The impact of parents on their children is undeniable; however, that influence is often greater than many realize. Being part of a soccer player’s formative process is a great responsibility. And from home, showing good attitudes and values that influence how your son or daughter acts is also reflected on the field. That’s why we’ve compiled these 6 tips to help you understand some important points in this process, which can contribute to supporting your child in the best possible way.
Set a Good Example
You don’t need to have been a soccer player to help your son or daughter; you can do this through your work, your gym training, or any of your hobbies, communicating good habits and values like self-discipline and commitment. Children tend to reflect the attitudes their parents demonstrate.
Emphasize Positive Attitudes and Behavior
While respect for coaches, teammates, and opponents is fundamental, team sports like soccer require players who put the team’s well-being before individual success and always support, even from the bench. These attitudes should be emphasized through the player’s progress, and parents play a big part in developing these skills.
Help… Only When Needed
Individual training, in particular, is a great way to spend time with your son or daughter and show your support… if your player wants it. You can do this by throwing or retrieving balls, or even keeping them company during training. Individual training is also a good opportunity to highlight skill development, an aspect of the game that is solely under the player’s control. Encourage, but never pressure—motivation to do extra training should come from them.
Get to Know Your Player’s Coach
Establish a trusting and familiar relationship with your child’s coach. This way, you can be sure that this person has the experience and temperament to be a positive influence on your children. Having this trust in the coach ensures a good process, where parents support the work being done with the kids during training, while the coach focuses on doing their job without conflicts in between. Additionally, this enables good communication in case any conflict arises, which can be resolved without issues. Remember, if you respect the coach’s leadership, your child will too.
Communicate with Your Player
Communication is vital, not only in soccer but in daily life. Understanding your son or daughter’s goals, thoughts, and emotions can show you how to better support them, as well as a better understanding of their actions. However, it’s important that they decide the time and place for these conversations. For example, the game ends, and you want to talk to your player, but maybe they don’t want to at that moment… let them make the first move.
Through good communication, you may discover that they think or feel things differently than you expected, which could have led to a conflict if you had made the first move unknowingly. Communicate praise for their effort and commitment, but always ask: «Did you have fun?» This should be the priority for any player, as despite disappointments and failures, enjoying soccer is necessary for a long career in the sport, as in any sport. Remember, communication is also physical—use your hands to encourage during games and training, not to signal advice or make negative gestures toward the other team or the referee.
Don’t Live Through Your Child
Your son or daughter should live through their own experiences, even if it causes you uncertainty. Trust them, their values, and beliefs. There is a fine line between encouraging their goals and turning them into your own. Try to see the situation from a broader perspective and seek advice from other parents and experienced soccer coaches.
