If speed is your kid’s best asset…

[Anonymous]

How did soccer work out for your kid in the long run? Just curious what the next couple years might look like as mine heads into middle and high school. Their speed is probably the only true standout aspect of their play. They can close down on just about anyone including high level players. Also a good passer. Not the best technically (but has improved) and decision making is lacking at times.

For those with a kid like this, did they stick with soccer or switch to track/cross country or something else? Kid works hard in practice and supplemental group training but isn’t that kid doing lots of things on their own. Not yet sure if they will decide they want to put that kind of work in or not. I can’t imagine they can get to that next level with just speed, but I admittedly don’t know much about soccer and what coaches look for as they get older. Just curious to hear how it turned out for kids who are similar.

[Anonymous]

Impossible to compare to others because there are so many factors. Speed can get them pretty far especially if they are willing to work on their own on skills. I would caution though about adding speed in middle school will translate into speed in high school. Bodies change a lot in middle school.

[Anonymous]

There was this standout kid who was known for his speed at U9. However, when he got to U14 he wasn't as tall as the other kids on the team and speed didn't matter. Size > speed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was this standout kid who was known for his speed at U9. However, when he got to U14 he wasn't as tall as the other kids on the team and speed didn't matter. Size > speed

Hi. This is my kid.

[Anonymous]

What sport are we talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What sport are we talking about?

See forum title.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was this standout kid who was known for his speed at U9. However, when he got to U14 he wasn't as tall as the other kids on the team and speed didn't matter. Size > speed

Hi. This is my kid.

OP here. My kid will be tall. Is also skinny, so U14 could be tough if they don't hit the growth spurt as early as some kids.

[Anonymous]

Speed alone wont work when you get to olders and need to battle against sasquatches that are too big to get around. Also defenders get faster when you get to the highest levels.

What works is speed, skill, aggression, and enough size to not get pushed off the ball. (Offensive players) Somehting else that people dont talk about because it's a Grey area for getting flags is using your arms to push off / create space is critical. Also also you need a group of players you can depend on for rondos / give and go's.

[Anonymous]

Speed alone won’t go far. You maybe able to run fast and close down some players but if they others have better technical skills, they could get pass/ win the ball from kids with just speed.

U9 super fast kid that outran anyone, now u15, not anymore. And speed on track doesn’t mean speed on soccer field.

We have seen kids who aren’t fast in sprinting in track but never got outrun in soccer. It’s about positioning and other things.

[Anonymous]

We are U16 now and speed is still really valued at our club (ECNL).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are U16 now and speed is still really valued at our club (ECNL).

Running speed is not a liability

It's however a single component and useless in soccer by itself

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was this standout kid who was known for his speed at U9. However, when he got to U14 he wasn't as tall as the other kids on the team and speed didn't matter. Size > speed

Hi. This is my kid.

OP here. My kid will be tall. Is also skinny, so U14 could be tough if they don't hit the growth spurt as early as some kids.

Is there a reason you’re not sharing whether it’s DS or DD? Puberty happens at different ages so U14 is a different bar for girls and boys

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did soccer work out for your kid in the long run? Just curious what the next couple years might look like as mine heads into middle and high school. Their speed is probably the only true standout aspect of their play. They can close down on just about anyone including high level players. Also a good passer. Not the best technically (but has improved) and decision making is lacking at times.

For those with a kid like this, did they stick with soccer or switch to track/cross country or something else? Kid works hard in practice and supplemental group training but isn’t that kid doing lots of things on their own. Not yet sure if they will decide they want to put that kind of work in or not. I can’t imagine they can get to that next level with just speed, but I admittedly don’t know much about soccer and what coaches look for as they get older. Just curious to hear how it turned out for kids who are similar.

No, kids can’t get to the highest level with speed alone. Speed plus what you described in your child can still get to a pretty decent level. Unless your child absolutely loves the game and is willing to make the sport their life, does getting to the highest level really matter? Just follow their lead, encourage them, and let the chips fall where they may in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speed alone wont work when you get to olders and need to battle against sasquatches that are too big to get around. Also defenders get faster when you get to the highest levels.

What works is speed, skill, aggression, and enough size to not get pushed off the ball. (Offensive players) Somehting else that people dont talk about because it's a Grey area for getting flags is using your arms to push off / create space is critical. Also also you need a group of players you can depend on for rondos / give and go's.

This is so true. DS has speed and decent size, still working on skill and aggression. But has enough to play for an academy team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed alone wont work when you get to olders and need to battle against sasquatches that are too big to get around. Also defenders get faster when you get to the highest levels.

What works is speed, skill, aggression, and enough size to not get pushed off the ball. (Offensive players) Somehting else that people dont talk about because it's a Grey area for getting flags is using your arms to push off / create space is critical. Also also you need a group of players you can depend on for rondos / give and go's.

This is so true. DS has speed and decent size, still working on skill and aggression. But has enough to play for an academy team.

Define aggression as it relates to being a high level soccer asset