I coach 7&8 yr old football team. Should I put my best 2 kids at linebacker or at defensive end on defense. There is only 2 passes attempted per game roughly...

I forgot to mention that defensively, we have to play heads up on the offensine lineman. No nose tackle, etc.

Hey, its nice to see a fellow youth football coach on here. I have coached 7&8 year old, I now coach 9&10 year olds. In my 4 years of coaching Ive had the most success by having my best players at Linebacker.

When kids play DE at this level its hard for them to understand how to get up the field and contain the play (alot of them get too anxious and end up taking themselves out of the play by taking bad angles and coming in on the corners instead of straight up) I would put your best player at LB, that way he can see more of the field and have more room to make plays on your defense. LIke you said there are only a handful of pass plays in a game...so he primarily will just have to watch the runningbacks. One thing you might want to do also is take the kid thats is the fastest out of your 2 best players and put him as your strong safety...and just bring him up alot in run support. You basically have another LB on the field. That way TO THE PARENTS it doesnt look like you are picking favorites.

The majority of the plays are gonna end in the 2nd levels of your defense so having your 2 best players there increases your chances of being successful on Defense.

I hope i helped a little bit...and GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON!!!

I'd say at linebacker. If they are your two best kids, they will have more freedom to move around and will probably be better able to see the play develop and learn to make decisions.

My honest answer would be to put them in the spots they would like to play on defense, but encourage them to look at these positions. The hardest thing to do sometimes is keep them motivated and excited about playing football while utilizing their growing skills and ability to catch on quickly to help win games. At this point, it's more about proper technique and fun than it is about winning and losing.

Good luck with your season!!

defenitly linebacker they make lots of plays so there you go

Put your best player at middle linebacker if he is physical. If not put him at safety. If you have a good d line, play a 5 2. (5 down and your two best at linebacker). You will have 2 safeties, your strong safety will play strong side, and your free safety will play the middle of the field. If you need to put one of your best at nose tackle and have him get in the backfield and breakup plays and everyone else's job will be easier. Otherwise just teach your d ends/corners to contain and have your linebackers hit tightends off the line of scrimage if they go out for a pass. If you have any other concerns email me. I have 8 years of coaching experience and dont mind helping. Good luck.