Soccer is a popular sport among many school going children and for many of them – playing soccer professionally would be a dream come true. Many parents also have this dream for their children and they are ready to provide all the necessary support to their young ones to make this dream a reality!
The reasons are obvious. It’s an amazing game that is played with a lot of passion. People love the excitement that they feel while playing or watching this extraordinary game, a game which brings people together and runs high on emotions.
So let’s see what the little kids, teenagers and parents can do to in order to fulfill their dreams and become a pro soccer player:
1. Start Early!
Most of the local soccer clubs have programs that enrol kids starting from 5-6 years of age. Starting early will give your child a much needed advantage. Also, kids at this age will learn in a fun and non-competitive environment which is crucial for developing a passion for the game with a positive frame of mind.
Children will learn the value of teamwork and discipline from a very early age and will also come to understand the game from a holistic view. The social development that kids gain from structured play is something that will benefit them all their life.
2. Focus on your physical and Mental Fitness.
Soccer is a competitive sport and you need to work on your mental and physical health if you want to be in it for the long haul. An athlete will always have to keep his or her fitness a priority area as this will directly affect their on-field performance.
Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between an athlete’s performance and his or her fitness levels.
So make sure to pay ample focus on this and work towards building your mental and physical health.
3. Enroll in a Good Local Soccer Club
To be the best, you need to learn from the best! An important step would be to enrol your child into a good local soccer club that will provide a suitable environment for learning the game and developing the right skill-set.
Giving the right learning environment to the children is an extremely crucial step as it will form the foundation over which their future will be decided. Look around, do a thorough research to find out the local soccer clubs in your area. What kind of programs do they offer, who are the coaches under whom the kids will train, what is the child-to-coach ratio…These are important factors that you must take into consideration before enrolling your child into a soccer club.
If you are in the United States, you will find many good options for your child. For example, a soccer program in North Texas is working hard towards nurturing young talent and bringing together the best players to compete against the best teams in and out of the state.
Also, it is important to find a program for your child that is respectful, transparent and profession – on as well as off the field.
4. Be Willing to Put in the Hard Work and Sacrifices
Soccer, like any professional sport, requires a lot of dedication, focus, sacrifice and most importantly – hard work. There are no easy solutions and one must be ready to put in a dedicated and focused effort. There may be times when a young player will have difficult choices to make like staying away from the family – but the bigger picture must never be forgotten.
Look at the stories of the successful soccer players and learn from their journey. Be willing to acknowledge your weaknesses and work on your strengths. And most importantly – enjoy the game!
