Changing positions at U14

[Anonymous]

My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

[Anonymous]

What’s a natural defender?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s a natural defender?

Good question: someone who does not give up easily and fights for the ball when he loses it.

[Anonymous]

My DD was playing up top for a while and as she got older they started playing her back more - not unusual. They actually swapped a few of our defenders and forwards and its actually been beneficial for the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was playing up top for a while and as she got older they started playing her back more - not unusual. They actually swapped a few of our defenders and forwards and its actually been beneficial for the team.

That's table stakes for any top level soccer player, whether U11 or pro. I think natural defender is all about vision, timing, understanding of space (and not where the next pass goes but where the passes and players after the next pass could go in relation to where your teammates are and will likely go) and great anticipation beyond the on-ball capability. It's creativity combined with ultra paranoia. Defense is about heart, speed and toughness but so is every other position in soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD was playing up top for a while and as she got older they started playing her back more - not unusual. They actually swapped a few of our defenders and forwards and its actually been beneficial for the team.

That's table stakes for any top level soccer player, whether U11 or pro. I think natural defender is all about vision, timing, understanding of space (and not where the next pass goes but where the passes and players after the next pass could go in relation to where your teammates are and will likely go) and great anticipation beyond the on-ball capability. It's creativity combined with ultra paranoia. Defense is about heart, speed and toughness but so is every other position in soccer.

Sorry. Meant to reply to earlier post about somebody not giving up easily and trying to get ball back after losing. No offense to your DD!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

This is normal - especially so if you are moving up a level. Usually when you get to the best teams in the area almost all the kids were at some point midfielders or attackers. At higher levels those same skills are required all over the field - and right back may not be that different from winger at times, depending on how the new team plays.

Your DS will probably make some mistakes for a few weeks - but as long as he gets good coaching, listens and works hard he will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s a natural defender?

Good question: someone who does not give up easily and fights for the ball when he loses it.

Thats not what I'd define as a "natural defender". that's just aggressive.

[Anonymous]

Jesus Navas from Sevilla reconverted into a RB after being a winger for most of his career. Your son will become a better and more rounded player after this switch. Thank the coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

Likely getting slower and more technical kids are hitting their growth spurt and showing him up.

[Anonymous]

More and more teams are using right and left backs as playmaking wingers. You are seeing teams keep two at the back and sending up the RB and or LB on attacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

Just by the wording, you’re in over your head. Either trust the coaches or don’t.

[Anonymous]

See Alphonso Davies of Bayern. Was an attacking winger and is now converted into one of the best left backs in the world. Attacking skills are still valued in the back. You have to be able to take people on, cross the ball and make runs for yourself or open space for your team. Playing up top is sexy, but your contribution can be just as strong in the back, especially if you can develop those defensive skills.

[Anonymous]

What’s a natural defender?


Good question: someone who does not give up easily and fights for the ball when he loses it.

I'd actually say someone disciplined, smart, and aggressive but generally bigger and taller (yes, I know there are exceptions). My son moved from a defender to a midfielder when he did not grow as fast as some of his team mates. It worked out well for him, he seems to be a good fit for his new position and likes it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has been playing right wing. It’s been his main position for a few years now. He also plays left-wing and striker a fair bit. This year he changed clubs to get more of a challenge. His new team is playing at a much higher level than his old team. However, they just changed his position to right back. He is never played defense before and is definitely not a natural defender. This kind of scares me as he’s so used to playing offense. My question is this: is it normal to change positions at U 14? I guess I assumed he would play offense because he’s good at it. Pros/cons to changing positions?

changing positions can happy at any age any time. it is totally normal for U14.

good right back/left back is very hard to find. you need good skill/athleticism/iq to play well. since a lot of teams like to build from back. coach moved him for at least one of following reasons:

1. there is no player can play right back better than him.
2. there are better players for left-wing and striker.

if it is 2, he will need to prove to coach that he is better (if he wants to go back to left-wing/striker). work on whatever he can work on, 1v1, shooting/finishing, killer pass, etc.