What makes a good... forward, midfielder and defender at U12?

[Anonymous]

For forwards the quantitative measure is probably obvious - goals or shots on goals. What about midfielders and defenders? What are the non-measurable things that you look for when evaluating players at this age?

[Anonymous]

Midfielders:
Ability to hold the ball.
Vision and passing accuracy / properly weighting a pass
Work rate.
Making themself available to back line when building out from the back and supporting the front line on offense

Defenders:
Speed
Toughness
Smarts
Discipline
Touch of a mean streak.

Any and all positions: realizing what you do off the ball is every bit as important as what you do with the ball.

[Anonymous]

I'd add that defenders need mental as well as physical toughness. I've seen too many defenders get burned on a goal and let that affect them for the rest of the game, causing dumb mistakes. Defenders, like goalies., need to be able to take a goal and pretend it never happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd add that defenders need mental as well as physical toughness. I've seen too many defenders get burned on a goal and let that affect them for the rest of the game, causing dumb mistakes. Defenders, like goalies., need to be able to take a goal and pretend it never happened.

The realization that that player/ball went through 8-9 other players first certainly helps. It’s a thankless job. The forwards can make mistake after mistake and play shitty 99% of the game - but get a goal and all is forgotten. A defender can play outstanding 99% of the game and people will remember the one mistake and blame them for losing.

I see it all of the time. Sideline parents always blaming the defense—-when their kid can’t finish for the life of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Midfielders:
Ability to hold the ball.
Vision and passing accuracy / properly weighting a pass
Work rate.
Making themself available to back line when building out from the back and supporting the front line on offense

Defenders:
Speed
Toughness
Smarts
Discipline
Touch of a mean streak.

Any and all positions: realizing what you do off the ball is every bit as important as what you do with the ball.

This!

[Anonymous]

Midfielders should control the game. Know when to push play, when to hold play and know when to track back to break up play. They need a high soccer IQ.

[Anonymous]

Forward-- being able to kick ball hard and accurately
Midfielder-- being able to kick the ball really hard and score from midfield
Defender-- being able to kick ball hard enough to score from midfield and fast enough to get back on defense if goalie saves shot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Forward-- being able to kick ball hard and accurately
Midfielder-- being able to kick the ball really hard and score from midfield
Defender-- being able to kick ball hard enough to score from midfield and fast enough to get back on defense if goalie saves shot

This!