My son is a U12, and the coach generally plays him as a left back, which he's pretty good at. He's not a big or tall kid, but somehow, seems to be a good fit for the position. He doesn't mind being a defender, but wants to get some experience in the midfield (not interested in striker or wing, and not right for those positions either, but wants to try any of the midfield positions). The problem is, our team has kids who are good as forwards, but only one other kid who is good at defense (a right back), and so generally, DS and this kid are always defenders. The great thing is that they both pretty much get 100 percent playing time, but the downside is that they never get to try other positions. DS has asked to try midfielder, and has been allowed to in scrimmages, but never in a game.

Anonymous wrote:My son is a U12, and the coach generally plays him as a left back, which he's pretty good at. He's not a big or tall kid, but somehow, seems to be a good fit for the position. He doesn't mind being a defender, but wants to get some experience in the midfield (not interested in striker or wing, and not right of those positions either, but wants to try any of the midfield positions). The problem is, our team has kids who are good as forwards, but only one other kid who is good at defense (a right back), and so generally, DS and this kid are always defenders. The great thing is that they both pretty much get 100 percent playing time, but the downside is that they never get to try other positions. DS has asked to try midfielder, and has been allowed to in scrimmages, but never in a game.

Any advice?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a U12, and the coach generally plays him as a left back, which he's pretty good at. He's not a big or tall kid, but somehow, seems to be a good fit for the position. He doesn't mind being a defender, but wants to get some experience in the midfield (not interested in striker or wing, and not right of those positions either, but wants to try any of the midfield positions). The problem is, our team has kids who are good as forwards, but only one other kid who is good at defense (a right back), and so generally, DS and this kid are always defenders. The great thing is that they both pretty much get 100 percent playing time, but the downside is that they never get to try other positions. DS has asked to try midfielder, and has been allowed to in scrimmages, but never in a game.

Any advice?

Always good to get experience at other positions but the coach must see that he is a natural left back. As he moves on to U13 and U14, mastering the play at a particular position will be important. Especially at Left Back. Outside of goalie, that is the hardest position to fill with competent players.

My son is a U12, and the coach generally plays him as a left back, which he's pretty good at. He's not a big or tall kid, but somehow, seems to be a good fit for the position. He doesn't mind being a defender, but wants to get some experience in the midfield (not interested in striker or wing, and not right of those positions either, but wants to try any of the midfield positions). The problem is, our team has kids who are good as forwards, but only one other kid who is good at defense (a right back), and so generally, DS and this kid are always defenders. The great thing is that they both pretty much get 100 percent playing time, but the downside is that they never get to try other positions. DS has asked to try midfielder, and has been allowed to in scrimmages, but never in a game.

Any advice?


Always good to get experience at other positions but the coach must see that he is a natural left back. As he moves on to U13 and U14, mastering the play at a particular position will be important. Especially at Left Back. Outside of goalie, that is the hardest position to fill with competent players.

Is your son left-footed? If he's not then he's probably going to slot in as a centerback. Leftbacks have to be left footed when they get older. Obviously I haven't watched your DS but I wanted to jump in on this thread for some guidance. Fullback is an important position but it's not a difficult position to fill. Often you'll find fullbacks be 2nd choice wingers or shoter centerbacks. I'd say your DS continues to work and try to be tidy in midfield in scrimmages. Not saying playing where he is at is bad but he needs to make sure he is extremely technical and a great defender if he wants to keep progressing as he gets older. This is only of course is if he has ambitious aspirations for the future.

Anonymous wrote:

My son is a U12, and the coach generally plays him as a left back, which he's pretty good at. He's not a big or tall kid, but somehow, seems to be a good fit for the position. He doesn't mind being a defender, but wants to get some experience in the midfield (not interested in striker or wing, and not right of those positions either, but wants to try any of the midfield positions). The problem is, our team has kids who are good as forwards, but only one other kid who is good at defense (a right back), and so generally, DS and this kid are always defenders. The great thing is that they both pretty much get 100 percent playing time, but the downside is that they never get to try other positions. DS has asked to try midfielder, and has been allowed to in scrimmages, but never in a game.

Any advice?


Always good to get experience at other positions but the coach must see that he is a natural left back. As he moves on to U13 and U14, mastering the play at a particular position will be important. Especially at Left Back. Outside of goalie, that is the hardest position to fill with competent players.

Is your son left-footed? If he's not then he's probably going to slot in as a centerback. Leftbacks have to be left footed when they get older. Obviously I haven't watched your DS but I wanted to jump in on this thread for some guidance. Fullback is an important position but it's not a difficult position to fill. Often you'll find fullbacks be 2nd choice wingers or shoter centerbacks. I'd say your DS continues to work and try to be tidy in midfield in scrimmages. Not saying playing where he is at is bad but he needs to make sure he is extremely technical and a great defender if he wants to keep progressing as he gets older. This is only of course is if he has ambitious aspirations for the future.

Thank you. He is left footed. He's only ambitious in the sense that he wants to keep playing on a decent level team. I don't think he has aspirations beyond that. But the information you provided is very helpful and I appreciate it.

Anonymous wrote:My son is a U12, and the coach generally plays him as a left back, which he's pretty good at. He's not a big or tall kid, but somehow, seems to be a good fit for the position. He doesn't mind being a defender, but wants to get some experience in the midfield (not interested in striker or wing, and not right of those positions either, but wants to try any of the midfield positions). The problem is, our team has kids who are good as forwards, but only one other kid who is good at defense (a right back), and so generally, DS and this kid are always defenders. The great thing is that they both pretty much get 100 percent playing time, but the downside is that they never get to try other positions. DS has asked to try midfielder, and has been allowed to in scrimmages, but never in a game.

Any advice?

NOVASoccerCoach wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a U12, and the coach generally plays him as a left back, which he's pretty good at. He's not a big or tall kid, but somehow, seems to be a good fit for the position. He doesn't mind being a defender, but wants to get some experience in the midfield (not interested in striker or wing, and not right of those positions either, but wants to try any of the midfield positions). The problem is, our team has kids who are good as forwards, but only one other kid who is good at defense (a right back), and so generally, DS and this kid are always defenders. The great thing is that they both pretty much get 100 percent playing time, but the downside is that they never get to try other positions. DS has asked to try midfielder, and has been allowed to in scrimmages, but never in a game.

Any advice?

Always good to get experience at other positions but the coach must see that he is a natural left back. As he moves on to U13 and U14, mastering the play at a particular position will be important. Especially at Left Back. Outside of goalie, that is the hardest position to fill with competent players.

Is your son left-footed? If he's not then he's probably going to slot in as a centerback. Leftbacks have to be left footed when they get older. Obviously I haven't watched your DS but I wanted to jump in on this thread for some guidance. Fullback is an important position but it's not a difficult position to fill. Often you'll find fullbacks be 2nd choice wingers or shoter centerbacks. I'd say your DS continues to work and try to be tidy in midfield in scrimmages. Not saying playing where he is at is bad but he needs to make sure he is extremely technical and a great defender if he wants to keep progressing as he gets older. This is only of course is if he has ambitious aspirations for the future.

Anonymous wrote:Keep asking the coach nicely.

Many coaches mix up positions when the team is doing very well. So if the team is up by 2 or 3 he should ask again.

Is your son left-footed? If he's not then he's probably going to slot in as a centerback. Leftbacks have to be left footed when they get older. Obviously I haven't watched your DS but I wanted to jump in on this thread for some guidance. Fullback is an important position but it's not a difficult position to fill. Often you'll find fullbacks be 2nd choice wingers or shoter centerbacks. I'd say your DS continues to work and try to be tidy in midfield in scrimmages. Not saying playing where he is at is bad but he needs to make sure he is extremely technical and a great defender if he wants to keep progressing as he gets older. This is only of course is if he has ambitious aspirations for the future.

Anonymous wrote:I let my son play on a recreation league also so he could play offense.

Coach did not require travel players to come to all practices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I let my son play on a recreation league also so he could play offense.

Coach did not require travel players to come to all practices.

Interesting. What rec leagues around here allow travel players? I thought that was not allowed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I let my son play on a recreation league also so he could play offense.

Coach did not require travel players to come to all practices.

Interesting. What rec leagues around here allow travel players? I thought that was not allowed.

CYO.

Also you can guest play for lower travel teams.