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

[Anonymous]

My DD plays as a #10 (attacking mid).

Prior to trying out with any team, we would go watch their game and would also ask the coach his style of play (possession soccer or what).

If it’s “kick ball”, she would barely touch the ball as the backs would boot the ball high to the forwards.

But like it or not, Kick Ball is an American Style Soccer. LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

That is actually funny.

[Anonymous]

It's tough to play with dumb players.

I remember Schweinsteiger talking about that when he joined Chicago Fire. He was noting how his BM teammates would be in the right place. They would make the runs, be there for a pass, not get in the way, etc.

I have seen things look like 'mistakes' by really intelligent players because other teammates without IQ get into their space, don't move to the ball, don't anticipate the pass, etc.

I also have a kid who said he's not playing HS next year. He's sticking with his ECNL team. Our oldest gave it up at same time and switched to an MLSNext team. If a kid wants to play in college, high school just deters from that anyways.