Whether your child has asked to play soccer this year or you want to find an activity that will allow them to make friends and play outside, learning how to play soccer is essential.
Before your child takes the field in a league or camp, it’s crucial to review the fundamentals with them. This preparation ensures a positive experience and a smooth start.
The following guide will walk you through the essentials, setting your child up for a successful introduction to soccer.
Are you looking for ways to introduce your kid to soccer? Try one of our group lessons!
Understanding the Basics of the Game
While reviewing the basics of soccer may seem unnecessary, it’s important that your player has a firm understanding of all the basic aspects of the game. For instance, they may realize that to win a soccer game, they must score more goals than the other team. However, they might need help understanding what it means to be offside.
One way to help work on the basics of the game is to watch soccer games with your child and discuss different moments of the game as it happens. Did one team get a penalty kick? Then, take the time to explain why the team was awarded the kick.
If you’re unfamiliar with the game, don’t worry — the team coaches will work with each player to ensure they know how to play soccer.
Fundamental Skills for Young Players
There are many skills to learn throughout your child’s soccer journey, but that doesn’t mean they need to know them all immediately. Throughout their first season, players should focus on basic fundamental skills like:
- Dribbling
- Ball control
- Passing
- Receiving
- Shooting
- Defense
As players become more comfortable on the pitch and gain more in-game experience, they may gravitate toward certain positions requiring additional skills.
The Importance of Teamwork and Strategy
One of the biggest learning opportunities for new players when discovering how to play soccer is teamwork and group strategy. Since most young players are still developing, there is less emphasis on winning games. Instead, the big focus of practice, games, and camps is to learn how to work better together.
The skills young soccer players learn, such as working with a group to achieve goals, will carry over to other areas of their lives, including at home and school.
Preparing for Practice and Games
While learning how to play soccer will help build confidence in your child, it’s also important to focus on preparation for practices and games. All players benefit from staying hydrated and snacking on foods that are easy to digest, such as fruits, cereal, granola, trail mix or pretzels. For proper hydration, players should drink 2-3 glasses of water before their practices and games.
Building a Love for Soccer with Soccer Stars
Like any other skill, learning how to play soccer will be an ongoing journey for your athlete. There will be moments of great joy and moments of frustration. At Soccer Stars, our coaches walk with the players every step of the way, experiencing the same joy and excitement.
While everyone loves to win, our goal is to foster a love for soccer in every athlete by building a connection through compassionate coaching.
Explore our soccer classes to learn more about our approach to helping your child learn how to play soccer.
