My 7 Year Old Son's Forst Soccer Game

Every league is different but have various rules has to how long/often each kid can play. The coaches have a hard job trying to coach, pay attention to how long each kid has been in while trying to keep the team going. At the next game, another kid may be the one sitting a lot. We once had a coach look at my son and say...have you been sitting there this whole time? He had. Coach then said, you should have said something. The others pestered the coach, my son did what he was supposed to and the coach had forgotten him. I suggest seeing what happens at the next game and/or politely asking the coach what the minimum is (don't do this when he is getting ready for a game or is distracted though). Most will make it up at the next game if they realized they goofed.

Both of my grandchildren were in soccer last year. Both are not aggressive players and both sat out more than the more experienced players did. I went to practices and noticed that one of the possible reasons my 8 yo granddaughter was sitting out is that she didn't focus during practice and was not really learning how to play.

Yes, the purpose of the game is learning how to play and have fun. A part of that focus is to win some of the time. I think it's understandable that the new players will actually play less until they show that they've learned skills during the practices. I suggest that it is typical for first year players to sit out more than more experienced players. The first year players will have lots of opportunities to play during practices. There is no sitting out at practices. Your son will have more fun during practices than during the game unless he gets involved in cheering his team on.

My daughter was in soccer a couple of years and she gradually played more often each year. She liked soccer. My grandchildren did not enjoy it. Not because they didn't play but because they couldn't focus on a goal. That is another part of playing in sports. Working towards a goal. Explain to your son that he will play more often as he gets better. His goal is to learn and practice at practices so that he will get better.

Try looking at the game from the view point of the good players. They've worked hard to be put in play more often and for longer periods of time. What is their incentive if the new kids get to play as much as they do. Playing during the game is a reward for hard work.

Yes, the new players need to be put in play. Your son was put in play more than once. That's a good start.

I also agree that you should talk with the coach. Be open minded in your conversation. Ask about his philosophy of coaching and how your son will fit in. Ask about the other players and how much experience they've had. Ask how the decision is made that puts each kid into the team they've been assigned. I think that each team has a certain number of new players. i.e. the new players are divided amongst the teams.

Our league rules are very specific all kids get the same playing. We play six 8 minute periods and a child is not allowed to sit out two in a row. This changes in 4th grade. Check your leagues rules. How is a child supposed to get better if they aren't playing in the game?

Hi my daughter just had her first soccer game yesterday too. She got hit in the face a couple of times, so I would also warn your son to watch out for those flying balls! That's something also I didn't even take into consideration! Anyhow I would ask the coach at the next practice if your son will be playing more in the next game. Yes it should be about learning how to play and having fun, especially when they're younger and just learning the game. This coach may be a 'in it to win it' type coach, but no harm in asking to clear it up and see what he says.

Some of the kids on the team have probably played soccer before and have older brothers and sisters that play soccer as well. My kids started in Kindergarten at the YMCA, so it's probable some of the team players have two years of experience probably playing against a team that also has some experienced players. You can help your child by observing the drills at practice and then working with him outside of practice and game time to develop his skills and his understanding of the game. It is frustrating and sad to see your child on the bench. As his skill level increases, he should get more playing time. You might want to ask the coach what specific things your child needs to work on to get more playing time. Most children's leagues have minimum playing time requirements that are set by the league. Find out what they are and what the procedure is for filing a complaint (a last resort). Good luck and I hope that you and your son enjoy the rest of the season.

So many coaches in sports are not fair. They put their sons in the whole game and my son for instance (after you spend one hundred seventy five dollars on football gear) would sit out whole games and sometimes up to the last two minutes he was put in. He was actually an adequate player but not a part of the major clique or something. I remember my brother in law being a coach and his kids went into everything every game, every thing. He also coached my children briefly and they sat out like your son despite the fact that he was their uncle. Not fair. My thoughts on this, if your son really wants to stay and play let him or make him stick it out. But if it's no big deal and it didn't cost a lot then quit. Life is to short and he is too young to be living in such an unfair situation. You can use that extra hour or two for something else and he can feel successful. This stuff can be humiliating. I was always thinking before make them stay in so I did, but I kind of regret that because it was just torture for our whole family.

Is soccer through the park district? Check out the information from when you signed up. My son plays soccer through the Naperville PD and their rule is that every child must play AT least 1/2 of the game. At this age it is completely ridiculous that kids should be benched. Alternatively I would nicely speak to the coach about it.

That is pretty normal in my area. But in the younger groups they can only change at certain points, like the quarter and half. So, our kids usually play about 7 minutes then switch out and may or may not go back in. And yes, some players play more than others, why should they be penalized? K's birthday is in October and she had to be a full 4 years old to register to play. So, she is about to be 7. She played Spr. 2008, Fall 2008, Spr. 2009, Fall 2009, Spr. 2010, and is playing Fall 2010. So, at 6 she has 6 seasons on your child. My point being the other kids have put in time and non playing time too.

If my kids want to play more they need to work and practice. When my daughter played and wanted to go to college on a scholorship she practiced every day at home, year round. She also played Spring, Summer (a traveling league), Fall, and indoor Winter.

He may also need to play smaller amounts, in and out, to build his stamina and learn the game more. It took K, who is 6 11/12 now, about 1 1/2 seasons of play before she figured out she was supposed to take the ball away from someone and not share it.

As the season progresses you should see the team starting to grow towards a more cohesive team. Ideally they should be on the same team year after year so they can learn together and the coach knows them and can get the most out of them.