So, you’re watching your kid play soccer. They seem to be running around more, maybe even kicking the ball in the right direction sometimes. But how do you really know if they are improving? If you’ve never played soccer yourself, figuring out youth soccer development can feel like trying to understand a foreign language. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This post is for you – the enthusiastic soccer parent who wants to understand their child’s development journey.

Spotting the Signs of Youth Soccer Development

It’s tempting to just look at goals scored. But youth soccer development is about so much more than that! Here are some key areas to observe:

Technical Skills: More Than Just Kicking

• Ball Control: Are they more comfortable with the ball at their feet? Can they dribble without constantly losing it? For example, a younger player might struggle to keep the ball within 5 feet of them while dribbling. An older player showing their development might be able to dribble through cones or change direction quickly.
• Passing: Are their passes more accurate? Do they understand when to pass to a teammate and where to place the ball? A beginner might just kick the ball as hard as they can. A player who has improved will start to understand passing lanes and how to pass to a teammate’s feet.
• Shooting: While goals are great, look at the quality of the shots. Are they getting more power? Are they aiming better? Initially, a player might just try to kick the ball. As they show progress, they will learn to aim for the corners of the goal or strike the ball with different parts of their foot.
• First Touch: This is how a player receives the ball. Are they able to control it quickly and set themselves up for the next move? A beginner might have the ball bounce off their shin. A player showing how they have developed will be able to cushion the ball and bring it under control immediately.

Tactical Awareness: Thinking on the Field

• Positioning: Are they understanding where to be on the field? Are they staying in their assigned position, or are they chasing the ball everywhere? A younger player might cluster around the ball with all their teammates. A player demonstrating development will spread out and create space.
• Movement off the Ball: What are they doing when they don’t have the ball? Are they making runs to create passing options? Are they finding space? A beginner might stand still when they don’t have the ball. An improved player will constantly move to support their teammates.
• Decision-Making: Are they making better choices with the ball? When to pass, when to dribble, when to shoot? A player new to the game might always try to dribble, even when surrounded by opponents. As they progress in their development, they’ll learn to recognize when a pass is the better option.
• Understanding the Game: Do they understand the rules? Do they understand basic tactics like offense and defense? This might seem obvious, but understanding the flow of the game is a key part of youth soccer development.

Physical Development: Strength and Stamina

• Speed and Agility: Are they getting faster? Can they change direction quickly? A player showing development will be able to outrun opponents and react quickly to changes in the game.
• Strength: Are they getting stronger? Can they hold off opponents? Strength is important for winning challenges for the ball.
• Stamina: Can they play for longer periods without getting tired? Improvement includes building the stamina to play hard for the entire game.

Psychological Development: The Mental Game

• Confidence: Do they believe in themselves? Are they willing to take risks? Confidence is crucial for soccer development.
• Resilience: How do they react to mistakes? Do they get discouraged, or do they bounce back? Learning from mistakes is a key part of development.
• Teamwork: Are they working well with their teammates? Are they communicating effectively? Soccer is a team sport, and development includes learning to be a good teammate.
• Enjoyment: Are they having fun? This is the most important thing! If they’re not enjoying it, they won’t be motivated to improve. This should be a positive experience.

Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: The Parent’s Role

You don’t need to be a soccer expert to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Here’s how:

Observe, Don’t Criticize

Your role is to be a supportive observer. Watch your child play, and take notes. Focus on specific examples. Instead of saying “They’re not a good passer,” try saying, “I noticed they had a hard time passing to a teammate when they were under pressure.”

Talk to Your Child

Ask them about their own perception of their game. What do they think they do well? What do they think they need to work on? Their self-assessment is valuable for development.

Talk to the Coach

Your child’s coach is a valuable resource. They see your child in a training and game environment and can offer insights into their development.

Examples of Strengths

• “They have a great first touch. They can control the ball quickly, even when it’s passed to them hard.”
• “They’re very fast. They can often outrun the defenders.”
• “They’re a good passer. They see the field well and make accurate passes.”

Examples of Weaknesses

• “They struggle with their left foot. They almost always try to use their right foot.”
• “They get tired easily. They need to work on their stamina.”
• “They tend to dribble too much. They need to learn when to pass.”

Measuring Progress Without Starting Measurements

Okay, so you didn’t take detailed notes from day one. That’s fine! You can still see how far they’ve come.

Compare to Past Performances

Think back to earlier games or practices. Are they noticeably better now than they were a few months ago? Even without specific measurements, you can often see a clear difference in their play and understanding of the game.

Compare to Their Peers

How do they compare to other players of similar age and experience? This isn’t about being competitive, but it can give you a general sense of their progress.

Focus on Improvement, Not Perfection

Youth soccer development is a journey, not a destination. Celebrate their progress, no matter how small. The fact that they are improving is what matters.

The “I Think They Are Getting Better” Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist to help you answer that “I think they are getting better but I don’t know for sure” question:

• More Consistent: Are they making fewer mistakes?
• More Confident: Do they seem more comfortable and assured on the field?
• More Involved: Are they participating more actively in the game?
• More Effective: Are they contributing more to the team’s success?
• More Enjoyment: Are they having more fun?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, congratulations! Your child is on the right track. Keep supporting them, keep encouraging them, and keep enjoying the journey!

Need help with development? Check out this article on The Power of Progressive Skills.