{"id":18235,"date":"2021-11-08T13:41:35","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T21:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/?p=18235"},"modified":"2022-09-20T07:58:00","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T14:58:00","slug":"how-to-keep-kids-engaged-in-soccer-off-the-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/how-to-keep-kids-engaged-in-soccer-off-the-field","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep Kids Engaged in Soccer Off the Field"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As the fall season races to its end, coaches everywhere are hoping their players stay invested in soccer over the winter. Some encourage private training, while others find indoor\/futsal leagues. With many of my own players trying basketball for the first time, I\u2019m mostly dreading next season\u2019s inevitable handballs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with burnout a very real concern, it\u2019s important to give players time to rest and relax. As parents and coaches, our priority should be nurturing players\u2019 deep and lifelong love for soccer \u2014 and that happens off the field as much as on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read below for some ideas to help keep your players engaged in soccer this winter (and beyond) by allowing and encouraging them to enjoy the sport on their own terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watching Soccer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best players watch soccer. Whether on TV or in person, watching soccer allows players to process the game\u2019s bigger ideas: how teams set up, how their shape evolves, how players find space in crowded areas. This crucial aspect of player development is hard to cultivate on the field, but it happens organically just by watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beautiful thing is that most players don\u2019t even realize it\u2019s happening. In their eyes, they\u2019re just finding players to idolize, new skills to try, fresh jerseys to put on a Christmas list. But beneath that excitement, they are constantly listening, learning and absorbing information. And they\u2019re having fun doing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If players don\u2019t have the patience to sit through a full game, don\u2019t pressure them. Start small \u2014 individual game highlights on YouTube are a digestible format to learn about teams and players. From there, as kids build familiarity and affection, they naturally grow more interested in following games. I dare anyone to watch the 2005 Champions League final or compilations of Ronaldinho in his prime and not fall in love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Watching soccer can also be a wonderful avenue for connection and quality time between parents and their kids. If you have lots of experience, you can answer your kids\u2019 questions. If you don\u2019t, maybe they can answer yours! At the very least, it\u2019s two hours a week to spend together, bonding over a shared interest and learning to love the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, it\u2019s easy to watch professional games on TV \u2014 though not necessarily cheap, with broadcast rights spread across channels and streaming services. Most English Premier League games are broadcast across NBC\u2019s viewing platforms. The UEFA Champions League, a highly-prestigious mid-week tournament for top teams across Europe, can be watched on Paramount+<\/a>, along with the Italian Serie A. ESPN+<\/a> is home to both the German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The single most transformative soccer experience, however, is to attend a match live and in person. If you\u2019re lucky enough to have a local team, nurture your player\u2019s love of the game by taking them to soak up the stadium\u2019s electric atmosphere. Austin FC\u2019s inaugural season ignited tons of enthusiasm in my club, and players that attended games came back inspired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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