How a Beginner Soccer Player Gets Better

Is your child just starting out playing the game of soccer? Do they absolutely love the game and want to get better? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

As a player, coach, and parent, I’ve been in your spot. I have to be honest with you, I miss the beginning when my son was starting to learn the game.

In this article, I’ll shed light on how a young soccer player gets better. 

Please keep in mind that kids develop at different times. For instance, some kids peak and stop wanting to improve their game by age 10. In contrast, others may start flourishing at 16.

The important thing is to let them go at their own pace and be patient (with them). 

How Can a Player Get Better at Soccer?

Here are some of the main teaching points you should instill in a player.

Love to Work Hard

There’s so much untapped potential out there. I’ve seen it firsthand at my son’s clubs.

Many kids have all the talent in the world but throw it out the window because they haven’t learned that it takes a lot of work to get better.

Learning to love hard work is probably the biggest recipe for a kid’s success. Without the grind, a player will hit a plateau.

What’s worse? It will carry over in life.

Learn to Improvise & Be Creative

Improvisation creates a fun, safe, and effective environment for a beginner to experiment and develop new skills.

For instance, have your child kick the ball as high as you can then trap it. Go for the goal once you establish possession. Then, have them celebrate like they won the World Cup! 

Here are some fun drills you can do as a team or at home.

Also, creativity and imagination are great in any sport.

Let your child imagine that they are Pulisic and mimic his moves. This will get them to think and act like a player who has 20 years on them. 

Develop Chemistry with Teammates 

Chemistry within a soccer team can do wonders for each player’s success.

Your child may be able to dribble around a few kids but, in most cases, they won’t need to if they know their teammate will pass back to them.

These team fundamentals will prove advantageous as they get older.

Team chemistry makes each practice and game more fun…no matter the outcome.

You lose and win together. You get better together. You gain more confidence together. And, you collect valuable life skills along the way. 

Progression Over Perfection 

At a young age, some kids are wired differently than others.

Some want to master a certain skill set at the age of 8 while others are happy to kick the ball.

But, at these young ages, it’s important to teach them about focusing on progress instead of perfection. They are progressing as long as they are playing out on the field or in the backyard. 

Is your child struggling to juggle 10 times in a row? How about just starting with two? 

When a player values their progress over perfection, development happens. When players prioritize perfection over progress, frustration happens. 

Learning the skills required to compete should be an ongoing process of mishaps, corrections, and successes. 

Develop a Positive Mindset 

I strongly feel that positivity is the fuel that drives kids to become better soccer players (and humans). When players start playing, it’s important to instill this in them.

A positive mindset not only affects them as players but their teammates as well. When a player is positive they are looking at the bright side of things, they are cheering on their teammates, and they are helping them up.

All of this becomes contagious. A positive mindset encourages players to learn from mistakes without worrying about the outcome. 

Final Word

Establishing a healthy mindset early is one of the keys to developing players.

Yes, skills are important but team and individual practices will take care of that over time.

Quickness and power will come as they mature.

A strong shot will develop as the years go by.

Learning about formations and tactics start introducing themselves at 12 and older.

Players with a positive attitude that want to get better…do. And, players that love the game…get better.