Absolutely should not specialize until at least U13. Half in goal , half in field if okay if the player really thrives at the goalkeeper position.

Anonymous wrote:At what age is it appropriate for players to specialize in positions? I have a 7 year old girl that has spent a lot of time in goal this season with her U10 team (playing up a year). Her coach thinks she would be a good goalie although not sure how you can tell that at 7. She doesn't mind it, but the team is good so she rarely gets shots on goal. Is this something I should address with the coach or just wait it out?

At this age, they should not specialize. She should be playing different positions. If the coach primarily plays a 7 year old in the goal, she will not learn to play in the field and develop her foot skill. It should set off alarm bells. Find a better team or club.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the coach is unhappy about having a kid two years younger (dog years at this age) on his team and is sticking her in goal to avoid dealing with her.

and faking interest by claiming she's got potential there?

OP here. I think you could be right that coach doesn't want kid on the team or doesn't feel comfortable playing her. I am thinking about looking at other options if it doesn't improve. I plan to discuss with coach.

Goalie parent here. DC played half striker and half goalie all the way through u14. Then specialized. Having played in field was major advantage with goalie now needing foot skills more and more.

I wonder if the coach is unhappy about having a kid two years younger (dog years at this age) on his team and is sticking her in goal to avoid dealing with her.

My daughter played only goalie a year up on a travel team and played rec soccer as a field player only. Now at u13 she just plays goalie.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. She is a 2011 - turns 8 in late Fall. That is playing one year up at U10. Club doesn't have a U9 team so she is playing U10.
I am also thinking of whether to move her next season to a team that is appropriate for her age. But for now, this is where she is at - just wondering how to handle with the coach so she gets some field time as well.

How a kid grows will determine if they might be a keeper. That is faaaaaaar from certain at 7 years old. A kid can learn to play keeper much later if necessary but it is much harder for a kid to learn to play the field later.

And there certainly is very little reason to play up at this age just to be keeper.

My gut says the coach doesn't trust your player in the field yet and is being selfish for "team needs" and is hiding her there because she is willing to play the position. The fact that she doesn't see many shots also leads me to believe the worst in this situation.

If your coach actually believes your DD might make a good keeper that is fine but the coach is certainly guilty of coaching malpractice for forcing the issue at such a young age.

I'd leave the team as soon as possible if a move to the field is not going to happen.