U12 Girls

[Not Sure]

This forum always has bashers of any athletic large player - especially female. It's as if the genetic gifts of athleticism and strength are "bad" while a kid's gifts of intelligence (also genetic) are "good".

People read whatever they want from posts. Bottom line, look onto a field of GU12 players. At this age there are some girls that have already hit puberty and have had significant changes in their physical presence. All players will eventually converge on this point. That said, both skills and athleticism are needed for a player to execute going forward (for the the players to be sucessful). Anyone who discounts strength and athletic ability does so at their own peril. But by U14 we won't be seeing as many 4'10" 75# girls going up against 5'5" 110# girls.

For the record, I am an "athletic large player", and tend not to be self loathing.

This forum always has bashers of any athletic large player - especially female. It's as if the genetic gifts of athleticism and strength are "bad" while a kid's gifts of intelligence (also genetic) are "good".

maybe true. but not in all cases. there are two good reasons to post about being weary of success in soccer based on size combined with athleticism. one is that it's proven to be a recipe for inconsistency at the very top level. people point to this as a reason the US women slipped. It's not the players so mcuh, it's the reliance on the athletic qualities in play. there are alot of concerned folks who think that it's a major problem that needs to be addressed at the little levels. we need to stop weeding out the smaller, technical, tactical player who can be very successful at the international level, particularly if a country like Brazil really starts to develop their game.

The other good reason is as a warning to parents and coaches of these kids who are young. It's a fact that these kids usually stop growing early and can fall off in all ways, and it's perfectly normal because its' part of growing up,but it does happen and there are dozens of examples at older age groups in MAPLE right now.

that's not to comment on any current u12 group, more of a general comment. the top teams often remain very big and strong and athletic, look at bolts u18s, just don't expect it to be the same players year after year. Over time a lot of the ones that were dominant when younger fall off.

With the discussion about playing up, I know a parent who asked that their child be allowed to play up specifically because that child was so much bigger than the kids who were age appropriate. The parent was concerned that this child would become too dependent on size rather than the development of skill to compete. Smart parent.

With the discussion about playing up, I know a parent who asked that their child be allowed to play up specifically because that child was so much bigger than the kids who were age appropriate. The parent was concerned that this child would become too dependent on size rather than the development of skill to compete. Smart parent.

that makes sense i know this has happened in the WU U12 Team. they have an athletic player who is playing "up" over the winter with another WU team for the same reasons. i beleive this was encouraged by the players coach

Strength, speed and SIZE are important factors at all ages. The best older teams will feature not only great technical skill but the speed and athleticism to utilize that skill at great pace. No doubt that by about U14 a team cannot survive only on long play direct soccer. However, don't buy into the myth that big athletic teams at 12 cannot "develop" into quality sides that possess and build up the attack.

Excellent point. Look at the Stars U15 A team. Great atheleticism/size combined with excellent skill that permits them to play a possession style at great pace.

funny that u just posted this when I just posted that I don't really think you can call the Stars U15 team a possession team at all. I don't think you can watch them and say that. and that is far from a bad thing, they play to their strengths, they are very skilled, and are not a kick and chase team, the are just hardly what you can call a possession team.

For my money Stars u16 play the highest level of possession soccer, this style has been their down fall. Its all about what you want your child to learn. Direct is very effect , possesion is very pleasing on the eye but won't get you to the highest level.

With the discussion about playing up, I know a parent who asked that their child be allowed to play up specifically because that child was so much bigger than the kids who were age appropriate. The parent was concerned that this child would become too dependent on size rather than the development of skill to compete. Smart parent.

Unless you play with Scorps who do not allow it. Maybe they keep these players at there own age just so they can have the strongest possible team? Is that development?

With the discussion about playing up, I know a parent who asked that their child be allowed to play up specifically because that child was so much bigger than the kids who were age appropriate. The parent was concerned that this child would become too dependent on size rather than the development of skill to compete. Smart parent.

Unless you play with Scorps who do not allow it. Maybe they keep these players at there own age just so they can have the strongest possible team? Is that development?

the penny has dropped

Anonymous wrote:
With the discussion about playing up, I know a parent who asked that their child be allowed to play up specifically because that child was so much bigger than the kids who were age appropriate. The parent was concerned that this child would become too dependent on size rather than the development of skill to compete. Smart parent.

Unless you play with Scorps who do not allow it. Maybe they keep these players at there own age just so they can have the strongest possible team? Is that development?



the penny has dropped

Not really....most clubs have a "playing up rule" of some sorts. Training and doing some winter playing is enough for a player to get the experience and see that size isn't everything and then still play age appropriate the remainder of the year.

I suspect Fred has a no playing up rule because in most cases every little Mias parents think their star is good enough to play up.

funny that u just posted this when I just posted that I don't really think you can call the Stars U15 team a possession team at all. I don't think you can watch them and say that. and that is far from a bad thing, they play to their strengths, they are very skilled, and are not a kick and chase team, the are just hardly what you can call a possession team.

You are kidding me right, I saw them in the regional final against FC Delco. Delco did not touch the ball. If that is not becuase of good possesssion what is. I think they scored 5 goals aswell. The speed of play of that team is a joy to watch.

With the discussion about playing up, I know a parent who asked that their child be allowed to play up specifically because that child was so much bigger than the kids who were age appropriate. The parent was concerned that this child would become too dependent on size rather than the development of skill to compete. Smart parent.

Unless you play with Scorps who do not allow it. Maybe they keep these players at there own age just so they can have the strongest possible team? Is that development?

What does a player "playing up" because of her size have to do with development of soccer skills. If a player is bigger than the other girls does that automatically make her technically sound? I think not!

I can see a player "playing up" if their game skills and technical ability are above her current age group, but move up just because of size and it could deter the technical development. She will actually get less touches due to the increased speed of the game and her inabilty to keep the ball at her feet.

yes, well, let's not make the whole thing about pure player development conversation because it's not. if a strong u13 player tries out for the u14 team, the u14 coach isn't thinking 'oh, this player should play up because it's good for her development.' the coach is thinking 'oh my god, this kid's gonna help my team win.'

let's not throw stones at scorps, the current u19s have a lot of players that could have played up but didnt'. i think they turned out okay.

funny that u just posted this when I just posted that I don't really think you can call the Stars U15 team a possession team at all. I don't think you can watch them and say that. and that is far from a bad thing, they play to their strengths, they are very skilled, and are not a kick and chase team, the are just hardly what you can call a possession team.

You are kidding me right, I saw them in the regional final against FC Delco. Delco did not touch the ball. If that is not becuase of good possesssion what is. I think they scored 5 goals aswell. The speed of play of that team is a joy to watch.

not kidding. Stars 15s are not a possession team.

people want to wear the 'my kid plays for a possession team' on their sleeve like it's some ribbon or badge. congrats to the Stars u15s for being a very good team with very good players and a very good coach. this is despite not being a possession team. i would be proud to have a daughter on that team.

just because a bunch of uninformed people think you're a bad team if you don't play 'possession soccer' doesn't mean that's the case.

funny that u just posted this when I just posted that I don't really think you can call the Stars U15 team a possession team at all. I don't think you can watch them and say that. and that is far from a bad thing, they play to their strengths, they are very skilled, and are not a kick and chase team, the are just hardly what you can call a possession team.

You are kidding me right, I saw them in the regional final against FC Delco. Delco did not touch the ball. If that is not becuase of good possesssion what is. I think they scored 5 goals aswell. The speed of play of that team is a joy to watch.

not kidding. Stars 15s are not a possession team.

people want to wear the 'my kid plays for a possession team' on their sleeve like it's some ribbon or badge. congrats to the Stars u15s for being a very good team with very good players and a very good coach. this is despite not being a possession team. i would be proud to have a daughter on that team.

just because a bunch of uninformed people think you're a bad team if you don't play 'possession soccer' doesn't mean that's the case.

Can you please move this discussion over to the proper "U15 Girls" thread, you're scaring the younger kids!

With the discussion about playing up, I know a parent who asked that their child be allowed to play up specifically because that child was so much bigger than the kids who were age appropriate. The parent was concerned that this child would become too dependent on size rather than the development of skill to compete. Smart parent.

Unless you play with Scorps who do not allow it. Maybe they keep these players at there own age just so they can have the strongest possible team? Is that development?

What does a player "playing up" because of her size have to do with development of soccer skills. If a player is bigger than the other girls does that automatically make her technically sound? I think not!

I can see a player "playing up" if their game skills and technical ability are above her current age group, but move up just because of size and it could deter the technical development. She will actually get less touches due to the increased speed of the game and her inabilty to keep the ball at her feet.

The child's skill level has to be equivalent to the older team and in this case it was.

[reality]

Couple of last things on the size issue:

I have found that as team's age, their midfielders get larger and defenders get smaller. This is obviously a huge over-generalization. However, don't be shocked when you see some of the strongest players moving through the middle. Second, you will soon discover a thing I like to call players who play bigger than they are. This is when you watch a game and think a particular girl is an absolute beast on the field, only to meet her off the field and discover she is 5'5" / 125 pounds.