Off-Season/Outside Practice Training

Off-season training in addition to normal activities is a great chance for players to develop their skills. During the season a lot of time is spent on teamwork and team concepts. The off-season is a great opportunity for individual players to concentrate on improving certain areas of their game like comfort with the ball at their feet (footskills), passing accuracy, 1st touch, shooting, speed, agility, etc. These are things that professional soccer players continually improve on and sharpen up. You can never get "good enough." Kids should not underestimate the importance of skill work.

That being said, it is extremely important that parents provide the opportunity for the kids to improve and then let the kids choose whether or not they want to do it. Whether its signing them up for individual training with me or simply taking them out to practice some skills with you. Ask them if they want to do it. Leave it up to them.

Improving in this sport, or any sport I guess, is quarter parent encouragement and three quarters self-motivation. You could have the next soccer prodigy living under your roof or your kid might just want to play high school ball or rec. Whatever they choose is a good choice because, after all, we want the kids to be happy. The important thing is that you provide the opportunity.