Soccer Starts @ Home

As Early Childhood Enrichment providers, we’re always looking for additional resources to help parents prepare for youth sports. While Soccer Shots is a fun, silly enrichment option, we’re very serious about introducing the “Beautiful Game” to the next generation as a lasting impression. The book we most often refer to parents to help navigate the intersections of sports and child development is Soccer Starts at Home by renowned soccer coach Tom Byer.

In Soccer Starts at Home, Tom Byer emphasizes parent involvement because of their crucial role in nurturing a child's soccer skills from an early age. He advocates for a grassroots approach to player development, asserting that fundamental skills should be instilled at home through consistent, playful interactions before formal training begins. 

Simple activities and games that focus on ball control, coordination, and basic techniques shape a child's love for the sport and lay the groundwork for advanced skills in the future.

Throughout the book, Byer shares practical advice and exercises designed to enhance a child's comfort and familiarity with the ball. He stresses the need for positive reinforcement and a supportive atmosphere to foster a child's confidence and enjoyment of soccer. Byer's approach is accessible and encourages parents to embrace their role as the first coaches, providing valuable insights into how to engage children in soccer-related activities while nurturing their passion for the game.

In essence, Soccer Starts at Home serves as a guide for parents to actively participate in their child's soccer development, stressing the significance of early and informal engagement to set the stage for a lifelong love of the sport.

Our ultimate goal is to align skills learned at Soccer Shots with the principles of early, informal engagement and play to further develop soccer skills. That is why as early as two years old, Soccer Shots focuses on ball control, coordination, and basic techniques through age-appropriate games and songs. As long as we understand each child’s developmental milestones in relation to soccer and create a fun, loving environment, they will progress far on their soccer journey. 

Let us know if you’d like a follow up post with more games and skills you can incorporate at home.