1) Elite players train 4-5 times a week starting at an early age. Would say U12 at the latest They learn to enjoy the grind.
2) Elite players develop stamina and endurance through conditioning
3) Elite players have a higher level of aggressiveness and confidence. For some this comes naturally, it can be developed. Don't worry if your 10 year old isn't showing aggressiveness. Work on their confidence and help them become aggressive. Confidence will help, so will testosterone.
4) Speed and Agility are highly coveted. You can be technically just ok if you have elite speed and agility.
5) Not everyone is blessed with world class speed and agility. But your kid does need to be athletic. If they aren't the fastest kid they need to develop strength and balance. They better have excellent foot skills/technical talent. They need to play fast by being soccer smart. They have to be able to play with both feet and with their head up.
You must be athletic, but athleticism comes in many flavors.
6) When they are young camps are essential. Any soccer camp, but regular, consistent practice every day for a week will develop your kid quickly.
7) Coerver is the least expensive and best quality supplemental training for the younger kids. Teaches ball control at a reasonable price. If you can afford $50/child/hour training, there are some great trainers available. My kids outgrew Coerver, but for the money it was worth every penny.
8) the best training is a parent and their child working on what their kid wants them to work on. Learn how to kick a ball and get outside with your kid. Or just shag balls. By 20 soccer balls and go to the park with your kid.
9) Sign up for every soccer opportunity you can and have a positive outlook. EPD, Surf Academy, etc. Train with different coaches, get to know others on your kids soccer team and folks on other teams. Always ask about what others might be doing. A lot of good trainers/programs happen organically.
10) Be wary of snake oil. People will sell you on how great this is or that is. Go check it out for yourself and then talk to your kid. They have to enjoy it, agree that something is good for them.
Finally, the best home equipment you can purchase your child is a rebound board- or an actual wall they can kick a ball against. Not the net, just a flat surface they can kick against. You can also make it yourself. Wall balls are the best way a kid can train by themselves. Works on both passing, striking, and first touch.
The best home exercise equipment is a plyometric box. They sell foam ones on Amazon that have different heights. For young kids this is the best way for them to increase explosiveness, develop hip and leg strength, and prevent injury. All they do is jump up onto it and jump down.
There is no question, in Washington at the moment ECNL is the dominant league for boys and girls. There are good clubs in other leagues, but the arguments that ECNL isnt the top league are stupid. If my child wanted to be an elite player I would run to an ECNL team. If that team wasn't very good, or the coaching wasn't spectacular, I wouldn't worry too much about that and focus on supplementing their club training. MLS Next is the best for boys, and other pathways exist for elite players- but the most common pathway is through boys ecnl.
now most importantly, stop being a sh:tty parent to your kid, the coaches, other parents, your club. Be thankful for the opportunities, enjoy the time with your children, encourage and build their confidence, teach them that there is no substitute for discipline and hard work (even when they see others that aren't working as hard get better opportunities) and be accountable and teach your child accountability.
to be an elite player takes "elite" level of effort, time and dedication on your families part and your son. It isn't without a ton of sacrifice, tears and missed birthday parties, dances, and sleepovers.
it's not for everyone, nor should it be.
happy to answer questions and hear others perspective. Please just don't comment about how sh:tty ECNL is or stuff like that. It isn't productive.
2) Elite players develop stamina and endurance through conditioning
3) Elite players have a higher level of aggressiveness and confidence. For some this comes naturally, it can be developed. Don't worry if your 10 year old isn't showing aggressiveness. Work on their confidence and help them become aggressive. Confidence will help, so will testosterone.
4) Speed and Agility are highly coveted. You can be technically just ok if you have elite speed and agility.
5) Not everyone is blessed with world class speed and agility. But your kid does need to be athletic. If they aren't the fastest kid they need to develop strength and balance. They better have excellent foot skills/technical talent. They need to play fast by being soccer smart. They have to be able to play with both feet and with their head up.
You must be athletic, but athleticism comes in many flavors.
6) When they are young camps are essential. Any soccer camp, but regular, consistent practice every day for a week will develop your kid quickly.
7) Coerver is the least expensive and best quality supplemental training for the younger kids. Teaches ball control at a reasonable price. If you can afford $50/child/hour training, there are some great trainers available. My kids outgrew Coerver, but for the money it was worth every penny.
8) the best training is a parent and their child working on what their kid wants them to work on. Learn how to kick a ball and get outside with your kid. Or just shag balls. By 20 soccer balls and go to the park with your kid.
9) Sign up for every soccer opportunity you can and have a positive outlook. EPD, Surf Academy, etc. Train with different coaches, get to know others on your kids soccer team and folks on other teams. Always ask about what others might be doing. A lot of good trainers/programs happen organically.
10) Be wary of snake oil. People will sell you on how great this is or that is. Go check it out for yourself and then talk to your kid. They have to enjoy it, agree that something is good for them.
Finally, the best home equipment you can purchase your child is a rebound board- or an actual wall they can kick a ball against. Not the net, just a flat surface they can kick against. You can also make it yourself. Wall balls are the best way a kid can train by themselves. Works on both passing, striking, and first touch.
The best home exercise equipment is a plyometric box. They sell foam ones on Amazon that have different heights. For young kids this is the best way for them to increase explosiveness, develop hip and leg strength, and prevent injury. All they do is jump up onto it and jump down.
There is no question, in Washington at the moment ECNL is the dominant league for boys and girls. There are good clubs in other leagues, but the arguments that ECNL isnt the top league are stupid. If my child wanted to be an elite player I would run to an ECNL team. If that team wasn't very good, or the coaching wasn't spectacular, I wouldn't worry too much about that and focus on supplementing their club training. MLS Next is the best for boys, and other pathways exist for elite players- but the most common pathway is through boys ecnl.
now most importantly, stop being a sh:tty parent to your kid, the coaches, other parents, your club. Be thankful for the opportunities, enjoy the time with your children, encourage and build their confidence, teach them that there is no substitute for discipline and hard work (even when they see others that aren't working as hard get better opportunities) and be accountable and teach your child accountability.
to be an elite player takes "elite" level of effort, time and dedication on your families part and your son. It isn't without a ton of sacrifice, tears and missed birthday parties, dances, and sleepovers.
it's not for everyone, nor should it be.
happy to answer questions and hear others perspective. Please just don't comment about how sh:tty ECNL is or stuff like that. It isn't productive.
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