BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE

Evie and Ryan’s faces showed the hurt. They’d been told there wasn’t a place for them in the team.

Their parents went to see the coach, Sam. “This isn’t right! Junior football’s about friendships and fun, not how good you are. And anyway, how will they get better if they aren’t playing in matches?” Sam said Evie and Ryan are great, and the club is inclusive, but it’d be better for them to play and develop with those of similar ability. It was a stressful conversation and made Sam wonder whether the effort he put into coaching was worth it.

A Common Problem

As a grassroots parent or coach you may encounter this situation one day. Squads and children change from 5- to 11-a-side and differences in ability stand out more.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

As a player, be the best you can be. As a coach, give the children the opportunity and encouragement to do that.

BUT THEY ALREADY GET COACHING!

Yes, but the key is practice. In most subjects, children have multiple lessons per week and then homework. Regular practice builds learning.

Football’s the same: the more you practise the right things, the better you get. The better you get the more confident you are. Then you try your skills in a game and when it works it’s feels fantastic! Practise builds fitness too.

Then you are being the best you can be. And the chance of that uncomfortable conversation ever happening is lower.

WANT SOME HELP?

At Skillabus, we’ve taken the knowledge of a very successful soccer school coach and converted it into a brilliant set of online programs for beginner, intermediate and advanced players to turn free time into “be the best you can be” time.

For parents it’s a way to help their children practise the right things and become a better footballer.

For coaches it’s a way to help players really master what you’re teaching.

For clubs it’s a cost-effective way to add value to their membership.