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Soccer:  “How To Inspire Youth Players?”

Here’s another recent question ... “How can I inspire my [son / daughter / youth players] to enjoy learning more?”

Good question.  Here are a few thoughts…

First, for young players, it is important that they have fun. Inspiring them to improve goes much farther when they are having fun while getting better.  As an example, running laps without a ball may be good exercise, but not fun (for most).  On the other hand, small-sided games can be fun while also great exercise, as well as great ways to learn. 

Another way many young players like to learn is by watching videos, e.g. of soccer skills.  They will often try what they see, right in front of the video player.

Also, young players are often inspired by heroes or legends of the game.  Seeing videos of or reading about their favorites can be powerful.  Current stars like Ronaldinho, Zidane and Henry, and living legends like Pele and Cruyff,  excite any soccer player.  And, the FIFA World Cup will certainly inspire countless players for years to come. 

So, do you or your player(s) have any soccer heroes yet?  They might include older friends or family, or local team players.  Who are they?

Here is what a parent wrote to me recently about his son’s reaction to seeing some soccer videos we provided…

“My son is improving bit by bit after he saw the website [information] that I had downloaded.  He is a Striker/mid-fielder.  He is going back and forth between these positions.  What made him a striker was the unique videos that you had posted.  He was very nervous about his first game.  I showed him your video, and boom! he is running around the house with the ball dribbling between his legs.  He is now playing for the Youth Traveling team. My son scored 2 goals in his first soccer game….
Thank you so much, Lee.  My son is really enjoying soccer.”

So, inspiration can come from many sources.  And one of the easiest and best is for a player to have fun while playing or watching soccer.

Let me know if these ideas help, or if you have other suggestions.

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