed to work so our current approach is to leave it alone but it’s painful to watch.

Just accept it. she may grow out of it or grow out of wanting to play soccer in general.

[Anonymous]

Don't let her watch Messi.

[Anonymous]

Is the issue when's she on defense, or just she won't track back from offense as a forward (in a 3-3)?

Assuming you've spoken to her and possibly to her parents (which may be the source of the issue, if they only praise her for goals / attacking).

You could try playing her in defense some, or restricting her time on the field so she has half the play time the others do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't let her watch Messi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids like yours are honestly frustrating to have on the team. They force kids like mine to play defense most of the time because they do a good job back there and always run back if they get beat. The kids who don’t like defense only end up playing back there long enough for the coaches to say they are rotating positions for everyone. Then kids who play defense well hardly ever get to play up front. My kid is all about whatever helps the team but I can tell it bothers them that certain kids just put on no effort on defense. My kid is no superstar but they put in max effort no matter where they are asked to play. I wouldn’t have signed them up for travel if they didn’t understand that you don’t just stand around after your team loses the ball.

If your kid is such a hustler and puts in outstanding effort, then why are they not a superstar? Not enough outside training or maybe just doesn’t have the coordination? Why did you sign your kid up for travel then?

Every kid has different attributes and at the age of 8, they are all learning to improve on their strengths and weaknesses.