| Every kid on the field! Here are eight simple ways | | | | in which working together pays off in spades; life in |
| that parents, coaches, and other loved ones can help | | | | general requires this essential skill. When you teach |
| their favorite child find success in the game of | | | | children to be good soccer players, you are giving |
| soccer. | | | | them a skill that will take them far in life. |
| 1. Encourage them to practice their dribbling and | | | | 6. Teach the child to respect the coaches and |
| shooting skills. Remember to show as much as | | | | referees. Learning how to deal politely with an |
| enthusiasm for hard work as for actual success. | | | | authority figure is another life skill that will help |
| Soccer for children should be a fun and light-hearted | | | | children find success as they grow older. |
| experience that focuses on improving teamwork and | | | | 7. Push them (but only a little). All kids want to stay |
| athletic skills, not winning. | | | | home from practice when they are tired or have a |
| 2. Point out soccer as it appears in the media. There | | | | favorite television show to watch. All soccer players |
| are many excellent books and magazines related to | | | | want to quit after losing a game. Adults need to push |
| soccer, as well as documentaries and movies such as | | | | children to stretch their boundaries and make the |
| Bend It Like Beckham. Point out that heroes such as | | | | decisions necessary to achieve success. While pushing |
| David Beckham and Pele achieved their status | | | | a child too much will turn them off the game entirely, |
| through hard work and fair play. | | | | not pushing them at all will practically guarantee |
| 3. Allow them to experience a variety of soccer | | | | failure. |
| positions, either in a team during practice or | | | | 8. Be a coach. More parents, grandparents, and other |
| one-on-one with a trusted adult. Similarly, allow them | | | | adults need to get involved in their children's soccer |
| to try a variety of plays during practices and the | | | | team. Every soccer league has a shortage of |
| game. You never know what skill will give your child a | | | | coaches and other adults so don't think your offers |
| much needed chance to shine. | | | | of assistance will go ignored. There is more than |
| 4. Be unconditionally supportive. This means | | | | enough work to go around. |
| congratulating your team as enthusiastically when | | | | Summary |
| they lose as when they win. There is always a | | | | Soccer is one of the best ways for children to learn |
| positive aspect that can be focused upon. While it is | | | | skills they will use in their adult lives, including discipline, |
| important to talk about mistakes, it is important to | | | | teamwork, and a good attitude. Support from loving |
| present them as opportunities for improvement and | | | | adults is one of the most important factors in |
| growth. Children who don't receive support even | | | | whether a child learns these valuable traits. With |
| when they fail may quit the sport altogether to avoid | | | | these eight tips, you can propel the child you love to |
| being scolded. | | | | success on the field and in their life. |
| 5. Emphasize teamwork. Soccer is not the only sport | | | | |