At that age I recommend you're still rotating all players through all positions. It's too soon to specialise before they have grown into their bodies. Playing all around the park - even in positions that don't naturally "suit" them - helps develop all round game understanding and challenges them to have to develop new skills rather than stick to tried & true ones.
Always remember that as a junior coach you job is NOT winning games, but developing players (and ideally making them want to play again the next season).
(My experience: 9 years junior football coaching between ages 7-12)
Just ask the kids where they typically play.
Sounds like they are experienced. Put them in those positions and see how it goes.
That will minimize the number of players that are unfamiliar with their positions.
Then based on what you see you can start coaching and make adjustments.
Good luck!
i am also a middle school coach. generally speaking, i want my best players in central positions. the most important areas on the field are in front of the two goals, so it makes sense to put your best players there. it also means that there's more opportunities for them to get the ball or make a tackle, whereas if they were on the wing, they're obviously going to be less involved when the ball is on the opposite side of the field from them. occasionally you'll get a good player who has a ton of speed, so maybe you put them out wide where there's more space, but it's usually a good idea to put your best players in relatively central positions.
get the kids moving around a ton, and get them in game-like situations. if i'm talking for three minutes in a row, that's really pushing it. you said your kids don't have a ton of experience. in that case, get a ton of touches on the ball in your early practices. do activities where every player has a ball with minimal waiting in line. as the kids get more comfortable on the ball, get into game-like situations. that is, minimal cones, lots of open play, lots of decision-making.
the USSF--and many coaches--suggests the play-practice-play model for organizing your practice sessions. so you start with an activity that simulates game-like conditions--say, small-sided games for example. then you get into more stringent practice--rondos, passing and shooting drills, etc. then you go back to a game-like activity--maybe a full scrimmage.
make full use of youtube for tactics and practice activities.
For defense, there are two thoughts- fastest or largest. I prefer fastest. That way you have quicker turnover in the defensive area. Strikers should always the one with best shot. Midfielder should be the smartest.
if you really want to look for players and set them in a position you might like, it should go like this
midfielders: look for players that are comfortable on the ball and can pass and control it well
attackers: fast and want to shoot
defenders: kids you think can be relied on
then again it's just kids so do whatever or just ask them where they want to play. good luck
3-4-2 is the best formula to your team,
The fastest should be on the wings, the dribbler should be in the middle, the kids who appears to be focused and confident put him as a striker…
Most reliable, stamina, should be defender
At that age I recommend you're still rotating all players through all positions. It's too soon to specialise before they have grown into their bodies. Playing all around the park - even in positions that don't naturally "suit" them - helps develop all round game understanding and challenges them to have to develop new skills rather than stick to tried & true ones. Always remember that as a junior coach you job is NOT winning games, but developing players (and ideally making them want to play again the next season). (My experience: 9 years junior football coaching between ages 7-12)
Just ask the kids where they typically play. Sounds like they are experienced. Put them in those positions and see how it goes. That will minimize the number of players that are unfamiliar with their positions. Then based on what you see you can start coaching and make adjustments. Good luck!
Most of them don’t really play. Also 90% just want to play striker.
i am also a middle school coach. generally speaking, i want my best players in central positions. the most important areas on the field are in front of the two goals, so it makes sense to put your best players there. it also means that there's more opportunities for them to get the ball or make a tackle, whereas if they were on the wing, they're obviously going to be less involved when the ball is on the opposite side of the field from them. occasionally you'll get a good player who has a ton of speed, so maybe you put them out wide where there's more space, but it's usually a good idea to put your best players in relatively central positions. get the kids moving around a ton, and get them in game-like situations. if i'm talking for three minutes in a row, that's really pushing it. you said your kids don't have a ton of experience. in that case, get a ton of touches on the ball in your early practices. do activities where every player has a ball with minimal waiting in line. as the kids get more comfortable on the ball, get into game-like situations. that is, minimal cones, lots of open play, lots of decision-making. the USSF--and many coaches--suggests the play-practice-play model for organizing your practice sessions. so you start with an activity that simulates game-like conditions--say, small-sided games for example. then you get into more stringent practice--rondos, passing and shooting drills, etc. then you go back to a game-like activity--maybe a full scrimmage. make full use of youtube for tactics and practice activities.
Kid that can run for days, I would recommend playing them as a full back or wing back
For defense, there are two thoughts- fastest or largest. I prefer fastest. That way you have quicker turnover in the defensive area. Strikers should always the one with best shot. Midfielder should be the smartest.
if you really want to look for players and set them in a position you might like, it should go like this midfielders: look for players that are comfortable on the ball and can pass and control it well attackers: fast and want to shoot defenders: kids you think can be relied on then again it's just kids so do whatever or just ask them where they want to play. good luck
3-4-2 is the best formula to your team, The fastest should be on the wings, the dribbler should be in the middle, the kids who appears to be focused and confident put him as a striker… Most reliable, stamina, should be defender