Cheer the tries, not just the goals
What to say (and not say) when your child misses the ball for the fifth time in a row.
Missing is part of playing. For a lot of parents, the hard part isn't the soccer, it's knowing what to say when the kick goes sideways. A few simple habits help keep the backyard a happy place.
Name what they did
"Great job" is nice. "You used the inside of your foot!" is better, because it tells your child exactly what to do again. If the ball has pictures on it, point to the one they matched.
Give one tip at a time
Toes, eyes, arms, follow-through: that's a lot to remember. Pick one thing, try it a few times, and keep the rest for another day.
Miss on purpose (sometimes)
Laugh at your own misses. When a grown-up whiffs a kick and shrugs it off, kids learn that trying matters more than looking perfect.
Keep score loosely, or not at all
Count passes together instead of goals against each other. Beating your team's best number feels great for everyone.
End on a win
Finish with something your child can already do, like one more Tunnel Pass. Going inside on a high note makes the next session an easy yes.
Want a ball made for this?
The NicoGO! Ball's picture cues are designed to make these games easier to teach. It's still in development.
See the preview store
