What to do for U11 kid

[Anonymous]

he's a natural defender and does it very well. However, his adult height will likely only be 5'8", and he's tiny now as well (25th percentile for age). He'll need to move to another position eventually, but isn't aggressive enough to play striker. He was a wing in futsal, and handled e that well, but it doesn't seem to be translating back to soccer as well as I had hoped. The coach likes to play him as a defender because he's good at it. But I can't really complain, because he doesn't look comfortable when placed elsewhere. What else could he transition to and do? Midfielder? The team already has a good one.

[Anonymous]

You put him on a team and let the coaches play him in different places across the field.

[Anonymous]

Most kids drop out of soccer anyway, so his adult height is kind of irrelevant. Just let him play whatever position he enjoys, since its just for fun anyway.

[Anonymous]

A good defender is very hard to come by and will prove much more valuable to a team in the long-term. At age 10 or 11 kids are all focused on being the top scorer but that will change as they get older.

Defenders often play the whole game or more than other positions and a good one is really worth it's weight in gold.

The only child we know from when he was in early elementary soccer and who who made a top team at a big club and the HS team (large public in a wealthy area) is small and a defender.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:he's a natural defender and does it very well. However, his adult height will likely only be 5'8", and he's tiny now as well (25th percentile for age). He'll need to move to another position eventually, but isn't aggressive enough to play striker. He was a wing in futsal, and handled e that well, but it doesn't seem to be translating back to soccer as well as I had hoped. The coach likes to play him as a defender because he's good at it. But I can't really complain, because he doesn't look comfortable when placed elsewhere. What else could he transition to and do? Midfielder? The team already has a good one.

He is 11, he is not a natural anything.

Make sure he develops his technical game and make sure he plays in multiple positions over his young playing career.

[Anonymous]

height like speed is 1 quality that can influence play - it is not a limiter

particularly now with emphasis on skill on center backs as pivots like at Barca, height is not a limiter: Mascherano 5'8' Puyol 5'9'

also: Phillip Lahm defender 5'7'

height is not the limiter

better to play big and come up big in big moments than to merely be big

[Anonymous]

A good defender is very hard to come by and will prove much more valuable to a team in the long-term. At age 10 or 11 kids are all focused on being the top scorer but that will change as they get older.

Defenders often play the whole game or more than other positions and a good one is really worth it's weight in gold.

The only child we know from when he was in early elementary soccer and who who made a top team at a big club and the HS team (large public in a wealthy area) is small and a defender.

Thanks. I don't have anything against being a defender - just did not want him to limit himself to something he cannot continue with through middle and high school if he so desires.

[Anonymous]

You put him on a team and let the coaches play him in different places across the field.

Yeah, he is always played at defender in actual games - in internal scrimmages sometimes elsewhere. Coach is a good guy and we mentioned this to him, but he definitely likes to win, so nothing changes much in games for any kid.

[Anonymous]

My 5'9" DS is a defender on his HS team (varsity starter in 10th grade, now is in 11th) and a starting defender on his club team....

[Anonymous]

Coach here:

I agree with what most have said above, which is basically don't worry about it.

It's our job as coaches to find the right fit for players. Sometimes it's the players best position, sometimes it's what is best for the team.

What he learns as a defender should translate to other positions should he be moved later on. In fact I find it easier to convert players in the back or midfield to other positions than say forwards to mids or backs. This is just my experience though - I'm sure others will vary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coach here:

I agree with what most have said above, which is basically don't worry about it.

It's our job as coaches to find the right fit for players. Sometimes it's the players best position, sometimes it's what is best for the team.

What he learns as a defender should translate to other positions should he be moved later on. In fact I find it easier to convert players in the back or midfield to other positions than say forwards to mids or backs. This is just my experience though - I'm sure others will vary.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Speed more importance than size on defense. I was a 5'7" defender in HS and was recruited by D1 schools.

[Anonymous]

Some guy named Leo Messi is 5'7, so according to your logic he should be worse off than your DS

[Anonymous]

Some guy named Leo Messi is 5'7, so according to your logic he should be worse off than your DS

Lionel Messi is a forward player so that's not comparable at all. There are many great forward players who are short.

[Anonymous]

Dani Alves: 5.7 feet (1.72 meters)
Jordi Alba: 5.6 feet (1.70 meters)
Dani Carvajal: 5.7 feet (1.73 meters)
Marcelo: 5.7 feet (1.74 meters)
Roberto Carlos: 5.5 feet (1.68 meters)