How did your children pick a position? Was it a "match" for their personality?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since the beginning of time, the cocky kids always want to play forward. Of course, they are often a liability to a team because they are usually ball hogs. When you see this behavior, it's usually a sign of poor coaching.

It’s only poor coaching if said ball hog does not score any goals.

I sincerely hope you're kidding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What age were they when they started playing a specific position? Was it up to the coaches? Did they have any input? How would you describe their playing? Was the position a match for their personality?
Looking to understand trajectory for a younger player who hopes to continue playing through HS.

Jeez, you are putting too much thought into this. Personality? Trajectory? How about just let them play?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many kids suck at defense. They never learn. There is more competition as you age in the midfield and forward positions, learn ALL positions. We have a kid that is a fabulous striker, but miles and sucks anytime they pull him to try and play in the back. Physically he’s small as well, it is a detriment to him that at U11 the club plays him at striker and nowhere else. Barring Messi, height is needed and both his parents are t taller than 5’4”.

Good defensive players, who like to play defense and have good instincts, angles to the ball or to sealing off a defender, are like switch-hitting catchers. Hard to find, and grab them and keep them if you can find them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many kids suck at defense. They never learn. There is more competition as you age in the midfield and forward positions, learn ALL positions. We have a kid that is a fabulous striker, but miles and sucks anytime they pull him to try and play in the back. Physically he’s small as well, it is a detriment to him that at U11 the club plays him at striker and nowhere else. Barring Messi, height is needed and both his parents are t taller than 5’4”.

Good defensive players, who like to play defense and have good instincts, angles to the ball or to sealing off a defender, are like switch-hitting catchers. Hard to find, and grab them and keep them if you can find them.

*sealing off a forward I meant*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many kids suck at defense. They never learn. There is more competition as you age in the midfield and forward positions, learn ALL positions. We have a kid that is a fabulous striker, but miles and sucks anytime they pull him to try and play in the back. Physically he’s small as well, it is a detriment to him that at U11 the club plays him at striker and nowhere else. Barring Messi, height is needed and both his parents are t taller than 5’4”.

Good defensive players, who like to play defense and have good instincts, angles to the ball or to sealing off a defender, are like switch-hitting catchers. Hard to find, and grab them and keep them if you can find them.

So is it more difficult to learn to play defense (backs) versus forwards & midfielders? Or are you just saying that there are more kids that prefers to play forwards/midfielders, hence it’s rare to find good defensive players?

[Anonymous]

ADD players - stick em in midfield

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many kids suck at defense. They never learn. There is more competition as you age in the midfield and forward positions, learn ALL positions. We have a kid that is a fabulous striker, but miles and sucks anytime they pull him to try and play in the back. Physically he’s small as well, it is a detriment to him that at U11 the club plays him at striker and nowhere else. Barring Messi, height is needed and both his parents are t taller than 5’4”.

Good defensive players, who like to play defense and have good instincts, angles to the ball or to sealing off a defender, are like switch-hitting catchers. Hard to find, and grab them and keep them if you can find them.

So is it more difficult to learn to play defense (backs) versus forwards & midfielders? Or are you just saying that there are more kids that prefers to play forwards/midfielders, hence it’s rare to find good defensive players?

Mostly the later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious question...so if my U9 kid plays left back 95% of the time and maybe plays some center mid every once in a while, I should do what? Talk to the coach? Find a different team/club? He doesn’t complain about it and plays 100% of most every game but almost always left back. Sometimes swaps left for right for the second half.

At U9 position does not really mean much. Although he may play Left Back, he really has no idea how to play that particular position. U9s are just learning the game and gaining technical ability. Kids will naturally gravitate to a position as they get older based on their skills and mindset. Each major position, (Defender, Mid Field, and Wing/Striker) has distinct characteristics required. You and/or his coaches will see that as he gets older.

In general, defenders are good at assessing the game and other players, have patience, do not get flustered, and are consistent in their technical ability as well as using their body to physically defend. Mid Fielders are the feeders to the rest of the team. If he is good at seeing open teammates and can make accurate, quick passes maybe Mid-field is good for him. Strikers, Wings and general offensive players need to be able to have speed, handle bad passes from teammates and kick the ball on frame to score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question...so if my U9 kid plays left back 95% of the time and maybe plays some center mid every once in a while, I should do what? Talk to the coach? Find a different team/club? He doesn’t complain about it and plays 100% of most every game but almost always left back. Sometimes swaps left for right for the second half.

At U9 position does not really mean much. Although he may play Left Back, he really has no idea how to play that particular position. U9s are just learning the game and gaining technical ability. Kids will naturally gravitate to a position as they get older based on their skills and mindset. Each major position, (Defender, Mid Field, and Wing/Striker) has distinct characteristics required. You and/or his coaches will see that as he gets older.

In general, defenders are good at assessing the game and other players, have patience, do not get flustered, and are consistent in their technical ability as well as using their body to physically defend. Mid Fielders are the feeders to the rest of the team. If he is good at seeing open teammates and can make accurate, quick passes maybe Mid-field is good for him. Strikers, Wings and general offensive players need to be able to have speed, handle bad passes from teammates and kick the ball on frame to score.

That’s really good input. Are there certain personality traits that you generally see in strikers/forwards?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question...so if my U9 kid plays left back 95% of the time and maybe plays some center mid every once in a while, I should do what? Talk to the coach? Find a different team/club? He doesn’t complain about it and plays 100% of most every game but almost always left back. Sometimes swaps left for right for the second half.

At U9 position does not really mean much. Although he may play Left Back, he really has no idea how to play that particular position. U9s are just learning the game and gaining technical ability. Kids will naturally gravitate to a position as they get older based on their skills and mindset. Each major position, (Defender, Mid Field, and Wing/Striker) has distinct characteristics required. You and/or his coaches will see that as he gets older.

In general, defenders are good at assessing the game and other players, have patience, do not get flustered, and are consistent in their technical ability as well as using their body to physically defend. Mid Fielders are the feeders to the rest of the team. If he is good at seeing open teammates and can make accurate, quick passes maybe Mid-field is good for him. Strikers, Wings and general offensive players need to be able to have speed, handle bad passes from teammates and kick the ball on frame to score.

That’s really good input. Are there certain personality traits that you generally see in strikers/forwards?

Strikers and forwards are generally extroverted and able to adapt to situation very quickly. They like being in the spotlight and are very outgoing.

[Anonymous]

90% of coaches from U9 thru U14 don't really know the GK position well enough to coach it. Therefore unless the player has a passion for it. GK gets under coached and under valued. Even clubs with GK training usually only train on footwork, dives, catching, and totally drop the ball on reading the game play and decision making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question...so if my U9 kid plays left back 95% of the time and maybe plays some center mid every once in a while, I should do what? Talk to the coach? Find a different team/club? He doesn’t complain about it and plays 100% of most every game but almost always left back. Sometimes swaps left for right for the second half.

At U9 position does not really mean much. Although he may play Left Back, he really has no idea how to play that particular position. U9s are just learning the game and gaining technical ability. Kids will naturally gravitate to a position as they get older based on their skills and mindset. Each major position, (Defender, Mid Field, and Wing/Striker) has distinct characteristics required. You and/or his coaches will see that as he gets older.

In general, defenders are good at assessing the game and other players, have patience, do not get flustered, and are consistent in their technical ability as well as using their body to physically defend. Mid Fielders are the feeders to the rest of the team. If he is good at seeing open teammates and can make accurate, quick passes maybe Mid-field is good for him. Strikers, Wings and general offensive players need to be able to have speed, handle bad passes from teammates and kick the ball on frame to score.

Agree with this. Also, in my experience, coaches will often put one of the all-around strongest (most consistent, good foot skills, speed) players at center back in U9-12 or so and then this kid will very often move into the midfield around U12 or U13. I have seen this happen several times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question...so if my U9 kid plays left back 95% of the time and maybe plays some center mid every once in a while, I should do what? Talk to the coach? Find a different team/club? He doesn’t complain about it and plays 100% of most every game but almost always left back. Sometimes swaps left for right for the second half.

At U9 position does not really mean much. Although he may play Left Back, he really has no idea how to play that particular position. U9s are just learning the game and gaining technical ability. Kids will naturally gravitate to a position as they get older based on their skills and mindset. Each major position, (Defender, Mid Field, and Wing/Striker) has distinct characteristics required. You and/or his coaches will see that as he gets older.

In general, defenders are good at assessing the game and other players, have patience, do not get flustered, and are consistent in their technical ability as well as using their body to physically defend. Mid Fielders are the feeders to the rest of the team. If he is good at seeing open teammates and can make accurate, quick passes maybe Mid-field is good for him. Strikers, Wings and general offensive players need to be able to have speed, handle bad passes from teammates and kick the ball on frame to score.

Agree with this. Also, in my experience, coaches will often put one of the all-around strongest (most consistent, good foot skills, speed) players at center back in U9-12 or so and then this kid will very often move into the midfield around U12 or U13. I have seen this happen several times.

Being a midfielder at U12/13 requires them to be profiowirh both feet to dribble away from defenders and to pass to either side of the field. Have you noticed that most U12/13 players are proficient with both feet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many kids suck at defense. They never learn. There is more competition as you age in the midfield and forward positions, learn ALL positions. We have a kid that is a fabulous striker, but miles and sucks anytime they pull him to try and play in the back. Physically he’s small as well, it is a detriment to him that at U11 the club plays him at striker and nowhere else. Barring Messi, height is needed and both his parents are t taller than 5’4”.

Good defensive players, who like to play defense and have good instincts, angles to the ball or to sealing off a defender, are like switch-hitting catchers. Hard to find, and grab them and keep them if you can find them.

Aaaaand that's the main reason why "good defensive players" will need to leave that team and coach. As a coach, you can't keep them because your head is too far up your .. aka "you have vision".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question...so if my U9 kid plays left back 95% of the time and maybe plays some center mid every once in a while, I should do what? Talk to the coach? Find a different team/club? He doesn’t complain about it and plays 100% of most every game but almost always left back. Sometimes swaps left for right for the second half.

At U9 position does not really mean much. Although he may play Left Back, he really has no idea how to play that particular position. U9s are just learning the game and gaining technical ability. Kids will naturally gravitate to a position as they get older based on their skills and mindset. Each major position, (Defender, Mid Field, and Wing/Striker) has distinct characteristics required. You and/or his coaches will see that as he gets older.

In general, defenders are good at assessing the game and other players, have patience, do not get flustered, and are consistent in their technical ability as well as using their body to physically defend. Mid Fielders are the feeders to the rest of the team. If he is good at seeing open teammates and can make accurate, quick passes maybe Mid-field is good for him. Strikers, Wings and general offensive players need to be able to have speed, handle bad passes from teammates and kick the ball on frame to score.

Agree with this. Also, in my experience, coaches will often put one of the all-around strongest (most consistent, good foot skills, speed) players at center back in U9-12 or so and then this kid will very often move into the midfield around U12 or U13. I have seen this happen several times.

I see players "naturally" graviting to a position because of lack of discomfort and potentially opportunities provided because of either team "need" or changes due to puberty. Those all-around strongest at CB early are usually successful at holding midfield when the number of players increase on the field because they can't leave the gaping vulnerability behind and they lack the tactical attack/finishing experience. A double whammy for those all-around strongest at CB.