It is best to remember that the only people worse than goalies are parents of goalies.
. I say this mostly joking; goalies and their parents have to hear how every dad played goalie as a kid and wants to offer advice (not interested). Over time that seems to go away, but annoying when they are young. If you really want to support goalies, tell your kid to listen and do what the goalies are saying; they aren't talking just to talk.
LA county club mandating that current players have to come out to tryouts on the same day as an away game in San Diego.
One of the several reasons I think it's time for us to move on. When the parents are bullies, what hope is there for the kids? How is behavior from adults that would not be allowed in schools or even the workplace okay in the youth sports environment.
Pressured because they generally aren't as good at 9 years old on the field so they are offered keeper to stay on the team. I know a keeper that pre-puberty wasn't as "athletic" (aka not as "fit") as the other u-littles and so was offered the position of keeper to remain on the team. Also a "scholarship" situation so they would be turning down the ability to play at the club level as well. Post puberty, his entire physique changed and he's now one of the more physically athletic players on the team. While this is great for him in the keeper position, he would LOVE to play as a field player. But alas, all those missed years of development he's behind his teammates in those skills. I would guess within a year he could catch up. But I don't see the club being willing to offer that. Another example of where club soccer fails the kids it's supposed to serve; placing kids in positions at an early age, especially keeper. I don't think we should allow designated keepers until U13.
This is what happened in this case. It wasn't meant to be the story of all keepers. I was sharing an specific experience and in my eyes was not fair to the kid in this position. I absolutely agree that it was wrong. And he is good with his feet and I think he could play on the field, I feel it is wrong that the club likely won't allow it The point was he was pigeonholed too early and they won't be flexible for him now.
I’ve seen it too particularly at the lower bronze boys level since at that age you only need to big kid to block the goal as much as possible. The problem is the higher level keepers like my son start intensive training when they are 9 or 10. A super athletic kid can catch up but there’s just a ton of things to learn...I started to count all the skills that need to be mastered the other day...I hit over 100 before I just stopped. Also by the time he hits 12 and needs to cover the full goal if he’s overweight and slow he won’t be able to jump to do the extension dives he needs to cover the entire goal. And as mentioned by 12 the higher level keepers are playing as much with their feet as the field players. The kid you mention (unless puberty changes him) will be dropped as the team moves up in the rankings, eventually recruiting a player who is fit and trained the position.
It is best to remember that the only people worse than goalies are parents of goalies.
Grace, I was able to play the great game of soccer for 7 years in AYSO as GK. Club was not around in the 70s so AYSO was tier 1, just so you know. Anyway, if I gave up a goal once in a blue moon, sometimes the older defenders would yell at me because I made a save but it went off my gloves and into the net for a, GOAL!!!!!!. I had one guy get all pissed at me when I let one slip through my fingers and I got so mad back at him. I told him if he was faster, then the defender wouldn't go around you so easily and have a direct shot at my face from 5 feet away. No respect I tell ya with that position
I will say most of the articles in the local paper had glowing things to say about each of my games. I real reporter with the Daily Pilot would come and take pics and write up a quick take on the each game.Grace, I was able to play the great game of soccer for 7 years in AYSO as GK. Club was not around in the 70s so AYSO was tier 1, just so you know. Anyway, if I gave up a goal once in a blue moon, sometimes the older defenders would yell at me because I made a save but it went off my gloves and into the net for a, GOAL!!!!!!. I had one guy get all pissed at me when I let one slip through my fingers and I got so mad back at him. I told him if he was faster, then the defender wouldn't go around you so easily and have a direct shot at my face from 5 feet away. No respect I tell ya with that position
Many areas of the country had little or no soccer in the 1970's, club, AYSO or rec.
Club was limited and is dependent on location. I grew up in the SGV (Pasadena) and club soccer did not attract the best players. And did not really take off till the early 80's in regards to being a known entity. I and a few of my friends/teammates eventually played at the college level and not one of them played club. Those that did were typically the weaker players. I know its weird, but that's who it attracted. Though that changed in the 90's.
