[rtr33]

I am a boys youth coach (usually 2nd-6th graders) and find it difficult to find a boy that either wants to be a goalie or even to play goalie for a half.

I have offered every boy that does volunteer to play goalie for a half their choice of position in the second half. I have also tried psychology ("Who wants to be the hero" who is not afraid of the ball?") but I am still scrambling to find one or two boys to play goalie before a game.

It seems most of the kids are either afraid (I offer shin guards) or they just don't find the position that fun.

Ideally, I would like some of the more athletic kids to try it because they tend to keep us in the game more. But, right now I would like a few kids that really want to play it.

Any ideas on making the position more attractive to play?

[Atmosphere]

It shouldn't matter if there athletic or not. I used to be small and unathletic. Now I am trying to starting JV and Back-up Varsity for my freshmen year. During my winter league when I wasn't there they just picked some and called it their "turn". If you start doing that maybe someone will come through and volunteer. But this might anger the parents you forcing them to play goalie. Also tell the kids before the game if noone plays goalie we won't play we will have to forfeit. This may also working letting someone volunteer to save the game.

[DRTDVL]

i think it comes down to the kid, goalie like in other sports isn't the glory pos.

everyone wants to score the game winner... So your going to find it tough.

I was a short stop at baseball, the kid playing catcher got hurt, i filled in and since then i've been play goalie type pos in every sport i play... I like the insanity factor of it...

Excuse me, please throw a hard rubber ball at me, i'm going to wear minimal padding, and yes i enjoy it... bring it on baby...

[Dadabhoy]

I am in the same position in my box league. What some coaches have done is ask someone the day of the game. Some kids will volunteer and step up. If no one does, you can have everyone bring in $1 per game. Who ever plays in net, they get the entire pool of cash. If none of that works, you can just pick a kid randomly. If you do go the random route. I would make a schedual of the enitre season (if possible). Then e-mail all the players parents of the list of kids who will be playing goal for which game. That becomes the only way.

Dadabhoy

[WayzataGoalie56]

Originally Posted by Atmosphere

Now I am starting JV and Back-up Varsity for my freshmen year.

Where do you live in MN? because at Wayzata we haven't had JV and Varsity try outs yet.

[Atmosphere]

My bad, it should of been trying to. Also I just moved from MN in late October. If you wanted to know.

[goalmaster2]

the way i they got me in the goal in 2nd grade was 2 juice boxes at the end of a game, that and i had an older brother who shot on me, but i think a good way to do is just say the goalie gets to be captain for the game it worked in the youth games i had to ref in high school

[RBratches]

Why do you think some young players actively pursue the position of goalie? is there a common thread between them?

[goalmaster2]

i liked the challange of denying my big bro a goal, that and a lot of us are thrown into goal as target practice.......but a lot of goalies are the youngest of all siblings.

[emlax69]

use reverse psychology choose a kid that you want to play and just tell him that you think theyre afraid of the ball or theyre a sissy or something