DEVELOPING GREAT SOCCER
PLAYERS ONE STEP AT A TIME
Playing More than One Position
It is very easy for a coach to get sucked into the comfortable position of playing players in their strongest positions. Unfortunately, playing youth players in the same position all the time is not good for long term player development. The following is a quotation from the 2001 USSF National Soccer School manual:
"It should be the goal of every youth coach to give all the players an appreciation for all positions during their formative years, 6-14.
Locking players into a single position during critical stages of fun, discovery and development stifles the individual and hinders the evolution of the total player.
There will be ample opportunity for functional training and refinements later on in a player's career."
In a 200+ page manual, this is the only paragraph with words emphasized with underlined text!
Consequently, I will ask players to play at least two positions during the course of the season, one being defensive and other offensive. I will use at least two goalies, and goalies will be expected to play on the field as well. This philosophy may not always win games, but I believe it will benefit every player and develop the skills and confidence needed to progress to higher levels.
DEVELOPING GREAT SOCCER
PLAYERS ONE STEP AT A TIME