http://www.theoriginalcoach.com/#!the-importance-of-learning-multiple-posi/c24d5 There is little doubt that the modern game is going through a period of unprecedented tactical flexibility. Coaches at the top level are frequently changing tactical structures multiple times during games. As a result, the modern player is expected to be capable of playing multiple roles - not only during the course of a season, but within each 90 minute game. Bayern Munich are a prime example of this. Pep Guardiola frequently requires that players such as Phillipp Lahm play as many as three different positions during one game – defensive midfield pivot, full-back and even attacking midfield. This trend in the modern game has an impact on how youth coaches should be preparing younger players for the future. To be capable of succeeding at the higher levels of the game, young players will have to gain experience at playing multiple positions and to be mentally flexible to embrace change. One of the challenges we face in North America (and indeed elsewhere) is our tendency to place young players in specific positions at young ages. Typically, coaches will place children in positions based on physical size, level of aggression, speed and technical ability. Less skilled players are asked to play as defenders, aggressive players are asked to play midfield and fast and skillful players are selected as forwards. The problem with this is that coaches are typically making these decisions to win games, not to develop players. Rarely do youth coaches allow young players to change positions, and parents and the players themselves start to believe that they can only play, or are best suited to, a certain position only. My own personal experience shows that this approach has many flaws. As a young player I played every outfield position. This helped me to gain a good understanding of the game and an opportunity to practice many diverse skills. One week, I was able to try 1v1 moves against defenders and supply crosses for the forwards. The next week, I was playing central defence and using my understanding of the game. On our team, we all had preferred positions but we never for one moment limited our thinking to only one specific spot on the field. We just wanted to play, and quickly worked out that the more willing we were to play in different positions, the more likelihood that we would get on the field. Sometimes a team may be chasing a game and play with more forwards on the field or alternatively be trying to protect a lead and play with more defensive organization. With all that going on, young players need to be able to adapt and play in different positions. Many of today’s professional players started their careers in different positions. Lionel Messi, for example, was considered a wide player at Barcelona during his early years and considered too small to play centrally as a forward — and we have all seen since then what he can do through the middle. It is also important to note that all Barcelona youth players are exposed to multiple positions during their learning at the famous La Masia academy. A young Lionel Messi played as sweeper, defender and midfield player; as well as a forward. One of our biggest challenges in North America is to get younger players to embrace the opportunities to play as defenders. Most youngsters feel that they are being ‘punished’ by playing at the back, and that is where we hide our less skilled players. A few seasons ago, our academy played one our fastest and most skilled players at right back. At the time he was quite upset about it. However, after dominating one game where he spent the entire time marauding down the wing and being our main source of attack, he quickly realized the benefits. He was able to see all the play in front of him and arrive late in the opposition’s half unmarked. Watch any game at the top level and you will see fullbacks like Lahm (Bayern Munich), Zabaleta (Manchester City), Coleman (Everton), Alba (Barcelona), Moreno (Liverpool) and Azpilicueta (Chelsea) spend more time in the opposition half attacking than in their own half defending. They add so much in the attacking phase and help overload. When I travelled to the English Club Crewe Alexandra more than ten years ago I was delighted to learn that their academy teams systematically rotated their young players through a different position each playing period. Academy games are typically broken into three periods so coaches can use the games as learning experiences, with one additional break to talk to players and re-set positions. At Crewe Alexandra, if a young player started as a left full-back for the first period they would play central midfield for the second period and then rotated to play as a left winger for the final period. After every three or four games they would have experienced playing in all positions. By contrast, young North American players would typically play two or three seasons, or even more, playing in only one or two positions. In my opinion this places young North American players at a significant disadvantage. They do not learn all aspects of the game, nor are they exposed to the opportunities to solve different problems on the field. It can also limit their opportunities later on to join higher level teams as coaches may have established players in set positions. When I coached the U15 Ontario provincial women’s team to the National Championship in 2000, the team was captained by a young player who had successfully transitioned from a striker to a right full-back. She had played striker for as long as she could remember but I had several quality players in that position. She had many qualities that I admired and it was a case of finding a position for her in the team. She embraced the change and went on to captain her province to a national championship and secure a soccer scholarship to a college in the US. There are numerous examples like this, but the bottom line is that developing young players to play lots of different positions has many benefits, all of which will help players learn the game and progress to higher levels. Especially, as they prepare to be successful in the modern game.
its interesting but the fact is in germany and spain.... and holland form year dot... this rotation has been common place. We see Can being able to play multiple places, why? cos he's done it. The most i've seen at anfield or i should say kirby is suso and pacheco being played CM at times in youth games. carragher was a striker... many skillful kids end up drifting back as they get older and most good full backs don't play full back as a kid they end up there as thier skill reaches its limits. LFC really don't do this too much and are more focused on buying in players than anything.
Serious reply - It is a problem in the UK my lad has played at Cardiff and Swansea and on each occasion he was held to one position at Swansea he was a striker and Cardiff a center back, strange in itself yes but my lad can play multiple positions and use both feet. This isn't tested at Academy level and all the players stick to their positions and the results seem more important than the kids development, the same can be said for formations 4-4-2 is bread and butter and rarely changes even at these PL Academies. Sour Grapes some may say as my lad hasn't made the grade (at the moment) but what I'm saying is fact and technical players like my son are constantly overlooked for the next big, strong, fast player that come along. Reason I was given for my lad being dropped from Swansea was lack of pace. Says it all really.
I think our academy is certainly ahead and promotes playing in multiple positions. There is a lot more emphasis on the tactical side as well as the technical side. The likes of Suso, Pacheco, Sterling, Ibe, Wisdom have all played in a different positiosn so there is evidence of this happening. However, this all happened when Borrell was in charge - not sure if Inglethorpe is doing the same.
i do remember seeing wisdom play cb, rb and cm but same for a few young lads. I think though the thought that he should have layed CF and so forth during games is something else entirely. I think there must be some cut off here. when a kid hits 16 should he not already be close to developed? I don't know of course. I think the idea from 8-12 or 14 playing all sorts of positions is no harm
Playing more than one position can be beneficial for some but not others. Each player needs to be treated as an individual. If he is a big strong defensive minded player that's only ever going to cut it at CB, why get him to learn a role he'll never play? I understand the argument that they would then know what his teammate faces in that position and can tailor to their needs as a result but does it really benefit them that much to have to play them there for more than say, half a dozen games at the most? Attacking players being able to play several roles is definitely a benefit though. Flexibility and fluid play is hard to play against so the more a player can roam about the better. I'd say this would help FBs too since they join the attacks nowadays. Not sure about CMs, guess it comes down to the individual.
The funny thing is that he's really quick, they just used it as an excuse and just dropped him without really considering if he could improve or that he should be tried in another position. I think it's the same attitude in a lot of Academies, coaches have favourites and tend to not really look beyond them. There was a 15 year old in Cardiff development so not even in the Academy, he was 15 and had never been given a chance in the Academy although he had been there since he was 9 years old. Man City saw him play and wanted to sign him Cardiff then said stay and gave him a trial and then dropped him after the trial. He's currently at Swansea and doing well but it highlights how crazy it is and City were in big time for him wanting to move his whole family to Manchester.
in the end..... if city were in then his family were crazy. I know its very hard to uproot for an off chance but if you are linked to a club for 6 years and they say oh ignore that here's a trial... well.... i suppose you stick with what you know. but that was cardiff... was that under tan? if so i'd have taken the city deal without question. You'd be absolutely crazy not to.
The lad was either just turned 14 or 15 I can't remember but the pressure of uprooting his family got to him and he was really upset so decided to stay. I'm glad it has worked out for him (so far) as he's very highly regarded at Swansea now so fingers crossed for him. My experience or more to the point my lads is a poor one, discarded too easily, promises constantly broken, scouts not turning up, coaches not doing their job and I've seen it with loads of lads. Granted I'm not as qualified as these people but it's plain to see at times boys are discarded when they should be coached and nurtured. Too much of the process is down to luck.
He could play DM, full back, either side of the defence? There is always scope to improve a player's game intelligence.
That's why I was quite specific with the CB example. I'm not against playing players in various roles but if its clear as day that the only position they will ever be able to play is CB, why play them elsewhere...? Its pointless.
I think age is the key for rotation, no matter how big a lad is or fast at 12 years old he may not grow as much as one of his peers so why stick to a position at that age? Young lads change so much through their teens and as they get older the position they started at may not suit them anymore. If a boy has the technical ability to play at an Academy then imo he should be rotated through the teams positions until coaches are able to assess them fully and then narrow it down a little only then should they be labelled and that should still have some fluidity.
Makes sense and I'm not arguing against it. Just saying that sometimes it IS obvious where someone will end up playing. For example, at twelve the kid may be one of the bigger slower lads in the group, he's not going to become a fast tricky winger is he...?
Yeah some commom sense needs to be applied to the process and there are always going to be lads who just suit a position but that should be rare and not the norm that it is now. Again using my lad as an example he was scouted as a striker and was quick and a decent finisher but as he got older his pace over short distance just wasn't there but over a longer distance he's really fast, he currently plays as a wing back for his Academy who have been really good with rotating and finding his best position.
no but by playing on the wing he should if he has a brain show something...... and after all do you want say a rb not being able to cross the half way line??? you are right... a brilliant young player bight be a classic no 9 and smash every goal but he could be by age 20 a cb... even by playing both positions he should understand better which runs are best, positions to take, what the other guy is saying. if you think like this. very young kids should not be near a full sized pitch, they should be on small 5 a side pitchs getting many more touches and we all know positions can rotate there then if its 12 or whatever to 15/16 then this education should build on the 5 a side mentality and try out these kids and make them think/ its only imo (and i really don't know do i?) that when a kid is 17/18 that he's found his role but has to have 3/4 in his pocket.
