Anonymous wrote:All right, all you coaches out there: my DC is interested in playing in college and is MAYBE going to be at that level when it matters. We will see. One challenge is that DC is very introverted. On the field they tend to focus more on their own game and don’t have that leader/cheerleader personality. I have heard that demonstrated character is critical in these roster decisions. Is this true? So quieter players get the shaft even if skilled?

Coach here. There are lots of ways to show character. Communication on the field is certainly important, but there are lots of ways you can communicate non-verbally. There are certain positions I expect to communicate more than others, such as GK, CB and CM, but not everyone was born to be a field marshal / team captain.

Bottom line: If you're good enough, someone will pick you up. Communication is one of those things that can help you stand out a bit more, but I'm going to notice how you play first.

My kid is somewhat similar. He's a goalkeeper and switched to a new club this year. His new coach has been very focused on strengthening his communication on the field. The keeper coach doesn't typically go to games, so he talked to the head coach and us, asking us to talk to him before games about his confidence and presence on the field, even in terms of how he holds stands when the ball isn't near him. It's been a huge help and really good for him, even if it's not his natural tendency.

Anonymous wrote:Ok… OP here, it was a real question. Honestly FB is filled with the “rah rah” requirements for team selection. It’s just not natural for DC so wanted to know if that was limiting or not. Thx.

So my kid is U19 ECNL player and lots of kids are committed and lots are not. Some are still working things out and will commit soon. I see no correlation between those that are committed or will commit and being overly loud and commanding/leading on the team. The players that are committed or will commit to play in college are (1) technically and tactically very good players and teammates and (2) worked their butts off contacting college coaches, making highlight video, etc. and marketing themselves. I honestly don't see being soft spoken, shy, etc as an issue as long as it doesn't transfer to the field by like not being aggressive, not challenging for 50/50s, avoiding contact, avoiding headers,...stuff like that. You have to have that as well. You need to be a dawg to some degree but you do not need to run around encouraging everyone, directing people, being the hype man.

OP you need to google what being an introvert means.

Ok… OP here, it was a real question. Honestly FB is filled with the “rah rah” requirements for team selection. It’s just not natural for DC so wanted to know if that was limiting or not. Thx.

Anonymous wrote:Yes they are a possession player and pass all the time. But I agree… hard to be a core part of team without a lot of communication.

OP, it was kind of a joke given your title and that everyone is an "Introvert" now.
Of course they will be noticed for their skills. There are tons of sports where players don't even have the same language (soccer and hockey come to mind) and they manage to be a team.

Yes they are a possession player and pass all the time. But I agree… hard to be a core part of team without a lot of communication.

It wont work. Too clicky… lots of communication and criticism on the field…. All the time

Don't think you can "focus on your own game" and be part of the team. Does he even pass

All right, all you coaches out there: my DC is interested in playing in college and is MAYBE going to be at that level when it matters. We will see. One challenge is that DC is very introverted. On the field they tend to focus more on their own game and don’t have that leader/cheerleader personality. I have heard that demonstrated character is critical in these roster decisions. Is this true? So quieter players get the shaft even if skilled?