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it's too cold to do much else, so what makes a good goalie? a good forward? a good defenseman? as a coach what do you look for when placing the kids in positions?

1- Someone playing because they love the game
2- A player that can listen attentively, and wants to learn
3- A player that will work hard for the team, not just themselves

That will cover all positions for me. Kids with these qualities "can" excell no matter where they play when given the chance.

CNT until your post I didn't realize what an open invitation a question like that could be for people to be hard on kids. I asked the question because all of my boys have always been much more interested in taking the puck away from the other team, rather than than in scoring. You answered the question very diplomatically and you're right. You wouldn't put all of your speed at forward or at d. you wouldn't put all your shooters up front because you still need to get it on net from the point...and what makes goalies special is that they like having people shoot at them, not any particular tweak to their personality.

How do you delete a topic?? just wait for it to die away on it's own?

DMom wrote:CNT until your post I didn't realize what an open invitation a question like that could be for people to be hard on kids. I asked the question because all of my boys have always been much more interested in taking the puck away from the other team, rather than than in scoring. You answered the question very diplomatically and you're right. You wouldn't put all of your speed at forward or at d. you wouldn't put all your shooters up front because you still need to get it on net from the point...and what makes goalies special is that they like having people shoot at them, not any particular tweak to their personality.

How do you delete a topic?? just wait for it to die away on it's own?

Not sure which post or thread you were referring too...??

Sorry CNT, I guess I should have double-checked. I should have credited inthestands......would you believe I'm NOT a real blonde???

DMom wrote:it's too cold to do much else, so what makes a good goalie? a good forward? a good defenseman? as a coach what do you look for when placing the kids in positions?

Dmom, how is the warm brandy treating you?
Goalie? Introvert, if he/she is on Ritalin it probably isn’t a good position for the kid.
Forward? If the kid starts bouncing off the walls at the sight of a puck (kinda like a hunting dog jumping into the ole’ F150), and isn’t on Ritalin he should probably be a forward.
Defense? If the kid’s head is on a swivel (or spring like a bobble head), then he should be a D-man. A little anger never hurts, but Ritalin won’t…..

In other words, I agree with Inthestands.

Dmom, if your kids like to play the game it doesn't really matter what part of it they are good at.

Hopefully their coach will pull from the strongest points of each player in an effort to have the best team make up possible.

The only other part to the equation is how the parents of the players respond to coaching direction. That is a key factor to many teams, but out of the hands of everyone except each parent.

The only other part to the equation is how the parents of the players respond to coaching direction. That is a key factor to many teams, but out of the hands of everyone except each parent.

That is sad but true. Our teams(multiple kids) are going really well this year, no fighting about ice times, or positions or any of that from any of the parents. There are teams in our association really struggling with just that issue - the car ride home syndrome.

I just was watching my youngest and thinking, "he's a natural defenseman too".....and that leaves Dad to carry the offensive torch in the family. Since he doesn't want to get paid for every goal.....I'll have to think of something else if he gets a hat trick