Don't let your offspring grow up to be defenders

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Another forward converted to defense.

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/playe...4115/Cold-Heat

BC forward, Vicki DiMartino, is being converted to left back for the U20 NT because the coach didn't feel they had a "clear" left back. How many girls are playing soccer in the US and they can't find a left back who has played left back? That tells you a lot about our youth soccer system.

[Unregistered]

Another forward converted to defense.

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/playe...4115/Cold-Heat

BC forward, Vicki DiMartino, is being converted to left back for the U20 NT because the coach didn't feel they had a "clear" left back. How many girls are playing soccer in the US and they can't find a left back who has played left back? That tells you a lot about our youth soccer system.

3 things I learned by this post:
1. This article shows you how truly competitive the USWNT is.
2. You are completely clueless about technical/tactical organization of a talent pool.
3. This article tells me that the most elite players are capable of adapting and learning new positions, and that our youth soccer system is doing just great!

[Unregistered]

3 things I learned by this post:

3. This article tells me that the most elite players are capable of adapting and learning new positions, and that our youth soccer system is doing just great!

Except if you are a defender.

Give me a break. When was the last time you read about a defender being converted to a forward? The only conversion a defender can expect is to the scrap heap and it is because of the way we develop youth players. So you crap about cluelessness is exactly that - crap.

[Unregistered]

Coaching styles are changing everywhere. I think we'll find more and more often that defenders are going to be converted attacking players ( mids or forwards). More build up of play from the back with the two outside backs getting more and more involved. 4 4 2 will be most common and the 3 4 3 will be forgotten. Better to have players work at all positions on the field. Attacking players will definitely need to develop more experience in defensive roles to become a more well rounded player.

[Unregistered]

Except if you are a defender.

Give me a break. When was the last time you read about a defender being converted to a forward? The only conversion a defender can expect is to the scrap heap and it is because of the way we develop youth players. So you crap about cluelessness is exactly that - crap.

It's all part of the widespread prejudice in US that there is no skill to defending. It's for kids who don't have the footskills to play up. And, that's one reason why we are where we are.

At this level of competition, at this age, it's pretty silly to convert a forward to a back unless there is an injury situation of some kind. And to treat it as if it's a run of the mill occurance seems a little bizarre.

If you don't like the left back, send her down and recruit another one. That's how it should go.

[Unregistered]

Except if you are a defender.

Give me a break. When was the last time you read about a defender being converted to a forward? The only conversion a defender can expect is to the scrap heap and it is because of the way we develop youth players. So you crap about cluelessness is exactly that - crap.

Look at it another way. In baseball they say the fastest way to the bigs is to be a catcher. Perhaps the fact that the NT has no clear backs means there is a lot of opportunity for national level defenders and it is actually better to be a defender than compete with teh midfielders and strikers? .

[Unregistered]

Except if you are a defender.

Give me a break. When was the last time you read about a defender being converted to a forward? The only conversion a defender can expect is to the scrap heap and it is because of the way we develop youth players. So you crap about cluelessness is exactly that - crap.

One rarely converts to forward from a different position because forwards are a different animal.

[Unregistered]

V DiMartino will make an excellent left back. She's the best overall player I've ever seen play. For the US women to get away from their recent, predictable, overly physical play there needs to be an emphasis toward placing the most skilled players all over the field, and this move certainly is a step in this direction. Congrats to the US coaches.

[Unregistered]

Another forward converted to defense.

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/playe...4115/Cold-Heat

BC forward, Vicki DiMartino, is being converted to left back for the U20 NT because the coach didn't feel they had a "clear" left back. How many girls are playing soccer in the US and they can't find a left back who has played left back? That tells you a lot about our youth soccer system.

you make a valid point unless they are looking to us the left back in the offense, in that case a very good overall player with an attackers mentality may be a better option.. not all outside backs are know as defenders. some of the best ever have been great attackers first

[Unregistered]

To say don't let your offspring grow up to be a defender is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. I have 3 Div 1 college players who all grew up playing defense and they are very good defenders. Yes good players can play all over the field. Good defenders are difficult to find - good forwards are a dime a dozen. If you are a forward and do not rack up the points - you are finished. If you want a college deal - learn to play defense.

[Unregistered]

V DiMartino will make an excellent left back. She's the best overall player I've ever seen play. For the US women to get away from their recent, predictable, overly physical play there needs to be an emphasis toward placing the most skilled players all over the field, and this move certainly is a step in this direction. Congrats to the US coaches.

This isn't the first time it has been done by US NT coaches, but it is nice to see the US is finally considering attacking out of the back instead of launching the ball to nobody.

[Unregistered]

To say don't let your offspring grow up to be a defender is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. I have 3 Div 1 college players who all grew up playing defense and they are very good defenders. Yes good players can play all over the field. Good defenders are difficult to find - good forwards are a dime a dozen. If you are a forward and do not rack up the points - you are finished. If you want a college deal - learn to play defense.

You are joshing, right?

[Unregistered]

You are joshing, right?

odp WILL not pick defenders for regional et- totally predjudiced and clueless the way it is done

[Unregistered]

odp WILL not pick defenders for regional et- totally predjudiced and clueless the way it is done

PErhaps because they don't like what they see in the wing defenders? The skills and field vision of a midfielder is critical and makes an excellent defender on the wing being able to defend and to attack. In college this happens all the time, moving an attacking player with skills back.

[Unregistered]

Another forward converted to defense.

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/playe...4115/Cold-Heat

BC forward, Vicki DiMartino, is being converted to left back for the U20 NT because the coach didn't feel they had a "clear" left back. How many girls are playing soccer in the US and they can't find a left back who has played left back? That tells you a lot about our youth soccer system.

It worked out o.k. for Brandi Chastain.