Anonymous wrote:Anyone else have this type of kid? My DC is consistently super strong in practice and scrimmages. Top skills, never gives up, full energy. Has been picked for top teams, won summer camp awards, etc. Loves the sport. But….Get to games, and… blah. It is like they forget what they can do. Thoughts? Is this in his head?

See it all the time. Practice is always good but there is no substitute for game experience. Your team should scrimmage other teams more often.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why my post got deleted a moment ago but whatever., here's another attempt: I tried asking if DS needed to do #2 before games. We have a kid who, when needs to do #2 and waits until after a game, is super sluggish in the games. When #2 is done before the games, no sluggishness in games.

My guess is your original post came off sounding like your son relieved his "anxiety" via #3.

For using the term Mr. Hanky? Mods need some help with pop culture.

Hidey Ho!

Our kids def had the #2 issue when they were at U10-and-below levels.

Been thinking about this some and #2 would explain a lot about the USMNT v T&T qualifier last cycle that the botched. I’m guess everyone except Pulisic needed to go #2 in that match.

Anonymous wrote:My DD had the same problem at U12 and U13.

The #2 problem?

She worked with a private trainer who did a great job helping her build confidence. In addition to technical work, he watched tapes of some of her games with her. He helped her catch what she was doing right.

This definitely falls into the "above and beyond" category of training.

They also looked at how many times some of the "stars" on the team missed shots and made mistakes when taking risks. Eventually, it clicked for her that "You gotta take 'em to make 'em." She is in high school now and a confident starter.

Potty trained by high school is a solid goal. All kids should strive for it.

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why my post got deleted a moment ago but whatever., here's another attempt: I tried asking if DS needed to do #2 before games. We have a kid who, when needs to do #2 and waits until after a game, is super sluggish in the games. When #2 is done before the games, no sluggishness in games.

Yes - I think this is likely the problem. Certainly he often seems to have to run off the field at crucial moments in the game - and he heads straight for the porta. Some games he spends the whole second half in there - and those are the games where he contributes least of all. Thanks for this practical suggestion - you have definitely taken a load off my mind.

My DD had the same problem at U12 and U13. She worked with a private trainer who did a great job helping her build confidence. In addition to technical work, he watched tapes of some of her games with her. He helped her catch what she was doing right. They also looked at how many times some of the "stars" on the team missed shots and made mistakes when taking risks. Eventually, it clicked for her that "You gotta take 'em to make 'em." She is in high school now and a confident starter.

Anonymous wrote:How old? I have seen young skilled kids who are very good in practice not have an impact. Sometimes it’s playing with kids who do not have the soccer IQ or skill to play quickly. They get frustrating with the some of the other kids.

What?

How old? I have seen young skilled kids who are very good in practice not have an impact. Sometimes it’s playing with kids who do not have the soccer IQ or skill to play quickly. They get frustrating with the some of the other kids.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else have this type of kid? My DC is consistently super strong in practice and scrimmages. Top skills, never gives up, full energy. Has been picked for top teams, won summer camp awards, etc. Loves the sport. But….Get to games, and… blah. It is like they forget what they can do. Thoughts? Is this in his head?

Yes, this was my daughter from u8-u13. Usually the best player at practice but game time she went into a shell. Her issues were confidence and being terrified of making a mistake during games. She finally broke out of it after we decided mistakes are good if you're trying to do something positive. I really drilled that into her head. Had her listen to some podcasts about playing with confidence, AlphaGirl, more geared towards girls, which really helped. She still has lapses, especially when playing with older kids but for the most part she's overcome this issue.. It was really frustrating because she was such a good player but didn't show it during games.

OP again. Leave it to DCUM to go in bizarre places. Popcorn indeed. Ok, anxiety could be issue. Speed of play definitely not. Already took a step down there so pretty easy. #2??? Wow… no but thx for the very honest tip! I will work on what might be performance anxiety.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your child’s personality competitive in general or more of a pleasing type? Our DD was almost the opposite. She blended in at practice but rose to the occasion and stood out in games. She always found practice repetitive and boring. It’s like she needed that edge and desire to win that comes in a game situation.

So his lazy in practices but takes the spot of those worked worked hard at the games.

**He is

Wait… uhm, are you sure it’s not mix? You could be sued for endangering someone’s feelings 🐸☕️

Full correction “your DD is lazy during practices but during games she takes or expects the spot of the kid who worked hard (in practice)”.

Not sure where lazy came from. DD’s effort and performance in practice was the same as that of the whole team. Her spot on the field was earned and decided by the coaches. Simply used an example of loving the competitive aspect of games to see if maybe OP’s son loved the sport but got anxious in games. Clearly poor choice of wording on my part since others read it as my kid was lazy and trying to be a show off during games.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your child’s personality competitive in general or more of a pleasing type? Our DD was almost the opposite. She blended in at practice but rose to the occasion and stood out in games. She always found practice repetitive and boring. It’s like she needed that edge and desire to win that comes in a game situation.

So his lazy in practices but takes the spot of those worked worked hard at the games.

**He is

Wait… uhm, are you sure it’s not mix? You could be sued for endangering someone’s feelings 🐸☕️

Full correction “your DD is lazy during practices but during games she takes or expects the spot of the kid who worked hard (in practice)”.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your child’s personality competitive in general or more of a pleasing type? Our DD was almost the opposite. She blended in at practice but rose to the occasion and stood out in games. She always found practice repetitive and boring. It’s like she needed that edge and desire to win that comes in a game situation.

So his lazy in practices but takes the spot of those worked worked hard at the games.

**He is

Wait… uhm, are you sure it’s not mix? You could be sued for endangering someone’s feelings 🐸☕️

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why my post got deleted a moment ago but whatever., here's another attempt: I tried asking if DS needed to do #2 before games. We have a kid who, when needs to do #2 and waits until after a game, is super sluggish in the games. When #2 is done before the games, no sluggishness in games.

My guess is your original post came off sounding like your son relieved his "anxiety" via #3.

For using the term Mr. Hanky? Mods need some help with pop culture.

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why my post got deleted a moment ago but whatever., here's another attempt: I tried asking if DS needed to do #2 before games. We have a kid who, when needs to do #2 and waits until after a game, is super sluggish in the games. When #2 is done before the games, no sluggishness in games.

My guess is your original post came off sounding like your son relieved his "anxiety" via #3.