Coach held back player from playing in offensive position for 4 years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two kids who played center back in the younger years and were then moved to the midfield around U13. I think it's normal to move kids as the field and they grow. One of the coaches even told us early on that he saw the kid as a future midfielder and that he thought this was the best way to develop him.

I also think that in the early years, many coaches put their fastest and sometimes most skilled players at defense. Later they want the ball handling ability somewhere else.

Anyway, it is true that sometimes a kid needs a new look from a new coach, but the positions might have changed anyway.

This has also been an experience of mine. Playing CB at younger ages like this is a way many center mids have been developed over time. Of course you need to talk with the coach to get a feel for how they value this position overall.

This is why I feel both parent and coach are right regarding this player.

[Anonymous]

Everybody on this thread, please think about this and then answer for yourself.

Is the coach serving my child, or is my child serving the coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the coach serving my child, or is my child serving the coach?

A very good question that every parent should ask themselves. We’ve experienced both situations. Unfortunately, DD finds herself in the latter situation now so we will be making a change when the season ends. She loves her teammates but the coach leaves a lot to be desired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the coach serving my child, or is my child serving the coach?

A very good question that every parent should ask themselves. We’ve experienced both situations. Unfortunately, DD finds herself in the latter situation now so we will be making a change when the season ends. She loves her teammates but the coach leaves a lot to be desired.

This 100%! OP here. The reason we stayed on the team was 100% because of friendships. Our decision to leave was precipitated by a practice schedule conflict and a coach who did not support my daughter in her pursuit of two club level sports. In hindsight, it was the best thing to happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the coach serving my child, or is my child serving the coach?

A very good question that every parent should ask themselves. We’ve experienced both situations. Unfortunately, DD finds herself in the latter situation now so we will be making a change when the season ends. She loves her teammates but the coach leaves a lot to be desired.

This 100%! OP here. The reason we stayed on the team was 100% because of friendships. Our decision to leave was precipitated by a practice schedule conflict and a coach who did not support my daughter in her pursuit of two club level sports. In hindsight, it was the best thing to happen.

A coach should always be pro-player. Northern Virginia has this wannabe psyche that they're even close to the level DFW has, let alone European academies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Seeing the field and having to make decisions under pressure will improve the technical deficiencies.

Er, no.

That will improve game IQ and decision-making.

Technical ability is improved spending quality time with a ball on your own, sometimes with a wall included.

Spending time on your own is always important and the best way to improve technical skills. The coach can recommend this but only the kid can follow through. However, IF the kid does this then it will show to the coach when playing under pressure in the back.

imagine forcing a kid to play a certain style and in a specific position

I never said that. Kids at 9 and 10 years old are not being taught any particular style. This is ludicrous on face value alone. Teaching kids to connect passes is not a style, it is how the game is played. Telling a parent that their 9 year old needs technical work is not shocking in the least. Playing a child in a position that is valued by the coach and can possibly demonstrate improvement in areas of deficiency is fine.

Everyone thinks that kids need to play 3 different positions per game. That is a fallacy. Kids should likely have two positions that they see time in over the course of the year. If the kid was stuck there for two years and never moved of course I don't agree with that. But the primary notion of the thread title that the "kid was held back" I don't necessarily agree with. I think both parent and coach are right in this. You can try and paint me into some corner but you are missing my point entirely.

U13 and below the kids should rotate through all positions. At u12 you can start having a dedicated goalie. Hiding weak kids and putting strong kids in key positions means you are only developing the strong kids. If a coach is locking players in a position or 2 they are trying win vs develop players.

The best clubs under u12 subs out the forwards, mids move to forwards, fullbacks to mids and subs in for goalie and fullbacks. All these kids change after puberty. The players who have played all the positions just develop a better understanding of the game by u14.

I

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Seeing the field and having to make decisions under pressure will improve the technical deficiencies.

Er, no.

That will improve game IQ and decision-making.

Technical ability is improved spending quality time with a ball on your own, sometimes with a wall included.

Spending time on your own is always important and the best way to improve technical skills. The coach can recommend this but only the kid can follow through. However, IF the kid does this then it will show to the coach when playing under pressure in the back.

imagine forcing a kid to play a certain style and in a specific position

I never said that. Kids at 9 and 10 years old are not being taught any particular style. This is ludicrous on face value alone. Teaching kids to connect passes is not a style, it is how the game is played. Telling a parent that their 9 year old needs technical work is not shocking in the least. Playing a child in a position that is valued by the coach and can possibly demonstrate improvement in areas of deficiency is fine.

Everyone thinks that kids need to play 3 different positions per game. That is a fallacy. Kids should likely have two positions that they see time in over the course of the year. If the kid was stuck there for two years and never moved of course I don't agree with that. But the primary notion of the thread title that the "kid was held back" I don't necessarily agree with. I think both parent and coach are right in this. You can try and paint me into some corner but you are missing my point entirely.

U13 and below the kids should rotate through all positions. At u12 you can start having a dedicated goalie. Hiding weak kids and putting strong kids in key positions means you are only developing the strong kids. If a coach is locking players in a position or 2 they are trying win vs develop players.

The best clubs under u12 subs out the forwards, mids move to forwards, fullbacks to mids and subs in for goalie and fullbacks. All these kids change after puberty. The players who have played all the positions just develop a better understanding of the game by u14.

I

Amen. The kid changes from U9 to U13. The sizes of the roster and field change. The number of players on the field changes. The needs of a team relative to the talents of its roster vary every year. On teams playing out of the back, we frequently saw the best technical players in “the back” in 7 v 7 and 9 v 9. The truth is that the fields are so small even for little ones that those positions are more akin to midfielders. My kid played more offensive positions for years, but in 11 v 11, and with the roster as it currently is, he is best positioned as a holding midfielder because he can receive and pass the ball quickly and accurately and not lose or cause the loss of his team’s possession and is a relatively aggressive and thoughtful defender who can close space. But he could very well end up somewhere different after going through puberty, always depending on what his team may need. Getting different coaches definitely helps. So does playing with different teams from time to time, even if not part of official play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bigger issue for all the parents here:
If your kid is playing center back and doesn't know how to attack, your coach is NOT teaching the game. That's a huge red flag.

I have issue with the PP equating pressing with attacking prowess. If the coach is instructing the team to press on offense and kid isn’t then maybe the kid is lazy.

[Anonymous]

At Player eval player for U10 player is told needs more time in field and less time in goal to develop. First three games: more than four out of six halves stuck in goal. Now have to wait rest of fall and spring to fix this developmentally inappropriate implementation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bigger issue for all the parents here:
If your kid is playing center back and doesn't know how to attack, your coach is NOT teaching the game. That's a huge red flag.

I have issue with the PP equating pressing with attacking prowess. If the coach is instructing the team to press on offense and kid isn’t then maybe the kid is lazy.

you don't press while attacking. you don't defend while attacking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We recently switched teams after 4 years with one coach. Daughter is 8th grader who is very athletic, fast, and agile. Coach ALWAYS played her in defense (and she was strong in that position). I gently asked him a few times to try her in offensive positions, and his answer was always that she wasn't up to it because of her ball handling skills. He did occasionally play her in offense, but it was always for a few minutes in a game (no opportunity to show ability).

Well she has been on her new team for a total of 3 tournament games and one official game and has scored 5 times as a forward already. This is on a team in an older age group mind you. I am so angry that she wasn't able to develop as a forward all those years because I trusted this coach's judgment. But I am grateful that she is now officially a forward and the new coach is very excited to develop her in that position.

Lesson learned to trust your gut about a coach despite others gushing about what a great coach he is.

Did the coach try players at different positions over those 4 years? Surprising if he didn't cause those are the ages when they should be exposed to different positions. At least she knows how to defend now. If she did have technical skills it makes sense if she was moved to fwd because if she had technical skills she would have been moved to mid-field where the best players on the team are usually placed.

In 9v9 on the top team of her age group, my daughter started out as left wing (11) and was very technical and quick and had her fair share of unassisted/assisted goals. When moving to 11v11, she was moved to the midfield to play the 6,8 or 10, but coach mainly played her in the 6 to learn how to defend and distribute. It was a tough transition for her cause she was small and would get pushed around in the midfield and it was a new role for her getting plays started from the mid-field. A few years later she was moved back to a wing player (7 or 11) as the team picked up a just as technical bigger midfielder. My daughter picked up from where she left off moving back to the 11. She says she understands the game better playing midfield and having to defend.

[Anonymous]

i know youth coaches in several clubs that won't move around the attacking players to even different attacking positions.

then they don't get recruited because they can only do one thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently switched teams after 4 years with one coach. Daughter is 8th grader who is very athletic, fast, and agile. Coach ALWAYS played her in defense (and she was strong in that position). I gently asked him a few times to try her in offensive positions, and his answer was always that she wasn't up to it because of her ball handling skills. He did occasionally play her in offense, but it was always for a few minutes in a game (no opportunity to show ability).

Well she has been on her new team for a total of 3 tournament games and one official game and has scored 5 times as a forward already. This is on a team in an older age group mind you. I am so angry that she wasn't able to develop as a forward all those years because I trusted this coach's judgment. But I am grateful that she is now officially a forward and the new coach is very excited to develop her in that position.

Lesson learned to trust your gut about a coach despite others gushing about what a great coach he is.

Did the coach try players at different positions over those 4 years? Surprising if he didn't cause those are the ages when they should be exposed to different positions. At least she knows how to defend now. If she did have technical skills it makes sense if she was moved to fwd because if she had technical skills she would have been moved to mid-field where the best players on the team are usually placed.

In 9v9 on the top team of her age group, my daughter started out as left wing (11) and was very technical and quick and had her fair share of unassisted/assisted goals. When moving to 11v11, she was moved to the midfield to play the 6,8 or 10, but coach mainly played her in the 6 to learn how to defend and distribute. It was a tough transition for her cause she was small and would get pushed around in the midfield and it was a new role for her getting plays started from the mid-field. A few years later she was moved back to a wing player (7 or 11) as the team picked up a just as technical bigger midfielder. My daughter picked up from where she left off moving back to the 11. She says she understands the game better playing midfield and having to defend.

OP here. There were a couple players (his favorites) that he would move around. I was the team manager, and obviously it didn't make one bit of difference. Maybe he didn't want it to seem like he was showing favoritism. She was always in the back and last year was first year of 11V11. He tried her in middle for about 10 minutes in a game last season, and never ever put her in front. He had one player was extremely weak who was always in striker position. So, no, he pretty much had everyone pegged at an early age.

Luckily, my daughter is naturally athletic and she picked it up pretty quickly...and the new coach is being very helpful with direction and helpful tips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently switched teams after 4 years with one coach. Daughter is 8th grader who is very athletic, fast, and agile. Coach ALWAYS played her in defense (and she was strong in that position). I gently asked him a few times to try her in offensive positions, and his answer was always that she wasn't up to it because of her ball handling skills. He did occasionally play her in offense, but it was always for a few minutes in a game (no opportunity to show ability).

Well she has been on her new team for a total of 3 tournament games and one official game and has scored 5 times as a forward already. This is on a team in an older age group mind you. I am so angry that she wasn't able to develop as a forward all those years because I trusted this coach's judgment. But I am grateful that she is now officially a forward and the new coach is very excited to develop her in that position.

Lesson learned to trust your gut about a coach despite others gushing about what a great coach he is.

Did the coach try players at different positions over those 4 years? Surprising if he didn't cause those are the ages when they should be exposed to different positions. At least she knows how to defend now. If she did have technical skills it makes sense if she was moved to fwd because if she had technical skills she would have been moved to mid-field where the best players on the team are usually placed.

In 9v9 on the top team of her age group, my daughter started out as left wing (11) and was very technical and quick and had her fair share of unassisted/assisted goals. When moving to 11v11, she was moved to the midfield to play the 6,8 or 10, but coach mainly played her in the 6 to learn how to defend and distribute. It was a tough transition for her cause she was small and would get pushed around in the midfield and it was a new role for her getting plays started from the mid-field. A few years later she was moved back to a wing player (7 or 11) as the team picked up a just as technical bigger midfielder. My daughter picked up from where she left off moving back to the 11. She says she understands the game better playing midfield and having to defend.

OP here. There were a couple players (his favorites) that he would move around. I was the team manager, and obviously it didn't make one bit of difference. Maybe he didn't want it to seem like he was showing favoritism. She was always in the back and last year was first year of 11V11. He tried her in middle for about 10 minutes in a game last season, and never ever put her in front. He had one player was extremely weak who was always in striker position. So, no, he pretty much had everyone pegged at an early age.

Luckily, my daughter is naturally athletic and she picked it up pretty quickly...and the new coach is being very helpful with direction and helpful tips.

Ok, so you seem to realize what the issue was and you went and solved it all on your own. What is you hope to get out of this thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently switched teams after 4 years with one coach. Daughter is 8th grader who is very athletic, fast, and agile. Coach ALWAYS played her in defense (and she was strong in that position). I gently asked him a few times to try her in offensive positions, and his answer was always that she wasn't up to it because of her ball handling skills. He did occasionally play her in offense, but it was always for a few minutes in a game (no opportunity to show ability).

Well she has been on her new team for a total of 3 tournament games and one official game and has scored 5 times as a forward already. This is on a team in an older age group mind you. I am so angry that she wasn't able to develop as a forward all those years because I trusted this coach's judgment. But I am grateful that she is now officially a forward and the new coach is very excited to develop her in that position.

Lesson learned to trust your gut about a coach despite others gushing about what a great coach he is.

Did the coach try players at different positions over those 4 years? Surprising if he didn't cause those are the ages when they should be exposed to different positions. At least she knows how to defend now. If she did have technical skills it makes sense if she was moved to fwd because if she had technical skills she would have been moved to mid-field where the best players on the team are usually placed.

In 9v9 on the top team of her age group, my daughter started out as left wing (11) and was very technical and quick and had her fair share of unassisted/assisted goals. When moving to 11v11, she was moved to the midfield to play the 6,8 or 10, but coach mainly played her in the 6 to learn how to defend and distribute. It was a tough transition for her cause she was small and would get pushed around in the midfield and it was a new role for her getting plays started from the mid-field. A few years later she was moved back to a wing player (7 or 11) as the team picked up a just as technical bigger midfielder. My daughter picked up from where she left off moving back to the 11. She says she understands the game better playing midfield and having to defend.

OP here. There were a couple players (his favorites) that he would move around. I was the team manager, and obviously it didn't make one bit of difference. Maybe he didn't want it to seem like he was showing favoritism. She was always in the back and last year was first year of 11V11. He tried her in middle for about 10 minutes in a game last season, and never ever put her in front. He had one player was extremely weak who was always in striker position. So, no, he pretty much had everyone pegged at an early age.

Luckily, my daughter is naturally athletic and she picked it up pretty quickly...and the new coach is being very helpful with direction and helpful tips.

Ok, so you seem to realize what the issue was and you went and solved it all on your own. What is you hope to get out of this thread?

Oh please PP. No need for snark. This thread is quite productive.