Post by zico on Nov 13, 2019 19:00:59 GMT -5
Not a coaching expert but lived the exact scenario myself for 20 years as a half decent player and have kids in same position or have been. 3 experiences.
1. Myself. Natural CB but delusional. Always saw myself as a playmaking midfielder and pined for it. But always got “stuck” at CB. When I made sr squad and started playing with grown ups fighting for jobs, finally got a coach who told me why. He said “you’re no good absorbing pressure with your back against the goal and can’t turn with a big guy on your back to save your life. But your ballhandling skills, calmness under pressure, passing range, and ability to spot a line breaking pass or carry the ball and create something from deep makes you an ideal CB. Just accept it and be proud of it. You’re the youngest player on my squad for a reason. Play where I tell you...”. This coach was right.
2. Kid 1. Played at CB to win games. Best player on most of his teams until recently and on a rather strong team. Fast, technical and nose for goal. Little kid and can’t head ball. But more often than not playing as CB for 3 seasons a few years back. When I finally asked coach “why” he said “if kid doesn’t play at CB team gets murdered”. That moment I decided to move the kid to a different club. Not right for this kid as his coach all about winning versus development at age 10/11. In different environment kid is turning into a decent winger or attacking mid.
3. Kid 2. Late bloomer. Played CB at low level teams for years as he read game fine but not good w ball, slow, etc. Lately - improved tremendously and suddenly a rather decent CDM when given chance. But as his current coach realized he lacks defenders and kid knows where to be in that role, that’s where he plays - with freedom to take risks and express himself. Not a bad option
Scenario 1 and 3 - perfectly fine. Scenario 2 - less so...
Only advice I can give is
1. CB is a good spot. Nothing wrong. CBs have won my home country’s “best player” award for 3 years running and national heroes. Maybe not a bad spot for a player?
2. Ask your coaches or have the kid ask “why” and get some proper feedback. If “to win games” at u12, leave. If for good reasons, maybe recalibrate your views and let kid find his/her way.
1. Myself. Natural CB but delusional. Always saw myself as a playmaking midfielder and pined for it. But always got “stuck” at CB. When I made sr squad and started playing with grown ups fighting for jobs, finally got a coach who told me why. He said “you’re no good absorbing pressure with your back against the goal and can’t turn with a big guy on your back to save your life. But your ballhandling skills, calmness under pressure, passing range, and ability to spot a line breaking pass or carry the ball and create something from deep makes you an ideal CB. Just accept it and be proud of it. You’re the youngest player on my squad for a reason. Play where I tell you...”. This coach was right.
2. Kid 1. Played at CB to win games. Best player on most of his teams until recently and on a rather strong team. Fast, technical and nose for goal. Little kid and can’t head ball. But more often than not playing as CB for 3 seasons a few years back. When I finally asked coach “why” he said “if kid doesn’t play at CB team gets murdered”. That moment I decided to move the kid to a different club. Not right for this kid as his coach all about winning versus development at age 10/11. In different environment kid is turning into a decent winger or attacking mid.
3. Kid 2. Late bloomer. Played CB at low level teams for years as he read game fine but not good w ball, slow, etc. Lately - improved tremendously and suddenly a rather decent CDM when given chance. But as his current coach realized he lacks defenders and kid knows where to be in that role, that’s where he plays - with freedom to take risks and express himself. Not a bad option
Scenario 1 and 3 - perfectly fine. Scenario 2 - less so...
Only advice I can give is
1. CB is a good spot. Nothing wrong. CBs have won my home country’s “best player” award for 3 years running and national heroes. Maybe not a bad spot for a player?
2. Ask your coaches or have the kid ask “why” and get some proper feedback. If “to win games” at u12, leave. If for good reasons, maybe recalibrate your views and let kid find his/her way.