Ask the Coach, Women's College D1

[Unregistered]

When watching and looking at their profiles, is their bias against female small framed players 5’4”? Is it worth it for a small player to teach out to D1 programs?

It would be a sad indictment of college soccer in the US if the answer to this question is "smaller players shouldn't bother with D1". This is soccer. Size helps with some aspects of the game and some positions but not others. Some of the best players in the world are on the smaller side. Are they playing CB or GK? No. But does it help to be quick and nimble in other positions? Yes. And some of the most ferocious midfielders are undersized.

[Unregistered]

It would be a sad indictment of college soccer in the US if the answer to this question is "smaller players shouldn't bother with D1". This is soccer. Size helps with some aspects of the game and some positions but not others. Some of the best players in the world are on the smaller side. Are they playing CB or GK? No. But does it help to be quick and nimble in other positions? Yes. And some of the most ferocious midfielders are undersized.

kante is listed at 5' 6"...unofficially, probably 5' 5"...need we say more?

[Unregistered]

It would be a sad indictment of college soccer in the US if the answer to this question is "smaller players shouldn't bother with D1". This is soccer. Size helps with some aspects of the game and some positions but not others. Some of the best players in the world are on the smaller side. Are they playing CB or GK? No. But does it help to be quick and nimble in other positions? Yes. And some of the most ferocious midfielders are undersized.

In December there was an ICC Futures tournament in FL. I only saw the final where Barcelona Academy U15 played against PDA U15 (I think the PDA team had won the ECNL championship for their age group). The PDA team were on average a few inches taller and a few steps quicker than Barcelona, but they were no match for them when it came to technical ability and pure game awareness. I know the Barcelona system is very different but it was somewhat horrifying to see how uncreative and boring the US players were. It was basically go wide, run down the side and cross the ball - every time! The few chances that PDA had was basically because of muscling the opponents off the ball and outpacing them. I worry about the future of women's soccer in the US and I see that most college coaches tend to prefer this style (you might be an exception).

[Unregistered]

No big player wishes they were smaller; but almost every small player wishes they were bigger.

Does it matter? Not really.

But, sad to say, the girl who puts down 5'9" will get a look quicker than one who puts down 5'1".

[Unregistered]

No big player wishes they were smaller; but almost every small player wishes they were bigger.

Does it matter? Not really.

But, sad to say, the girl who puts down 5'9" will get a look quicker than one who puts down 5'1".

As a parent of a rising senior in college, my observation is that it's very hard for a smaller player to succeed in D1. Yes, it's possible, and there certainly are exceptions, but I would bet that 85% - 90% + of the players who actually log significant minutes are at least 5'6".

In terms of physicality, D1 is closer aligned with High School soccer rather than high end ECNL or GDAP styles. Some games are border line excessively violent, imo. There are some bad-arse girls out there, especially on the back line and holding mids. This cannot be understated. They are no longer kids who have to answer to you, the parent, or their youth coach that they are intimated by, they are young adults and many really don't give an F about the opponent and usually aren't intimated by their college coach if they are getting significant minutes.

Most of the shorter girls on my daughters team are either practice players or significantly injury prone, or both.

JMHO.

[Unregistered]

As a parent of a rising senior in college, my observation is that it's very hard for a smaller player to succeed in D1. Yes, it's possible, and there certainly are exceptions, but I would bet that 85% - 90% + of the players who actually log significant minutes are at least 5'6".

In terms of physicality, D1 is closer aligned with High School soccer rather than high end ECNL or GDAP styles. Some games are border line excessively violent, imo. There are some bad-arse girls out there, especially on the back line and holding mids. This cannot be understated. They are no longer kids who have to answer to you, the parent, or their youth coach that they are intimated by, they are young adults and many really don't give an F about the opponent and usually aren't intimated by their college coach if they are getting significant minutes.

Most of the shorter girls on my daughters team are either practice players or significantly injury prone, or both.

JMHO.

I understand your overall point, but let's not ignore the fact that ECNL most closely matches the college game. That's their stated intent, and they wear it proudly.

It's also what my eyes tell me.

[Unregistered]

In December there was an ICC Futures tournament in FL. I only saw the final where Barcelona Academy U15 played against PDA U15 (I think the PDA team had won the ECNL championship for their age group). The PDA team were on average a few inches taller and a few steps quicker than Barcelona, but they were no match for them when it came to technical ability and pure game awareness. I know the Barcelona system is very different but it was somewhat horrifying to see how uncreative and boring the US players were. It was basically go wide, run down the side and cross the ball - every time! The few chances that PDA had was basically because of muscling the opponents off the ball and outpacing them. I worry about the future of women's soccer in the US and I see that most college coaches tend to prefer this style (you might be an exception).

I watched this game too. PDA was totally outplayed (lost 2-0). But the college style of big and fast will never change. You can see this in the NWSL too. It's a rare event when the ball crosses the half on the ground.

[Unregistered]

I watched this game too. PDA was totally outplayed (lost 2-0). But the college style of big and fast will never change. You can see this in the NWSL too. It's a rare event when the ball crosses the half on the ground.

modric - 5' 8"...thiago - 5' 8"...messi - 5'7"...i could go on. i could also list many 6' 2" ...too bad we don't seem to understand the game in the US...

i

[Unregistered]

If fall soccer is cancelled, will they offer an additional year of eligibility to seniors who choose to come and play? And if so, would this be the nail in the coffin for uncommitted 2021s?

OP here....the NCAA allowed an extra year for the sports cancelled in spring, so I would have to think they will also allow for Fall. But, as the other poster intimated, it becomes a complicated issue. We have locked up all our 2021s....very big class, so we have no money, and really no roster spots to retain any of our large class of Seniors. However, for a school with a super talented Senior class, and an incomplete 2021 class, then, assuming some Seniors want to stay they would absolutely forego signing 2021s in lieu of what they have. It's just logical you would want a 4 year veteran vs. and unproven rookie. So, yes, the unfortunate news is it could makes things a bit harder for some of the 2021s. IMO

[Unregistered]

No big player wishes they were smaller; but almost every small player wishes they were bigger.

Does it matter? Not really.

But, sad to say, the girl who puts down 5'9" will get a look quicker than one who puts down 5'1".

OP here again. The size argument is as futile as the ECNL vs. DA argument. Everyone has an opinion. No one is likely to change that opinion, and the only truth goes back to my mantra---which you can conveniently use to answer many questions in soccer---if you're good, you're good!!

THAT being said, I will share my opinion based on my experience in D1 soccer: Generally speaking, size is a factor. Before everyone loses their minds and starts citing Messi and company, let me also say that one of the very best, toughest, most impactful soccer players I ever saw was Diana Matheson. Listed officially at 5'0, she's probably 4'11 in bare feet. She was a stud on the Canadian National team, Ivy League rooking of the year, Ivy League Player of the year, and led Princeton to an NCAA final four in 2004. She's an absolute beast, if you want google you can find some highlights. And, the tiniest thing you've ever seen. She alone blows the doors off the size argument.

However, she is the exception, not the norm, and I've seen many crazy good players that are top dogs in D3 simply because they would get crushed physically in D1. For most, NOT ALL, it is an issue. With the throngs of young girls playing soccer, the talent pool is huge, and humans have progressively gotten bigger so now instead of just finding the skilled, athletic, and fast players, we can find lots of skilled, athletic, and fast players, who, by the way are also big. All things being equal, any coach would go for the bigger body.

One poster referenced the physicality and it's totally true. I was also at the ICC Futures tourney and would 100% agree with the American style vs. the European style. Its true for our USWNT as well. The rest of the world had caught up and surpassed our Women's game in terms of technical ability.....we do not play the prettiest soccer, but we are good enough and are just way better athletes. We can argue all day about that, but we did win 2 World Cups.

[Unregistered]

I understand your overall point, but let's not ignore the fact that ECNL most closely matches the college game. That's their stated intent, and they wear it proudly.

It's also what my eyes tell me.

From a speed of play, perspective I would agree about ECNL (I am not adept at what the GDA was as it came into existence after my daughter graduated HS). My point was the physical play. ECNL ref'd games pretty tight, IMO and seemed more focused on protecting the players, which makes sense in the overall context of things. College refs do no such thing.

[Unregistered]

Pull the shirt, and give a couple hard fouls early a safe distance from goal, then act like you got shot when they retaliate or make any sort of contact. no need to chase. Have you not seen my daughter play yet?

Doesn't always work. In fact my daughter knows if you constantly pull her shirt...she has the upper hand.

[Unregistered]

From a speed of play, perspective I would agree about ECNL (I am not adept at what the GDA was as it came into existence after my daughter graduated HS). My point was the physical play. ECNL ref'd games pretty tight, IMO and seemed more focused on protecting the players, which makes sense in the overall context of things. College refs do no such thing.

No they didn't. I would be on the sidelines at ECNL showcase top tier games and would see the refs get reprimanded by the head scout ref that graded them. They were terrible. Safety was not their objective. In fact it seemed that some enjoyed the brawls instead of preventing them.

[Unregistered]

It would be a sad indictment of college soccer in the US if the answer to this question is "smaller players shouldn't bother with D1". This is soccer. Size helps with some aspects of the game and some positions but not others. Some of the best players in the world are on the smaller side. Are they playing CB or GK? No. But does it help to be quick and nimble in other positions? Yes. And some of the most ferocious midfielders are undersized.

One of the best CB's in US Soccer has been Cristy Rampone Pierce. She is on the smaller end. Just an example where speed and great foot skills can open many opportunities.

[Unregistered]

kante is listed at 5' 6"...unofficially, probably 5' 5"...need we say more?

Marta is 5'4 and DeVanna is 5'1".