Individual skill, creativity and a love for the game. Between the ages of six and ten, the priorities are ball mastery, dribbling and 1v1 situations. Kids should be experimenting with the ball, building an understanding of movement and connection with teammates and developing a passion for the sport through enjoyment rather than pressure.
Look for environments that reward technical skill and creativity. Be skeptical of programs that impose tactical structure early or that measure success mainly by results.
Four things: quality of coaching and training methodology, level of competition both within the team and against opponents, a development-first philosophy versus a win-at-all-costs mentality and proximity to home so soccer can coexist with school and family life.
Every family's situation is different, and because the United States is so big and competitive soccer isn't always easily accessible, finding a more competitive environment might be hours away for some families. But as a general rule of thumb, when your son's pace of development slows and the competition is too easy or even boring for him, it's time to find a more competitive environment.
We specialize in personalized development plans, navigating the academy landscape, and making informed decisions at the earliest stages of their careers.
