Football is the number one sport in the world and many parents may be thinking how you can get your children involved. Below we discuss 10 important steps that can get your child into playing for a football team near you!
1. Introduce the Sport: Begin by introducing your child to the sport of football. Many children will overhear friends or family talk about football so if you watch games together, attend local matches, or even play casual games in the backyard. Familiarising them with the sport can spark a strong interest.
2. Involve Friends: Involving friends is quite a simple but incredibly effective method. Your child has friends who are already part of a football team, encourage them to join together. The presence of familiar faces can make the experience more enjoyable and less intimidating.
3. Emphasize Fun and Friendship: Highlight the social aspects of playing in a team. Joining a team brings a new social group which leads to making new friends, enjoying group activities, and having fun. Emphasize that being part of a team is about more than just playing the sport.
4. Understand the Rules: Make sure your child has a solid understanding of the rules of football. This will help them feel more comfortable during practices and games, and it demonstrates a commitment to the sport.
5. Regular Practice: Encourage regular practice at home to reinforce skills and techniques learned during team practices. Consistent practice helps build muscle memory and improves overall performance. Football Flick have a wide range of products for all ages to improve football skills. Hero and Urban are best suited for Children who are starting out playing football.
6. Visit Local Clubs: Take your child to visit local football clubs or community teams. There are many grassroots clubs who are very welcoming. You can do this in various different ways, if you check online FA and Football England have a database with a lot of information for youth local teams.
7. Explore Different Positions: Talk to your child about the various positions in football and let them explore different roles during casual games. This can help them find a position they enjoy and feel comfortable with. The sooner your child finds his specific position the more they can focus on that specific role.
8. Positive Attitude: Encourage a positive and sportsmanlike attitude. Stress the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and respect for coaches, teammates, and opponents. A positive attitude can go a long way in fostering a healthy team environment. Sport in general is all about respect and creating positive moments, it’s a great way to build strong character.
9. Join School Programs: Check if your child's school offers football programs or teams. School-based teams can be a great entry point, as they often provide a familiar environment and the opportunity to play with classmates. Obviously some schools may be having try outs, there is no harm in trying to compete in these. It is a more familiar environment for a child to join.
10. Join a Youth League: This is the final step, enrolling your child in a local youth football league. These leagues often cater to various skill levels and provide a structured environment for learning and playing the game. Your child may not enjoy one team but may love a different team. Its all about trial and error until everything just feels right!
If you want more information on what team to join, please click this link!
