The Development years - Direct (Kickball) versus Possession Style

[Anonymous]

So he may be standing too upright. Try lowering his center of gravity.

Hmm. Good thought. That would actually not have come to my mind but it could work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Unfortunately, DS never going to be large in terms of either height or weight. He has decent technical skills, and hopefully will keep improving. Last season, he often got pushed off the ball by larger opponents.




I think it’s worse on the girls side at U11/U12 as it relates to size differences as girls undergo growth spurts earlier than boys do. There are quite a few U11G games where I see girls that are twice the size of my DD and she’s average height for her age.

Right, but on the boys' side, there are some good players on higher level ASA teams (including red) who are short and small. I want to know how they handle this situation. Our coach didn't have any specific advice except "be more aggressive." DS tried, but that didn't work if the other kids were much taller or heavier. Next year we will watch the red, white, and blue teams play and try to watch what those smaller kids do more effectively than DS.

So he may be standing too upright. Try lowering his center of gravity.

It's great you want to watch more soccer to help your own kid improve, but your time would be better spent watching how the pros do it rather than other youth players.
Here's a pretty cool video of Xavi & Iniesta -- 2 short small guys who were pretty good about not getting knocked off the ball -- teaching ball retention technique to youth players. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y77UuP6YYSA

What gets missed in a lot of these conversations is just how damned good you have to be to keep the ball when you don't have a size & strength advantage. I hear a lot parents complain that their kid isn't getting opportunities because the dumb coach values size/strength over their small smart and technical player, but when I watch I think the real problem is he just isn't smart or technical enough yet. This is how good you have to be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNEoBZus0JA

Unfortunately Xavi and Iniesta's time is done, but there are plenty of good examples in the modern game. Verratti for PSG, Arthur for Barcelona (and Brazil playing this month), either of the Silva's who play for Man City. All are 5'7 or shorter. Hell Verratti and B. Silva are both under 140 lbs.

A tip - learning how to properly shield is critical but mostly what you'll find from watching those type of players is how good they are at avoiding the contact to begin with. They're so tricky and evasive - defenders are trying to knock them around but just can't get near them.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone help with the clubs that are Direct (Kickball) versus Possession Style? We are in VA. 2011 or 2010

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Unfortunately, DS never going to be large in terms of either height or weight. He has decent technical skills, and hopefully will keep improving. Last season, he often got pushed off the ball by larger opponents.




I think it’s worse on the girls side at U11/U12 as it relates to size differences as girls undergo growth spurts earlier than boys do. There are quite a few U11G games where I see girls that are twice the size of my DD and she’s average height for her age.

Right, but on the boys' side, there are some good players on higher level ASA teams (including red) who are short and small. I want to know how they handle this situation. Our coach didn't have any specific advice except "be more aggressive." DS tried, but that didn't work if the other kids were much taller or heavier. Next year we will watch the red, white, and blue teams play and try to watch what those smaller kids do more effectively than DS.

Agreed that these guys are good. but also shows that even the best players can't keep avoiding multiple defensivemen. Most of the clips end with the awesome dribbler losing the ball. ... That said, they are impressive!

So he may be standing too upright. Try lowering his center of gravity.

It's great you want to watch more soccer to help your own kid improve, but your time would be better spent watching how the pros do it rather than other youth players.
Here's a pretty cool video of Xavi & Iniesta -- 2 short small guys who were pretty good about not getting knocked off the ball -- teaching ball retention technique to youth players. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y77UuP6YYSA

What gets missed in a lot of these conversations is just how damned good you have to be to keep the ball when you don't have a size & strength advantage. I hear a lot parents complain that their kid isn't getting opportunities because the dumb coach values size/strength over their small smart and technical player, but when I watch I think the real problem is he just isn't smart or technical enough yet. This is how good you have to be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNEoBZus0JA

Unfortunately Xavi and Iniesta's time is done, but there are plenty of good examples in the modern game. Verratti for PSG, Arthur for Barcelona (and Brazil playing this month), either of the Silva's who play for Man City. All are 5'7 or shorter. Hell Verratti and B. Silva are both under 140 lbs.

A tip - learning how to properly shield is critical but mostly what you'll find from watching those type of players is how good they are at avoiding the contact to begin with. They're so tricky and evasive - defenders are trying to knock them around but just can't get near them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Unfortunately, DS never going to be large in terms of either height or weight. He has decent technical skills, and hopefully will keep improving. Last season, he often got pushed off the ball by larger opponents.




I think it’s worse on the girls side at U11/U12 as it relates to size differences as girls undergo growth spurts earlier than boys do. There are quite a few U11G games where I see girls that are twice the size of my DD and she’s average height for her age.

Right, but on the boys' side, there are some good players on higher level ASA teams (including red) who are short and small. I want to know how they handle this situation. Our coach didn't have any specific advice except "be more aggressive." DS tried, but that didn't work if the other kids were much taller or heavier. Next year we will watch the red, white, and blue teams play and try to watch what those smaller kids do more effectively than DS.

Agreed that these guys are good. but also shows that even the best players can't keep avoiding multiple defensivemen. Most of the clips end with the awesome dribbler losing the ball. ... That said, they are impressive!

So he may be standing too upright. Try lowering his center of gravity.

It's great you want to watch more soccer to help your own kid improve, but your time would be better spent watching how the pros do it rather than other youth players.
Here's a pretty cool video of Xavi & Iniesta -- 2 short small guys who were pretty good about not getting knocked off the ball -- teaching ball retention technique to youth players. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y77UuP6YYSA

What gets missed in a lot of these conversations is just how damned good you have to be to keep the ball when you don't have a size & strength advantage. I hear a lot parents complain that their kid isn't getting opportunities because the dumb coach values size/strength over their small smart and technical player, but when I watch I think the real problem is he just isn't smart or technical enough yet. This is how good you have to be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNEoBZus0JA

Unfortunately Xavi and Iniesta's time is done, but there are plenty of good examples in the modern game. Verratti for PSG, Arthur for Barcelona (and Brazil playing this month), either of the Silva's who play for Man City. All are 5'7 or shorter. Hell Verratti and B. Silva are both under 140 lbs.

A tip - learning how to properly shield is critical but mostly what you'll find from watching those type of players is how good they are at avoiding the contact to begin with. They're so tricky and evasive - defenders are trying to knock them around but just can't get near them.

My U11 son is skinny as hell and short for his age. You cannot knock him off the ball.. .no matter your size. He is tough as nails and the possession club he plays for put him at Center back (everywhere else played him at left wing or striker because he is fast and he can use both feet). The TD told me he is there because of his excellent field vision/IQ and skill. They train their future center midfielders there before they go to full field at U13. He has no problem against huge strikers/forwards and effectively shuts them down. His favorite thing to do is make them fall down with feints or nutmeg for humiliation. A lot of those gigantic forwards are not agile and not very bright. He can shield the ball very well and is tenacious. He also is extremely calm in the back/under pressure. Most direct play teams put their biggest player in that position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:



Anonymous wrote:



Anonymous wrote:



Anonymous wrote:



Unfortunately, DS never going to be large in terms of either height or weight. He has decent technical skills, and hopefully will keep improving. Last season, he often got pushed off the ball by larger opponents.




I think it’s worse on the girls side at U11/U12 as it relates to size differences as girls undergo growth spurts earlier than boys do. There are quite a few U11G games where I see girls that are twice the size of my DD and she’s average height for her age.


Right, but on the boys' side, there are some good players on higher level ASA teams (including red) who are short and small. I want to know how they handle this situation. Our coach didn't have any specific advice except "be more aggressive." DS tried, but that didn't work if the other kids were much taller or heavier. Next year we will watch the red, white, and blue teams play and try to watch what those smaller kids do more effectively than DS.



Agreed that these guys are good. but also shows that even the best players can't keep avoiding multiple defensivemen. Most of the clips end with the awesome dribbler losing the ball. ... That said, they are impressive!

So he may be standing too upright. Try lowering his center of gravity.

It's great you want to watch more soccer to help your own kid improve, but your time would be better spent watching how the pros do it rather than other youth players.
Here's a pretty cool video of Xavi & Iniesta -- 2 short small guys who were pretty good about not getting knocked off the ball -- teaching ball retention technique to youth players. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y77UuP6YYSA

What gets missed in a lot of these conversations is just how damned good you have to be to keep the ball when you don't have a size & strength advantage. I hear a lot parents complain that their kid isn't getting opportunities because the dumb coach values size/strength over their small smart and technical player, but when I watch I think the real problem is he just isn't smart or technical enough yet. This is how good you have to be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNEoBZus0JA

Unfortunately Xavi and Iniesta's time is done, but there are plenty of good examples in the modern game. Verratti for PSG, Arthur for Barcelona (and Brazil playing this month), either of the Silva's who play for Man City. All are 5'7 or shorter. Hell Verratti and B. Silva are both under 140 lbs.

A tip - learning how to properly shield is critical but mostly what you'll find from watching those type of players is how good they are at avoiding the contact to begin with. They're so tricky and evasive - defenders are trying to knock them around but just can't get near them.

My U11 son is skinny as hell and short for his age. You cannot knock him off the ball.. .no matter your size. He is tough as nails and the possession club he plays for put him at Center back (everywhere else played him at left wing or striker because he is fast and he can use both feet). The TD told me he is there because of his excellent field vision/IQ and skill. They train their future center midfielders there before they go to full field at U13. He has no problem against huge strikers/forwards and effectively shuts them down. His favorite thing to do is make them fall down with feints or nutmeg for humiliation. A lot of those gigantic forwards are not agile and not very bright. He can shield the ball very well and is tenacious. He also is extremely calm in the back/under pressure. Most direct play teams put their biggest player in that position

That's interesting because my son is tiny and does much better as a defender. He has some trouble in the forward positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone help with the clubs that are Direct (Kickball) versus Possession Style? We are in VA. 2011 or 2010

Alexandria is your best bet if you are looking for possession style. McLean's, Sterling's and Barca's top teams in 2010 age group also try to play possession style.