10 Things EVERY parent of a Soccer Player should know!

1. Soccer teaches failure – in a good way!

Soccer is an exciting and physical sport. Dreams can change from good to bad or bad to good in seconds. It teaches kids hard work from start to finish and lets them learn the foundation of a hard work ethic. By allowing your kids to get out there and learn from individuals other than you can teach skills that will last years past their youth soccer career.

Your child will be defeated. Your child will cry. Your child will get hurt. It’s giving them the freedom and the power to pull themselves together that makes playing sports such a fundamental component of any child’s life.

2. Your child is not the best, and it’s unlikely they ever will be

Someone else may be the best on a team, in a league, in a city, or even in a state, but your child is not. There will always be someone else in the world that is better than them. This is a very important lesson for them to learn – you need to make sure you to teach them this because if you child thinks they’re the best or are always told they are the best, they will no longer strive to be the best. There should always be room for growth.

3. Soccer needs to be fun at every level or players will quit

Sport needs to be fun. When it’s no longer fun, players quit and it is usually not the sports fault. Players often quit because they don’t enjoy the coach or other players on the team. As Grasshopper Soccer we focus heavily on keeping it fun and enjoyable – our whole philosophy is about teaching soccer in a fun and non-competitive environment.

4. 4. Unless you are the coach, don’t coach

If you are wearing a Grasshopper Soccer coach’s uniform, go for it! If not, you should not be coaching your child on the field or during practice. There is a reason hierarchy works in our society, it provides a foundation of accountability. In soccer, the team comes before the player. While you may be looking out for the best interest of your child, you need to understand that the coach is looking out for the best interest of the team.

5. Make friends with other parents from the beginning

Your child may meet their new best friend on this team. When they see you being social, they may be more likely to be social and be more open to the potential new friends in their life. Be active in your child’s soccer and be friendly to other parents.

6. Don’t be “that” soccer parent

If ever someone jokes about your enthusiasm, how loud your voice is, how much you “think” you know about soccer, or continuously glares at you during games, you probably have already crossed the line of being a good cheerleader.

You may not know that you are doing it, or you may be overly energetic, either way, there is etiquette to be observed! Remember, your child is watching you and they are easily influenced. Teach your child to be a good cheerleader, someone that cheers for everyone, on both teams.

7. Don’t talk to your child’s coach

Don’t talk to your child’s soccer coach about coaching decisions. If you wanted to make the decisions for the team, you should have signed up to coach. If you absolutely need to talk to your child’s coach, you should wait at least 24 hours after any practice or game. Too many emotions are involved when you approach a coach on the grass after a game or practice.

8. Soccer is Easy to Understand (Once You Learn the Rules)

There are intricacies to soccer that are unique to the sport and you probably should learn them if you truly want to help your child get better.

9. Understand Your Child’s Definition of Success

Soccer players feel proud of many different accomplishments within the game of soccer. Just because they didn’t score a goal doesn’t mean they didn’t do their job successfully. Due to the way the sport is structured, your child may never score a goal in their whole life, but they can still enjoy the sport. Understand what your child gets out of the sport, what they enjoy, what gives them happiness after games and practices. Success can be defined by having fun, or seeing friends, or getting out aggression just as much as by scoring goals.

10. Keep turning up to Grasshopper Soccer

One thing you need to be certain you do is keep bringing your child along to their Grasshopper Soccer Classes. We teach team building, personal development gross and fine motor skills and an undying love of the game of Soccer!!

Find out more here: www.grasshoppersoccer.com.au