How to be involved in game when other teammates are getting in space and keep ball too long?

[Anonymous]

DC is on a team (teen ages) where some of the players that play positions near them are playing a style that has them moving a lot into other players spaces and dribbling more and not passing often. They hardly ever switch the side of play or pass back and the ball mostly just moves forward and often gets lost as a result.

It makes DC look terrible as DC does not want to get in their way and is used to a team that plays more possession style. DC gets open and positions well but the other players will just try to take the ball up themselves even if it's a bad idea instead of making a pass.

The question I have is what can DC do in these situations to make himself look better to the coach? The coach seems to reward the other players even if they are playing out of position or holding the ball too long. Is the best strategy to play in that same way and be aggressive in getting the ball at all costs and then keeping it to himself to show off their dribbling skills?

I know some of you are going to just say the solution is just to leave this team but please assume we cannot do that and DC needs to play out the season.

[Anonymous]

Communicate on the field - loudly and clearly. A player can’t force his teammates to pass the ball when they should, but communication might prompt better decision making … or at least make the ball hogs look even more foolish when they refuse to pass.

[Anonymous]

Good suggestion!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is on a team (teen ages) where some of the players that play positions near them are playing a style that has them moving a lot into other players spaces and dribbling more and not passing often. They hardly ever switch the side of play or pass back and the ball mostly just moves forward and often gets lost as a result.

It makes DC look terrible as DC does not want to get in their way and is used to a team that plays more possession style. DC gets open and positions well but the other players will just try to take the ball up themselves even if it's a bad idea instead of making a pass.

The question I have is what can DC do in these situations to make himself look better to the coach? The coach seems to reward the other players even if they are playing out of position or holding the ball too long. Is the best strategy to play in that same way and be aggressive in getting the ball at all costs and then keeping it to himself to show off their dribbling skills?

I know some of you are going to just say the solution is just to leave this team but please assume we cannot do that and DC needs to play out the season.

Is this a high school team? This is the same situation my DD experiences when she plays high school. Her travel team plays more possession style and this is really where her skill set lies. Its just not her style of play, so she doesn't get as much playing time in high school games. She enjoys her travel team more anyway, and really just does high school for fun.

[Anonymous]

Not sure what I'd tell my daughter either. We left a team like this. I'm sure there are coaches or very smart dads and moms on here who can offer a strategy.

[Anonymous]

High school soccer? And/or just booting it.

Good players will ride the bench. It’s brutally painful.

The 4 ECNL kids on the bench watching the rec and 3rd team kids and kids who no longer play club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:High school soccer? And/or just booting it.

Good players will ride the bench. It’s brutally painful.

The 4 ECNL kids on the bench watching the rec and 3rd team kids and kids who no longer play club.

+1
There is a very skilled girl on my DDs high school team who plays ECNL on top Bethesda team. When she actually gets playing time, I am in awe of her ball skills. Unfortunately, she gets less playing time than the bigger, stronger players who boot it up the field to the striker. My daughter is also a travel player whose style of play does not mesh with the high school coach's approach.

[Anonymous]

Our high school coach doesn't let the girls pass back.... no real reason why- just doesn't like that style of play. Many girls have stopped playing for the HS because it is so absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our high school coach doesn't let the girls pass back.... no real reason why- just doesn't like that style of play. Many girls have stopped playing for the HS because it is so absurd.

My sophomore came home from first HS game frustrated and pissed off. The level sucks and it’s like the pps describe. Awful style of play. He is a 90min starter on his ECNL team and he and the other ECNL kid got few minutes.

A lot of the best upperclassmen don’t play HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our high school coach doesn't let the girls pass back.... no real reason why- just doesn't like that style of play. Many girls have stopped playing for the HS because it is so absurd.

Don’t they know you NEVER pass back in a high school game, even if it’s the only option to retain possession . Just boot it or turn it over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is on a team (teen ages) where some of the players that play positions near them are playing a style that has them moving a lot into other players spaces and dribbling more and not passing often. They hardly ever switch the side of play or pass back and the ball mostly just moves forward and often gets lost as a result.

It makes DC look terrible as DC does not want to get in their way and is used to a team that plays more possession style. DC gets open and positions well but the other players will just try to take the ball up themselves even if it's a bad idea instead of making a pass.

The question I have is what can DC do in these situations to make himself look better to the coach? The coach seems to reward the other players even if they are playing out of position or holding the ball too long. Is the best strategy to play in that same way and be aggressive in getting the ball at all costs and then keeping it to himself to show off their dribbling skills?

I know some of you are going to just say the solution is just to leave this team but please assume we cannot do that and DC needs to play out the season.

There is nothing you can do in this situation. You have a bad coach and there is no good solution. Leave at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Be faster

[Anonymous]

Welcome to school soccer!

Last week I was chatting with another club kid dad from the other team about how much our two struggle to be effective in the direct/boot ball style. Regardless if it's good soccer or not, the kids obviously want to contribute and get upset if, like OP's DD, they can't.

I've been suggesting to my DS that he adjust to it, but, be super mindful that its a style only suited for school.

Dribble way more, hold the ball way longer, forget short quick passes entirely... I've even seen a benefit in his normal club play, he's much more confident on the ball as he's dribbling in school soccer 10x more than he would in a club game.

To get the ball though, you either need to collect it yourself, be the person on the end of a big upfield kick, or scream for the ball.

[Anonymous]

You need to yell loudly enough that the players on the field can understand your directions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is on a team (teen ages) where some of the players that play positions near them are playing a style that has them moving a lot into other players spaces and dribbling more and not passing often. They hardly ever switch the side of play or pass back and the ball mostly just moves forward and often gets lost as a result.

It makes DC look terrible as DC does not want to get in their way and is used to a team that plays more possession style. DC gets open and positions well but the other players will just try to take the ball up themselves even if it's a bad idea instead of making a pass.

The question I have is what can DC do in these situations to make himself look better to the coach? The coach seems to reward the other players even if they are playing out of position or holding the ball too long. Is the best strategy to play in that same way and be aggressive in getting the ball at all costs and then keeping it to himself to show off their dribbling skills?

I know some of you are going to just say the solution is just to leave this team but please assume we cannot do that and DC needs to play out the season.

Are you sure that your kid doesn't suck? If no one is passing to them in space and the coach is fine with it, then maybe there is a reason their teammates and coach don't trust them