Hello everyone. I've come here for some coaching advice. I am taking on a rec team this spring and have a pretty good team with the exception of a few, who are slow and lack technical ability. Where is the safest position for these 3 players? Hate to start off on the wrong foot.
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Not really sure I can do much to develop these few girls, if you saw them, you'd understand. They are just not athletically inclined and since it is a rec team we don't turn anyone away. My problem is that I want to be fair and give these girls a chance to play and have fun without the remainder of the team becoming frustrated from getting their butts kicked. Is that so bad? This is not high level soccer and my job here is not to turn these kids into professional soccer players. I'm just looking for advice on where to put these slower girls where they can make an impact. Snarky remarks not needed. Thanks.
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I don't think you are wrong to ask. If parents want their kids to "develop", I hardly doubt rec soccer is the place for that in this day and age. With that said, slow players on the back line is probably your best bet. Maybe a forward if they have a good shot. Definitely keep them off the wings.
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You will find the striker position is the safe haven for these players. Everywhere else they will be exposed in a second. I coached rec for 5 yrs.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostMy suggestion would be to focus on developing those weaker players and avoid trying to "hide" them. If you care about GU12 rec soccer results then I would recommend that you find a replacement more suitable for the role.
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Not really sure I can do much to develop these few girls...
Then you are not a soccer coach. Focus at U12 should not be on winning. Ever. If you "hide" player you are removing an opportunity for them to improve. Set a culture where if they, or anyone, makes a mistake it's okay. Half of them won't be able to tell you the score 30 minutes after the game is over anyway.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostNot really sure I can do much to develop these few girls, if you saw them, you'd understand. They are just not athletically inclined and since it is a rec team we don't turn anyone away. My problem is that I want to be fair and give these girls a chance to play and have fun without the remainder of the team becoming frustrated from getting their butts kicked. Is that so bad? This is not high level soccer and my job here is not to turn these kids into professional soccer players. I'm just looking for advice on where to put these slower girls where they can make an impact. Snarky remarks not needed. Thanks.
Good that you want all to improve because many coaches will write those kids off.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostHello everyone. I've come here for some coaching advice. I am taking on a rec team this spring and have a pretty good team with the exception of a few, who are slow and lack technical ability. Where is the safest position for these 3 players? Hate to start off on the wrong foot.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostNot really sure I can do much to develop these few girls...
Then you are not a soccer coach. Focus at U12 should not be on winning. Ever. If you "hide" player you are removing an opportunity for them to improve. Set a culture where if they, or anyone, makes a mistake it's okay. Half of them won't be able to tell you the score 30 minutes after the game is over anyway.
Sometimes, kids just want to have fun. That's OK, and that's what's great about the game. There is a level for all. These kids are just running around, and they aren't bothering any of the top players.
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For those of you giving this guy a hard time, please lighten up. It appears that he's trying to do the right thing by all of these kids and understands that it's rec. I coached rec at one point and it's can be really tough. You need to make if fun for all of the kids as best as you possibly can. While putting one of these kids on defense may seem safe, the first (or second or third) time they get beat and the other team scores, the more they will not like it and their teammates may blame them. I agree with the others that say to try them up top as strikers. A missed shot is a lot less damaging then watching someone go by you and score. And you never know, they might score up top and if they do, that could be the best encouragement for them to improve. Good luck and just ignore all of the stupid parents that you are sure to encounter. I often found that to be more difficult than anything else.
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