Anonymous wrote:OP, I have two kids who played travel soccer, and I view aggression as slightly different than urgency. A U10 kid can be a decent soccer player without the type of aggression that involves pushing someone off the ball, if they have good technical skills. But, to be decent, the kid needs to have urgency - which I would characterize as moving quickly to get in place (back or forward as necessary), to get to the ball before another player, and wanting to win. Without those things, technical skill alone isn't going to make a kid a good player.

I think that when people used the term aggressiveness in this thread, they mean hustling, attacking and fighting for the ball, and determined to 50/50 balls in addition to legally pushing & shielding.

OP, I have two kids who played travel soccer, and I view aggression as slightly different than urgency. A U10 kid can be a decent soccer player without the type of aggression that involves pushing someone off the ball, if they have good technical skills. But, to be decent, the kid needs to have urgency - which I would characterize as moving quickly to get in place (back or forward as necessary), to get to the ball before another player, and wanting to win. Without those things, technical skill alone isn't going to make a kid a good player.

OP here. No our son is a 2010.

Any hints on how to find a good coach? We’ve been in a number of different rec leagues, but Have not found a good coaching match for DS.

Any recommendations for a specific coach or league would be great.




You should take the kid to tryouts. If you are in shirlington, you can try Alexandria. The U9-10 coaches were uniformly good in our experience and wonderful with kids. I think Arlington tryouts are almost over, otherwise they would be another option with good coaches. Slightly different vibe with the parents, kids and club generally.

We are in Alexandria and my son plays for them. I agree that the coaches are good with the kids and know a lot about soccer.
However, based on your description of your son, you should likely expect that he will be placed on a lower-level team in Alexandria. My son is very similar, and plays on a lower level team. We are totally fine with that and the coaching is no different. I will say that some of the kids on the team seem less committed to coming to practices and games than on the higher level teams, which I view as a minor issue for practices, but somewhat frustrating for games (being worried that we will forfeit). Other than that, we have no complaints and are happy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You want to get your child with a coach that will encourage them to be themselves and focus other their continued development and creativity. Doesn't have to be a smaller club. Don't focus on what level team they are on. It will take time. It took my child until their teenage years for it to "click". Is your child a 2007?

OP here. No our son is a 2010.

Any hints on how to find a good coach? We’ve been in a number of different rec leagues, but Have not found a good coaching match for DS.

Any recommendations for a specific coach or league would be great.

You should take the kid to tryouts. If you are in shirlington, you can try Alexandria. The U9-10 coaches were uniformly good in our experience and wonderful with kids. I think Arlington tryouts are almost over, otherwise they would be another option with good coaches. Slightly different vibe with the parents, kids and club generally.

By tryouts do you mean travel league?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You want to get your child with a coach that will encourage them to be themselves and focus other their continued development and creativity. Doesn't have to be a smaller club. Don't focus on what level team they are on. It will take time. It took my child until their teenage years for it to "click". Is your child a 2007?

OP here. No our son is a 2010.

Any hints on how to find a good coach? We’ve been in a number of different rec leagues, but Have not found a good coaching match for DS.

Any recommendations for a specific coach or league would be great.

You should take the kid to tryouts. If you are in shirlington, you can try Alexandria. The U9-10 coaches were uniformly good in our experience and wonderful with kids. I think Arlington tryouts are almost over, otherwise they would be another option with good coaches. Slightly different vibe with the parents, kids and club generally.

Anonymous wrote:You want to get your child with a coach that will encourage them to be themselves and focus other their continued development and creativity. Doesn't have to be a smaller club. Don't focus on what level team they are on. It will take time. It took my child until their teenage years for it to "click". Is your child a 2007?

OP here. No our son is a 2010.

Any hints on how to find a good coach? We’ve been in a number of different rec leagues, but Have not found a good coaching match for DS.

Any recommendations for a specific coach or league would be great.

You want to get your child with a coach that will encourage them to be themselves and focus other their continued development and creativity. Doesn't have to be a smaller club. Don't focus on what level team they are on. It will take time. It took my child until their teenage years for it to "click". Is your child a 2007?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My U12 kid is the same way. He has great tech skills, is fast, and loves the game, but tries to give away the ball rather than drive it forward. He's working on that, but has been passed over for better teams because he doesn't love the goal the way a midfielder should. He gets dropped back to defense, but he still wants to pass rather than drive forward enough. He's just s perfectionist and wants to play it safe. He's starting to drive it forward when he can, is losing the ball, but just needs to practice this to develop his technique. We're hoping that changing clubs will give him a fresh start.

Interesting that you mention perfectionism. DS is highly perfectionistic, too.

Anyone have recommendations for a small club with strong coaching?

where are you?

NoVA. We’re near Shirlington.