There’s nothing quite like the feeling of watching your kids win a soccer game. Kids soccer games are fun and competitive and everyone wants to win. What’s the difference between a winning team and a losing team? It often comes down to three things: A solid team, a good plan and great preparation. If you have these three things, then you’ll be starting your game on a very solid foundation.
Start with a Winning Team
It goes without saying that having a great team is absolutely essential to winning a kids soccer game.
If your team doesn’t have good team spirit or isn’t well trained in their soccer skills, then no amount of preparation before the game will do any good.
On the other hand, if your team has a very strong spirit and all your players are well trained, then you’ll be going into the game with a very good chance of winning.
Again, it goes without saying, but the most important aspect to winning kids soccer games is to have a well trained, well prepared winning soccer team before you even step out into the field. This is built long before the game starts.
Don’t Think on the Field -Think Beforehand
You as the coach shouldn’t be planning strategies during the game and neither should your players. Your kid’s entire concentration should be on the ball and on the game.
That’s why it’s important to think and strategize well before the game. It’s important to learn about the other team and plan out strategies, depending on how the game plays out.
If you think on the field, you’re done. Plan beforehand and have a good strategy going into the game.
Make Sure Your Team is Mentally, Emotionally and Physically Prepared
Preparing for a soccer game is a tricky ordeal. It’s tempting to want to train and train the day before, hoping to get every last ounce of skill possible.
But instead, it’s important to be well rested, emotionally, mentally and physically before a game.
Although it’s okay to do some last minute training to keep sharp the day before, the training shouldn’t be exhausting.
There should be no “tough love” the day before. It’s very, very important that your team go into the game with a strong sense of confidence. Harsh coaching before the day of a game is not constructive.
It’s important to give your team a sense of inspiration before the game. Call it a “pep talk” if you must, but it’s important that your team go into the game with a real sense of readiness and competitiveness if they’re going to win.
If you go into the game with these three things down, your team stands a very good chance of having an amazing victory.
By: Thomas K
Archive for October, 2009
How To Win Kids Soccer Games
October 31st, 2009Dads Guide To The Ages Of Kids For Starting Sports
October 31st, 2009A lot of the fun of being a dad is helping kids discover their passions, and that starts with sharing what turns you on. If you love to play golf, you’ll hope that you and your child will one day be walking the links together. For others, it’s basketball or baseball. Here’s a quick look at when many kids are ready to experiment with different sports:
Swimming
Since babies swim in the womb, this is the most natural sport they can do. And, it’s one you can do with them. Many baby swim classes exist. Check out your local Y, around one year old. Aggressive swim coaches will suggest that all kids can learn to swim; be aware that kids learn on their own schedule and that some can’t actually swim until around five, no matter how many lessons you force on them. Swimming is a basic life skill though, and one all dads should help their kids learn.
Downsides: Poop in pool (never let your kid in the pool without swim diapers), long prep time with showers and locker rooms.
Football
Fast and furious, this is a good game for active energized kids, beginning around five. Don’t allow anything other than flag football until around eight though.
Downside: Depending on how protective you are, it may create safety concerns.
Tennis
While little kids can bat the ball around, watch for the kind of hand/eye coordination need to develop around eight years old.
Downside: While tennis elbow may not be the greatest danger, watch out for flying racquets.
Soccer
The love of parents everywhere since kids can run and kick very early on. Some classes start at four, but wait until five if you want to see kids learn to play as a team.
Downside: Do you really want to become a “soccer mom?”
Baseball
The great American pastime is also hard to learn until the kindergarten years, though T-Ball can be fun for pre-schoolers around four.
Downsides: Seen as very slow and boring, and often requires a major time commitment for parents as well.
Gymnastics
Start on gymnastics as early as three. Kids at this age show no fear and can learn things older ones just won’t try.
Downside: Strenuous and requires good coaching to prevent injuries.
Basketball
You can try basketball earlier, but little kids may find dribbling and especially, shooting frustrating until age six. Basketball is a great game for cardiovascular exercise throughout life.
Downside: Kids who are not as tall or fast may feel left out of the game.
There’s nothing 6 year olds or older kids Camping with dadlove more than being in the outdoors. You can use camping with kids to teach idependence and self-sufficiency.
By: Paul Banas
