Agreed on above. My current 9th grader was given a long stick as a 4th grader and no coach ever practiced or played him at a different position.
I run my 2021 defensemen through most of my attack drills and they participate both ways in all uneven/transition drills (their choice whether short or long sticks). When we get a big lead, I run my D's through attack or let them stay on offense as LSM's. My goalies both played attack all rec league and one of my starting D's played M all rec season. I also refuse to play the substitution game - it's so dull slowing things down for subs unless kids are dying on their feet. I think I have 6-7 M's that faceoff regularly. Finally, if the other team has a total stud at M, it's nice being able to put a longstick on him that can stay on offense, so he can white him out in the clearing/transition game - not to mention everyone loves it when a defenseman scores.
