FineSoccer Kids 5

Welcome to the FineSoccer Kids Newsletter. Today's topic will deal with how to become a better soccer player.

First of all, I do want to address something. I was looking through some of the suggestions I have received for topics for these newsletters and came across some excellent ideas. However, many of them dealt with how to coach kids. I do want to explain that this newsletter is intended to deal with how KIDS can learn more. While I certainly hope that parents and coaches can learn from this newsletter, it really is intended more for the kids. The simple reason for this is that deep down, the game is NOT for the coaches but rather, it's for the KIDS. Some of the issues that were recommended for future topics for the FineSoccer Kids Newsletter will be addressed in the Soccer Newsletter. To subscribe to the Soccer Newsletter, please go to www.finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm

Many times when you are playing soccer, you do something, it works and you then figure it must be right so you keep doing it. For example, when you are real young you will probably find that you can kick a ball further with your toe then you can use that stupid technique that your coach taught you that involves locking the ankle down and using the shoelaces. Because YOUR way seems to work, you tend to not work on your coaches way and as a result, you kick the ball further then anyone else on your team (by using your toes to kick). Unfortunately, what ends up happening is that while the other players slowly start to master the correct technique and each of them are gradually able to strike the ball better and harder and with more accuracy, your toe technique will start to let you down. The next thing you know, you are not playing much in games that you used to dominate because while kicking hard might be enough in U6's as you get older, being able to maintain possession and pass accurately and shoot both hard and accurately become more important. My point is that just because your coach shows you something and it doesn't work right away doesn't mean it's not the right thing to do. Be patient and in the long run, your game will get better.

I received an email from a young player a couple of weeks ago asking how to dive properly (he was a keeper). I sent him the link to go to in order to get a better understanding on the proper technique and a day later he wrote back saying it didn't work. I had to explain to him that it takes TIME to become better and things don't happen overnight. Will he take my advice and keep working on the proper technique? My guess is that he probably will because if he didn't care a great deal, he wouldn't be writing me in the first place. However, if someone didn't tell him that it takes time and to be patient, he would not get better.

Realize that some of the best players when they are 6,7 or 8 don't get better because they don't bother to learn the game and improve so that when they turn 12, the game has almost passed them by. The stars when they are 12 are not necessarily going to be the stars when they are 16,17 or 18 because they also, might not be willing to do what is necessary to get better.

If you want to get better as a soccer player, do what is right and not only what works. Any comments, questions or suggestions should be sent to kidscomments@finesoccer.com.

To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters, please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm

Have a great day!

Lawrence