I bet no one told you what to expect from a 7-year-old. What about a teenager?
Did someone explain what the child learns at every age and why?
Do you know balls have different sizes?
Feeling dizzy?
So, let's start!
Nobel Prize winning economist Daniel Kahnemann wrote extensively about how we think in two very distinct ways. According to him, one is the deliberate intellectual and logical process, much like an examination or a chess game, the other (the Football way) is the immediate response, fast, instinctive and often subconscious.
Once the coach outlines the strategy, only in dead ball situations does a player get a chance to think through an action. At all other times, he or she is deciding in real time how to get to a ball, figure the position of one’s teammates and opposition and then decide what to do with the ball.
3 -5
From 3 to 5 years old, let the child explore the environment. It is time to play with the ball. Notice how your kid play: with the feet? The hands? Alone? With siblings?
From 3 to 5 they start to learn and develop balance. Their vision is still in development, so it may be difficult for them to follow the ball if it is moving fast .
7-9
Youngsters at this age become interested in mastering some of the basics of the sport. They crave feedback from coaches and parents on how they perform certain skills and how they’re progressing with new ones. They begin noticing their teammates’ abilities and skill levels. When coaches verbally recognize one of their peers for properly executing a skill, they want to earn that same feedback.
The desire to compete carries much more prominence for some youngsters in this age range than for others. Children who have older siblings may be particularly competitive, because they’ve watched their brothers compete in football or other sports, and the younger siblings are finally getting their turn to display their skills.
More than likely, these children have had some experience playing football in the past and are continuing because it’s piqued their interest. Keep the positive momentum going by adding to their foundation of skills. Fuel their desire to continue playing by conducting practices that are both challenging and fun.
As children hit this age range, many become more competitive. They begin embracing the challenge of putting their skills to the test and enjoy competing against others their age. When they’re able to help the team prevail, these players feel immense satisfaction accompanied by a unique feeling of accomplishment that’s specific to the wonderful world of football.
13-14
Be aware that children at this age are typically searching for their personal identity, so try getting to know them on a personal level by asking who their favorite football players or football teams are. Of course, this tip is great for building special coach-player bonds with kids of all ages.
15 and above
Gaining the respect of your players is always important to your coaching success, and that’s particularly true when coaching kids ages 15 and older. These teens have developed a real passion for the sport. They attend football camps, perhaps lift weights year-round in preparation for the season, and in some cases, may actually be more knowledgeable in some areas of the sport than you are.
Parents play an important role in creating a positive environment for everyone. A positive environment is one where everyone is learning and having fun. A positive environment is not just for the players, it’s for the coach, parents and referee as well. No one wants to get yelled at whether they are seven years old or seventy. As a parent you can help create a positive environment by:
• Understanding how to give positive feedback.
• Not being involved in the outcome of a game.
• Communicating in a constructive manner.
• Learning the game for you and your child
• Supporting the team
Do you have questions? We (probably) have answers. Send your question
Copyright © 2019 Namba Football Club - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.