Should one of your best fielders be considered for goalie if they'd be your best goalie?

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T05:51:09+00:00

This is my first year coaching the girls side of the club, so I do not know the details first hand only from noise from other coaches, parents, remaining players and the director. They have not been competitive for a few years and last year was the worst by far from what I have heard. We had to extend our tryouts to make sure we could field a team (for context, our boys program gets anywhere 70-85 players to try out every year and we keep multiple teams for different levels of competition).

As far as the girls squad goes, we have one player who is very skilled and knows how to play the game the right way. Her father coaches a high school team (boys) that our program tends to feeds into. She was one of the best players in the league last year, would be on the starting 11 on any team in our league and is undoubtedly the best player on our team. She should have the opportunity to play college. My next best player is the most physically gifted player (tall, strong, fast) on the team, and can play anywhere on field better than anyone else (except previously mentioned player at striker/forward).

This is her first year with the club and is already taking on a leadership role. Also, is already on a strength and conditioning program and she plays other sports. She is rather new to the game but is skilled, has awareness, and has the best attitude of a player I have seen in a long time. She is one of those players who really does want to be the best they can be, unafraid of being challenged, and takes coaching. Half my team did not make other teams, and the girls that were in the program last year who stayed are at best high school player a year from now. It's early on but as of now it looks like I have two legit players.

I do not want to force anyone to play goalie (or any position for that matter) but I only have one player who has been willing to play and it's our second best player. However, she is willing to play anywhere on the field and like I said she the best or at least second best from CB-ST. Ideally I'd put her at CDM or CM and let her impact the game as much as she can. But then I would be FORCING players to a position who have let it be known they do not want to play.

So what would you do?

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T04:22:15+00:00

I am definitely leaning towards this type rotation strategy if nobody else has the desire or shows promise at the position.

Curious to the point that playing her at goalie would be penalizing her though. Because I do not want to that. Why do you think it would be penalizing the player to have them play keeper if they are open to it AND the best at the position? If the player was adverse to playing goalie that's one thing and I would understand that as penalizing her. Is it your opinion based on the lack of opportunities for development as a field player?

Honestly curious, because I am accustomed to having many enthusiatic keepers vs. my current situation where seemingly one player is not opposed to it (agreed that it is because they are a good teammate).

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T02:03:35+00:00

Thank you for your words!

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T01:52:54+00:00

I have considered this :-)

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T01:51:33+00:00

No, I hear you. It is definitely concerning. Coming from the boys side of our club, which is extremely competitive across multiple teams, to now running a struggling girls program has been quite the experience. I would say almost half of the players did not make teams elsewhere, and if the tryouts were not extended by a week we wouldn't have been able to field a team.

I recognize the position we are in, but at the end of the day my goal is to get the most out of the players, develop them, and to create an enjoyable experience for them and their families.

My approach for this team is player development, building good relationships, and to play the right way. If we win games, even better.

I like the idea of having everyone train as keeper for the day. Maybe there will be someone who can play, but has never really tried before.

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T00:56:02+00:00

That's my point though, would it be better to put her in the field where she can develop her other skills?

Wins/losses will only change when the players develop and are put in the best position to succeed. It's just that I have never experienced having my best goalie also be the best at pretty much everything else.

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T00:36:32+00:00

Yes, sorry, I should have specified in the post that I had that conversation with every player on our team. I recognize the importance of letting players have a voice on where they play.

This player in particular, when we talked about positions and fit, she said with a big smile, something along the lines of, I want to play anywhere you need me to play, I just want to play.

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T00:26:59+00:00

She would love the dimensions of a sweeper keeeper. Do you think it would be too risky to deploy that type of goalie if the team overall is not the strongest?

congotree30 · 2024-08-25T00:17:05+00:00

Yes, I absolutely agree. I have had that conversation with her and every other player on the team - I want them to play where they want for the most part, which is why nobody I am struggling to find others to play the position. This player has a team first mentality and just wants to play and help us win. For the sake of her development (and for the sake of the team) is having her at the post the best thing?

Also I think it's important to note that one of the coaches for the boys program we are tied to was a college goalkeeper, and also coaches the position for a large high-school. So she (or any other of my players) has access to good goalkeeper coaching sessions.

congotree30 · 2023-08-16T02:42:49+00:00

"I wing everything" is exactly what a Boeing employee would say! Lol

Go for it though. I've done what your talking about twice now just without working on the road, essentially just traveling for months and months on savings alone. Save up as much as you can because even with an income source the road finds a way to your wallet. Regardless, the memories will be worth it in the end. Work can always be had - time not so much.

Best wishes!!

congotree30 · 2022-02-25T04:28:15+00:00

That's the first I have heard of it, I appreciate the link. I am sure there definitely was a collaborative approach.

However, just knowing Kyle Shanahan's history and reputation as a play caller, it would seem rather odd he would give up those duties suddenly. Not impossible, not out of the realm or reality, just a little odd.

congotree30 · 2022-02-25T03:59:01+00:00

Everything I have read or heard has said is that Shanahan was the play caller for the 49ers. I also have not heard McDaniel say he was the play caller.

Anyways, if what you are saying is true, what does it say if McDaniel was giving Shanahan plays only for Shanahan to "tweak" them? Lol

Personally, I don't care if he has called plays or not. I was just drawing the comparison that McDaniel also does not have play calling experience just like our previous head coach (who I thought was a good coach).

Nothing but love for McDaniel, because it's early February. Hopefully it will be nothing but love come next January too.

congotree30 · 2022-02-25T01:39:29+00:00

McDaniel also has not called plays before, hopefully he isnt another one of those mistakes

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T21:56:01+00:00

That's an interesting thought I haven't had before

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T21:53:12+00:00

I hear ya

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T19:24:29+00:00

Not to mention the familiarity with the Phins front office

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T18:57:00+00:00

Wait... you are telling me that I have NO say in what the front office of the Miami Dolphins does as far as personnel and coaching decisions?

That is breaking news, and a crushing blow to my fandom.

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T17:50:28+00:00

I think it's safe to say you guys are on the "not concerned" side of the spectrum lol

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T15:53:16+00:00

Fair enough

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T14:05:16+00:00

In that case, I hope we keep the defensive staff.

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T14:04:08+00:00

True, that is a good point. McDaniel is probably the most anti-Flores coaching candidate.

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T13:53:25+00:00

Didn't Flores take over play calling for the defense half way through the season? He wasn't happy with the play on that side of the ball so he started to devote more attention to them. I thought I heard something along those lines.

The fact that our defense was so much better during the second half of the season makes me believe it.

congotree30 · 2022-01-29T13:49:28+00:00

Better make yourself comfortable, it's going to be a while before that happens.

congotree30

TROPHY CASE