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**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 06:34 AM

Let me preface it by saying that my kids were locked into positions since they were u8 and u9.

I hate the fact that coaches lock kids into positions at a young age. This normally benefits the coach and not the players. He places strong players in important positions and weak players in positions that can not hurt the kids. I would rather have had my kids learn to play all positions on the field.

What your coach is doing is commendable and in the long-term interests of the children. It probably won't help the won-loss record this year but, then again noone will remember this season in 5 years. You should thank him for being brave enough to do this. It certainly makes his job tougher.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 07:04 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

my u11 daughter's coach is rotating the players through all the portions during games. This is different than our prior experiences. Her coach last year kept players in a position (sometimes mixing it up if the team was up significantly) I'm wondering what the thoughts are on this. Obviously she is more comfortable playing the one position which she loves but is it better for development to move around? I know this is part of this coach's philosophy as parents complained about it last year for His u12 group.
It's a little difficult to watch as girls are struggling to connect passes

They should focus on a single position as soon as you are ready for them to be pigeon holed and limit their future skills and versatility. After many years of play, my kids have realized that being able to play a broader spectrum of positions has enabled them to play on better teams and competitive leagues. By focusing on fundamental skills and physical capabilities (strength, speed, agility, etc) they have had more opportunities available to them.

Also, keep in mind that by focusing on a specific position or area you are limiting your ability to play. Specifically, that means they are competing for fewer positions and more players for those limited spots. By being able to play Forward, various mid field and defensive positions the opportunities increase and helps them when competing for a spot on the team and eventually the field. Now if your kid is a stand out positional player like a forward (mine were not) great, focus there and beat out the others. But if that is not the case, broader and overall skills will be in their advantage.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 07:09 AM

The best coach my daughter had ever had made sure the girls played ever position (except keeper). He felt by having the the players play all the positions it created a well rounded player and it gave them a better understanding of the game. It did suck from time to time especially early on, but in the end, I think the players benefited a great deal. This was U13 that this happen.

I know of at least one coach at a D1 school that said he likes players who can play more then one position and would sometime pass on players that could only play forward or backer.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

my u11 daughter's coach is rotating the players through all the portions during games. This is different than our prior experiences. Her coach last year kept players in a position (sometimes mixing it up if the team was up significantly) I'm wondering what the thoughts are on this. Obviously she is more comfortable playing the one position which she loves but is it better for development to move around? I know this is part of this coach's philosophy as parents complained about it last year for His u12 group.
It's a little difficult to watch as girls are struggling to connect passes

It is good to mix positions up until they start playing full size field 11 v 11 around U13. Then coaches can start to identify the skills needed for different parts of the field. Small sided games before U13 are supposed to be about development, that should mean different positions and everyone getting playing time.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 07:56 AM

Players shouldn't be locked in until U13+. Best thing that can happen to them is to learn every position, what is needed for each position, different parts of the field - and that includes keeper. Not many coaches will do this, however, because 1) they get lazy 2) they know they can count on certain players in certain positions to help them win. The ones who do are developing better players for the long haul, not just to win this season.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

The best coach my daughter had ever had made sure the girls played ever position (except keeper). He felt by having the the players play all the positions it created a well rounded player and it gave them a better understanding of the game. It did suck from time to time especially early on, but in the end, I think the players benefited a great deal. This was U13 that this happen.

I know of at least one coach at a D1 school that said he likes players who can play more then one position and would sometime pass on players that could only play forward or backer.

Not only college but even in HS - a HS coach won't care that you're always X position at your club team, he'll want you to play Y instead. A skilled, flexible player is an asses to any coach.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

The best coach my daughter had ever had made sure the girls played ever position (except keeper). He felt by having the the players play all the positions it created a well rounded player and it gave them a better understanding of the game. It did suck from time to time especially early on, but in the end, I think the players benefited a great deal. This was U13 that this happen.

I know of at least one coach at a D1 school that said he likes players who can play more then one position and would sometime pass on players that could only play forward or backer.

Just wondering why not make everyone play keeper ? is there something special coaches look for in a keeper that they don't make everyone play it, aggressiveness, size, quickness, something else ? I have noticed on our U11 team there are only two kids that play keeper, other positions are rotated with everyone. The two keepers are also good at other positions that is how they made the team.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Just wondering why not make everyone play keeper ? is there something special coaches look for in a keeper that they don't make everyone play it, aggressiveness, size, quickness, something else ? I have noticed on our U11 team there are only two kids that play keeper, other positions are rotated with everyone. The two keepers are also good at other positions that is how they made the team.

Parent of two keepers here and I can say definitely not enough do. I fully agree everyone should be rotated into the position at a young age. Not only is it valuable to learn the position but you get a completely different aspect of the field from that spot. You never know who will be good at it or develop an interest for it. Many young kids are afraid of it and won't even try it (girls especially). Some keepers only want to do that position, but foot skills are an important part of keeping and often times kids who lock into the position at a young age lack foot skills as they get older. Also, what happens when suddenly they don't want to play that position any longer but haven't kept up, or they can't find a team that needs a keeper? It was a struggle to make sure our two didn't get locked in until they were ready to decide (even left one club because of it once), and both played two teams for awhile so they got a balance. GK shouldn't be forced to decide until U13+ and still need to keep up with foot skills. It's good for them to scrimmage with their teams at practices

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 09:12 AM

Be ready in college to play a different position!

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Parent of two keepers here and I can say definitely not enough do. I fully agree everyone should be rotated into the position at a young age. Not only is it valuable to learn the position but you get a completely different aspect of the field from that spot. You never know who will be good at it or develop an interest for it. Many young kids are afraid of it and won't even try it (girls especially). Some keepers only want to do that position, but foot skills are an important part of keeping and often times kids who lock into the position at a young age lack foot skills as they get older. Also, what happens when suddenly they don't want to play that position any longer but haven't kept up, or they can't find a team that needs a keeper? It was a struggle to make sure our two didn't get locked in until they were ready to decide (even left one club because of it once), and both played two teams for awhile so they got a balance. GK shouldn't be forced to decide until U13+ and still need to keep up with foot skills. It's good for them to scrimmage with their teams at practices

Typically, keepers have a certain mental make-up...it is not something that can be taught. This is a reason I think the coach didn't rotate player in the position (again u13) and felt it could be unsafe. Very hard to play the position timid. I do think that players should not lock into keeper at a young age, because coaches, will at time, overlook the rest of their development.

As far as everything else, 100% agree, keeper should always continue to work in the field at practice, good foot skills is such an asset to the position, that doesn't mean they need to be on the level of the mid, but solid enough that they could play in the field.

**Unregistered** · 08-28-2016, 06:34 PM

When the team is up 3+ goals by the 2nd half or playing a weak team,
the coach switches all the kids in different positions: the GK play forward or mid,
def to forward, etc. Good controlled way to play different positions for the kids, but
still able to win. If things turn south, then back to original positions.
A good compromise that parents and kids like.

**Unregistered** · 08-29-2016, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

my u11 daughter's coach is rotating the players through all the portions during games. This is different than our prior experiences. Her coach last year kept players in a position (sometimes mixing it up if the team was up significantly) I'm wondering what the thoughts are on this. Obviously she is more comfortable playing the one position which she loves but is it better for development to move around? I know this is part of this coach's philosophy as parents complained about it last year for His u12 group.
It's a little difficult to watch as girls are struggling to connect passes

A player should be playing multiple positions to enhance their development. My son has played at least three different positions from middle school to college. He is on the field more than other players because of his versatility.

**Unregistered** · 08-29-2016, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Typically, keepers have a certain mental make-up...it is not something that can be taught. This is a reason I think the coach didn't rotate player in the position (again u13) and felt it could be unsafe. Very hard to play the position timid. I do think that players should not lock into keeper at a young age, because coaches, will at time, overlook the rest of their development.

As far as everything else, 100% agree, keeper should always continue to work in the field at practice, good foot skills is such an asset to the position, that doesn't mean they need to be on the level of the mid, but solid enough that they could play in the field.

Agree that you don't want a timid keeper. But kids will feel less intimidated if they're introduced to the position at a young age, maybe even teach them a few GK basics so they feel more confident with the position. It's supposed to be about development a the younger ages (even though we know with most clubs and coaches it isn't. But let's pretend). Kids change so much from ulittle to middle school. You never know who might take to it. And I agree with the OP that seeing the field from that position and what happens is a great learning experience for any field player. If anything at least they'll see how tough the position is and that it most times isn't the keeper's fault a shot landed in the back of the net

**Unregistered** · 08-29-2016, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

When the team is up 3+ goals by the 2nd half or playing a weak team,
the coach switches all the kids in different positions: the GK play forward or mid,
def to forward, etc. Good controlled way to play different positions for the kids, but
still able to win. If things turn south, then back to original positions.
A good compromise that parents and kids like.

Skilled kids should be able to contribute in some way at multiple positions. Maybe a kid doesn't have the best shot, but his dribbling is good and he can create offense. Let him play some forward. Maybe a kid is a strong defender but a weak passer. Let him play some holding midfield. Maybe a kid is technical yet undersized. Let him play some fullback and use his speed and technical abilities to disrupt the opposing defense. There is absolutely no reason to pigeonhole kids. Too often the emphasis on "winning" overcomes development. Clearly this is one of those areas. Of course, at around u12, kids should start to work on a primary position, where a kid plays more than half the time. But this should not be an exclusive position - like another poster said, versatility is very important.