Keep Young Soccer Players Focused on Footskills

What is the right blend of “technical” and “tactical” training for your child?

It was an amazing coincidence that after watching the movie “ Pelé:  Birth of a Legend” this weekend, I found a great graphic on the importance of technical training in young athletes.  

In the Pelé movie, the Brazilians call it “Ginga”, highly technical footskills that allow a player to dance a soccer ball elusively around defenders using many parts of the foot and body.  Disciplined coaches from Brazil to Bangalore are keeping their young players focused on footskills.  Yet, as parents, we frequently want our young players to focus on positioning, passing and field awareness.  My one word response:  RESIST!

Ryan Hodgson is National Director of Coaching Education at US Coaches Club.  I was so glad when he shared this simple graphic to show coaches, parents and players the importance of staying focused on technical training, especially for kids under 12.  I know it is frustrating to watch 6-10 year old players be out of position, or not making the right pass.  But Ryan will caution any coach that falls into the trap of spending too much time on tactics at the young ages.

So keep your young player focused on Technical Training, and click here to see how iSport360 helps coaches and parents track their young player’s skills.

Ryan Hodgson is a professional soccer coach, and with the US Coaches Club, recently launched the Next Generation Youth Coaching and Leadership Diploma for high school student athletes.