Changing positions at U14

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

On my sons team the back 4 do not rotate much, the starters often play the entire game, so if he ends up being a starter then he might get a lot more playing time but if he is not a starter then he might have a hard time getting on the field. But playing time might depend on the coach and how good the team is at those positions. As others have said wingback needs to have attacking ability and speed.

Changing positions is normal even for pro's it all depends what the coach thinks the team needs and how versatile the player is. I have watched Paul Arriola go from left wing to right back in the same game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

On my sons team the back 4 do not rotate much, the starters often play the entire game, so if he ends up being a starter then he might get a lot more playing time but if he is not a starter then he might have a hard time getting on the field. But playing time might depend on the coach and how good the team is at those positions. As others have said wingback needs to have attacking ability and speed.

Changing positions is normal even for pro's it all depends what the coach thinks the team needs and how versatile the player is. I have watched Paul Arriola go from left wing to right back in the same game.

It depends on the coach. If they move the kid without assessing their strengths and weaknesses and then do not communicate the demands of the new position properly, they can screw up the kids game completely. Unfortunately, some coaches in this area do a good job living inside their own heads, but can’t communicate their inner world to the player.

[Anonymous]

NDB. In college my coach switched me from a forward to a back because I had better field vision and could create. At U14 coaches should be moving kids around within reason to understand their total skills, not just finishing. Field presence is the most underrated skill and most coaches do a piss poor job of developing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NDB. In college my coach switched me from a forward to a back because I had better field vision and could create.

Is that what he told you? lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

On my sons team the back 4 do not rotate much, the starters often play the entire game, so if he ends up being a starter then he might get a lot more playing time but if he is not a starter then he might have a hard time getting on the field. But playing time might depend on the coach and how good the team is at those positions. As others have said wingback needs to have attacking ability and speed.

Changing positions is normal even for pro's it all depends what the coach thinks the team needs and how versatile the player is. I have watched Paul Arriola go from left wing to right back in the same game.

It depends on the coach. If they move the kid without assessing their strengths and weaknesses and then do not communicate the demands of the new position properly, they can screw up the kids game completely. Unfortunately, some coaches in this area do a good job living inside their own heads, but can’t communicate their inner world to the player.

+1 true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s a natural defender?

Good question: someone who does not give up easily and fights for the ball when he loses it.

Well, wouldn't that be for any player, in any sport? LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s a natural defender?

Good question: someone who does not give up easily and fights for the ball when he loses it.

Well, wouldn't that be for any player, in any sport? LOL.

In my definition:

Natural defender: who likes defense better than offense and also is good at defense

[Anonymous]

Coach here.

There are several reasons a coach would make a position change. Some of the most common are.

1.) He feels this is the best/better position for the player given their current level.

2.) The player's desired position/best known position is actually a poor fit for them currently and the coach is trying to find a better home for the player.

3.) While not the players best position, the team is severely lacking in position X and the player does a decent enough job / better than other options.

The worst is where a coach is simply trying to "hide" a player by playing them where they think they will do the least amount of damage in order to secure a victory.

Your son should ask his coach on why he's played there. It's amazing to me how often changes are made and people are too scared to simply ask why.

[Anonymous]

Why was a kid stuck in one position for several years before U14? Only playing a single position is a classic example of teams putting wins ahead of development . Kids should play multiple positions through U15. Only after that age group should they even consider focusing on two positions. Should you ever want your kid to play in college, coaches want a level of versatility. Coaches recruit players not positions. At the older ages in the more competitive leagues, it’s easy to pick out the kids who can only play in one spot. They tend to contribute the least to the overall team effort. Don’t let your kid get stuck playing only one position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coach here.

There are several reasons a coach would make a position change. Some of the most common are.

1.) He feels this is the best/better position for the player given their current level.

2.) The player's desired position/best known position is actually a poor fit for them currently and the coach is trying to find a better home for the player.

3.) While not the players best position, the team is severely lacking in position X and the player does a decent enough job / better than other options.

The worst is where a coach is simply trying to "hide" a player by playing them where they think they will do the least amount of damage in order to secure a victory.

Your son should ask his coach on why he's played there. It's amazing to me how often changes are made and people are too scared to simply ask why.

Probably also (4) The team is very strong at your son's current position, and your son, while pefectly capable at that position, is less capable than others

In my experience hiding is usually done by putting a player on the wing, and not giving them too much playing time. I have seen coaches hide players at full back as well though, but only when the center backs are exceptionally strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coach here.

There are several reasons a coach would make a position change. Some of the most common are.

1.) He feels this is the best/better position for the player given their current level.

2.) The player's desired position/best known position is actually a poor fit for them currently and the coach is trying to find a better home for the player.

3.) While not the players best position, the team is severely lacking in position X and the player does a decent enough job / better than other options.

The worst is where a coach is simply trying to "hide" a player by playing them where they think they will do the least amount of damage in order to secure a victory.

Your son should ask his coach on why he's played there. It's amazing to me how often changes are made and people are too scared to simply ask why.

A lot of coaches will just lie when you ask him why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here.

There are several reasons a coach would make a position change. Some of the most common are.

1.) He feels this is the best/better position for the player given their current level.

2.) The player's desired position/best known position is actually a poor fit for them currently and the coach is trying to find a better home for the player.

3.) While not the players best position, the team is severely lacking in position X and the player does a decent enough job / better than other options.

The worst is where a coach is simply trying to "hide" a player by playing them where they think they will do the least amount of damage in order to secure a victory.

Your son should ask his coach on why he's played there. It's amazing to me how often changes are made and people are too scared to simply ask why.

A lot of coaches will just lie when you ask him why.

That's not a reason not to ask though is it? And a good coach won't lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here.

There are several reasons a coach would make a position change. Some of the most common are.

1.) He feels this is the best/better position for the player given their current level.

2.) The player's desired position/best known position is actually a poor fit for them currently and the coach is trying to find a better home for the player.

3.) While not the players best position, the team is severely lacking in position X and the player does a decent enough job / better than other options.

The worst is where a coach is simply trying to "hide" a player by playing them where they think they will do the least amount of damage in order to secure a victory.

Your son should ask his coach on why he's played there. It's amazing to me how often changes are made and people are too scared to simply ask why.

A lot of coaches will just lie when you ask him why.

That's not a reason not to ask though is it? And a good coach won't lie.

If you know he is going to lie, for some parents there is no point to ask. Yes, some good coach won't lie, but I feel most will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s a natural defender?

Someone that is more comfortable pedaling backward and comfortable with the ball/player coming at them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coach here.

There are several reasons a coach would make a position change. Some of the most common are.

1.) He feels this is the best/better position for the player given their current level.

2.) The player's desired position/best known position is actually a poor fit for them currently and the coach is trying to find a better home for the player.

3.) While not the players best position, the team is severely lacking in position X and the player does a decent enough job / better than other options.

The worst is where a coach is simply trying to "hide" a player by playing them where they think they will do the least amount of damage in order to secure a victory.

Your son should ask his coach on why he's played there. It's amazing to me how often changes are made and people are too scared to simply ask why.

Probably also (4) The team is very strong at your son's current position, and your son, while pefectly capable at that position, is less capable than others

In my experience hiding is usually done by putting a player on the wing, and not giving them too much playing time. I have seen coaches hide players at full back as well though, but only when the center backs are exceptionally strong.

“Hidden” players are rarely at back. Usually a center forward if anything but most likely on the bench.