Kids Soccer: The Fixed Ability Virus Killing Our Children

Ever wondered why some players never improve? Do you find it difficult to motivate your child to complete the simplest of drills?

If your child is suffering from the above symptoms, you might have to take a different approach.

Forget about the yelling, encouragement, discipline and even the bribery.

If your child has been playing for a while and has not improved and still runs around with two left feet, listen up.

Player development and progression grows out of the way a child thinks. Have you ever wondered what goes on upstairs when your child plays soccer? Is it a positive, negative or indifferent experience?

Some children (if you don’t believe me ask them) believe their ability is fixed. They have a certain amount and that’s it. What makes matters worse is that parents follow the same pattern.

“My son is not that sporty”

“My child is not that athletic”

“We never played the game”

So what happens next?

Children start to think,

“Hmmm, how much ability do I really have?”

They start to concentrate on how to look good as opposed to training hard and making mistakes. They start to avoid complex drills to avoid humiliation and to hide the fact that their ability is in fact, limited. So the mentality changes from learning and developing into trying to look good without exposing their limited ability.

They start to think,

“Do I have enough ability to play in this team?”

These children are the most miserable players on the field. What makes these players happy? Easy, low effort victories and trying to outperform other younger players. These players require a diet of easy successes.

The Problem

New challenges and advanced drills become a threat to these players. Children feel threatened and will hide or pass up valuable opportunities to improve because they fear their inadequacies that you already broadcasted to the world.

Remember, these players are trying to hide their limited, fixed ability that you so proudly bestowed upon them.

Your rubber stamp of excuses will guarantee one thing.

Sorry two things!

When your child makes a mistake you will feel relieved because you’ve already excused your child’s inadequacies.

Number two- you’ve created a pattern that makes your child avoid all obstacles or difficulties only to prey on the weaker, younger opponents.

A great recipe don’t you think, (add sarcasm here)

So the next time you’re around the soccer paddocks encourage EFFORT. Release your children from the excuses and let them play.

What stops young children from enjoying the world game?

EVERYBODY is born with an intense drive to learn. Infants test and push themselves daily in an effort to walk and talk.

So where does this drive go?

Where does the “never say die” attitude go?

Shame on us!

All of us!

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars”