The Art of Parenting a Youth Club Soccer Player
Parenting a competitive youth soccer player can be tricky.
There’s no handbook that will ever prepare you for the highs and lows. There’s a lot of them.
I’m not perfect at it. No one is.
But, I have some experience—about eight years of parenting a club soccer player. From the age of six to fourteen…it’s been a fun ride.
I don’t try to overcomplicate it.
It’s not my life.
It’s Kane’s. It’s his journey.
So, here are 5 simple rules I live by…
- Let them make their own mistakes
- Find ways to make life fun (soccer can get very serious as they age up)
- Be involved outside of team practices and games (watch soccer on TV, play in the backyard, etc.)
- Be an honest and positive role model (because they watch what you do whether you realize it or not)
- Make your time together a priority and enjoy the moments.
Navigating the entire process is art 😉
Written By: Beau Bridges
Beau is the founder of SoccerNovo, dedicated to helping players and parents navigate the youth soccer landscape. As a former youth coach and soccer parent, he shares insights on player development, recruiting, and the ever-evolving soccer scene in the U.S.
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