After struggling to coach a team of kids under 7, a veteran sports reporter discovers valuable insights about teamwork and resilience.
What My Son's Soccer Team Taught Me About Life and Learning
What My Son's Soccer Team Taught Me About Life and Learning
A seasoned soccer journalist shares his unexpected lessons learned while coaching a children's soccer team.
For many years, I’ve engaged with soccer both as a spectator and a writer. A few weeks ago, however, I took a leap into a different role—coaching a youth soccer team comprised of children all under the age of 7. The experience quickly proved both eye-opening and humbling.
The team faced various challenges, not least of which was the inherent unpredictability that comes with coaching kids so young. My son played on the team, and as I watched him and his teammates, it became clear that we had a major issue: we kept conceding far too many goals—often silly, straightforward goals that seemed to echo our lack of organization.
In England, formal soccer begins at age 6; however, it’s structured such that there are no competitive league tables or recorded scores. Even so, it was painfully evident that our performance wasn’t up to par. The numbers—easy goals scored against us—were hard to ignore, and while the format suggested that winning didn’t matter, I knew we had to rekindle the children's love for the game.
Determined to change our fortunes, I proposed a shift in strategy. For two years, we had focused on encouraging the kids to play “the beautiful game,” emphasizing passing, technique, and creative expression. Yet, in practice, our efforts had led to difficulties: careless dribbling near our goal, misguided passes, and unnecessary complications that ultimately placed undue pressure on our young players.
My intention was to instill a more pragmatic approach while still retaining the joy of play. The goal was not merely to prevent goals against us but to strike a balance between fun and effectiveness, rekindling enthusiasm and ensuring the children enjoyed their time on the field.
This endeavor reminded me that sometimes, life mirrors sports; both require us to adapt, learn, and grow—even if it means stepping back and re-evaluating our methods. Through my experience, I gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges inherent in nurturing young talent, as well as the invaluable lessons they can teach to adults.
