MLS next ruining high school soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

There's playing CM, then there's having desirable CM skills and qualities 😉

You will develop them faster if you play there. You might pick them up in an excellent practice environment that doesn’t just scrimmage half the practice each day. However 90% do this.

I'm not sure just any and every player develops into a highly technical, high IQ, 2-footed player with vision and an engine by placing them as CM

Just like giving a kid a #9 jersey and putting them as Striker won't make them a good finisher

Agreed but if they can’t be somewhat successful at cm in a situation where they are one of the better players on the field than they are probably not going pro. The bigger part is the cm position puts them in situations where they have to use these “midfielders skills” often 10-20 times a game compared to just 1 or 2 times in other positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

There's playing CM, then there's having desirable CM skills and qualities 😉

You will develop them faster if you play there. You might pick them up in an excellent practice environment that doesn’t just scrimmage half the practice each day. However 90% do this.

I'm not sure just any and every player develops into a highly technical, high IQ, 2-footed player with vision and an engine by placing them as CM

Just like giving a kid a #9 jersey and putting them as Striker won't make them a good finisher

Agreed but if they can’t be somewhat successful at cm in a situation where they are one of the better players on the field than they are probably not going pro. The bigger part is the cm position puts them in situations where they have to use these “midfielders skills” often 10-20 times a game compared to just 1 or 2 times in other positions.

Is playing cm really that much different than other positions. Players can develop and make great passes playing other positions too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

There's playing CM, then there's having desirable CM skills and qualities 😉

You will develop them faster if you play there. You might pick them up in an excellent practice environment that doesn’t just scrimmage half the practice each day. However 90% do this.

I'm not sure just any and every player develops into a highly technical, high IQ, 2-footed player with vision and an engine by placing them as CM

Just like giving a kid a #9 jersey and putting them as Striker won't make them a good finisher

Agreed but if they can’t be somewhat successful at cm in a situation where they are one of the better players on the field than they are probably not going pro. The bigger part is the cm position puts them in situations where they have to use these “midfielders skills” often 10-20 times a game compared to just 1 or 2 times in other positions.

Is playing cm really that much different than other positions. Players can develop and make great passes playing other positions too.

I think the main difference is the amount of times they will interact with the ball in game situations, or having less time and space. To be successful they will have to have better awareness and faster reactions, both which are valuable at any position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

There's playing CM, then there's having desirable CM skills and qualities 😉

You will develop them faster if you play there. You might pick them up in an excellent practice environment that doesn’t just scrimmage half the practice each day. However 90% do this.

I'm not sure just any and every player develops into a highly technical, high IQ, 2-footed player with vision and an engine by placing them as CM

Just like giving a kid a #9 jersey and putting them as Striker won't make them a good finisher

Agreed but if they can’t be somewhat successful at cm in a situation where they are one of the better players on the field than they are probably not going pro. The bigger part is the cm position puts them in situations where they have to use these “midfielders skills” often 10-20 times a game compared to just 1 or 2 times in other positions.

Is playing cm really that much different than other positions. Players can develop and make great passes playing other positions too.

I think the main difference is the amount of times they will interact with the ball in game situations, or having less time and space. To be successful they will have to have better awareness and faster reactions, both which are valuable at any position.

You bring to the CM position during games the skills you acquire in training.
Games is the test

If you don't have CM skills and qualities, you can't execute them in games

Just like putting a non goalie in the goal

It's not about playing the CM position, it's about having the skillsets used when playing the CM position

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

People will snicker but this is exactly what we used ODP for. We are still middle school age but he got 100% of game time at the CAM but plays winger in HG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

There's playing CM, then there's having desirable CM skills and qualities 😉

You will develop them faster if you play there. You might pick them up in an excellent practice environment that doesn’t just scrimmage half the practice each day. However 90% do this.

I'm not sure just any and every player develops into a highly technical, high IQ, 2-footed player with vision and an engine by placing them as CM

Just like giving a kid a #9 jersey and putting them as Striker won't make them a good finisher

Agreed but if they can’t be somewhat successful at cm in a situation where they are one of the better players on the field than they are probably not going pro. The bigger part is the cm position puts them in situations where they have to use these “midfielders skills” often 10-20 times a game compared to just 1 or 2 times in other positions.

Is playing cm really that much different than other positions. Players can develop and make great passes playing other positions too.

I think the main difference is the amount of times they will interact with the ball in game situations, or having less time and space. To be successful they will have to have better awareness and faster reactions, both which are valuable at any position.

You bring to the CM position during games the skills you acquire in training.
Games is the test

If you don't have CM skills and qualities, you can't execute them in games

Just like putting a non goalie in the goal

It's not about playing the CM position, it's about having the skillsets used when playing the CM position

The amount of information a CM has to process versus an outside player is way different. It is similar to a NFL QB where you have to process much faster and gather 360 degrees of information every 10-15 seconds. Yes, you need the technical skills but you learn the processing by playing the position or small-sided games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

There's playing CM, then there's having desirable CM skills and qualities 😉

You will develop them faster if you play there. You might pick them up in an excellent practice environment that doesn’t just scrimmage half the practice each day. However 90% do this.

I'm not sure just any and every player develops into a highly technical, high IQ, 2-footed player with vision and an engine by placing them as CM

Just like giving a kid a #9 jersey and putting them as Striker won't make them a good finisher

Agreed but if they can’t be somewhat successful at cm in a situation where they are one of the better players on the field than they are probably not going pro. The bigger part is the cm position puts them in situations where they have to use these “midfielders skills” often 10-20 times a game compared to just 1 or 2 times in other positions.

Is playing cm really that much different than other positions. Players can develop and make great passes playing other positions too.

I think the main difference is the amount of times they will interact with the ball in game situations, or having less time and space. To be successful they will have to have better awareness and faster reactions, both which are valuable at any position.

You bring to the CM position during games the skills you acquire in training.
Games is the test

If you don't have CM skills and qualities, you can't execute them in games

Just like putting a non goalie in the goal

It's not about playing the CM position, it's about having the skillsets used when playing the CM position

The amount of information a CM has to process versus an outside player is way different. It is similar to a NFL QB where you have to process much faster and gather 360 degrees of information every 10-15 seconds. Yes, you need the technical skills but you learn the processing by playing the position or small-sided games.

What exactly from the PP are you disagreeing with though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest son played 4 years of varsity soccer while playing MLS next and now he is playing college D1 soccer. Now my younger son is trying to do the same but the coaches are threatening him if he does it again, he did it as a 9th grader. He never missed more than 1 practice a week and never missed a game. He has a 4.2 gpa and really enjoys the atmosphere of high school soccer. I do as well. As a 9th grader the pace of play at the varsity level is much faster than MLS next and being forced to play faster really helped improve his play last season. He is a 2nd best player on his MLS next team and other parents asked me how he got so much better this season and I told them high school really helped him and his confidence. We are not sure what to do but I’m thinking we are just going to play both again and see what happens there is very little college recruiting being done as 10th grade year. He could always switch clubs, we have about 6 of them in the area. Thoughts?

Could go ECNL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My oldest son played 4 years of varsity soccer while playing MLS next and now he is playing college D1 soccer. Now my younger son is trying to do the same but the coaches are threatening him if he does it again, he did it as a 9th grader. He never missed more than 1 practice a week and never missed a game. He has a 4.2 gpa and really enjoys the atmosphere of high school soccer. I do as well. As a 9th grader the pace of play at the varsity level is much faster than MLS next and being forced to play faster really helped improve his play last season. He is a 2nd best player on his MLS next team and other parents asked me how he got so much better this season and I told them high school really helped him and his confidence. We are not sure what to do but I’m thinking we are just going to play both again and see what happens there is very little college recruiting being done as 10th grade year. He could always switch clubs, we have about 6 of them in the area. Thoughts?

Could go ECNL.

Feel like I was reading my own bio here. Let him play high school IMHO.

Also, footnote. NCAA bans college recruiting until the player is a rising junior. The only workaround to get in front of college coaches before is to attend a camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

People will snicker but this is exactly what we used ODP for. We are still middle school age but he got 100% of game time at the CAM but plays winger in HG.

ODP is only good for a tax write off. Crap coaches and you are playing with mid level players, give your kid a ball and tell him/her to head to the fields to play pickup. That is where the development happens for all positions. Only americans focus on positions, there are no defensive or offensive players...a tackle and the technique needed to execute is the same regardless if they are on the attacking or defensive third. Same goes for offensive moves when going 1:1.

Don't focus on the position, focus on proper footwork, movement with and without the ball.

Back to my earlier point, if your kid is still doing ODP in 2026...you're not going to get anything out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn’t have an overuse injury, until he does.

And the injury started and happened before he felt the pain

It really depends on the player, I have seen a major difference on how me and my son play soccer and I never needed a break but he does from time to time.

I played D1 and even a little very low professional soccer and I could play every day. I played cm and my game was built on technique IQ, movement off the ball and I almost never ran full speed for more than 10 meters until college. Once I tried pro and figured out I was below average athlete on the pitch it did not matter how well I positioned myself. I was still okay in the attack but I had trouble defending opposing players.

My son was blessed with speed and can outrun almost everyone but because of that has really struggled developing mental and other aspects of the game. He struggles to play 2-3 games a week and practice 6 times because he runs way too many long sprints in game. I begged coaches to play him at cm growing up but he always wanted to be on the best club team and they wanted him to be winger. Now finally in high school as a sophomore he is playing cm and it's helping him a lot, he is struggling and I could not be happier. This is an opportunity he never really got in club and I am hoping it will help him improve. He hated the position at first but he is starting to like it.

I could not be happier with letting my son play high school because of allowing him to play a different positions, however we did sit out 1 game because of fatigue and I expect to miss at least another two.

By far the best thing about mls next players playing high school is it allows them to play cm which is something everyone must do at some point if they want to make it professionally. They need to play in tight spaces and not just on the sides

This is a new take. Never heard this before

loop

I have heard at developmental ages that players should play all positions and to be able to do so effectively, you should be as well rounded as a centermid. Which basically means you have high soccer iq, scanning ability, technical skills, etc. assuming the player has the physicality and athleticism, they could play pretty much all positions

Agreed and cm’s probably have the easiest time adapting to other positions. Most college rarely recruit outside backs bc they know they can put someone there and the non super speedy technical wings are making a return as well which is pretty much the same as a CAM on the outside

Actually, looking at PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City and Arsenal, attacking wing-backs and full-backs are standard with Midfielder skills to facilitate playing out of the back

Please research these players before posting. Most of these players played CAM or winger at their academy’s before switching to outside back, so they developed those “midfield skills” playing other positions. And the ones who did have outside backs listed at their academies I can almost guarantee they played something else before they got to academy. If my kid was playing outside back on a top team at u-16 or lower. Do them a favor and find a lesser team for them to play another position or let them play high school so they have that opportunity.

People will snicker but this is exactly what we used ODP for. We are still middle school age but he got 100% of game time at the CAM but plays winger in HG.

ODP is only good for a tax write off. Crap coaches and you are playing with mid level players, give your kid a ball and tell him/her to head to the fields to play pickup. That is where the development happens for all positions. Only americans focus on positions, there are no defensive or offensive players...a tackle and the technique needed to execute is the same regardless if they are on the attacking or defensive third. Same goes for offensive moves when going 1:1.

Don't focus on the position, focus on proper footwork, movement with and without the ball.

Back to my earlier point, if your kid is still doing ODP in 2026...you're not going to get anything out of it.

Pickup with who?

[Anonymous]

Is there any defense in high school soccer or is the discrepancy between the top players(scorers) and the defenders just too much. Every game is 5+ total goals it seems like, which I guess is fun, just abnormal to me