Anonymous wrote:Forward-- being able to kick ball hard and accurately
Midfielder-- being able to kick the ball really hard and score from midfield
Defender-- being able to kick ball hard enough to score from midfield and fast enough to get back on defense if goalie saves shot

This!

Forward-- being able to kick ball hard and accurately
Midfielder-- being able to kick the ball really hard and score from midfield
Defender-- being able to kick ball hard enough to score from midfield and fast enough to get back on defense if goalie saves shot

Midfielders should control the game. Know when to push play, when to hold play and know when to track back to break up play. They need a high soccer IQ.

Anonymous wrote:Midfielders:
Ability to hold the ball.
Vision and passing accuracy / properly weighting a pass
Work rate.
Making themself available to back line when building out from the back and supporting the front line on offense

Defenders:
Speed
Toughness
Smarts
Discipline
Touch of a mean streak.

Any and all positions: realizing what you do off the ball is every bit as important as what you do with the ball.

This!

Anonymous wrote:I'd add that defenders need mental as well as physical toughness. I've seen too many defenders get burned on a goal and let that affect them for the rest of the game, causing dumb mistakes. Defenders, like goalies., need to be able to take a goal and pretend it never happened.

The realization that that player/ball went through 8-9 other players first certainly helps. It’s a thankless job. The forwards can make mistake after mistake and play shitty 99% of the game - but get a goal and all is forgotten. A defender can play outstanding 99% of the game and people will remember the one mistake and blame them for losing.

I see it all of the time. Sideline parents always blaming the defense—-when their kid can’t finish for the life of them.

I'd add that defenders need mental as well as physical toughness. I've seen too many defenders get burned on a goal and let that affect them for the rest of the game, causing dumb mistakes. Defenders, like goalies., need to be able to take a goal and pretend it never happened.

Midfielders:
Ability to hold the ball.
Vision and passing accuracy / properly weighting a pass
Work rate.
Making themself available to back line when building out from the back and supporting the front line on offense

Defenders:
Speed
Toughness
Smarts
Discipline
Touch of a mean streak.

Any and all positions: realizing what you do off the ball is every bit as important as what you do with the ball.

For forwards the quantitative measure is probably obvious - goals or shots on goals. What about midfielders and defenders? What are the non-measurable things that you look for when evaluating players at this age?