Most important skills for soccer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

And the slow midfielders (with many many touches as they try to impress the crowd with their amazing repeated pull backs) lose the ball every single time. It's a one or two touch game people.

Forget about slow anything, and let's not focus on positions. Average speed with great technique versus extremely fast with little technique and poor touch.

By the time the kids get to high school the extremely fast girls have great touches and fabulous technique. They are highly sought after by colleges.

Yeah, I think I'd probably focus more on school to be highly sought after by colleges. I think I probably got more interest from colleges from my PSAT sophomore year than any top recruit in this area gets from D1 schools. So perhaps a little perspective on your extremely fast girls with great touch and fabulous technique. Why do only a handful play for the WNT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

And the slow midfielders (with many many touches as they try to impress the crowd with their amazing repeated pull backs) lose the ball every single time. It's a one or two touch game people.

Forget about slow anything, and let's not focus on positions. Average speed with great technique versus extremely fast with little technique and poor touch.

By the time the kids get to high school the extremely fast girls have great touches and fabulous technique. They are highly sought after by colleges.

Some do, and some don't. Almost every single Nova DA and ECNL team, including the grand FCV, has some girls who made the team because they were fast. High schoolers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the most important skills you think for an athletically gifted player that will separate him/her from average good players? And how to obtain such skills?

Coach here,

This is a complex question. The first question that comes to my head is "What age are we talking about?"

If we're talking about the end product I would say first you need technical ability to be able to execute anything. A close second would be decision making (and the speed thereof) . I would follow this up with movement off the ball / overall positioning. I see speed being mentioned quite a bit (jokingly and not jokingly). While several positions do require a great deal of pace, there are also some where "average" speed is fine, especially if you're exceptional at any of the above.

There's plenty of other things that would "stand out" to me. I suppose it all depends on who's point of view you're asking about and in what sort of situation.

Lastly I'll caveat this with Coaches preferences can vary greatly - so make sure you find the right fit that is right for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

And the slow midfielders (with many many touches as they try to impress the crowd with their amazing repeated pull backs) lose the ball every single time. It's a one or two touch game people.

Forget about slow anything, and let's not focus on positions. Average speed with great technique versus extremely fast with little technique and poor touch.

By the time the kids get to high school the extremely fast girls have great touches and fabulous technique. They are highly sought after by colleges.

Some do, and some don't. Almost every single Nova DA and ECNL team, including the grand FCV, has some girls who made the team because they were fast. High schoolers.

And those High School girls have scholarships with incredibly top rated D1 colleges. So... there you go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

And the slow midfielders (with many many touches as they try to impress the crowd with their amazing repeated pull backs) lose the ball every single time. It's a one or two touch game people.

Forget about slow anything, and let's not focus on positions. Average speed with great technique versus extremely fast with little technique and poor touch.

By the time the kids get to high school the extremely fast girls have great touches and fabulous technique. They are highly sought after by colleges.

Some do, and some don't. Almost every single Nova DA and ECNL team, including the grand FCV, has some girls who made the team because they were fast. High schoolers.

And those High School girls have scholarships with incredibly top rated D1 colleges. So... there you go!

Yes, as I said, speed in the US is enough to be recruited. It doesn't mean you are a great player, but if it gets you dollars, good for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People especially kids and people learning tend to focus on what comes quickly and they do well

So a slow kid with skill gravitates tonthat And a fast kid gravitates to that. Both are typically complimented by others for their strengths.

Simple example: this Sunday group training session focused on dribbling. The trainer complimented my son for his dribbling. I reminded my son that he has 2 feet to dribble with and a defender will take 1 away so I was not impressed that he just did what he was already good at. He is there to learn and improve not just his strengths but his weaknesses

I would say the most important skill is touch. But more important than that is developing desire to improve and compete. Ronaldo’s greatest attribute is constant striving to improve. Same for Messi.

It’s not wanting the ball more in the moment. It’s wanting to be your best and grind over years. Not a season not a summer or a Sunday. It’s falling in love with the game and giving her your heart and soul

+1

speed without touch disappoints
touch without speed disappoints

one can only compensate so much for the other

[Anonymous]

In the US? Connections!!!

Berthalter, Brady, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

This is my observation. If you are on a “highly” competitive first team and you are there because you are fast and/or big/physical player you are not going to work on technique. You were not selected for your footskills, touch or vision. In the competitive practices and games there is no time to practice on something that will result in failure 95% of the time. It’s like banging your head into a wall. You use what got you there.

A lot of the fast or physical players are barely hanging in there. These kids are know as the rest of the team(anyone below the top 2-4 players). They will work on “their” game. So the technical players get more technical, the physical players get more physical and the fast players rely on speed. Touch and vision is hardwire. A player with good touch likes and enjoys working on technique because it comes nature to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe that speed can be greatly increased especially at the younger ages...U14 and younger. The running techniques when they are young ate usually horrendous. Coordination is often horrendous. Kids would benefit from running some track and getting some running coaching. I've seen where a few sessions with a running coach make huge improvements. Speed also improves with strength.

As to the people saying clubs mostly select on speed...again...state your ages and club because I can guarantee that I know many teams at the youth ages that have tiny kids that aren't the fastest but have great skill and play on their club's top teams.'

The people that just project this stuff because their kid is TOO slow ruin these discussions. You need some speed! Fact.

Fast and undersized is a problem.

[Anonymous]

All ages and most clubs. I have seen speed players at every area DA and ECNL in Nova. All of them. That doesn't mean they only have fast players because there just aren't enough to go around. But if your kid is exceptionally fast, at any age, there will be a team to play on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

This is my observation. If you are on a “highly” competitive first team and you are there because you are fast and/or big/physical player you are not going to work on technique. You were not selected for your footskills, touch or vision. In the competitive practices and games there is no time to practice on something that will result in failure 95% of the time. It’s like banging your head into a wall. You use what got you there.

A lot of the fast or physical players are barely hanging in there. These kids are know as the rest of the team(anyone below the top 2-4 players). They will work on “their” game. So the technical players get more technical, the physical players get more physical and the fast players rely on speed. Touch and vision is hardwire. A player with good touch likes and enjoys working on technique because it comes nature to them.

Try being fast and physical while trying to control a ball - it requires technique. Don’t fool yourself into believing fast and physical players don’t have technical skills, they are just moving faster than your kid so you observe less precision. Good touch only counts if it is quick enough to make the next decision. Many technical players can’t move quick enough which is why the end up in juggling competitions or futsal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

And the slow midfielders (with many many touches as they try to impress the crowd with their amazing repeated pull backs) lose the ball every single time. It's a one or two touch game people.

Forget about slow anything, and let's not focus on positions. Average speed with great technique versus extremely fast with little technique and poor touch.

By the time the kids get to high school the extremely fast girls have great touches and fabulous technique. They are highly sought after by colleges.

I have never seen a kid with a bad touch develop a great touch and technique. Just not seen it. The highly sought after kids with great touch and technique have always had it. Touch, speed, size, vision, quickness, strength, endurance are things you are born with. You can improve some of these with training but you are starting from a baseline and you have a max line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

This is my observation. If you are on a “highly” competitive first team and you are there because you are fast and/or big/physical player you are not going to work on technique. You were not selected for your footskills, touch or vision. In the competitive practices and games there is no time to practice on something that will result in failure 95% of the time. It’s like banging your head into a wall. You use what got you there.

A lot of the fast or physical players are barely hanging in there. These kids are know as the rest of the team(anyone below the top 2-4 players). They will work on “their” game. So the technical players get more technical, the physical players get more physical and the fast players rely on speed. Touch and vision is hardwire. A player with good touch likes and enjoys working on technique because it comes nature to them.

Try being fast and physical while trying to control a ball - it requires technique. Don’t fool yourself into believing fast and physical players don’t have technical skills, they are just moving faster than your kid so you observe less precision. Good touch only counts if it is quick enough to make the next decision. Many technical players can’t move quick enough which is why the end up in juggling competitions or futsal.

LOL sure! You do not even know what technique skill is do you? My kid is big, fast and has technical skill. She can move as fast with the ball as she can move without it. She also can pass at anytime because the ball is not twenty feet ahead of her. She loves futsal because the kids with little technical skills hate it. Let me guess that is your kid. Well good news there is alway a need for fullbacks. What do they tell defenders agains?....either the player gets through or the ball...not both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speed and size are attributes that cannot be trained. That is why they are valued. If you are a slow or undersized player, there is a ceiling. That is true in any sport. It is a bitter pill to swallow if your kid is slow or small but that is the reality.

I agree that slow and undersized are problems. That is also why playing up too many years is such a problem. It makes that player slow in comparison (assuming they are fast when appropriately played). It also makes them tiny in comparison.


BUT, so is a lack of technique. I never see those fast players improve their technique. They just continue on thinking they are doing a good enough job because they keep making teams. An average speed player is more effective if they have excellent technique because they can control the ball. Those fast players as juniors and seniors continue to turn balls over becuase it bounces several feet from their heavy touch.

This is my observation. If you are on a “highly” competitive first team and you are there because you are fast and/or big/physical player you are not going to work on technique. You were not selected for your footskills, touch or vision. In the competitive practices and games there is no time to practice on something that will result in failure 95% of the time. It’s like banging your head into a wall. You use what got you there.

A lot of the fast or physical players are barely hanging in there. These kids are know as the rest of the team(anyone below the top 2-4 players). They will work on “their” game. So the technical players get more technical, the physical players get more physical and the fast players rely on speed. Touch and vision is hardwire. A player with good touch likes and enjoys working on technique because it comes nature to them.

Try being fast and physical while trying to control a ball - it requires technique. Don’t fool yourself into believing fast and physical players don’t have technical skills, they are just moving faster than your kid so you observe less precision. Good touch only counts if it is quick enough to make the next decision. Many technical players can’t move quick enough which is why the end up in juggling competitions or futsal.

Most technical players can’t move quick enough?

Omg. This is the dumbest statement I’ve ever read about soccer players.

[Anonymous]

So Arlington girls DA told parents the selection is speed and size. That’s the list and only list.