Best option for winter?

[Anonymous]

Our 7 year old son has been playing rec soccer and really enjoys it. He has pretty good dribbling and footwork for his age… not “wow” but solid. We got lucky with coaches this season and they are teaching the kids some good skills. He does well in the drills they come up with. But once it’s time to scrimmage or play a game, he looks kind of lost. He is pretty good at getting open and passing, but doesn’t have that “killer instinct” of trying to win the ball or block the other team from scoring.

He wants to continue some kind of soccer over the winter, I’m thinking once per week. Would it be better to do a skills development clinic, or a game only league situation? We have both nearby but would need to pick one or the other. I can’t tell if will get more comfortable in games if he gets more experience with them, if this is something that comes with time anyway, or maybe it will never come because it’s personality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our 7 year old son has been playing rec soccer and really enjoys it. He has pretty good dribbling and footwork for his age… not “wow” but solid. We got lucky with coaches this season and they are teaching the kids some good skills. He does well in the drills they come up with. But once it’s time to scrimmage or play a game, he looks kind of lost. He is pretty good at getting open and passing, but doesn’t have that “killer instinct” of trying to win the ball or block the other team from scoring.

He wants to continue some kind of soccer over the winter, I’m thinking once per week. Would it be better to do a skills development clinic, or a game only league situation? We have both nearby but would need to pick one or the other. I can’t tell if will get more comfortable in games if he gets more experience with them, if this is something that comes with time anyway, or maybe it will never come because it’s personality.

Personal training to teach him 1v1 offensive and defensive, head checking, etc.

[Anonymous]

At that age it wont really matter, just get him touches in an environment he enjoys.

[Anonymous]

Fundamentals are key. If he is serious, a good foundation should be established in the early years.

[Anonymous]

Have him play basketball this winter. That will go a long way in helping him grow a “killer instinct” and be more assertive in soccer. Also, at his age he should play as many sports as possible, it will help his soccer game in the long run. Don’t specialize so early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have him play basketball this winter. That will go a long way in helping him grow a “killer instinct” and be more assertive in soccer. Also, at his age he should play as many sports as possible, it will help his soccer game in the long run. Don’t specialize so early.

OP posted that the kid wants to play soccer over winter......

[Anonymous]

F4C Soccer has a good off season rec program that's month to month payment. They normally do the Dulles Sportsplex for winter training but they should be moving to a new location at 28/50. It's much more affordable than most places locally but has good training/trainers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have him play basketball this winter. That will go a long way in helping him grow a “killer instinct” and be more assertive in soccer. Also, at his age he should play as many sports as possible, it will help his soccer game in the long run. Don’t specialize so early.

OP posted that the kid wants to play soccer over winter......

Thanks blog police. Was just offering advice as that is what the OP wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have him play basketball this winter. That will go a long way in helping him grow a “killer instinct” and be more assertive in soccer. Also, at his age he should play as many sports as possible, it will help his soccer game in the long run. Don’t specialize so early.

No it won't. Some kids never develop it. Try doing a clinic or seeing if any of his teammates want to do futsal. Both will require technical skills.

[Anonymous]

FUSTAL and with IN10SITY if you can make their team. Just got to their tryout with your checkbook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have him play basketball this winter. That will go a long way in helping him grow a “killer instinct” and be more assertive in soccer. Also, at his age he should play as many sports as possible, it will help his soccer game in the long run. Don’t specialize so early.

No it won't. Some kids never develop it. Try doing a clinic or seeing if any of his teammates want to do futsal. Both will require technical skills.

OP isn't your kid 7 years old?

[Anonymous]

Put him in wrestling for the winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have him play basketball this winter. That will go a long way in helping him grow a “killer instinct” and be more assertive in soccer. Also, at his age he should play as many sports as possible, it will help his soccer game in the long run. Don’t specialize so early.

OP posted that the kid wants to play soccer over winter......

Thanks blog police. Was just offering advice as that is what the OP wanted.

No problem. Learn how to read then...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have him play basketball this winter. That will go a long way in helping him grow a “killer instinct” and be more assertive in soccer. Also, at his age he should play as many sports as possible, it will help his soccer game in the long run. Don’t specialize so early.

OP posted that the kid wants to play soccer over winter......

Thanks blog police. Was just offering advice as that is what the OP wanted.

No problem. Learn how to read then...

Okay Karen. Kiss your husband with that mouth?

[Anonymous]

There’s another thread on this, but depending on where you are, I’d check out HP Elite or Golden Boot. Does your rec team do an indoor league? That’s what my son did at that age. At 9, once he was playing travel, we started doing HP clinics over the winter. Fair warning that many of the kids who do HP are very good and intense. My DS does not love it, as he’s more of an introvert personality, but he gained some good skills. I know they generally only work with travel players but maybe that’s not applicable at age 7.