When team needs require Player to play different position.

[Anonymous]

Op, again, thanks for the positive suggestions— we will definitely restart some private training, and he will look for opportunities to work on offensive skills at practice. Ds was good at advocating for himself last year, and I think he will get more comfortable with this coach as the year goes on.

[Anonymous]

this happened to my son at about the same age, and his growth spurt came earlier. initially he wasn't thrilled about it. then one coach explained to him and to us that it's really important to be able to build your skill set and that playing defense gives you an entirely different perspective on building the attack. he was right. my son became a strong defender and kept developing his midfielder skill set. last year he got to play at center defensive midfield, a position he adores. now that he's just made varsity, he's back to defense, though in a central role because the older, stronger players have the midfield covered. >>all in all, accept the role in defense because it will help your son develop flexibility and versatility. as he gets older, he will play more and develop more if he can excel at multiple positions on the field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this happened to my son at about the same age, and his growth spurt came earlier. initially he wasn't thrilled about it. then one coach explained to him and to us that it's really important to be able to build your skill set and that playing defense gives you an entirely different perspective on building the attack. he was right. my son became a strong defender and kept developing his midfielder skill set. last year he got to play at center defensive midfield, a position he adores. now that he's just made varsity, he's back to defense, though in a central role because the older, stronger players have the midfield covered. >>all in all, accept the role in defense because it will help your son develop flexibility and versatility. as he gets older, he will play more and develop more if he can excel at multiple positions on the field.

I’m a new poster. Thanks for this. My son is a forward (striker and right midfield) and now wants to play defense so he can play any position when he gets older. At first I was uncertain but I feel that this is actually a good move on his part!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child’s preferred and best position is midfield. Last year and apparently again this year, his team is short on quality defenders and he is the second best defender on his team— his coach has put him at center back (this is u13 so 11x11). He is third fastest on team, behind two of the strikers. Last year he had a good relationship with coach who knew he preferred midfield and was his better position, so would either have him play a half at each position, or only move him to defense in a tight game. He likes new coach, but since coach is sorting out positions, he has told boys as a group, he doesn’t want to hear about their preferences, which I totally understand. However, son has to play defense in many drills at practice and in some scrimmages and is often frustrated on ride home.

My son can start playing for school team next year in 7th grade and his grade has plenty of defenders (he goes to school with a very competitive soccer program). He is always put at midfielder in situations other than his club team, and I want to make sure he has the option to play position in the future since he enjoys it much more, and seems better suited to his strengths since most coaches place him there.

Is there anything he should be doing outside of practices to keep up his offensive skills? Should I have him also play in a rec league (maybe futsol or indoor since club plays outdoor in winter?)?

I would trust the coach to make the right decision.

Putting him at Center Back means the coach has confidence in his skills and physical play. The back line is the last line of defense outside of goalie, who will be a huge disadvantage one on one. No one has to play a position the same way. Marcelo plays Left Back very differently than Luke Shaw for example. It is a great skill be able to know when to attack and when to perform your core defensive duties as a defender. If your team is dominating the other team, he should not be just standing back with the goalie picking flowers. He should a part of the attack force.

Your school may have plenty of defenders but do they have plenty of good defenders or defenders who bring his unique style of play?