Anonymous wrote:

At very young ages, it is an effective exploit that bypasses development the offense should be doing (building out/midfield) and takes advantage of development that the defense should be doing (kids learning different positions/rotating). As the kids get older and become more positionally aware, this exploit should become easy to shut down if it is the only thing the O does, so it is an issue if the D can't. As a PP also mentioned, a valid way to mix things up (e.g., O catches D pushed up too high).

OP here. Hmm. My son is a midfielder and he is definitely involved in the game - not just standing there with balls constantly flying over his head. So I am thinking they are likely mixing things up?

You're probably taking this personally. No one means that the midfield doesn't touch a ball at all - being literal. This is a generalization. The commenter was just saying what he saw overall. Even if the ball hits the midfield, he probably did not see as many passes as he would like.

This weekend my son's ulittle team ( possession based play). Passed from midfield, back to defender, keeper, back to opposite defender, winger, midfield then striker before scoring. This is the type of play that the commenter may be used to seeing.

You know what normal parents say to anyone from the opposing team if they happen to run into them in the parking lot?

"Thanks for a exciting/fun/terrific game. Nice job out there, Number 7. Have a great afternoon."

Who are you people who feel compelled to critique other people's kids on the way to the car???

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of teams in this area play kickball. It is up to the other team to figure out how to defend, regardless of what style of play you are using.

Correct. Teams need to know how to play against others who don’t dribble much and instead whack it at every touch.

Was this happening a lot in the game? Or was their one big goalie punt that ended up being scored fast?

Offsides trap, high press works wonders.

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of teams in this area play kickball. It is up to the other team to figure out how to defend, regardless of what style of play you are using.

Correct. Teams need to know how to play against others who don’t dribble much and instead whack it at every touch.

Was this happening a lot in the game? Or was their one big goalie punt that ended up being scored fast?

Maybe it was just commentary/conversation that was on his mind? Sounds like it could have even been complimentary in that your kid was attention/note-worthy. I'd let it go.

Anonymous wrote:One important fact is that if you’ll have your team playing kickball then your players need to be able to connect. There is a difference between connecting and kicking the ball and expecting your teammates catch it. There are teams with tall defenders that will put that long ball in their benefit and end in pinta for them.

*ponts

One important fact is that if you’ll have your team playing kickball then your players need to be able to connect. There is a difference between connecting and kicking the ball and expecting your teammates catch it. There are teams with tall defenders that will put that long ball in their benefit and end in pinta for them.

Anonymous wrote:Even the best possession teams will play kick/long ball to exploit a weak back line. There is a place for all styles to be played dependent on the situation.

Oh. I agree. This is why we had to switch Clubs. The old one would NEVER change tactics. Ever. They would not adjust their game or tactics when down. No reaction, no changing formations, etc. Just keep doing what wasn't working.

I much prefer the Coach that sees the game in front of him/her and makes adjustments, gives half-time instruction accordingly.

OP- you are thinking about this way too much. The opponent was just making an excuse as to why they lost. They also probably regularly blame losses on the officials. Accountability is something that is lost on many in this area, especially in youth sports.

Even the best possession teams will play kick/long ball to exploit a weak back line. There is a place for all styles to be played dependent on the situation.

Anonymous wrote:OP, my son has played for a possession-based club and a more kickball-eque club. At the end of the day, I am glad he had both experiences, because it is good to learn what all of your options are.

OMG. YES! I grew up playing soccer, raised by a soccer coach, etc. I really don't love to watch kickball. I actively sought out Clubs that focused on ball skill very young and then possession based clubs so my boys would get lots of touches.

BUT--the majority of soccer played in the US is based on pure athleticism, aggression and speed. I kept my older kid a year too long in the possession Club (thanks Covid) so when he went onto the high school field and to a new Club he was literally like 'WTF?' He had a hard time realizing that teammates would not be making the runs or anticipating the passes and he was to go forward no matter what. There was also a much greater level of air ball plays. We had to drill in his head 'stop trying to finesse and play pretty'---just frickin' GO!! and GO HARD--into every player ball . Play those long balls out to the wing that your new coaches love or you will be riding the pine the entire season. We were frustrated with our kids incessant need to play it back even with no pressure as an automatic first touch/play as the were taught. Very few of the players around you understand what you are trying to do and will not anticipate you playing it to them so it just looks like you made a shitty pass. And when you are anywhere near the box take the damn shot.

I see the value in putting a kid in both styles. We learned and made the switch with the younger one a year early and the Coach still values touches but has a more Liverpool attacking style which I love after watching our kids teams beautifully possess, posses, possess and never finish.

There is value in playing all styles. BUT--you really need to have the possession and tactics down FIRST before going to the more direct, kickball style. It's next to impossible to teach older kids how to learn possession/reading the field at the teen ages. We saw this at our old Club A LOT.

At very young ages, it is an effective exploit that bypasses development the offense should be doing (building out/midfield) and takes advantage of development that the defense should be doing (kids learning different positions/rotating). As the kids get older and become more positionally aware, this exploit should become easy to shut down if it is the only thing the O does, so it is an issue if the D can't. As a PP also mentioned, a valid way to mix things up (e.g., O catches D pushed up too high).

OP here. Hmm. My son is a midfielder and he is definitely involved in the game - not just standing there with balls constantly flying over his head. So I am thinking they are likely mixing things up?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have noticed that my son does have a different style of play than some teammates (he plays fustal seriously year rould outside of soccer and is very tiny). But, as I mentioned, I don't know the most about soccer or any sports, really. I feel like he is reasonably appreciated on the team. I am not sure exactly what "kickball" entails. Can someone explain?

Direct kicks/throws from keeper or back line to a fast forward (bypassing midfield) who chases down ball and drives to goal.

At very young ages, it is an effective exploit that bypasses development the offense should be doing (building out/midfield) and takes advantage of development that the defense should be doing (kids learning different positions/rotating). As the kids get older and become more positionally aware, this exploit should become easy to shut down if it is the only thing the O does, so it is an issue if the D can't. As a PP also mentioned, a valid way to mix things up (e.g., O catches D pushed up too high).

If the team playing kickball has fast and talented strikers, it's not easy to shut down. Before the field expands to full size, it's very hard to shut down and very effective. It's ugly, but it works

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have noticed that my son does have a different style of play than some teammates (he plays fustal seriously year rould outside of soccer and is very tiny). But, as I mentioned, I don't know the most about soccer or any sports, really. I feel like he is reasonably appreciated on the team. I am not sure exactly what "kickball" entails. Can someone explain?

Direct kicks/throws from keeper or back line to a fast forward (bypassing midfield) who chases down ball and drives to goal.

At very young ages, it is an effective exploit that bypasses development the offense should be doing (building out/midfield) and takes advantage of development that the defense should be doing (kids learning different positions/rotating). As the kids get older and become more positionally aware, this exploit should become easy to shut down if it is the only thing the O does, so it is an issue if the D can't. As a PP also mentioned, a valid way to mix things up (e.g., O catches D pushed up too high).

I have to laugh because I hear 'where is the midfield?' comments on a team that only launches the ball over the midfield directly bypassing it.

The irony is lost.

OP, my son has played for a possession-based club and a more kickball-eque club. At the end of the day, I am glad he had both experiences, because it is good to learn what all of your options are.