Advice for small/technical player

[Anonymous]

I have a U11 player that has been playing since age 4. He’s technically gifted, can juggle, pass, dribble, shoot and receive very well (and perhaps better than most of his teammates). He’s on the top team for his club (roster size is 12) but is a fringe player/nonstarter in games and is subbed in. Unfortunately he is probably the smallest kid for the entire age group of 24 kids. Any advice for him to gain a starting spot with the A team? It’s a little frustrating to see the bigger less skilled players starting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a U11 player that has been playing since age 4. He’s technically gifted, can juggle, pass, dribble, shoot and receive very well (and perhaps better than most of his teammates). He’s on the top team for his club (roster size is 12) but is a fringe player/nonstarter in games and is subbed in. Unfortunately he is probably the smallest kid for the entire age group of 24 kids. Any advice for him to gain a starting spot with the A team? It’s a little frustrating to see the bigger less skilled players starting.

Consider seriously going to a club that does not make decisions based principally on size. There are a number of really good clubs in that age bracket which are obviously not making decisions on the basis of size. Then there are clubs doing the opposite (pretty obviously). When tryouts roll around, find out who coaches are likely to be for your son’s age group and go take a look at how their teams play (and who plays). Of course he will need some baseline of athleticism with respect to speed, agility and strength. I also recommend doing supplemental training with HP or Golden Boot. It will give him h2h competition and let him enjoy his skills. If he is free over the winter, get him on a Futsal team. He should do really well in that environment.

[Anonymous]

Sage advice. Thanks. It shouldn’t come as a shock that his coach never played, is 6’ 2” and 300ish pounds. Looks like an American football coach lol.

[Anonymous]

Is he fast?

[Anonymous]

Can he shoulder kids off the ball?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can he shoulder kids off the ball?

A good question, and again, something that can be improved through supplemental training and Futsal. On those clubs to which I referred earlier, the smaller players are among the most physically adept (and aggressive). Knowing how to shield and shoulder are important aspects of technical skill that do not involve touching the ball.

[Anonymous]

Find a coach who values technical players regardless of size

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can he shoulder kids off the ball?

A good question, and again, something that can be improved through supplemental training and Futsal. On those clubs to which I referred earlier, the smaller players are among the most physically adept (and aggressive). Knowing how to shield and shoulder are important aspects of technical skill that do not involve touching the ball.

Futsal won't help with shouldering, because shouldering is against the rules in futsal. You will get called for a foul if you try to shoulder someone off the ball in futsal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a coach who values technical players regardless of size

This. Hopefully the small, technical player is fast. If so, a good coach would snatch him up in a second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can he shoulder kids off the ball?

A good question, and again, something that can be improved through supplemental training and Futsal. On those clubs to which I referred earlier, the smaller players are among the most physically adept (and aggressive). Knowing how to shield and shoulder are important aspects of technical skill that do not involve touching the ball.

Futsal won't help with shouldering, because shouldering is against the rules in futsal. You will get called for a foul if you try to shoulder someone off the ball in futsal.

Helps with shielding big time, which is what was meant.

[Anonymous]

Take your time....fast kids with no skills get phased out fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take your time....fast kids with no skills get phased out fast.

Don't underestimate the Big Fast kids. They too can learn skills in the next year or two as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take your time....fast kids with no skills get phased out fast.

Don't underestimate the Big Fast kids. They too can learn skills in the next year or two as well.

sure, but the ones that solely rely on pure speed/strength are the ones I'm referencing. The ability to be technically prepared doesn't happen overnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take your time....fast kids with no skills get phased out fast.

Don't underestimate the Big Fast kids. They too can learn skills in the next year or two as well.

Up this. As long as they are willing to spend time on it, skill will be improved quickly (obvious results in 1-3 months).

My son is better on technical side as well, and we are trying to get faster and stronger. We are on a weekly agility training program. But the progress is not as obvious as technical training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a U11 player that has been playing since age 4. He’s technically gifted, can juggle, pass, dribble, shoot and receive very well (and perhaps better than most of his teammates). He’s on the top team for his club (roster size is 12) but is a fringe player/nonstarter in games and is subbed in. Unfortunately he is probably the smallest kid for the entire age group of 24 kids. Any advice for him to gain a starting spot with the A team? It’s a little frustrating to see the bigger less skilled players starting.

Consider seriously going to a club that does not make decisions based principally on size. There are a number of really good clubs in that age bracket which are obviously not making decisions on the basis of size. Then there are clubs doing the opposite (pretty obviously). When tryouts roll around, find out who coaches are likely to be for your son’s age group and go take a look at how their teams play (and who plays). Of course he will need some baseline of athleticism with respect to speed, agility and strength.

+1
If you look at some good U11 teams they are all giants but if you look at others there's more of a mix. I know one kid who is very small for his age at U16 and is one of the best players on his team. His parents said it look him a few years and the right coaching staff to be given the same chances as the bigger kids despite being able to handle the ball better and being faster too!