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With soccer it’s about getting the gear, playing it safe and coaching your child’s youth soccer team. Every parent wants their child to have a fun, positive, soccer experience. Parents and parent volunteer coaches can work together to ensure that every child has fun and plays safe!
Getting the Gear
To play a winning game, your soccer player will need the right gear:
• Uniform in the team’s colors (Usually provided by your local soccer organization.)
• Shin Guards: Shin guards are worn on the lower leg. They come with a hard protective shield which is worn over the shin to prevent soccer ball bruises.
• To size your child for shin guards, measure the lower leg an inch below the kneecap stopping within an inch above the ankle. This measurement is the length that your child will need in shin guards. Try the shin guard on with a soccer sock to check comfort level and fit. Shin guards should never be worn during a game without a soccer sock. New shin guards run from $3 to $10 and come in a variety of colors and sizes
• Soccer Socks: Soccer socks are extra long and thick. They are sometimes worn under the shin guard on younger kids to prevent chafing.
• Soccer socks come in a choice of colors, styles and sizes. More expensive socks are made with microfibers specially designed to add extra support and keep feet dry during the heat of a game. Prices for one pair of youth soccer socks run from $3 to $7, while more expensive socks run from $7 to $18.
• Cleats: Cleats are special soccer shoes with spiky soles. The spikes provide more stability for running and making sharp turns. Cleats come in a variety of different sizes, styles and colors. Some cleats feature special designs, which manufacturers claim will help a child play a better game. When buying cleats, keep comfort and proper fit as the highest priorities. Prices for new cleats run from $15 to $60.
Quality soccer equipment does not have to be brand new. Many discount sporting good stores offer gently used equipment at a fraction of the cost. When buying used, look for quality and avoid cracked shin guards and broken spikes on cleats. Should your child change sports, gently used youth soccer equipment can be resold.
Playing It Safe
Safety during the game needs to begin at home. Have your child try on their equipment and practice running drills in the back yard. Make sure they are able to run and kick a ball comfortably with all the equipment on.
A nutritious meal or snack two to four hours before game time will give your soccer player the energy to keep going. Have them drink water before the game with frequent water breaks during the game to keep hydrated. Avoid super sugary snacks, soda pop and high concentrated energy drinks as they give a temporary, artificial feeling of energy. A nutritious snack during half time is a healthier way to keep the energy flowing.
Safety and sportsman like behavior go hand in hand. Parents should teach their child to play each position with sportsmanlike behavior. Competitiveness is important, but should never be taken to extremes. Promote good sportsmanship by encouraging your child to play effectively while maintaining their own field position. Encourage your child to listen carefully to instructions and support other teammates with positive encouragement. Having fun and developing new friendships will build memories to last a lifetime.
Coaching Your Child’s Team
Coaching your child’s soccer team can be a fun and rewarding experience. Most youth soccer organizations rely heavily on parent volunteers. Local soccer organizations usually provide a training meeting to teach basic rules of the game.
Volunteer coaches support the team by coaching practices, passing out equipment and maintaining team/parent communications. Volunteer parent coaches can make the experience fun by teaching teamwork and general soccer skills. Volunteer parent coaches can also help each boy or girl play soccer to the best of their ability. They can help players by teaching these four basic soccer positions:
· Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper defends the opposing team’s goal. The goalkeepers are the only players that can use their hands to pick up the ball and only in the goalie area. They are also the only player allowed to throw, roll, punt, or drop kick to put the ball back into play.
· Defender: Defenders, also referred to as fullbacks, play in front of the goalie and have two primary objectives: they defend and protect both the front and sides of the field. They also provide interference as the opposing team passes the ball. Fullbacks, positioned towards the front of the field, keep the rest of the team organized by encouraging other players to take their positions as the ball comes down the field.
· Midfielder: Midfielders line up between the fullbacks and forwards. Their objectives are to protect the middle of the field, recover the ball from the opposing team and support momentum toward a winning goal
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· Forward: Forwards play in front of midfielders and their primary objective is to score a goal. Ideal soccer plays involve organized teamwork where the ball is passed from fullbacks to midfielders, and on to forwards who get to try scoring a goal. Forwards are positioned near the center of the field in defensive action and then on offense must be able to run and kick the ball quickly down the field to the team’s goal. The fastest running players are often asked to be forwards.
Playing soccer will help your child build teamwork skills. Quality soccer gear, playing it safe and coaching your child’s team will go far in creating a memorable soccer experience for you and your child
For more information on coaching soccer drills and skills, check out these helpful links. To help your child enjoy playing soccer read our article Score Big with Youth Soccer More information on Soccer gear and what is needed to play.
Soccer drills and skills designed especially for kids.
The basics of soccer for any Parent Coach who wants to learn more! |
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