More and more parents each year are registering their children to play soccer, and for us it is easy to see why. Soccer is a sport which covers a multitude of different traits – for the mind and body, and this is why it is our global sport.

MOVEMENT

For us, the first thing you should look for when entering your child into physical activity, is that they are moving as much as possible. In soccer, this is constant. A player's job is never done – dribble, shoot, find space, close down space, tackle, run with the ball, pass, find space.

When they are training this should be replicated, whenever possible standing in lines NEED to be avoided - when does this happen in a game? Of course there are some games kids absolutely LOVE which requires them to be waiting and in a line, so they have there place, but certainly not for a large part of any session.

DECISION

Again, constantly in a game of football, decisions are being made. Do I go forward? Where is the ball going to go? Can I take everyone on? Should I kick this as hard as I can? If I go over here what will happen? This list goes on.

These decisions are also constantly changing. Every time the ball changes direction, a new picture is presented to the brain and a new process has to begin. We want our children to be problem solvers, the game of soccer naturally allows players to work out what they are going to next.

As coaches, we need to allow this to happen. Screaming every action, while might help that particular single outcome, might not have the lasting effects a player working it out for themselves might have.

FUN

With all of this action, and constant change – a game of soccer is FUN! Kids can get lost in playing a sport which is naturally allowing different athletic development, lots of thinking and bringing out life-long characteristics we are all looking for the work place.

If you haven’t got your child enrolled in the worlds' number one sport yet, give it a go. Find an environment that allows them to first and foremost be kids, puts the kids interests first and applies everything we have just discussed, and watch your child flourish!