Hey everyone,

Some amazing clips of early years footballers hit our feed this week. We’re sharing a selection below.

As a parent you already know nothing’s easy, so we’re also taking a look at the tricky stuff.

It’s not always fun and games but we can maybe can flip this part of it into a challenge: so we’re learning as a parent whilst our kids learn the beautiful game.

Let’s get into it👇️ 

FOOTBALL PARENT PROBLEMS

👀 10 Growth Opportunities for Football Parents

The football parent journey offers both rewards and growth opportunities. When we recognise challenges, we can transform them into positive experiences through proactive action and self-reflection.

Understanding these common growth areas helps us navigate with awareness, turning blind spots into opportunities for connection.

1. Finding the balance between guidance and support

• Be a supportive presence while letting coaches handle the instruction

• Try not to: Act like a coach by shouting instructions from the sidelines

2. Honoring children's autonomy and joy

• Create space for children to develop their own relationship with the game

• Try not to: Impose your own ideas rather than letting kids enjoy the game their way

3. Empowering children's independence

• Support children in developing their own problem-solving abilities

• Try not to: Fight your children's battles, preventing them from developing resilience

4. Embracing the learning process

• Celebrate brave attempts and creative play, regardless of outcome

• Try not to: Discourage risk-taking and mistakes by overreacting to errors

5. Building positive coach relationships

• Establish clear, respectful communication channels with coaches

• Try not to: Maintain poor communication about expectations around game time and behavior

6. Modeling positive sideline citizenship

• Demonstrate respect for officials, opposing teams, and the spirit of the game

• Try not to: Engage in toxic sideline behavior like undermining referees or pressuring children to win

7. Nurturing confidence and enjoyment

• Create an environment where children feel unconditionally supported

• Try not to: Create anxiety by making children feel they must perform to meet your expectations

8. Supporting healthy post-game reflection

• Ask open questions that encourage self-assessment

• Try not to: Overcoach by giving constant instructions during games and critical feedback after

9. Fostering community among all players

• Celebrate the development of all children in the football community

• Try not to: Comment on other children's play, creating uncomfortable situations

10. Appreciating the development journey

• Understand that progress happens in bursts, plateaus, and occasional setbacks

• Try not to: Expect consistent improvement, misunderstanding the non-linear nature of development

Anything missing? What would you add?

RAISING THE LEVELS

👀 This 6 year-old decided to do it himself

Crazy talent on display.

aniballers

205K followers

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🕛️ Watch the progress made over a year

Love this. Start early!

I guarantee you the parents are watching the kit around the house get more advanced in every shot! 😆 

iamluan.10

367K followers

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😭 Szczesny denies his son’s bicycle kick goal

No mercy from the Barca keeper, who blocked his son’s overhead kick.

433

77M followers

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REPS REPS REPS

🛠️ Skills and drills and video tape

Some of the best from our timelines this week:

🧠 Train for awareness and scanning like this. Adding a second ball to the drill to keep a player’s head up.

⛔️ Textbook use of body positioning to prevent attacking progress.

📋️ Here’s the drill to encourage competitive use of physique and defensive body positioning.

🚧 3 simple close control drills. Making it look easy is when you know they’ve nailed it.

🇧🇷 Step-by-step instructions of a close control footwork skill.

YOUR CLIPS

 🦁 Essi reacts to Aniballer community clips

Billy Weir was 5 years-old when his Dad, Andrew, lifted the ball into the air in their garden.

What happened next was sublime…

essi_aniballers

60 followers

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We were in awe at a ridiculous cushioned touch and almost casual finish. 😎 

These are my favourite moments - shared by parents and their kids and captured forever.

Thanks for sending this in, Andrew - and amazing work, Billy 👏 

🫶 Pure joy watching this Aniballer go at it

We loved this clip so much we had to break down exactly why.

aniballers

205K followers

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So much to like about the movement and decision-making. 👏 

Thanks for sharing @_tahira.roeab 🙏