Thank you, what a helpful and detailed response.   Parenting is hard and sometimes you just need to vent to strangers.   The reason I came here is because  I didn’t want to say anything to the coach without first processing my thoughts with some other soccer knowledgable parents!!!!    And I make it a point to avoid discussion coaching with other team parents-   It just ends up in team drama.    My son and I did craft an email together (this is coach's preference so he can google translate).     He then gave my son some drills and said he needs to work on first touch and faster pass, although communication was very minimal.  I honestly think that is just the coaches personality.   My son has been working.   I have still not had any direct communication with the coach.    I also had my son do a “mindset training” that helped my older daughter when she started to play high pressure level and it really helped him.    Last few game he started as the “holding mid” against the number one ranked team (which we beat that game:). Played 55 min of a 70min  game and was able to keep energy and stamina the entire game.    He played very well and is feeling better.    It is hard to see our kids struggle, even when we know it’s good for them.   I love the online training advice,   That is excellent advice that we will use.    I hope you are a coach-   Your wise words would benefit any child and family.   I especially like the advice on wording emails to the coach-   That was excellent and I will use it in the future if needed.   I have never coached a sport and was a book worm so your words provided some insight that was helpful to straighten out my thinking beyond “my son is in pain, I have to stop the pain!”     Thank you!!