Supporting Your Junior Football Players

Young footballers count on you for guidance and support throughout the season. Here are some useful ways to meet their needs.

• Be specific in your praise.

 

• Pause training sessions to indicate when a player is doing something well and not when they are making a mistake.

 

• While making comments, use the “sandwich” method by placing a critical note between two fan comments.

 

• Pile on compliments for kids who do their best and show good sportsmanship.

 

• Introduce continuous positive reinforcement – it’s the key to improvement.

 

• Focus on fun and safety rather than gains and losses.

 

• Be passionate and enthusiastic – it passes on to your players.

 

• Have reasonable expectations and set achievable goals for children.

 

• Remember that children making mistakes is part of the learning process.