Positioning
Weaker Players
Almost
every team has a player or two
that is below average, and finding
a position for these players can
be a real difficulty for the coach.
Regardless, each player deserves
quality-playing time but the problem
is that weak players are often
easily exploited and the level
of play might drop off considerably
when they come onto the field.
The question becomes, where is
the best place to play these players?
I
think the general rule is to play
these players on the outside of
the field, preferably at forward.
Playing them at defense is simply
too great a risk, because if they
are considerably weaker they will
be likely to get beat and it will
cost you a goal. If you play them
up front, they won’t necessarily
help you, but they can’t
hurt you either. This will assure
that the drop in play is minimal
when the weaker players are in
the game.
If
you plan on playing a weaker player
in the midfield, make sure you
have an above average defender
behind them, and if possible a
superb center midfielder who can
pick up some of the slack. If
you are playing a 4-4-2, outside
midfield is a perfect position
for the earlier described player.
I
also recommend taking the time
to analyze the other team to see
who their weakest players are,
and if possible match your weaker
players up with their weaker players
to neutralize the chance of your
player being exploited. This is
good for your team and the other
team, and will give both players
a chance to play against someone
that is at or near their skill
level.
My
last piece of advice is never
say anything to your team about
one player not being as good as
the others players on the team.
First, it will destroy the confidence
of the weaker player making it
all the more likely they won’t
improve, and it will give the
other players on the team a reason
to doubt them.
