What if kids soccer could change everything?
What if one coach could change your child’s life forever?
Picture this…
Your kid steps onto a muddy, patchy grass pitch. Socks pulled up and laces double knotted.
Boots slightly too big to ensure you do not have to buy another pair next season.
He finally finds the courage to chase the ball only to fall to his knees.
Covered in mud he gets up again…and again.
Something just clicked deep within.
A spark…
The start of something beautiful…
A smile…
That smile has just planted a seed. A seed that will germinate into confidence, long life friendships and maybe, just maybe…a professional contract.
That’s the beauty of uncertainty and hope.
That’s the magic of kids soccer.
Kids Soccer is Simple- Until it Isn’t
Let’s be real…
Soccer looks easy. A ball, some grass and some kids running around like headless chooks.
However.
Parents panic.
Coaches yell!
Kids get frustrated, bored and then quit.
The game that seems easy quickly turns into a tangle of stress and shattered dreams.
Here’s the Good News
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Soccer can be the sport you want it to be.
For your child…
Your team…
…and even you the parent.
And I’m not talking about winning and collecting participation trophies.
I’m talking about growth, resilience, teamwork and joy. The stuff that lasts long after boots get retired.
Please remember.
Kids soccer isn’t about perfection.
It’s about possibility.
It’s about living your dream.
The Importance of Kids Soccer
It’s not about just kicking a ball and eating snakes and oranges at half time. Soccer isn’t just a game. It’s a secret that most parts of the world have discovered.
It’s a secret for their health…
Their bodies…
Their minds….
…and the way they connect with the world.
You might think it’s fun!
But does it really matter? More than you ever know!
Over 30 years I’ve watched soccer shape kids in ways no classroom or iPad ever could.
And if you’re wondering whether its worth the money…early Sunday mornings and the logistic nightmare of getting them to and from training, stick with me.
The Physical Benefits of Soccer for Kids
Want your kids to stop screen time without even noticing?
Kids are wired to move…and I’m not talking about the “wired” induced by a sugar rush.
But getting them off the couch away from the PS5 or iPad? That’s the battle.
Soccer is the answer.
Not because it’s exercise in disguise, but because it’s a full body workout packaged up as fun.
Picture this…
They’re sprinting after the ball…
Dodging and zigzagging their friends…
Jumping for a header.
Heart pumping.
Legs burning.
Coordination working overtime and clicking into place.
I’ve coached kids who couldn’t tie their shoes without tripping over themselves.
Six months later?
Beast mode unleashed.
That’s the magic of kids soccer.
It builds strength, stamina and agility without a single push up or sit up.
Don’t just take my word for it.
Research backs this up. Kids who play soccer cut their risk of obesity in half. But forget about the medical fraternity.
Watch a shy six-year-old score their first goal and tell me that smile and the massive dump of dopamine isn’t worth it.
Here’s the kicker (pun intended).
No treadmills.
No reps.
Just play.
And for you the parents?
You get a happier, healthier kid who crashes into bed instead of bouncing off the walls after hours in front of the devices.
Quick Tip: Start with small-sided games. 10 minutes of 3V3. They’ll run more than they realise, and you’ll see the difference instantly.
Mental & Emotional Growth through Soccer
Soccer isn’t just about being physical. It’s secretly rewiring your kids brain for resilience and grit.
It’s about heart and the willingness to continue when the mind instructs you to stop.
I’ve seen it a thousand times.
A kid misses a shot. Chin drops, but they try again.
And again…
Until one day they score. That’s not just addition to the scoreboard; that’s resilience in action.
Every training session…
Every match…
They’re learning to bounce back and to never give up. This becomes a life long habit serving them on and off the green pastures.
Then there’s discipline.
Kids learn fast.
Pass.
Tackle.
Listen.
Repeat!
Not to mention losing.
Losing hurts, I’ve wiped plenty of tears.
But here’s the secret.
Over time…the sting of losing is replaced with hunger, ambition and clenched teeth.
Soccer teaches kids its ok to fall as long as they get back up. That it’s ok to lose as long as they don’t quit.
Can you name an App that can deliver these life lessons?
Social Skills- The Hidden Power of the Green Pastures
Friends don’t grow on screens; the green pastures are where the real friendships are made.
Unfortunately today…
Kids have followers, not friends.
Soccer fixes this…
It’s old school connection, like in the old days where you had to sweat together, ride together and hurt together.
Where differences dissolve and oddballs and weirdos find their crew thanks to the pig skin ball they are chasing.
Then there’s the intangibles….
The unspoken stuff.
Sharing water bottles…
Picking up a teammate who fell over.
Saying “good game” even when they lose.
The best part?
These are not soccer friends. They’re potential friends for life.
I still have the same friends I shared a pitch with over forty years ago.
That’s the power of kids soccer.
It’s about the people.
Quick Tip: Mix up teams at training. New pairings spark new friendships, not to mention better team morale.
Why it All Adds Up
So…
Why does kids soccer matter?
Because its more than a sport.
It’s a toolbox for life.
Stronger bodies.
Sharper minds.
Real friendships not followers.
Getting Started in Kids Soccer
Ready to enrol your child to play soccer? Here’s how to avoid the overwhelm and set them up for success.
You’ve seen the spark.
Maybe it was your child chasing the ball in the backyard or that time they slid across the kitchen floor on their knees.
Now you’re thinking, is she the next superstar?
But where do you even start?
Soccer Academy, leagues, teams, age groups, gear and not to mention the cost. The choices you make or inevitably don’t make could be the difference between getting started or not playing at all.
Starting kids soccer doesn’t have to be a headache.
Choosing the Right Age to Start
Too early?
Too late? When is the right time to enrol your child into soccer?
I get this question every season and parents are usually shocked by the answer.
I’ve coached three-year-olds who’d rather pick flowers and lick the goal posts rather than kick a ball. But I’ve also seen three-year-olds who would sleep with their boots on if they could.
So what is the sweet spot?
Around four to five is where the magic starts.
They’re old enough to follow instructions and young enough to think that running after a ball with friends is fun.
By six and seven, they’re getting ready for structure. This includes teams, goals and even a scoreboard.
Here’s a good rule of thumb.
If they’re curious and can run without face planting every step, give it a go.
Start small, backyard soccer or a small casual clinic.
Look out for their nonverbal cues…if they light up when talking about soccer, you’re golden. If their dragging their feet, wait a bit longer and never force them to play.
Quick Tip: Look for Intro to soccer programs for youngsters. Short sessions, no pressure, just fun!
Finding the Perfect Team or League
Community club or NPL?
Choose wisely…
The league you choose can make or break their soccer career.
I’ve watched parents rush to sign up for the first team they find on Google, only to see their child end up in tears on the bench…or quit within two weeks.
Community clubs or clinics should be your starter pack.
Low Cost…
Low stress….
What better way to test the waters?
Think early weekend mornings, snakes and oranges.
Downside?
Skills and coaching vary wildly.
One kid is dominating the game, while another is busy chewing on the grass.
Considering NPL clubs or Academies?
Think travel…
Cutthroat competition…
Training up to three times per week not including the weekend games and the associated dollars needed to register.
Great if your kids obsessed, complete overkill if you’re wanting to get them away from the electronics.
How do you choose?
Ask…
Are they laid back or fired up?
Ask around…
Ask other parents, schools or coaches to share their experiences.
Is the coach screaming or encouraging?
Smiling or intense?
Quick Tip: Start with a community or clinic for ages five to eight. If they’re loving it and begging for more, visit a competitive club and try out.
Slow but steady wins the race.
Day Number One
First session is coming up.
Don’t worry, first session is always a circus. Kids running everywhere, parents fumbling their coffee and coaches trying to maintain order.
Practice might be an hour if you’re lucky.
Expect dirt and muddy boots.
Grass strains…
Lost water bottles and the “where’s my socks” meltdown early in the morning.
More importantly…
Expect fun.
Pack water and a chair if, like me, you’re too old to stand for an hour without your knees staging a full-on rebellion.
Also…
Double check the coach’s rules, some of them ban parents from the sideline.
Quick Tip: Always arrive fifteen minutes early. Late kids feel lost and usually spend the next fifteen minutes detaching themselves from their parents leg.
With the right age, the right team and a little research and preparation, you’re giving your child every chance for success.
Essential Gear for Kids Soccer
Imagine your child sprinting across the field.
Feet flying…
Heart pounding…
Now seem them falter.
Boots fly off.
Shin guards fall out…
…and the oversized boots purchased to last two seasons look like a very bad investment.
Step into a world where the right gear is the silent advantage behind every burst of effort and ultimate smile.
Envision studs ripping the earth, shin guards protecting and socks hugging tight and firmly placed above the knee caps.
The Must Have Basics
Soccer has three non-negotiables.
Boots with studs or cleats for the American readers.
Shing guards.
Socks.
Get this wrong and you’re begging for trouble.
Let’s start with the soccer boots. They’re not just shoes. They’re grip, balance, speed and not to mention swagger.
Shin guards are next. They’re mandatory to begin with and for good reason.
Quick Tip: Always break in new boots at home to dodge blisters on day one.
How to Fit Gear & Avoid the Tantrums
Soccer gear is useless if it doesn’t fit…
Too tight, they’re complaining!
Too loose, they’re complaining!
Start with boots, half a thumb’s width of wiggle room at the big toe.
Kids grow fast but whatever you do, do not buy two sizes up unless you want them looking like crusty the clown.
Shin guards should cover from ankle to just below the knee, snug but not pinching. Straps or tape are an additional countermeasure to prevent them from falling out.
Socks go over the guards and up to the knees. If you’re South American, above the knees.
Too short…
And they’re adjusting non-stop.
Too long…
And they’re angry not to mention grumpy.
Always test the combo at home before you leave the house.
Run, kick, jump…. And if they’re still smiling, you’re good to go.
One last word of warning…
Always let them pick the colour!
Quick Tip- Shop end-of-season sales- last year styles are dynamite at half the price.
The right soccer gear isn’t about looking good, it’s about feeling good, staying safe and ensuring nothing gets in the way of having fun.
Soccer Skills Every Kid Should Master
Imaging your child commanding the ball.
Twisting…
Turning….
Dropping the shoulder!
Threading a pass through a maze of players.
Hearing the parents gasp in shock.
This isn’t by chance or luck.
This is dedication unfolding and time spent training when no one else is watching.
Dribbling that hypnotises, passes that connect….
Defenders stunned and rooted like tree stumps.
Picture their confidence blooming, their stride lengthening, not to mention the chest out and up.
Wouldn’t you want to step into this moment?
Dribbling- The Art of Ball Control
Ever seen a kid dance with the ball like its glued to their feet?
You can teach that and it’s easier than you think.
Dribbling is the heartbeat of soccer.
Every kid can learn to dribble. Even the ones who trip over their own feet.
The secret?
Small touches.
Big, wild kicks send the ball flying and them chasing.
Instead… (for starters)
Teach them to trap it, lightly, quickly like patting their dog.
Use both feet too. Kids learn on their strong side- fine at first but never forget to switch feet.
Inside, outside, sole of the foot- mix it up.
Make if fun. They’ll laugh, they’ll learn, and they’ll stick with it!
Mistakes?
Kicking too hard or losing possession?
Fix it with the mantra, “soft feet, tight leash”.
Quick Drill: Cone Weave- set up 5 cones- 1 metre apart. Dribble through, back and through again. Repeat and watch control skyrocket!
Passing & Shooting
Here’s how to turn your kid into a soccer scoring beast.
Soccer is a team sport, nobody wins on their own.
Passing starts with trust and being unselfish.
Learn to share the ball!
A good pass always sets up the win. Aim for the instep, inside of the foot, firm but not wild. Always remember to make your teammates look good.
Point the toes up and follow through.
Practice with a partner five metres apart.
Accuracy first, power later.
Shooting on the other hand is a little trickier. Kids manage to hit everything but the onion bag.
Always focus on form. Plant the foot beside the ball, strike with the laces with eyes on the target. Power comes from the hips not the feet so maintain a loose body.
Set up a mini goal ten metres apart and continue to practice hitting the target. Repetition is king.
Quick Drill- Pass against a wall, trap it and then shoot at a target approximately ten metres away.
Defending & Positioning
Goals win matches but defences win championships. Teach your child to defend and most coaches will pick them first in any line up.
Defending is the unsung hero of soccer.
No spotlight… but every team needs defenders.
Most kids think defending is boring until they stop a transition or make a slide tackle to stop a goal.
It’s not only about the tackling.
It’s about the intelligence, reading the game, standing in the right position and cutting the passing lanes. Not to mention the occasional bone crushing late challenge that leaves all the parents gasping for air.
Never dive in unless you can win the ball. Jockey instead, shuffle side to side and lure the opponent into your striking zone.
Positioning is next. Teach them to stay between the ball and the goal. Get them to mark the nearest player and watch the game over their opponents shoulder.
Stay calm and stay close.
Quick Drill- Shadow Game- Pair up. One leads with the ball and one shadows without tackling or stealing the ball. Two minute intervals and then swap.
Skills that Stick
Dribbling…
Passing…
Defending…
No fancy footwork needed.
Just solid, repeatable moves that turn kids into value adding players.
Fun Soccer Drills & Games for Kids Soccer
Fun is always the fuel and the motivation.
Turn drills into games and they’ll learn faster, play harder and never want to quit.
Warm Ups that Kids Love
Want them loose and laughing before the real work starts?
Monster Tag- Pick a player to be the monster- arms out and growling. The monster chases the rest of the players in a 20 by 20 metre box.
Tagged?
Then you become a monster too!
Two minutes and they’re sprinting, laughing and getting warm.
Next on the menu.
Red Light, Green Light
Line them up with the ball at their feet.
“Green Light”- players dribble forward.
“Red Light”- players stop, foot on the ball.
Five minutes and they’re warm, loose, controlling the ball and having a laugh.
Always keep it simple!
No gear beyond a ball and a big smile.
Quick Game: Simon says Soccer
Call out moves (kick, jump, turn) but only do it if “Simon Says”
Skill Building Drills for Every Age
Skills stick when kids don’t notice the repetitive work because they are having fun.
Age matters…
Four year olds need chaos.
Ten year olds crave challenge.
For the little ones (four to six year olds) try “Shark Attack”.
Scatter balls in a circle with kids on the outside. The coach or parent is the shark in the middle.
With a blow of the whistle, the players dart in, collect a ball and dribble the ball outside the circle to safety.
The shark chases the players without tackling- just noise and a little pressure.
For Seven to Nine year olds try “Knockout”.
Everyone dribbles in a 15 by 15 metre box. Each player needs to kick someone else’s ball out of the box while trying to protect their own. Last kid standing wins.
Older kids (Ten years plus)- “Pass & Move”.
Four cones, ten metres apart in a square formation.
Two teams pass around the square whilst following their pass to the next cone. First to complete three laps wins.
Quick Drills:
U8 Soccer Drills for Skill Acquisition
Soccer Drill: Triangle Passing
The Final Whistle
Kids soccer is more than a weekend ritual. It’s the breeding ground for transformation.
Every mistake, tumble and injury develops resilience, every goal fuels determination.
Bonds solidify and teammates become best friends well past the final whistle.
This isn’t about winning or collecting trophies that will inevitable be covered in dust at your parents house. It’s about stronger bodies, sharper minds and lasting confidence.
Soccer delivers what technology cannot.
Soccer delivers an opportunity for growth from the school of hard knocks.
Bookmark this post to return for more- this post will evolve with expert insights, stories and actionable advice to empower our children one kick at a time.
“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars”
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