Anonymous wrote:Natural athletes more often than not have more LENGTH than most people. Meaning longer limbs than average athletes. Longer legs and wingspan is something that is looked at in the elite natural athletes. most people have a wingspan either equal to or 1-2 inches more than their height. The elite natural athletes tend to a plus 4" or more up to +10 in wingspan to height ratio. Its not sport specific its athletes across the board.

This is interesting, it's well documented that NBA players have longer wingspans than expected based on their height. I can also see how that would be an advantage in the NFL. But I have never heard of this before as an advantage in soccer - I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm wondering if you have any sources about this, or if any soccer leagues publish statistics on wingspan or length of legs.

Shorter limbs can be an advantage in some sports: swimming (Michael Phelps has shorter legs than expected based on his size), gymnastics, weight lifting. I can see how longer legs in soccer give you a longer stride and longer reach, and that's clearly an advantage. However, I can also see how more (shorter) strides per unit of time might allow for more touches on the ball and quicker turning in short spaces. Maybe in soccer there is room for both.

The elephant in the room every soccer parent pretends doesn't matter is size.

Its natural and cant be taught. true not all athletes with size are natural athletes but its a natural aspect. I will take 6'2" athlete over a 5'8" athlete with th same skill set 10 out of 10 times in almost any sport.

They also see the bigger picture than just themselves. The best skills in the world won't help if they continue to steel the basketball, score a goal on you, etc. Knowing the game so well you can just about predict what happens not only next, but a few plays ahead

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see many times the term "Natural Athlete" being mentioned. What 3 traits best define this when you see one.

(1) Picks up the baseline skills of any sport she tries very quickly and easily. Would probably be able to compete at a high level in whatever sport she chooses.
Makes it look easy, whatever “it” is.
(2) Very fast reaction times.
(3) Loves the physicality of sport and has a competitive, athletic mentality from a very young age. the child who always wants to go to training and chooses to do more on her own time because it’s her favorite thing to do. This is underrated IMHO — you can have the first two, but without this, it doesn’t matter. I say this b/c I have one child who had 1 & 2 but not three, and one child who had all three, and the difference between the two of them was easy to see as they grew through adolescence.

1 and 3 are attributes that many average athletes have, and use to make up for deficits to natural athletes in speed, strength, coordination, agility. Physicality is absolutely how average athletes can beat superior natural athletes - I simply don't see this as something that is natural at all.

Anonymous wrote:Heightened situational awareness, including an awareness of their own bodies and movements, and an ability to reliably forecast, read, synthesize and respond to those around them, whether it be players on a soccer field, dancers of a stage or audience engagement in gymnastics performance events.

My personal view is that these skills May also be a large part of why elite athletes can often transition into strong negotiators and leaders in other areas, whether it be business, politics law, whatever. The ability to predict read and respond to the room is such a gift in many areas.

This is true too natural confidence coincides with performance much more than acquired confidence.

Anonymous wrote:Heightened situational awareness, including an awareness of their own bodies and movements, and an ability to reliably forecast, read, synthesize and respond to those around them, whether it be players on a soccer field, dancers of a stage or audience engagement in gymnastics performance events.

My personal view is that these skills May also be a large part of why elite athletes can often transition into strong negotiators and leaders in other areas, whether it be business, politics law, whatever. The ability to predict read and respond to the room is such a gift in many areas.

Many don't transition well at all, and many people who are strong in the latter areas are not natural or even average athletes, which is why this is an important attribute in sports, but not one I associate with natural athleticism.

Heightened situational awareness, including an awareness of their own bodies and movements, and an ability to reliably forecast, read, synthesize and respond to those around them, whether it be players on a soccer field, dancers of a stage or audience engagement in gymnastics performance events.

My personal view is that these skills May also be a large part of why elite athletes can often transition into strong negotiators and leaders in other areas, whether it be business, politics law, whatever. The ability to predict read and respond to the room is such a gift in many areas.

Natural athletes more often than not have more LENGTH than most people. Meaning longer limbs than average athletes. Longer legs and wingspan is something that is looked at in the elite natural athletes. most people have a wingspan either equal to or 1-2 inches more than their height. The elite natural athletes tend to a plus 4" or more up to +10 in wingspan to height ratio. Its not sport specific its athletes across the board.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see many times the term "Natural Athlete" being mentioned. What 3 traits best define this when you see one.

(1) Picks up the baseline skills of any sport she tries very quickly and easily. Would probably be able to compete at a high level in whatever sport she chooses.
Makes it look easy, whatever “it” is.
(2) Very fast reaction times.
(3) Loves the physicality of sport and has a competitive, athletic mentality from a very young age. the child who always wants to go to training and chooses to do more on her own time because it’s her favorite thing to do. This is underrated IMHO — you can have the first two, but without this, it doesn’t matter. I say this b/c I have one child who had 1 & 2 but not three, and one child who had all three, and the difference between the two of them was easy to see as they grew through adolescence.

+1. This is very true.

Anonymous wrote:I see many times the term "Natural Athlete" being mentioned. What 3 traits best define this when you see one.

(1) Picks up the baseline skills of any sport she tries very quickly and easily. Would probably be able to compete at a high level in whatever sport she chooses.
Makes it look easy, whatever “it” is.
(2) Very fast reaction times.
(3) Loves the physicality of sport and has a competitive, athletic mentality from a very young age. the child who always wants to go to training and chooses to do more on her own time because it’s her favorite thing to do. This is underrated IMHO — you can have the first two, but without this, it doesn’t matter. I say this b/c I have one child who had 1 & 2 but not three, and one child who had all three, and the difference between the two of them was easy to see as they grew through adolescence.

Speed
Agility
Strength

Reflexes.
Coordination.

Anonymous wrote:I see many times the term "Natural Athlete" being mentioned. What 3 traits best define this when you see one.

Strength
Speed
Balance

When limited subs: endurance.

I see many times the term "Natural Athlete" being mentioned. What 3 traits best define this when you see one.