Parents around the globe always have one major question when it comes to their kids and football. That question is: When should I start my children in football?
There has been much debate over the topic. Some researchers believe children should start at an early age, while other experts on the subject believe 10 is the prime age for children to begin playing. The answer is a combination of the two.
Early years – Children in football
Renowned football guru, writer and expert of young player development, Tom Byer, believes that parents are the most important part of a young players journey. Byer, along with plenty of other researchers, think children should be stimulated early in life with football and the parents are the prime simulators. Children should be introduced to the game at three, four or five, and given the chance to familiarise themselves with the basics of the game.
By allowing youngsters to become familiar with the ball at home, in the garden or at the park, children can become intrigued by the sport. They can also become familiar with what they should do with a ball at their feet.
According to an ABCNews.com article, fundamental elements can be created in a child at an early age. In the article, Dr. Ed Laskowski, co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, said:
“When kids are 3, 4, and 5, it’s important for them to develop the fundamental elements of how we move and coordination. That’s why free play is great, because kids move in all different ways and learn balance and stability. When you slot them into training specific motions at such a young age, they might not be getting as much variety in their play.”
When kids get older – Children in football
One of the biggest problems for children in football is when parents are unaware of the development required at a certain age. Too often, parents are overzealous and push their children into training or practice that is not age specific. Rather than helping the child advance, this sets them back as the original building blocks were not created.
When age specific football training, classes and lessons are created and implemented, they can be extremely fun for the players. The development can also be seen in the child.
Parents should focus on getting their children in football at an early age. This can provide the building blocks a young athlete needs to continue to grow in the game as they get older. Of course, a child missing out on those early years of playing can catch up in the future. But parents put their child behind other players who started out early on.
Do you have a child who plays football? Do you want them to succeed? Contact PremierFootballUK.com to get them their very own football CV. Help them reach the eyes of scouts and coaches around Europe with their very own CV. You can’t impress a scout or coach at a trial unless you catch their eye with a great football CV first.