Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

This advice is dead wrong. Girls ages 9-12 are still growing and most have not hit puberty. You’d be a fool to judge factors such as aggression and size over technical ability at this age. Usually, kids with great technical ability also have speed and athleticism anyways.

Kids without the technical skills by age 12 should reconsider what sports to invest their time in. Muscle memory has already kicked in; whereas, athleticism, aggression and speed can always be taught. Technical abilities have a range before it’s just not happening. typically because if a kid has not practiced these skills in the past 3 years, they won’t automatically get disciplined enough to do it. I’ve never seen a 12 year old suddenly execute amazing technical skills if they didn’t already have a baseline.

You can't teach speed or athleticism. It's either there or not. You can make a kid marginally faster, but you can not make a slow kid fast

It’s clear you have never coached girls (maybe rec) or ever had good coaches. These are the most basic skills you can teach younger kids. Even older kids can get in shape and develop speed and athleticism. This is nothing more than getting in shape. Aggression is just a state of mind. However, skills get harder and harder to develop with age. That is why every country outside of America teaches fundamentals and skills repetitively. Over and over again then they work on size and aggression in the older years.

Why is there this focus on what other countries do? Who cares? We do what we do. If we wanted to produce the best soccer players we would. We don’t want that. It is at best a second tier sport in the US. Maybe third tier. Higher on girls side. Kids already quit as they get older. You would increase that by focusing on skills only. You would move the sport to fourth tier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

This advice is dead wrong. Girls ages 9-12 are still growing and most have not hit puberty. You’d be a fool to judge factors such as aggression and size over technical ability at this age. Usually, kids with great technical ability also have speed and athleticism anyways.

Kids without the technical skills by age 12 should reconsider what sports to invest their time in. Muscle memory has already kicked in; whereas, athleticism, aggression and speed can always be taught. Technical abilities have a range before it’s just not happening. typically because if a kid has not practiced these skills in the past 3 years, they won’t automatically get disciplined enough to do it. I’ve never seen a 12 year old suddenly execute amazing technical skills if they didn’t already have a baseline.

You can't teach speed or athleticism. It's either there or not. You can make a kid marginally faster, but you can not make a slow kid fast

It’s clear you have never coached girls (maybe rec) or ever had good coaches. These are the most basic skills you can teach younger kids. Even older kids can get in shape and develop speed and athleticism. This is nothing more than getting in shape. Aggression is just a state of mind. However, skills get harder and harder to develop with age. That is why every country outside of America teaches fundamentals and skills repetitively. Over and over again then they work on size and aggression in the older years.

You're a natural athlete or you aren't. By U12, the travel kids are all already running and in shape, you still can't make a slow kid fast or quick.

Agreed fat and slow kids do not make good soccer players.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

This advice is dead wrong. Girls ages 9-12 are still growing and most have not hit puberty. You’d be a fool to judge factors such as aggression and size over technical ability at this age. Usually, kids with great technical ability also have speed and athleticism anyways.

Kids without the technical skills by age 12 should reconsider what sports to invest their time in. Muscle memory has already kicked in; whereas, athleticism, aggression and speed can always be taught. Technical abilities have a range before it’s just not happening. typically because if a kid has not practiced these skills in the past 3 years, they won’t automatically get disciplined enough to do it. I’ve never seen a 12 year old suddenly execute amazing technical skills if they didn’t already have a baseline.

You can't teach speed or athleticism. It's either there or not. You can make a kid marginally faster, but you can not make a slow kid fast

It’s clear you have never coached girls (maybe rec) or ever had good coaches. These are the most basic skills you can teach younger kids. Even older kids can get in shape and develop speed and athleticism. This is nothing more than getting in shape. Aggression is just a state of mind. However, skills get harder and harder to develop with age. That is why every country outside of America teaches fundamentals and skills repetitively. Over and over again then they work on size and aggression in the older years.

You're a natural athlete or you aren't. By U12, the travel kids are all already running and in shape, you still can't make a slow kid fast or quick.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

This advice is dead wrong. Girls ages 9-12 are still growing and most have not hit puberty. You’d be a fool to judge factors such as aggression and size over technical ability at this age. Usually, kids with great technical ability also have speed and athleticism anyways.

Kids without the technical skills by age 12 should reconsider what sports to invest their time in. Muscle memory has already kicked in; whereas, athleticism, aggression and speed can always be taught. Technical abilities have a range before it’s just not happening. typically because if a kid has not practiced these skills in the past 3 years, they won’t automatically get disciplined enough to do it. I’ve never seen a 12 year old suddenly execute amazing technical skills if they didn’t already have a baseline.

You can't teach speed or athleticism. It's either there or not. You can make a kid marginally faster, but you can not make a slow kid fast

It’s clear you have never coached girls (maybe rec) or ever had good coaches. These are the most basic skills you can teach younger kids. Even older kids can get in shape and develop speed and athleticism. This is nothing more than getting in shape. Aggression is just a state of mind. However, skills get harder and harder to develop with age. That is why every country outside of America teaches fundamentals and skills repetitively. Over and over again then they work on size and aggression in the older years.

Same with aggression, some kids shy away from contact and always will.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

This advice is dead wrong. Girls ages 9-12 are still growing and most have not hit puberty. You’d be a fool to judge factors such as aggression and size over technical ability at this age. Usually, kids with great technical ability also have speed and athleticism anyways.

Kids without the technical skills by age 12 should reconsider what sports to invest their time in. Muscle memory has already kicked in; whereas, athleticism, aggression and speed can always be taught. Technical abilities have a range before it’s just not happening. typically because if a kid has not practiced these skills in the past 3 years, they won’t automatically get disciplined enough to do it. I’ve never seen a 12 year old suddenly execute amazing technical skills if they didn’t already have a baseline.

You can't teach speed or athleticism. It's either there or not. You can make a kid marginally faster, but you can not make a slow kid fast

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

This advice is dead wrong. Girls ages 9-12 are still growing and most have not hit puberty. You’d be a fool to judge factors such as aggression and size over technical ability at this age. Usually, kids with great technical ability also have speed and athleticism anyways.

Kids without the technical skills by age 12 should reconsider what sports to invest their time in. Muscle memory has already kicked in; whereas, athleticism, aggression and speed can always be taught. Technical abilities have a range before it’s just not happening. typically because if a kid has not practiced these skills in the past 3 years, they won’t automatically get disciplined enough to do it. I’ve never seen a 12 year old suddenly execute amazing technical skills if they didn’t already have a baseline.

Sounds like you play for Valor.

Keep it fun. If the team is too intense, it sucks the fun out of it.
Fields should be close to the house.

Yes focus on technical ability and basic skills at a young age. Speed in the later years means both athleticism but mostly speed in decision making. In a fast paced game we see technical players lose the ball from holding on to it too long or trying to be too fancy. At the older age groups the best teams have players that use one move or one touch and the move the ball on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

American kickball soccer at its finest!

Meh if you can’t win a football race to the ball or be shifty when challenged… probably not going to be able to pick your head up to show your vision and awareness anyway. There are some basic athletic thresholds that must be met at elite levels.

PP noted aggression over technical abilities. Do you need to be athletic? Of course 100%, but at the lack of basic skills? No way! And all too often this is what short sighted lackluster coaching is relying on (and not to much success at that). Until Americans start focusing on skills development from a young age they will be left behind on the world stage.

It's easier to learn technique than athleticism. The aggressive twitchy girls will get more technical with reps, there is a limit to how quick (which is probably more important than speed) a marginally athletic girl can get.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

American kickball soccer at its finest!

Meh if you can’t win a football race to the ball or be shifty when challenged… probably not going to be able to pick your head up to show your vision and awareness anyway. There are some basic athletic thresholds that must be met at elite levels.

PP noted aggression over technical abilities. Do you need to be athletic? Of course 100%, but at the lack of basic skills? No way! And all too often this is what short sighted lackluster coaching is relying on (and not to much success at that). Until Americans start focusing on skills development from a young age they will be left behind on the world stage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

American kickball soccer at its finest!

Meh if you can’t win a football race to the ball or be shifty when challenged… probably not going to be able to pick your head up to show your vision and awareness anyway. There are some basic athletic thresholds that must be met at elite levels.

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic about how athletic your daughter is - not how technical or good at soccer - but how athletic. Deciding factor in speed of play on girls side at older ages is dominated by athleticism and aggression.

American kickball soccer at it's finest!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Advice from the father of a pro soccer player - Practice juggling with a ball every day on your own.

As for teams, you can't beat location and nice kids. Chances of making it to college are slim from around here.

When did your kid start doing this on their own vs your encouragement? I agree with this perspective and while my kid practices everyday in varying capacities (formal and informal) (sometimes just knocking the ball against the couch for 5 mins before school, etc.), rarely do I see her choosing to juggle.

Because it's hard at first. Not juggling is a problem. It is the easiest activity to do on your own and shows determination and perseverance because it isn't easy at first, especially with non-dominant foot.

You are 100% correct and this is what she has communicated to me as well. If you have any tricks or suggestions to get them to pick up the ball and push through it, I would welcome it.