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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]At U11, he should not be a 'striker'.

Under U12/13 is way too young to specialize.

Total football.  The most valuable player is one that can play all positions well---even if they have an inclination for one.

My kid was put at striker his first 2 years, than center mid, and now defender this season which he is not loving (but he does it very well)--it's a possession based Club that really expects a lot from the defenders and allows them to take the space, build the attack and even shoot on goal as players shift as he goes up--overlapping runs, etc.

He's been down/a bit depressed after each practice, game and when he asked the Coach--he said "I don't trust anyone else back there".  My kid is tenacious and works to win back the ball immediately.

I would definitely allow your kid to get some goalie training/experience.  It changes a player's perception and enhances field play.

I told my child--if he wants to play elsewhere he has to demonstrate that he is better than anyone else in the team at that position.  Very recently- he's been getting some time at center mid/forward which is making him smile ear-to-ear.

His Coaches also believe in total football and have said at 12.5 years old---there's no telling what position he will eventually specialize in.  But--the best player is a versatile player.

We've told him play hard wherever he is put and see it as advantage to learn each position well.  No questions to the Coach.  He brought it up and they know his preference--but no badgering or complaining.[/quote]

Op here.  This is very helpful thank you.  For the record, we Do not live in the DC area. We are at a possession based club.   My son is usually put as a striker because he is very good at it. Actually most of the kids play one position and therefore they get pretty good at that position. You might like it or hate it, but that’s the way this club does it. My son unfortunately is not a great defender  on the field and that is why I am very hesitant about him being goalie. Additionally, like a previous poster noted above, he will be of average height And will definitely not be short but not extremely tall either. Call me crazy but I don’t want him to lose something that he is quite skillful at.[/quote]

Funny, about your last part.  We had the same view when our incredibly goal hungry child started playing defense a lot.  After a year, whenever he was placed up--he would hang back so far and not be up where he needed to be.  His mindset definitely changed.

BUT--that time as a defender has made him a much more well-rounded player.  It is really helping him now in early teens because if you can defend/get back/ make a tackle, etc.  and you are good as a forward...that ability to defend enhances your play as a forward.  Striker is the first defender on the team.

I see a lot of kids that love the glory and always have to play up front.  Many turn out to be fairly lazy players down the road.  Further, forwards are a dime a dozen.  There is never a shortage of forwards.  But--very few players have the knowledge to play defense well (not talking kick and run US defenders, btw).  So-- have your kid learn everything.  I like when my coaches would give kids half time up front/midfield and 1/2 game as defender.  Yea--it didn't always produce the win for them---but they developed some really great players by doing this in the early years.[/quote]

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