Understanding transition from A to B

[Anonymous]

Last year my DD at U9 was member of the A team. She was small, scrappy with good IQ. This year, she is still part of the A team but hasnt really kept pace with her team and opponents and isn't as much a part of the play anymore even when she is in the game, her scrappiness is still there, but not very effective because she can’t keep up with speed of play change that happened. I dont think the coach will make a change, but the situation is obvious. What do I do? just wait it out? She would probably have more action in the B team and I am hesitant to talk to the coach. This doesnt seem like a winning situation for the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year my DD at U9 was member of the A team. She was small, scrappy with good IQ. This year, she is still part of the A team but hasnt really kept pace with her team and opponents and isn't as much a part of the play anymore even when she is in the game, her scrappiness is still there, but not very effective because she can’t keep up with speed of play change that happened. I dont think the coach will make a change, but the situation is obvious. What do I do? just wait it out? She would probably have more action in the B team and I am hesitant to talk to the coach. This doesnt seem like a winning situation for the team.

At U9/10, training sessions are much more important than games. Practicing with and against strong players should help with making quick decisions and help to get her used to the increased speed of play (assuming that the coach is running quality training sessions). Oftentimes, "not keeping up with the speed of play" is a function of a child not having the same level of technical skill with the ball vs. the other players on the field. Taking too long to think about what move/pass to make under pressure, etc. If your daughter is interested, I would recommend looking for a good futsal program during the winter. It is incredibly fast and, if you find a good coach, the kids get hundreds of touches on the ball at every training session.

The other big question is, does this situation bother your daughter, or is it just bothering you? If she is happy and having fun, it's not a bad thing to have her playing and practicing with kids that are stronger than her... That's how you get better. If it is bothering her, then you may want to ask the coach what he/she thinks that she needs to work on.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response, it’s not just decision making, it’s physical too, size and speed, and strength. It doesn’t feel like the same group anymore. She notices it, but doesn’t understand what’s going on. What concerns me more is that the coach is ignoring it and that may backfire for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the response, it’s not just decision making, it’s physical too, size and speed, and strength. It doesn’t feel like the same group anymore. She notices it, but doesn’t understand what’s going on. What concerns me more is that the coach is ignoring it and that may backfire for her.

One possibility is that you worried too much. Maybe talk to her and see whether she wants to work harder at her own time to catch up? If she can do that I think she will be fine.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think the issue is working harder right now. It doesn’t look like a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Work hard and earn it, she can't make herself taller but she can focus on her in play speed of keeping her eyes up and making fast and accurate decisions. Size and speed at this age should not matter, unless you have one of those run and gun teams, if that's the case I'm not sure she will get much out of that style of play regardless.

[Anonymous]

It’s not a run and gun team, they are really good at possession and just really talented for their age. Mine is definitely not keeping up.

[Anonymous]

She will catch up by U11

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not a run and gun team, they are really good at possession and just really talented for their age. Mine is definitely not keeping up.

There aren't ANY U10 girls teams (or U11 for that matter) that are really good at possession. Some players here and there, but not a team full of players with enough quality on the ball to play really well in terms of possession. If she's willing to work, work with her on her first touch, ball control, striking the ball.

[Anonymous]

I would not worry too much about it as long as she is getting sufficient playing time. These are U10s, which means they are still developing!!! It is too early to worry about A vs B team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not worry too much about it as long as she is getting sufficient playing time. These are U10s, which means they are still developing!!! It is too early to worry about A vs B team.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

So the biggest thing will be the social aspects. t most club the “A” does not mix with the”B”. The girls she is friends with now will not be her friends when she goes down.

[Anonymous]

The A&B mix, but she’s not really friends with either. She is very shy and while she gets minutes, the pace of the game has picked up and she’s not really getting any touches.

[Anonymous]

welcome to the real world and having to adapt to different social situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:welcome to the real world and having to adapt to different social situations.

What does this mean? What’s wrong with playing on a second team if that’s the right fit?