As a soccer parent, I know firsthand that raising a competitive athlete is a challenge. There’s no playbook for parenting, let alone for raising a young athlete. That’s why seeking advice from coaches, clubs, and other experienced parents is crucial.
But as I’ve discovered over the years, there’s little guidance out there for parents who want to supplement their child’s training. Sure, there’s plenty of advice on how to behave on the sidelines and during the car ride home, but nothing specifically designed to help parents who want to positively contribute to their child’s training.
The following list draws upon the lessons I’ve learned, which are often overlooked in coaching circles. While it’s not that coaches are opposed to parents supporting their children (as I discuss in my podcast series), it’s simply not something that receives much attention or consideration due to the numerous other priorities they must address.
New here? I’m Buford — soccer dad, 17 years on the sideline, founder of The Soccer Parent Coach. If something in this post hit close to home, take the free 2-minute quiz. It’ll tell you which of six soccer-parent situations you’re in right now, and point you to the one thing that actually helps.
Mom and Dad, you are your child’s first and most influential teacher/coach. The stimulation and support you provide can instill a desire to play soccer. If your child plays only to gain your approval, their interest in playing may decline, and playing for its own sake is sacrificed. Make this learning experience Together as much…
On paper, I’m the Dad of a future college Soccer player. My son is 6′ 1″ tall (6’5″ with the fro ) and weighs 185 lbs. He is arguably the fastest on his team in addition to being one of the quickest. He is also a fairly skilled player with a high soccer IQ and…
An important reminder for parents, coaches and players! Breathe! Development is not a straight line from A to Z. Development is messy to begin with and then you add kids to the mix and everything that entails. Obstacles, set backs, adversity, socialization, puberty, teammate issues… you name it, most players will go through it. Professionals…
We all love our kids, even when we don’t like them. From the time they are born, until the time they leave the nest, we do our best to provide for them, instill values, and try to do everything we can to raise them to be productive, solid citizens. Then you throw competitive Youth Soccer…
But I didn’t grow up playing soccer? This has got to be one of the most common reasons parents give for not helping their child get extra touches at home. My name is Neil Crawford and I am the founder of Anytime Soccer Training. Like so many, I also didn’t grow up playing soccer. As…
