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    What age can you tell?

    What age do you think you can tell if a kid has it or not? Curious if the tall girl at 10 generally remains strong or do those who enter puberty earlier lose their advantage in a few years? My kid is mid pack so it could go any way, but curious for the hell of it to see who is strongest in 2,4,5 years... How much will it change?

    #2
    Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
    What age do you think you can tell if a kid has it or not? Curious if the tall girl at 10 generally remains strong or do those who enter puberty earlier lose their advantage in a few years? My kid is mid pack so it could go any way, but curious for the hell of it to see who is strongest in 2,4,5 years... How much will it change?
    U14 or 15

    Comment


      #3
      For girls the end of middle school generally. Puberty is mostly done for them then. It's also partly mental and some players simply lose the spark and passion. The studs work hard on their own to further their development. Now, some U12 studs will always be studs. But some plateau as their peers catch up either through puberty, maturity or hard work. Some mid pack kids like yours might accelerate. No matter what, it's up to them to figure it out, not the parents.

      Comment


        #4
        At 10 its mostly about potential. The kids who will have "it" generally move differently than the others. Are very quick or explosive or are track fast in an open field. Ball skills are very important. For the quick kids they should be able to weave in and out of defenses and strike the ball very cleanly. At 10 their heads should be coming up although their decision making will be poor. I would rather see one of these kids hold the ball more and lose it at this stage than become a one touch player afraid of failure on a drive. The fast kids need to learn to bring the ball under control quickly on balls played to them in traffic or over the top. Just as a start.

        I have three kids my oldest was interesting. The top player at u9/10/11/12 was a kid with really good ball skills. Smallish but not particularly quick. He was way ahead on touch/ball striking and dribbling skills including 1v1 moves. Generally he was a soccer junky. Super high soccer IQ. He Played all the time, every team or opportunity he could get. I am guessing people thought he had "it". But his movement and lack of quickness was worrisome. He got completely lapped by u14. When kids hit puberty and their speed and quickness eclipsed his, he was not effective. He remained with his excellent touch and very high soccer IQ. The coach played him off the bench in the hole behind the forwards to play very quickly through to them. His soccer IQ allowed him the ability to find pockets pretty well. He no longer could dribble at all without losing possession. His one touch abilities remained somewhat useful but the kids who were quick enough to also dribble to make space for themselves and help unlock defenses and create space for a shot were far more effective.

        Girls. There are some who travel a more boy-like path to maturity but you can spot them right away in a high school game. They look more like boys with pony tails. Straight and skinny generally. if they are quick, won't be too small at maturity, and have sick skills, those maybe among the best players with "it". Similarly a really fast forward who can bring the ball down efficiently and effectively and can finish, has "it". I tall or very fast defender who reads the game well, can pick of passes, know when to step and is an excellent 1v1 defender can have it especially if they are good in the air.

        These factors can be seen as potential at u10. The trajectory is also important if can be evaluated over years, is the kid moving up percentiles in ability (assuming currently playing against top kids in a region)? Was he middle of the pack at u10, but now (barring freakishly early puberty effects) top quarter at u12?, top player now at u14 and voice hasn't changed yet or no first period? That's a really good sign

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
          What age do you think you can tell if a kid has it or not? Curious if the tall girl at 10 generally remains strong or do those who enter puberty earlier lose their advantage in a few years? My kid is mid pack so it could go any way, but curious for the hell of it to see who is strongest in 2,4,5 years... How much will it change?
          IT is such a nebulous concept. There are professional player who NEVER had IT. they worked their tails off in areas that also have value - defending, tackling, fitness etc.

          Comment


            #6
            Thanks. Will be interesting to watch. Think my kid could have the physical skills
            but won’t have the commitment. Still interested to see who does!

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
              At 10 its mostly about potential. The kids who will have "it" generally move differently than the others. Are very quick or explosive or are track fast in an open field. Ball skills are very important. For the quick kids they should be able to weave in and out of defenses and strike the ball very cleanly. At 10 their heads should be coming up although their decision making will be poor. I would rather see one of these kids hold the ball more and lose it at this stage than become a one touch player afraid of failure on a drive. The fast kids need to learn to bring the ball under control quickly on balls played to them in traffic or over the top. Just as a start.

              I have three kids my oldest was interesting. The top player at u9/10/11/12 was a kid with really good ball skills. Smallish but not particularly quick. He was way ahead on touch/ball striking and dribbling skills including 1v1 moves. Generally he was a soccer junky. Super high soccer IQ. He Played all the time, every team or opportunity he could get. I am guessing people thought he had "it". But his movement and lack of quickness was worrisome. He got completely lapped by u14. When kids hit puberty and their speed and quickness eclipsed his, he was not effective. He remained with his excellent touch and very high soccer IQ. The coach played him off the bench in the hole behind the forwards to play very quickly through to them. His soccer IQ allowed him the ability to find pockets pretty well. He no longer could dribble at all without losing possession. His one touch abilities remained somewhat useful but the kids who were quick enough to also dribble to make space for themselves and help unlock defenses and create space for a shot were far more effective.

              Girls. There are some who travel a more boy-like path to maturity but you can spot them right away in a high school game. They look more like boys with pony tails. Straight and skinny generally. if they are quick, won't be too small at maturity, and have sick skills, those maybe among the best players with "it". Similarly a really fast forward who can bring the ball down efficiently and effectively and can finish, has "it". I tall or very fast defender who reads the game well, can pick of passes, know when to step and is an excellent 1v1 defender can have it especially if they are good in the air.

              These factors can be seen as potential at u10. The trajectory is also important if can be evaluated over years, is the kid moving up percentiles in ability (assuming currently playing against top kids in a region)? Was he middle of the pack at u10, but now (barring freakishly early puberty effects) top quarter at u12?, top player now at u14 and voice hasn't changed yet or no first period? That's a really good sign
              You have way to much time on your hands to write this novel.... unless your name is Jared and you use to work for Subway. WTH!

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                You have way to much time on your hands to write this novel.... unless your name is Jared and you use to work for Subway. WTH!
                Couldn't disagree more. I appreciate the poster taking the time to write a thoughtful response.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                  Couldn't disagree more. I appreciate the poster taking the time to write a thoughtful response.
                  To come on TS to ask if your kid has it? You are just as nuts and should just sit back and enjoy the way they play. It'll be over before you blink. What age dan you tell if they can ride a bike?
                  Eat solids? Learn to go to the potty?
                  It just happens! Your kid isn't the next Messi or Mia Hamm. Let them have fun before you force them into hating the beauty of the game because YOU think they're the next great. Now you have me writing a short storied novel for your therapy session.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    You are so wrong, which is, I supect, the result of your not having a kid who has It. My kid, on the other hand, clearly has It. She’s only 5 but already runs circles around her U9 teammates. YNT and Power 5 coaches are already sniffing around. Her speed coach will help her develop the burst she needs to compete at the next level. Her foot skills coach will continue to refine her first touch. Me and my wife both have tall, athletic frames, hers honed from years in the Canadian national team program (including 42 caps), so physical development won’t be an issue. And, as for passion, that may be the most impressive of her many talents, as she joyfully drills on her own for at least 2 hours a day.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                      You are so wrong, which is, I supect, the result of your not having a kid who has It. My kid, on the other hand, clearly has It. She’s only 5 but already runs circles around her U9 teammates. YNT and Power 5 coaches are already sniffing around. Her speed coach will help her develop the burst she needs to compete at the next level. Her foot skills coach will continue to refine her first touch. Me and my wife both have tall, athletic frames, hers honed from years in the Canadian national team program (including 42 caps), so physical development won’t be an issue. And, as for passion, that may be the most impressive of her many talents, as she joyfully drills on her own for at least 2 hours a day.
                      I can’t wait to joyfully drill your tall, athletic wife again for at least 2 hours a day, while you’re busy at Mt Airy Lodge doing standup.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                        You are so wrong, which is, I supect, the result of your not having a kid who has It. My kid, on the other hand, clearly has It. She’s only 5 but already runs circles around her U9 teammates. YNT and Power 5 coaches are already sniffing around. Her speed coach will help her develop the burst she needs to compete at the next level. Her foot skills coach will continue to refine her first touch. Me and my wife both have tall, athletic frames, hers honed from years in the Canadian national team program (including 42 caps), so physical development won’t be an issue. And, as for passion, that may be the most impressive of her many talents, as she joyfully drills on her own for at least 2 hours a day.
                        Haha.... that's what this parent that started the post thinks. The Kid will be into LAX in 2 years.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                          Haha.... that's what this parent that started the post thinks. The Kid will be into LAX in 2 years.
                          while there are some nutty parents out there, i do believe it was mean as sarcasm. lighten up francis

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                            I can’t wait to joyfully drill your tall, athletic wife again for at least 2 hours a day, while you’re busy at Mt Airy Lodge doing standup.
                            I think you mean my husband. Sounds like a good time so enjoy.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              There are MANY studs at U10 who fizzle out by U16 or long before, but almost all studs at U16 were studs at U10 too.

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