Seems its time to do whats best for the team as whole- if there are weak defenders and he excels at that position and is needed, do whats best for your team.

Anonymous wrote:So, hello. This is op, I haben’t Posted for a few pages and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for my actual question?

My kid plays CB. It's a high soccer IQ position. Mistakes on defense lead to goals. The coach trusts your kid. I love to watch my kid play midfield, the game is so different and more fun to watch. Defense is stressful to watch and the take aways are often the mistakes that he has made instead of how awesome he is at the position. The only more stressful position to watch goalie and as the parent of one of those, I just take to pacing and wringing my hands. At this age it is important for your kid advocate for himself. If he doesn't want to take it up with the coach could he talk to a peer, maybe the Team Captain?

I also think finding a rec team that he could play on would be a good way to get some time on offense in a fun/casual setting.

DD was in the same situation where she is a strong defender with good size and speed/skill. She is aggressive and plays physical, she loves playing holding midfield. Her old team had to play her at CB and LB bc they were thin at those positions. She would guest play on her HS and Super Y coach’s teams where she could play CMD. She also worked/works with a trainer on foot skills as much as possible. She eventually switched teams and plays mostly CMD, but can cycle through midfield and defense as needed. She was not happy playing CB, but she was able to develop versatility and it is a big asset to have when looking to play in college now.

Anonymous wrote:So, hello. This is op, I haben’t Posted for a few pages and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for my actual question?

Playing in a rec league might be too far below his skill level. I suggest doing at least a Select Team.

Also sign him up for private training and/or skill and agility clinics.

So, hello. This is op, I haben’t Posted for a few pages and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for my actual question?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^+1

My kid would have happily come out for a bit if it meant they would break him out of the back and give him some time further up field.

You say that until it happens and then its more of the same, because no one really believes that

He plays the entire game...if they are playing a weak team he barely gets any action.

So, no, you are wrong. He was happier playing 3/4s of the game when he was put further up.

Non-tournament games, younger kids should be getting experience in different positions.

Anonymous wrote:^+1

My kid would have happily come out for a bit if it meant they would break him out of the back and give him some time further up field.

You say that until it happens and then its more of the same, because no one really believes that

^+1

My kid would have happily come out for a bit if it meant they would break him out of the back and give him some time further up field.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something to keep in mind: just because your kid prefers a position, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the position best suited to their skill set.

I understand that, but every other coach puts him at midfield. He is objectively better at that position.

.... and (not OP) even if he really is slightly better in another position, unless this is a paid job (i.e. he's a professional athlete), shouldn't the child's preference be important? I think it's different if they want to play a position that they can't play in.

Yes, his preference is important. That's why he has the option of switching teams if this isn't the patch he wants to choose. Definitely talk to the coach. But as long as he is on the current team then it is up to the coach to decide how he is utilized.

My child's team had similar issue where the two center backs were separately their best attacking and defensive midfield options. The coach wanted them at the back to stabilize things and allow a more balanced team that didn't give up a bunch of goals on the counter. And the parents were frustrated, even though their children played every minute of every game.

It's probably a given that those kids should be allowed to play every minute of every game if they wanted to. Sounds like they were better than the others by a mile and the team basically couldn't function without them.

I don't think I'd be holding that fact against the parents, as if you gave them so much by 'letting' their kid play as much as they did.

Anonymous wrote:^ a parent to one of those center backs. Yes—pissed. For a place that touts development a kid u12 and below should move around and f@ck the formation. Just because they can’t trust others there doesn’t mean our kid’s all around development should be hindered.

We had parents get pissed if they moved my kid out of center back because the team would collapse and OTHER parents were the ones complaining and wanted him locked in there to save everyone. F that.

Wow, that's crazy! I'd be furious about that too.

^ a parent to one of those center backs. Yes—pissed. For a place that touts development a kid u12 and below should move around and f@ck the formation. Just because they can’t trust others there doesn’t mean our kid’s all around development should be hindered.

We had parents get pissed if they moved my kid out of center back because the team would collapse and OTHER parents were the ones complaining and wanted him locked in there to save everyone. F that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something to keep in mind: just because your kid prefers a position, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the position best suited to their skill set.

I understand that, but every other coach puts him at midfield. He is objectively better at that position.

.... and (not OP) even if he really is slightly better in another position, unless this is a paid job (i.e. he's a professional athlete), shouldn't the child's preference be important? I think it's different if they want to play a position that they can't play in.

Yes, his preference is important. That's why he has the option of switching teams if this isn't the patch he wants to choose. Definitely talk to the coach. But as long as he is on the current team then it is up to the coach to decide how he is utilized.

My child's team had similar issue where the two center backs were separately their best attacking and defensive midfield options. The coach wanted them at the back to stabilize things and allow a more balanced team that didn't give up a bunch of goals on the counter. And the parents were frustrated, even though their children played every minute of every game.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something to keep in mind: just because your kid prefers a position, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the position best suited to their skill set.

I understand that, but every other coach puts him at midfield. He is objectively better at that position.

.... and (not OP) even if he really is slightly better in another position, unless this is a paid job (i.e. he's a professional athlete), shouldn't the child's preference be important? I think it's different if they want to play a position that they can't play in.

Honestly, I am just looking for suggestions for drills he can do at home to keep up his offensive skills.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something to keep in mind: just because your kid prefers a position, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the position best suited to their skill set.

I understand that, but every other coach puts him at midfield. He is objectively better at that position.

.... and (not OP) even if he really is slightly better in another position, unless this is a paid job (i.e. he's a professional athlete), shouldn't the child's preference be important? I think it's different if they want to play a position that they can't play in.

Anonymous wrote:Something to keep in mind: just because your kid prefers a position, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the position best suited to their skill set.

I understand that, but every other coach puts him at midfield. He is objectively better at that position.