LOVE

To start with, they need to fall in love with the game. Without a passion for anything nobody will truly reach their potential.

Once they have a true passion for playing the sport, they will have the best foundation to take it as far as they possibly can.

They will do extra bits of training that their coaches ask them to do. They will work on their weaknesses. They will look after their bodies. They will watch and study the game. They will have a ball with them everywhere they go. They will work when nobody is watching.

And the best thing about this, non of it will seem like any effort at all.

PLAY

This will all stem from just playing a game they love. In times where ‘play’ is being removed more and more from children’s hectic schedule, allowing them to play and have fun is what will develop this passion.

As coaches, yes we want to influence young players with our knowledge and experience, however we sometimes need to take a back seat and allow our future to just play the game they love.

While soccer participation in Australia is continuing to grow, there is still a huge drop-out rate as well. It is this statistic which we need to pay attention to. Why are so many dropping out? What can we do to make them stay?

In my opinion, to become a good football player, you need to play. PLAY PLAY PLAY! Work hard and have fun!

PERFORM

Do you enjoy your job? If your answer to that question is no, then my guess would be that you also do not perform to your potential. If you get up every morning and love what you do, then my guess would be that each day you get better and continue to be the best you can be.

We discuss this as adults and encourage people to do what they love. Yet we pile pressure, high performance and results on our junior players.

Let’s get back to simply making sure first and foremost our children absolutely LOVE playing football. Once they do this, we can nurture a PASSION for the game, which will see them PERFORM to their potential.