As the days stretch out, the volume of your children’s voices seems to rise, and the allure of allowing them endless screen time grows increasingly strong. However, it’s crucial to incorporate daily physical activity into your kids’ routines, and this doesn’t necessarily mean they need to join you during your precious solo running or walking moments. Check out our advice below to ensure your children fully utilize their day and consistently enhance their soccer abilities.
Watch the Match
Encourage your child to pick a professional soccer team or player to follow and support. It could be because of their hometown pride, the team’s colors, or a recent victory—what’s important is that your child feels connected to these top-tier athletes. This bond can inspire them and influence their own playing style.
Given that young Academy Program participants might struggle to stay engaged through a full 90-minute match, consider shorter content forms like game highlights or specific player reels, easily accessible online.
For instance, if their interest lies in defense, you can find compilations of stellar defensive plays. This method allows them to absorb crucial aspects of soccer almost subconsciously. Treat this viewing as an educational activity, setting aside time each week for them to immerse themselves in high-level soccer through games, highlights, or player-specific clips.
Private Training
Signing up your child with a soccer coach can offer significant benefits. A player can fully maximize their abilities by dedicating time to individual practice. It all depends on the player’s self-motivation. If a player genuinely develops a passion for the game and is self-driven, they will naturally spend more time practicing. On the other hand, if they find motivation challenging, a private trainer can offer the necessary structure and routine they may require.
Simplify into Easy, Manageable Steps
Children may occasionally become anxious when faced with new tasks, especially those that seem tough. Their attention spans are much shorter than those of adults, making it crucial to frequently present activities as new and varied.
Dividing the learning content into smaller, manageable segments is beneficial to sustain their interest. Children need to sense accomplishment regularly. By simplifying tasks, they experience moments of success, encouraging them to continue their efforts.
Repetition
The renowned English football manager, Sir Bobby Robson, famously stated that ‘practice makes permanent’. Research has indicated that children must engage in an activity at least 75 times before mastering it.
Simply breaking a fundamental football skill into manageable steps is not enough; consistent practice is essential.
It’s important to convey to your child that each practice session helps their brain retain information. The goal is to accumulate basic skills that can be effortlessly utilized instantly, much like the automatic actions one performs while driving a car. This includes overtaking, accelerating, braking, or changing direction without conscious thought, achieved through repeated practice.
Shooting Practice
The role they assume in football greatly influences the importance of shooting skills. However, constantly practicing with a traditional goal can become monotonous and less engaging, particularly when not competing with others.
Consider employing a target sheet or designating specific areas in your garden (mind the flowers) for them to aim at. This approach to practicing shooting, without a goal, can better maintain their focus and enhance their shooting abilities over time.
Endnote
In a sense, it’s beneficial that our children make time for soccer. A child who is both academically and physically active stands a better chance of succeeding in life. We can nurture players with more skill, talent, and innovation with the right encouragement. Your role as a parent in this development is more significant than you may realize.
