10 year old wants to play goalie, any advice?

[Anonymous]

My ten year old wants to play goalie. Unfortunately, in our league I have seen how much they pigeonhole the goalies and that is their role. They don’t change after they start to take this on. Would it have any impact on him through middle and high school if he wanted to try it out for a year or two? would he easily be able to move back to other positions? Any words of advice?

[Anonymous]

Throw him in the cage and you'll know inside of 20 minutes if he would cut it as a goalie. Lol!

Would he get pigeon holed as a goalie if he can cut it? Probably but good goalies are always in demand while yet another attackman, even good ones, are a dime a dozen.

[Anonymous]

Buy a cup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My ten year old wants to play goalie. Unfortunately, in our league I have seen how much they pigeonhole the goalies and that is their role. They don’t change after they start to take this on. Would it have any impact on him through middle and high school if he wanted to try it out for a year or two? would he easily be able to move back to other positions? Any words of advice?

Not sure what your league is and how the volunteer coaches think they can dictate what positions your kid plays but normally I’d say pad the kid up and give it a try. Like the other person said you’ll know fast if they like it. If someone says your kid has to only play there then say no and try goalie elsewhere while your kid plays non-goalie for that team

[Anonymous]

My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Throw him in the cage and you'll know inside of 20 minutes if he would cut it as a goalie. Lol!

Would he get pigeon holed as a goalie if he can cut it? Probably but good goalies are always in demand while yet another attackman, even good ones, are a dime a dozen.

He was thrown in playing for the first time during a tournament for 5 games. He was not at all shaken up by it and wants to play now. There’s not a lot of kids at his age who want to play it but also there is only one or two a team so that is limiting I would think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

Do most teams have 2 or only 1 as they get older?

[Anonymous]

From experience playing and now coaching. He won’t get pudge on holed, but if he wants to switch back a few years down the road, he will have lost time on everyone else. So if he wants to go play middle, everyone else that’s been playing middle all along will have a leg up.

Best option is to tell the coaches he wants to play half goalie half middle or whatever.

But goalie is a great position and always in demand. Be prepared for bruises

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

Do most teams have 2 or only 1 as they get older?

Most carry 2. Many teams that carry 1 either only had the 1 try out or the others that did were just not close. Or accepted offers elsewhere.

Injuries happen. Teams need 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

Do most teams have 2 or only 1 as they get older?

Good club teams have 2, great high school teams can have up to 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

Do most teams have 2 or only 1 as they get older?

Good club teams have 2, great high school teams can have up to 4.

Thanks that’s helpful! Good to know it’s not just one kid on a roster. If he wants to play I will let him try it out. Any tips to get better or stand out? there doesn’t seem to be much specific training for this position at this age. He has a twin brother who plays. Would you say just have him shoot at him for practice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

Do most teams have 2 or only 1 as they get older?

Good club teams have 2, great high school teams can have up to 4.

Thanks that’s helpful! Good to know it’s not just one kid on a roster. If he wants to play I will let him try it out. Any tips to get better or stand out? there doesn’t seem to be much specific training for this position at this age. He has a twin brother who plays. Would you say just have him shoot at him for practice?

There is a lot of expensive training out there, as soon as he’s got the fundamentals you can make a lot of progress with repetition and work on fast reflexes. Goalies need to be flexible and quick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

Do most teams have 2 or only 1 as they get older?

Good club teams have 2, great high school teams can have up to 4.

Thanks that’s helpful! Good to know it’s not just one kid on a roster. If he wants to play I will let him try it out. Any tips to get better or stand out? there doesn’t seem to be much specific training for this position at this age. He has a twin brother who plays. Would you say just have him shoot at him for practice?

Is he just playing rec? Does he want to
Play club? You and your family need to
Figure out what his goals. I wouldn’t go hiring a goalie coach until you have these conversations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son is a goalie. He and his brother each were required to try it once in their 3rd grade club team. Most kids hated it and ran off the field upset, my goalie son ran off the field the first time with a huge smile and announced he was a goalie. Never looked back. Let him try, I’m guessing you will know if he’s a goalie quickly. As for pigeonholed that’s true and it’s good and bad. If a top team needs a goalie he will get a look, if they don’t he has no chance. We’re not there yet but I’ve heard there can be lots of scholarship money for top goalies.

Do most teams have 2 or only 1 as they get older?

Good club teams have 2, great high school teams can have up to 4.

Thanks that’s helpful! Good to know it’s not just one kid on a roster. If he wants to play I will let him try it out. Any tips to get better or stand out? there doesn’t seem to be much specific training for this position at this age. He has a twin brother who plays. Would you say just have him shoot at him for practice?

Is he just playing rec? Does he want to
Play club? You and your family need to
Figure out what his goals. I wouldn’t go hiring a goalie coach until you have these conversations.

Yes, both rec (since 5) and club (since 8)

[Anonymous]

Make sure he has all the right equipment (and wears it). Make sure he is on supportive teams. It can be a tough and isolated position for the kid and the parents; but, a good goalie is foundational for a team and always in demand. Mine started in goal in kindergarten and she's never looked back. Hasn't played in the field in about 10 years. Loves every minute of it and will be playing in college soon.