Where have all the keepers gone? 06 AP that is.

I am amazed at the lack of keepers for this age group. It seems even top teams are searching for someone that will play the position. I don't know if other age groups have the problem but since the split due to AP I have noticed it more.
I am also amazed at how many top 10 teams have a keeper that can not punt to mid field, have the ball played back to them, take the goal kicks, or make quick dessisions.
Is this a position that is not given enough attention? It seems every parent wants their kid to be a foward and score, but an all star keeper is just as valuable if not even more so.
Any thoughts on this position and lack of them?

We are talking about 06s, right?... 10 year olds. Your expectations seem a bit of a stretch to me.

They are wrapping up 5th grade.

if you do some research you will find that across the country most are commenting on the fact that "its amazing how many Aug-Dec kids there are but so few Jan-July kids" You want to know where your keepers went... look at the former 06s that are now Aug-Dec 05s..

That being said.. I dont know what top teams you are referring to, but the goalies that i have seen and the outstanding new one on my DDs squad are very good for being former 07s and can more than punt the ball past midfield, receive a ball with their feet and play like a field player.

No offense but the fact that "punting the ball past midfield" is being used as the top trait of a GK makes me cringe.

db10 wrote:No offense but the fact that "punting the ball past midfield" is being used as the top trait of a GK makes me cringe.

I dont believe anyone said that was the top trait, but it is a trait. I dont believe anyone would want a keeper that cant punt the ball.

It was the one that was listed.

Aimlessly punting the ball over the midfielders heads doesn't help anyone on the team develop as a player and most parents only find it important because the fast forward can chase it down and get a scoring chance. Admittedly I don't watch the 06's so I'm not sure what percentage of the time those punts actually retain possession compared to say distributing the ball to an organized defense and allowing the team to learn to bring the ball up from the back. However I do watch a bit of 03 / 04 and have been known to pay attention to the GK's from time to time and I'd say the "punts over midfield" are successful about 30% of the time. Some times it's because the GK isn't that accurate most other times it's because the average outfield player had poor depth perception and half of those are still afraid of the ball.

Nah I'd rather my GK be able to stop the ball first, understand and control the game second and then worry about distributing the ball. After that I'll worry why the 10 year old can't punt 50 yards into a head wind.

BTW ever ask yourself why 8-10 year olds are being told to specialize at one position?

Never have asked myself that question, my kid has and can play any position on the field and has done keeper training so you are barking up the wrong tree with me. They all have more natural positions, even at 10, but I'm of the opinion you build a soccer player, not a robot.

db10 wrote:
BTW ever ask yourself why 8-10 year olds are being told to specialize at one position?

Are you going to lead the way in changing the NTX system of going 'select' and signing 1-year contracts at 9-10 years old?

Sho'Nuff wrote:

db10 wrote:
BTW ever ask yourself why 8-10 year olds are being told to specialize at one position?

Are you going to lead the way in changing the NTX system of going 'select' and signing 1-year contracts at 9-10 years old?

You mean to a system where player development is the center of everything?

My favorite so far is the post for an 09 team I believe that was looking for a "fulltime GK"

Soon, after Little Einstein's "shapes and colors" they will need to read Little Einstein's "soccer positions" and decide what their path to college will be because the ToddlerECNL division is going to be tough next year.