U-Little that won’t play defense

[Anonymous]

This story is a tale as old as time, and hyper common. I can’t count the number of players I know like this.

I have an ECNL defender, and a uLittle forward. The defender used to play on lower teams than many players like this, then gradually moved up, and passed them. They would score a ton of goals, look great on offense, but then my daughter would bail them out when they turned the ball over.

Once my daughter got to ECNL, she was shocked. She was like “Dad, all the forwards and midfielders immediately track back and help on D. It’s incredible!”

My uLittle’s D is nothing to write home about, but he does the work, at least.

The pp is right that it does limit the other players’ offensive skills somewhat, but their defensive skills will develop extra quickly.

We never stayed on teams with these players for long. Either we got moved up, they got moved down, or they grew out of it.

[Anonymous]

It’s not your problem, it’s the coach’s problem. The reality is all the “hustle” kids are a dime a dozen in US soccer. If your kid actually has some true offensive talent, a good coach will work with it, and work to (over time) increase her defensive work rate.

[Anonymous]

Natural consequences. The other players will begin to express frustration or the coach might eventually give her less playing tine. My non-travel soccer son (played MSI classic and school) always got stuck on defense because of his incredible hustle, aggression and endurance. The fact he was willing to play defense meant he was always assured maximum playing time. When he got to middle school, his coach told me how grateful he was for a kid who was willing to play defense and not grumble. His younger brother has played travel since u9. He happily played where he was placed. Coach after coach benched the kids who grumbled or didn’t put in effort. Fortunately he wasn’t one of them. He’s a GK and will tell you that defenders are under appreciated but incredibly important for teams to win. It’s frustrating that so many kids think the position is beneath them.

[Anonymous]

The kid is eight. Everything will work out. It always does.

[Anonymous]

You just described a girl on DD's first travel club. She left for an ECNL club at U13 and plays in college now. She never did learn to defend, but I'm guessing her coaches were ok with it because she's a great striker

[Anonymous]

At that age, it’s a coaching issue. If the coach is not putting her in a position to develop defensive instincts, such as moving her to winger, which requires her to play both, or telling her to track back and defend, it’s up to her to develop defensive instincts. She won’t do this if she is not predisposed to being competitive.

I’ve had friends do private coaching where the coach frames the need for defensive skills as a foundation for striker mentality and development.

If no funds for coaches, have her do lots of 1 v 1 or small sided games and training with siblings and friends to develop defensive instincts.

[Anonymous]

That’s great advice. Thanks for the tips.

[Anonymous]

Your daughter is 8. She'll figure out the right position for her or her coach will see what she gravitates to on the field.

Still lots of time to learn the game at this age. I'd say at this age, have her work on ball skills. Tactics and how to defend aren't taught yet at this age, I beieve.

For my ECNL daughter, the center backs and defending midfielder (and goalie) are the only players who don't ever sub out. I've been told it's hard to find good defenders.

[Anonymous]

OP here. More than just defending it is the desire to compete outside of goal scoring opportunities. Definitely working on ball skills but hoping to bring out more competitiveness.

[Anonymous]

I posted the comments at 08/25/2023 14:52

One thing my boys coach tells them all the time is that a striker or forward player is the first line of defense.

So when your DD loses the ball or when the other team has the ball, for example as a goal kick. DD should start thinking like a defender alrdy and either pressing and giving them less time to think about what to do to the ball, and/or trying to predict where the ball is going to try to intercept it or be close to fighting for it.

[Anonymous]

OP - why is this something that you think you need to fix?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted the comments at 08/25/2023 14:52

One thing my boys coach tells them all the time is that a striker or forward player is the first line of defense.

So when your DD loses the ball or when the other team has the ball, for example as a goal kick. DD should start thinking like a defender alrdy and either pressing and giving them less time to think about what to do to the ball, and/or trying to predict where the ball is going to try to intercept it or be close to fighting for it.

If have a coach receptive to it, ask for your daughter to only play defense for at least half if not all the games this season.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I believe all sports should be played with maximum effort and a desire to be competitive. A big part of that is playing defense well and doing everything you can to help your team win. I think winning then helps drive the player to want to be better so they can win more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe all sports should be played with maximum effort and a desire to be competitive. A big part of that is playing defense well and doing everything you can to help your team win. I think winning then helps drive the player to want to be better so they can win more.

I believe kids sports are about being a kid.
I believe that most parents concerns with their kids sports performance are about the parent.
But prune that bonsai tree if you must

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe all sports should be played with maximum effort and a desire to be competitive. A big part of that is playing defense well and doing everything you can to help your team win. I think winning then helps drive the player to want to be better so they can win more.

I believe kids sports are about being a kid.
I believe that most parents concerns with their kids sports performance are about the parent.
But prune that bonsai tree if you must

We all have our own beliefs and ways of doing things. No one way is the best or the right one.