Most difficult, probably center mids. Kids not knowing how to position themselves or have the vision on when to press, drop to defense or go for goal. Too many variables that are not hammered home here in the U.S. As far as most important? I think it would be the players on the spine. Goalie, Center back, defensive mid, attacking mid and striker.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not counting goalie, which position you consider is the most difficult position to play and which is the most important one if have to pick one?

Center mid (1) and sweeper (2) are most demanding, IMHO. 'Most difficult'? that depends on so many things...

Sweeper? 1989 just called and they want their position back.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of love for the Mids. Opinion on attacking mid vs holding mid?

AM harder because of athleticism and speed needed. The AM is the playmaker, must be creative and great skills, passing and scoring. HM requires foot skills, passing, vision, 1v1 defending. But not so much speed or size so it's much easier to find players.

Lots of love for the Mids. Opinion on attacking mid vs holding mid?

Hardest positions (besides GK) to play / find:

1 - Attacking Mid (10)
2 - Left Back (3)
3 - Striker (9)

6 and 8 or otherwise known as the center mids should be the smartest on the field and have the biggest impact on controlling the game. They are usually the best players.

Anonymous wrote:Not counting goalie, which position you consider is the most difficult position to play and which is the most important one if have to pick one?

The hardest position to fill on most teams is a true #9. I see lots of teams with everything else, but they just can't score because they don't have that true goal scoring forward.

#10 attacking center mids are one in a million in the US. We don't train for soccer IQ so none of them have enough. Most of our kids are either taught simplistic every ball over the top American soccer or they are over-programmed to where they never learn to think for themselves. Either way they never learn to get their head up under pressure and create from the middle. So that is the hardest position to fill well. Maybe that's why the older teams only bring the ball up through the wings?

U9 -U12 Center Mid because your asked to carry the load for lesser players on field regularly.

U13 and up they are all equal except Goalie. the Goalie has to keep the ball out of the net, distribute to the correct spots. Also control the defenders lines when most kids at those ages have a hard time taking direction from a peer. other than Goalie all other positions have equally hard needs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not counting goalie, which position you consider is the most difficult position to play and which is the most important one if have to pick one?

Center mid (1) and sweeper (2) are most demanding, IMHO. 'Most difficult'? that depends on so many things...

To put it another way, assuming you have a group of travel kids to pick from, which position you will have a harder time to fill that will meet your expectations for that position?

Interesting point on harder to fill. Curious to get others view, in our experience, we see far less (girls) who play (want to play?) defenders and specifically center backs in higher level travel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not counting goalie, which position you consider is the most difficult position to play and which is the most important one if have to pick one?

Center mid (1) and sweeper (2) are most demanding, IMHO. 'Most difficult'? that depends on so many things...

To put it another way, assuming you have a group of travel kids to pick from, which position you will have a harder time to fill that will meet your expectations for that position?

Offensive center midfield. Very hard to find in US soccer because they are not selecting players with that skill set in the u littles. You really have to luck into one. The position requires touch, vision, technical skills, soccer IQ, unselfish and making everyone around you better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not counting goalie, which position you consider is the most difficult position to play and which is the most important one if have to pick one?

Center mid (1) and sweeper (2) are most demanding, IMHO. 'Most difficult'? that depends on so many things...

Sweeper? 1989 just called and they want their position back.

Anonymous wrote:Not counting goalie, which position you consider is the most difficult position to play and which is the most important one if have to pick one?

Center mid (1) and sweeper (2) are most demanding, IMHO. 'Most difficult'? that depends on so many things...

Not counting goalie, which position you consider is the most difficult position to play and which is the most important one if have to pick one?