r/bootroom

Fun game I thought of: guess my position based on my strengths and weaknesses.

Height: 181cm

Weight: 73kg

Biggest Strengths:

- 1v1 Dribbling

- Tackling/1v1 Defending

Lesser Strengths:

- First Touch/Control in Tight Spaces

- Through Balls + Vision

- Defensive Positioning

- Stamina

- Speed

- Passes on the Ground

Biggest Weaknesses:

- Aerial Duels

- Header Accuracy

- Shot Stopping

Lesser Weaknesses:

- Long Shots

- Shooting Power

- Composure

- Lofted Passes

- Making runs in the final third

- Physical Strength

Hint: I am not a goalkeeper.

Hey everyone, looking for some perspective on my son’s current soccer trajectory and development path.

He is 11 years old (born late October 2014) but has a massive physical profile—he’s 5'6", 110 lbs (99th percentile for height), very strong, and fast. Right now, he is playing two years up on a U14 club team (playing at the 3rd tier/level). His U14 coach also rates him highly enough that he lets him train up with the U15 players.

Historically, because of his size and athleticism, he has been strictly put at Center Back. However, he’s recently expressed a strong desire to play every position and experience different parts of the field. This past summer, he went to a high-level camp with official MLS academy players and his overall technical game improved quite a bit. He’s also highly motivated and spends a ton of his own time practicing solo on his dribbling and juggling.

I have two main questions for coaches and parents who have been through this:

Does playing up actually improve a child's technical skills? My worry is that playing up emphasizes survival, physical speed, and releasing the ball quickly, whereas playing in his natural age group might give him more time on the ball to dictate the game and take creative risks.

Is playing multiple positions at U14 the right pathway? I love that he wants to expand his game beyond CB (he's been playing some winger and attacking mid), but I want to make sure he isn't spreading himself too thin or risking injury banging bodies with 14 and 15-year-olds while changing roles constantly.

Would love to hear your thoughts on whether we should keep pushing this accelerated physical path, or if we should pivot to focus more on an environment that maximizes technical touches. Thanks!

I've been playing since I was a kid, gifted with height and speed, and still manage to be utterly atrocious. Not disciplined enough to recover from injuries, haven't practiced ball control a day in my life, haven't bothered with cardio in a decade. Absolute shambles.

If you, like me, are a complete failure, come say hello and I hope we all can have a kickabout one day

Cheers 🍻

Interested in setting up a competitive league for non contact football.

How could this be achieved and actually enforced? What would count as a foul but without killing the game?

I'm talking about the minimal modifications needed to achieve this. The aim is to remove injuries caused by fouls.

edit. not interested in walking football or things like that. Seems what I'm looking for is an only clean tackles rule and no sliding tackles

I recently bought a soccer ball when the World Cup ones went on sale and I’ve been going to the park and kicking it around. I absolutely love shooting and getting the ball in the air. Although I want to legit become good and have actual skill. What do I need to work on instead of just taking 100 shots and hour. I have absolutely zero experience I’ve played American football and basketball all my life

So im trying out for my hs soccer team. But I am not fit. And I got an open scab first day of tryouts. And then the next day I couldn’t even do the physicals like 10 laps around the field, 100 sits up and 50 push’s up. Should I just try out next year and work on my fitness journey starting now and try out next year? Also next year more spots will be open and a rebuild will happen. and also i am realistic about me not even making it this year.

Bought some AG Tiempo Ligera Pro’s to replace my Phantom 6’s that had a quality defect after one game, and unfortunately am coming to realize that the Ligera Pro’s are NOT accommodating for wide feet. I assumed that since it was an “old school” styled boot with a natural fit and synthetic leather that it would have a wider toe box, I was very wrong.

The phantom 6’s provide much better room in the toe box. Almost too much room, while the Ligeras are insanely snug and narrow.

Disappointed but oh well!

What is the best way to find cheap match balls.
I have tried to look for them on Depop eBay and obviously checking online retailers aswell and each have their own issues mainly the fear of getting scammed on Depop. But I would like to ideally find one around 30-40$

Hello, just the title. My game tomorrow is on turf and I’m delaying investing in AG boots until I find what works for me. In the meantime, should I just use indoor boots for my upcoming game to prevent injury?

Link to the Japanese version above. I play mostly on AG and was considering copping a pair of the HG/AG versions; don't think you can buy these in the US. The US version (FG/AG) fits me tremendously well, but I see that this Japanese version has a different upper.

Probably a pretty niche question, but hoping someone might be able to weigh in. Thank you!

any good multi-ground football boots? Looking for some and I wanted to know if there are any good ones?

28 year old completely new to the game of football (American who’s never kicked a ball)

A few friends invited me to pickups and have been having a total blast, though I feel like a ballast for my team.

I’m willing and able to put in the work every day to get better, but I’ve felt a bit lost! I’ve been trying to juggle (can only do about two or three right now when I get lucky) and passing against a wall I found, but I’ve felt like I’m lacking the structure needed to get better effectively!

As an aside I’ve also been working on sprints and general fitness, which has been a bit more straightforward, but I feel like a complete toddler with the ball! Hungry for any advice here, is there any program I should follow?

been playing pick up for a few weeks now and I say man on but I feel like sometimes I can tell them where the pressure is coming from? Like “man left” or something like that.

just curious what you guys say and if there is a better way than just “man on”

Anyone else just have that day where they’re gassing even though the week before they were fresh as a daisy - make silly mistakes etc? I mean this is the first time I’ve played a small sided game where I haven’t scored, feels bad lol.

Hello, I usually wear a size 8.5 US for most boots. For Mizuno Morelia II and Mizuno Monarcida I have worn a size 8.5 US. I want to try the Mizuno Morelia Neo V Beta Japan AG model as I mostly play on turf. Unfortunately the Monarcida doesn’t have an AG plate for their Elite model (to the best of my knowledge) otherwise that would be my go to! I have wide feet but I don’t like the Morelia II as much so I wouldn’t wear the AG plate model for it either. I’d just like to know what’s the generally sizing advice for the Beta model with the AG plate. I know most people size half a size down for the FG plate but I’d like to know people’s experience with the AG plate!