How can you help your kid to be a better footballer

20th January 2023

Do you have a kid who loves football? Are you looking for ways to help them hone their skills and become a better player? This article includes everything from guiding on the fundamentals of the game to helping them develop the necessary physical and mental skills; we’ve got it all covered.

The importance of practice

Young footballers need to practice regularly to improve their skills and become the best they can be. Here are some ways you can help your child to practice:

  • Encourage them to practice at home, alone or with friends.
  • Take them to local parks or pitches where they can play small-sided games and work on their techniques.
  • Arrange for them to have regular coaching sessions with a qualified coach, which you can find on Coachability.
  • Make sure they are playing in competitive matches regularly, as this will help them to develop their game awareness and match fitness.

Developing skills and techniques

As a parent, you can help your kid to be a better footballer by teaching them essential skills and techniques. For example, you can work on their passing and shooting. You can also help them to improve their stamina and strength through regular exercise. Furthermore, you can instill important values such as discipline, commitment, and teamwork.

Nutrition and diet

A healthy diet is important for any athlete, but it’s especially important for young footballers. Growing bodies need the right mix of nutrients to develop properly and perform at their best.

  • Protein is essential for muscle development and repair. Ensure your child is getting enough protein from lean sources such as chicken, fish, tofu, legumes, and eggs.
  • Complex carbohydrates are key for energy production. Good sources include whole grains, starchy vegetables, and fruits.
  • Healthy fats are necessary for hormone production and cell growth. Include healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, and avocados in your child’s diet.
  • Minerals and Vitamins are important for overall health and well-being. Ensure that your child is getting enough vitamins and minerals from fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fortified foods or supplements if needed.
  • Dehydration can negatively impact performance on the field. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Fitness and conditioning

  • Get them involved in as many drills and games as possible to help with their footwork.
  • Help them improve their speed and agility by working on sprints, change of direction, and plyometrics.
  • Improve their strength and power with weight training exercises such as squats and lunges.
  • Endurance is important for football players who need to be able to run up and down the field for an entire game. To help improve your child’s endurance, have them do interval training that alternates between short bursts of high-intensity activity and periods of rest or low-intensity activity.

Mental preparation

Another important thing to help your kid be a better footballer is to focus on their mental preparation. This means helping them to develop positive thinking patterns, a strong work ethic, and good decision-making skills.

One way to encourage positive thinking is to help your child identify their strengths and weaknesses. Then, they can focus on improving their weaknesses and continue to build upon their strengths. It is also important to instill a strong work ethic in your child.

This means teaching them the importance of dedication and practice. Finally, good decision-making skills are essential for any footballer. Help your child learn to assess risks and make smart decisions on the pitch.

Working with a coach

Working with a coach can help your child to develop their skills and techniques and learn how to play the game correctly. A coach can also provide support and motivation and help your child to understand the importance of dedication and hard work.

There are many benefits to working with a coach, but it is important to choose someone who is experienced and who you feel comfortable with. It is also important to ensure that your child is committed to working hard and progressing, as this will be necessary in order to see results.

Summary

Helping your kid become a better footballer involves much more than just teaching them the basics of the game because the competition is fierce and the success rate is low. It requires knowledge of various strategies and techniques to help improve their skills and performance. Additionally, parents need to be supportive in providing the right environment for their kids to learn and practice football.