When or reasons why to switch positions?

[Fishtacos]

Hey all,
Lurker coming in from the dark. Have ulittle dd who plays forward positions. No complaints. Recently, coach moved temporarily girls around to experience different positions and field awareness. All good. She played left/right back which made sense since she plays winger alot. She didn't like it too much, but made sense when she joined in the attack and knew how forwards play. She is one of the top goal/assist makers, so that isn't the issue. But would be good if she knew how to play left/right back.

Made me thunk a bit of what if scenarios. I recall a post about someone's kid switching
positions in high school and now is a stud in college. When or reasons why someone would
switch positions. Forced by the coach? By own choice? How would one know when to switch?
Or am I overthinking things. Thoughts or experiences?

 

[chargerfan]

Hey all,
Lurker coming in from the dark. Have ulittle dd who plays forward positions. No complaints. Recently, coach moved temporarily girls around to experience different positions and field awareness. All good. She played left/right back which made sense since she plays winger alot. She didn't like it too much, but made sense when she joined in the attack and knew how forwards play. She is one of the top goal/assist makers, so that isn't the issue. But would be good if she knew how to play left/right back.

Made me thunk a bit of what if scenarios. I recall a post about someone's kid switching
positions in high school and now is a stud in college. When or reasons why someone would
switch positions. Forced by the coach? By own choice? How would one know when to switch?
Or am I overthinking things. Thoughts or experiences?

You're overthinking. Be happy you have a coach that isn't pigeon holing your child and is playing them in different position. Have fun with it.

 

[Fact]

Ulittles should learn every position!

 

[chargerfan]

Ulittles should learn every position!

Not to mention there are girls who are great forwards when they are young but don't cut it at the older ages due to size, speed, skill deficiency.

 

[MWN]

You're overthinking. Be happy you have a coach that isn't pigeon holing your child and is playing them in different position. Have fun with it.

Agree.

If the goal is to have your kid play a single position really good at a key development level and then later on have them benched and lose potential scholarship opportunities because they don't understand every position, they are not as fast now that puberty has done its work, or there are 2 other players a little better and smarter at her position ... then this coach is clearly not for you.

If on the other hand the goal is to have your kid "develop" as a fully rounded soccer player, with knowledge and understanding of all the positions from GK to Forward and everything in between, which will create additional opportunities as she gets older to play in positions that are "team needs," which eventually may translate into multiple scholarship offers because the college coaches see a player that is rounded and can help the team, then buy your coach a gift card, and thank your lucky stars you have a uLittle coach that puts development of players over winning a extra game or two.

What is the most important position on the soccer field? Forwards and Wingers because they score goals? Midfielders because the defense and attack flow through them? Defenders because defense wins championships? Goalkeepers because you can't lose if the other team can't score?

Answer: Every single position is important (but a good GK is worth their weight in gold)

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

Pigeon-holing into positions = Good for team in short-term for winning games, Bad for players in long-term as they don't become complete players.

 

[Deadpoolscores!]

Then you have that old saying "Jack of all trades but, Master of nothing" this applies when you constantly change their positions. Have them master 1 position 1 at a time and let nature take its course. Some kids are just natural strikers some are not. Just like some kids are naturally fast and some are not...you can improve their speed but doesn't mean that one day they will be as fast as other kids that are naturally fast. Some kids are just naturally book smart and some more street smart very rare to have both....See where I'm getting at.
I have seen old videos of Leo Messi when he was a kid always played the same position and eventually played another one but never as a defender or goalie as a example. One would think a well rounded player would be one that understand the concepts of playing offensively and defensively not the position itself.

 

[bruinblue14]

I think it sort of depends on the coach and the kid's strengths. At the younger ages, yes, play everywhere, but as you start to get into key development years, start to specialize in a couple different ones. Mine has been "pigeon holed" as a holding mid (a notoriously unglamorous position) for quite a few years and has become a bit of a specialist in a good way. It's the position that makes the best use of her strengths and tendencies and is a hard position that takes time to learn. But I do wish she had more comfort/familiarity playing other positions and I've heard many times that versatility is key. My advice would also be to let the coach do his/her job and put your kid where they want. Too many times I've heard of parents complaining that the coach is forcing their kid to play defense when really they should be a forward. I think that just comes from parents wanting the feeling of "woo hoo, my kid scored a goal" and not in the interest of the player's development. And coming from a parent of a kid who loves defense, defenders get no love!

 

[Simisoccerfan]

I believe it is good to learn to play all positions at an early age. Ultimately you want your kid playing a position that they enjoy and excel at. There many reasons and circumstances as they get older to switch positions. Do their skills not fit their current position? Is there a stud ahead of them getting all of the playing time at their position? Does the team need them somewhere else? A good coach will work with your kid to find the best position for their skill set. Recognize that this skill set will change over time.

 

[Soccer_newbie]

I think it sort of depends on the coach and the kid's strengths. At the younger ages, yes, play everywhere, but as you start to get into key development years, start to specialize in a couple different ones. Mine has been "pigeon holed" as a holding mid (a notoriously unglamorous position) for quite a few years and has become a bit of a specialist in a good way. It's the position that makes the best use of her strengths and tendencies and is a hard position that takes time to learn. But I do wish she had more comfort/familiarity playing other positions and I've heard many times that versatility is key. My advice would also be to let the coach do his/her job and put your kid where they want. Too many times I've heard of parents complaining that the coach is forcing their kid to play defense when really they should be a forward. I think that just comes from parents wanting the feeling of "woo hoo, my kid scored a goal" and not in the interest of the player's development. And coming from a parent of a kid who loves defense, defenders get no love!

Definitely agree with everything you said. My dd is not quite uolder yet but has played for several different coaches. One coach had her pigeon holed as a defender, mainly holding mid, because of her defensive tendency. And although she was one of the smallest on the team, her heart and tenacity made for a strong holding mid. Another had her pigeon holed higher up on the field, striker/attacking mid, because of her speed and agility. And another had her playing different positions. She's just fortunate enough to be able to explore the different positions and develop at all of them. I think it's great that they learn all the positions because you never know what a particular team needs.

 

[labanLB]

I'm no expert. Green to the soccer scene. IMO, what is important is finding a coach that allows the players to play multiple positions. That coach also needs to teach skill, skill, skill, skill. With technique and skill you can play anywhere on the field.

 

[MakeAPlay]

Then you have that old saying "Jack of all trades but, Master of nothing" this applies when you constantly change their positions. Have them master 1 position 1 at a time and let nature take its course. Some kids are just natural strikers some are not. Just like some kids are naturally fast and some are not...you can improve their speed but doesn't mean that one day they will be as fast as other kids that are naturally fast. Some kids are just naturally book smart and some more street smart very rare to have both....See where I'm getting at.
I have seen old videos of Leo Messi when he was a kid always played the same position and eventually played another one but never as a defender or goalie as a example. One would think a well rounded player would be one that understand the concepts of playing offensively and defensively not the position itself.

So you use the example of a singular talent like Lionel Messi to generalize to ALL youth players... I'm not sure that is equivalent. I can tell you from experience and conversations with actual coaches above the youth level and versatility is valued. One of my players teammates who is the focus of their offense used to start on defense and prior to that offense. Taylor Smith for the NC Courage who just burst onto the scene with the USWNT played forward in college but starts at defender. I can go on but anyone that follows the women's game at the highest levels already knows that what I am saying is true.

Sorry but your post is incorrect.

 

[MakeAPlay]

I think it sort of depends on the coach and the kid's strengths. At the younger ages, yes, play everywhere, but as you start to get into key development years, start to specialize in a couple different ones. Mine has been "pigeon holed" as a holding mid (a notoriously unglamorous position) for quite a few years and has become a bit of a specialist in a good way. It's the position that makes the best use of her strengths and tendencies and is a hard position that takes time to learn. But I do wish she had more comfort/familiarity playing other positions and I've heard many times that versatility is key. My advice would also be to let the coach do his/her job and put your kid where they want. Too many times I've heard of parents complaining that the coach is forcing their kid to play defense when really they should be a forward. I think that just comes from parents wanting the feeling of "woo hoo, my kid scored a goal" and not in the interest of the player's development. And coming from a parent of a kid who loves defense, defenders get no love!

What happens when a superstar holding mid joins your kid's team? And by that I mean what if the coach says that the new kid is the 6 and your kid only gets 0-10 minutes a game at holding mid? I'm curious because most coaches try to get their best 10 field players on the field and will adjust tactics and formations accordingly and if you happen to have two great 6's (or 8's or 10's) among the first 10 then what?

 

[bruinblue14]

What happens when a superstar holding mid joins your kid's team? And by that I mean what if the coach says that the new kid is the 6 and your kid only gets 0-10 minutes a game at holding mid? I'm curious because most coaches try to get their best 10 field players on the field and will adjust tactics and formations accordingly and if you happen to have two great 6's (or 8's or 10's) among the first 10 then what?

Then she'll have to learn to be good at something else. And her skills in general (touch, passing, defending, vision) are solid so I'm sure she could adapt. And if not, well, then we find another coach that has a need and values her for who she is.

 

[watfly]

Positions evolve over time and to a great degree it is not necessarily based upon the position that is best suited for your child but based upon the need of the team and the perception of the coach. A good developmental coach will have the youngers play all positions. Unfortunately, IMO kids get pigeon-holed far too early. All coaches are different, some put their best players in attacking positions while others put them at defensive positions. Specialization should wait until a player is much older.

Keep in mind that if your child is on an A team at a decent club, odds are pretty good that most of the players on that team were the scoring stud on their previous rec or ulittle club team. Additionally, many parents base their kids soccer worth on how many goals they score. I can't tell you how many times I have heard from parents "my child can't play defense". What they really mean is "I don't want my kid to play defense". Of course, not everyone can play forward. It seems that the U11, U12 is where the players transition to playing other roles as the competition for forward positions increases. At this point, both kids and parents need to understand that players can contribute in many other ways and that their worth is not based on how many goals they score.

Some parents may have a different opinion based on their experience, but it doesn't seem to me that you "flip a switch" and change positions, more so that a child evolves into a position over time, and some of those factors for the evolution you have absolutely no control over. So I'm going to sit back and let it happen (although that might not have been my attitude two years ago).

 

[Deadpoolscores!]

So you use the example of a singular talent like Lionel Messi to generalize to ALL youth players... I'm not sure that is equivalent. I can tell you from experience and conversations with actual coaches above the youth level and versatility is valued. One of my players teammates who is the focus of their offense used to start on defense and prior to that offense. Taylor Smith for the NC Courage who just burst onto the scene with the USWNT played forward in college but starts at defender. I can go on but anyone that follows the women's game at the highest levels already knows that what I am saying is true.

Sorry but your post is incorrect.

I was referring when Leo Messi was young not as a adult. Also I agree with Simissoccerfan " Ultimately you want your kid playing a position that they enjoy and excel at." Hence letting nature take its course. When they are little they will enjoy certain position let them enjoy it, sooner or later they will want to learn a different one. Hence the mastering of a position then learning another. Like other people had mention worst scenario are coaches that pigeon them because the coach wants them to play that particular position. No kid will have fun if they are dictated in one spot. Going back to Messi if you hear his interview he even states that he enjoyed the position he played and to this dates loves. I'll try to find it and post it. Also you can't compare American soccer methods vs other countries. Refer to the post "Thoughts on Italian Youth Soccer"

 

[MakeAPlay]

Then she'll have to learn to be good at something else. And her skills in general (touch, passing, defending, vision) are solid so I'm sure she could adapt. And if not, well, then we find another coach that has a need and values her for who she is.

So are you saying that she would play another position on the same team? Or are you saying that she would just leave if someone is better than her?

 

[MakeAPlay]

Positions evolve over time and to a great degree it is not necessarily based upon the position that is best suited for your child but based upon the need of the team and the perception of the coach. A good developmental coach will have the youngers play all positions. Unfortunately, IMO kids get pigeon-holed far too early. All coaches are different, some put their best players in attacking positions while others put them at defensive positions. Specialization should wait until a player is much older.

Keep in mind that if your child is on an A team at a decent club, odds are pretty good that most of the players on that team were the scoring stud on their previous rec or ulittle club team. Additionally, many parents base their kids soccer worth on how many goals they score. I can't tell you how many times I have heard from parents "my child can't play defense". What they really mean is "I don't want my kid to play defense". Of course, not everyone can play forward. It seems that the U11, U12 is where the players transition to playing other roles as the competition for forward positions increases. At this point, both kids and parents need to understand that players can contribute in many other ways and that their worth is not based on how many goals they score.

Some parents may have a different opinion based on their experience, but it doesn't seem to me that you "flip a switch" and change positions, more so that a child evolves into a position over time, and some of those factors for the evolution you have absolutely no control over. So I'm going to sit back and let it happen (although that might not have been my attitude two years ago).

Great post and very true. What little Mia plays now at ULittles might not be her best position in the future. Why not get her experience playing multiple positions NOW when the games don't matter? I know why. Like you said so much of it is tied up in the parents ego which is why most don't even truly recognize their players true strengths and weaknesses (meaning they never address them) and/or they don't understand what true development entails. By the time they do it is too late. Instead of their player perhaps developing into a great defender/midfielder/forward they resist and end up finding a coach that will play them at their preferred position up until they run out of options. But you already know this and are being proactive. Good job.

 

[MakeAPlay]

I was referring when Leo Messi was young not as a adult. Also I agree with Simissoccerfan " Ultimately you want your kid playing a position that they enjoy and excel at." Hence letting nature take its course. When they are little they will enjoy certain position let them enjoy it, sooner or later they will want to learn a different one. Hence the mastering of a position then learning another. Like other people had mention worst scenario are coaches that pigeon them because the coach wants them to play that particular position. No kid will have fun if they are dictated in one spot. Going back to Messi if you hear his interview he even states that he enjoyed the position he played and to this dates loves. I'll try to find it and post it. Also you can't compare American soccer methods vs other countries. Refer to the post "Thoughts on Italian Youth Soccer"

What age group is your player?

 

[Brian]

Keep in mind that if your child is on an A team at a decent club, odds are pretty good that most of the players on that team were the scoring stud on their previous rec or ulittle club team. Additionally, many parents base their kids soccer worth on how many goals they score. I can't tell you how many times I have heard from parents "my child can't play defense". What they really mean is "I don't want my kid to play defense". Of course, not everyone can play forward. It seems that the U11, U12 is where the players transition to playing other roles as the competition for forward positions increases. At this point, both kids and parents need to understand that players can contribute in many other ways and that their worth is not based on how many goals they score.

Some parents may have a different opinion based on their experience, but it doesn't seem to me that you "flip a switch" and change positions, more so that a child evolves into a position over time, and some of those factors for the evolution you have absolutely no control over. So I'm going to sit back and let it happen (although that might not have been my attitude two years ago).

i couldn't agree more regarding the perception that scoring goals is the only measure of success. My DD was a solid forward in rec and scored often there. When she moved to club she was placed at center back. I was so proud of her transition because she never looked back. I told her that every final score has two numbers and her team was responsible for both of them. Today a shutout means more to her than a hat trick.