Playing Long vs. Playing Short

[Guest]

You have to learn to play both ways, and learning to play short out of the back takes time. Coaches and ESPECIALLY parents need to be patient. Yes, they will make mistakes and lose games. But if you believe in development, you should allow them to learn through mistakes when they’re young. In the older ages when facing teams with high lines and pressure upfront, the team will need to play the long pass (not just randomly kicking it up) to show the threat of sending the long ball behind their high back line.

The biggest problem is the parents. Most don’t watch football frequently enough and think the football played in high school is how they should play. They yell “boot it!” which makes many people cringe. MA high school soccer in the 90s is not how the game is played now. Learn how the game has evolved and the different styles that the top teams play (not just City or Arsenal). Ancelotti changes the way his team plays based on opponent and situation, and that has led to a UCL-league double this year.

[Guest]

Generally you are correct, but it seems like the discussion here is more about priorities around development vs. winning at the younger ages, not about competitive tactics for more mature/developed players.

Development even among the youngest ages also is very subjective. It all depends on the athleticism of each player during their adolescent years before/after reaching puberty. You will have 20 kids training together yet you will have a small core group ahead of the vast majority. It’s the same principle of the individual players playing as a team. If you start playing possession you will have those players who are just better than others which will effect the team in a game. Not everyone are up to the task of playing possession. Then what? The coach has to look at the players abilities before playing a possession style of play. I have seen games where the coach told the players they couldn’t pass the ball beyond midfield without a minimum of three passes first including the goalie. That’s great thinking and development but for the most part some of the players were not good enough.

[Guest]

You have to learn to play both ways, and learning to play short out of the back takes time. Coaches and ESPECIALLY parents need to be patient. Yes, they will make mistakes and lose games. But if you believe in development, you should allow them to learn through mistakes when they’re young. In the older ages when facing teams with high lines and pressure upfront, the team will need to play the long pass (not just randomly kicking it up) to show the threat of sending the long ball behind their high back line.

The biggest problem is the parents. Most don’t watch football frequently enough and think the football played in high school is how they should play. They yell “boot it!” which makes many people cringe. MA high school soccer in the 90s is not how the game is played now. Learn how the game has evolved and the different styles that the top teams play (not just City or Arsenal). Ancelotti changes the way his team plays based on opponent and situation, and that has led to a UCL-league double this year.

This is perfect.

[Guest]

Development even among the youngest ages also is very subjective. It all depends on the athleticism of each player during their adolescent years before/after reaching puberty. You will have 20 kids training together yet you will have a small core group ahead of the vast majority. It’s the same principle of the individual players playing as a team. If you start playing possession you will have those players who are just better than others which will effect the team in a game. Not everyone are up to the task of playing possession. Then what? The coach has to look at the players abilities before playing a possession style of play. I have seen games where the coach told the players they couldn’t pass the ball beyond midfield without a minimum of three passes first including the goalie. That’s great thinking and development but for the most part some of the players were not good enough.

So then how do you make the kids better?

[Guest]

So then how do you make the kids better?

You let them make mistakes, learn from it, and improve. Avoiding mistakes does not solve the problems.

[Guest]

So then how do you make the kids better?

You’re assuming playing possession is the only development. That is what some TS parents want to believe. There is no correct answer.

[Guest]

So then how do you make the kids better?

If the players aren't very good, how about dropping them down to an easier league and develop them there?

[Guest]

I like to ridicule the people who criticize teams that play kickball. People who love to sound smart talking about "playing it out of the back" as the only way to play "good soocer." If a team is using a high press and leaving itself vulnerable to a ball played in behind, then it's silly to force your little tiki taka game into the teeth of the pressing opponent. I saw a coach yell at his goalie for punting this season when the other team was as forward as I've seen and all over his backs. Goallie rolled the ball out to his OB on the next save and the ball was in his net a few seconds later. Brilliant coaching.

Coach probably yelled at the outside back for it, too.

[Guest]

Do they still hat the U-Littles hold players back from pressing so kids can get used to playing vs. chasing after it; or is that no longer a thing?

[Guest]

Do they still hat the U-Littles hold players back from pressing so kids can get used to playing vs. chasing after it; or is that no longer a thing?

Was it ever a thing?

[Guest]

Was it ever a thing?

Yes. Was before 9v9, maybe like 5v5 for U-9s? NEP? Been a while, essentially since kids were too small to play long balls anyway they were held back so restarts had a few seconds before the ants attack the sugar cube.

[Guest]

Do they still hat the U-Littles hold players back from pressing so kids can get used to playing vs. chasing after it; or is that no longer a thing?

You’re thinking of the build-out line for 10U/7v7. Opposing players have to vacate basically the 1/4 of the field near the goal, not just the penalty box. It’s a US Soccer thing not just NEP or MA Youth Soccer.

[Guest]

You’re assuming playing possession is the only development. That is what some TS parents want to believe. There is no correct answer.

possession at 7v7 basically means trying to kick the ball toward a teammate first instead of toward the other team

pretty basic requirement for development

[Guest]

You’re thinking of the build-out line for 10U/7v7. Opposing players have to vacate basically the 1/4 of the field near the goal, not just the penalty box. It’s a US Soccer thing not just NEP or MA Youth Soccer.

Aaah, yes. Do they still do that?