As a soccer parent, you play just as much of a role in the child’s development to the sport as what the coaches do when they teach skills and tactics of the sport. Being a supportive parent is important for how the children play the game, along with how they treat their teammates and the opposing team. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can be a supportive soccer parent. 

How to be a supportive soccer parent

Encourage a Love of the Game 

If your child is disappointed over not winning, it’s important to refocus your child on the love of why they started the sport in the first place. Emphasize the fun of the sport, how you get to run and kick a ball, how you can work as a team, and how it feels to be with your friends on the field. Celebrate the overall effort and not just the wins.

Avoid dwelling on the mistakes which may have occurred; instead, focus on how you can improve on them in the future. Encouraging love for the game is a key component to helping parents support their children throughout the soccer season. 

Create a Healthy Routine

When you enroll your child in private soccer training for kids, it’s important to promote a healthy soccer routine. Prioritize time for rest and recovery to help reduce overtraining and injury. Be sure to foster a healthy relationship with the school and the private tutor so you can work out a schedule that doesn’t allow for your child’s education to suffer for the sport. In addition, promote a balanced schedule and allow time for additional hobbies and interests. 

Be Positive On Game Day 

On game day being supportive and positive is the most effective way of helping your child and their overall nerves. Some steps you can take on game day include: 

  • Cheer from the sidelines but don’t coach. Leave the coaching up to the coaches you’re paying for. Focus more on cheering when your child has the ball or makes a goal.  
  • Avoid saying negative comments about your child or other children to the rest of the parents or yelling the comments from the sidelines. Negative comments can cause kids to have self doubt and anxiety. 
  • Cheer for everyone on the team and not just your own child. When your child sees this they’ll gain a sense of sportsmanship and unity. 

A positive attitude from the sidelines is a great way to make a game great with minimal stress. It also helps the child think for themselves while out on the field. 

Be Patient With Their Progress

It’s important to understand you need to be patient with your child’s progress; not every child will become good in a short amount of time. Celebrate the small victories along with the large ones, and recognize your child’s progress throughout their soccer journey. 

Avoid comparisons with other players and their progress, and allow your child some space to grow and develop their skills without constant criticism. By being patient and supportive, you’ll be able to positively affect your child’s self esteem. 

Endnote

When it comes to being a supportive soccer parent, or a supportive parent of any sport, it’s important to realize that children are just having fun playing the sport they love. Win or lose, it’s more important that they have fun on their journey.