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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My 10 y/o son would really like to get better at soccer. He previously played on a travel team but was in the lowest tier and we didn't think it was worth it. Now he's in a rec league and, if anything, seems to be getting relatively worse at soccer compared to his peers. He's getting really down on it and we don't know how to help him (neither of us were soccer players). I know that much of this probably comes down to talent and athleticism -- he's better in other sports but less interested in those. It's soccer or nothing in his mind right now. It's unfortunate he's so focused on his worst sport but that's where we are.

All of this is to say -- any recommendations for individual coaching or something else we can do to help this kid? We live in SE DC. [/quote]

1) Join Anytime Soccer Training. They have an app now (https://www.anytime-soccer.com). Free to join, $60 per year. Great deal and idiot-proof for non-soccer parents. The owner has a kid in the Charlotte MLS Academy and never played an ounce of MLS Next or ECNL to get there. Start with the 1k touch ball mastery program if they still have that. Simple, follow-along modules in 5 minute increments. It used to be web-based so we bought a $50 Amazon Fire with a $20 stand and we had our own daily personal trainer. The leaderboards and scoreboards develop intrinsic motivation in the kid. Make it a habit to do a minimum of 2/day (10 minutes) and you will simply see him begin to work up to 3,4,5,6 a day. We did 5/day during the summer and my kid became a completely different player.

2) Start learning to juggle. Follow the steps in this video (https://youtu.be/ErnNWBQSfm8?si=OWqOOTJCPP0e6_cr). If you spend 10 minutes daily and simply aim to add 1 max juggle per day (Day 1 = 1, Day 2 = 2, Day 40 = 40), there will be a compounding point around 20, 50 and 100. Their confidence will soar in hitting the daily incremental goals and also with mastering the ball. My kid hit 1300+ in less than two years. When you can control the ball, you develop confidence.  So far we are at $70 spent and 20 minutes a day. Clubs don't want you to hear this, I promise.

3) Find a local club expert to work with. We live in Upper NW and will not travel to SE at this time daily 3x a week even if Messi were training my kid. Much easier for us to get to Gaithersburg than SE for us so I will give you a few options based on your location:

A) DC XI - practice at Lamont Riggs in NE and the farthest northwest is Takoma DC. Get an evaluation from Coach Pierre, the director and then ask for Coach Ron for private training. Very flexible, kind and played D1 at University of Michigan. Do 1x a week if you really want additional help beyond steps 1 & 2. They have two alumni I know of currently playing on Bethesda 1st teams.

B) WCU - based out of SE and Capitol Hill. Get an evaluation from Coach Jonny. He also runs In10sity futsal and came up through the DCU academy. They have two alumni I know of currently playing on SYC 1st teams.

C) DC Way - based out of SE and have no clue about their programs but the location is convenient for you.

D) District Elite - based out of the Palisades recently and they used to be low-cost or free as we sent alot of inner-city kids to them but that may/may not be changing.  Kick the tires.

E) Arlington and Alexandria both have great 1st team coaches but if you are not on the first team, you are far better at a smaller club to actually be developed by coaches that are really invested in the type of kid you described. That is what many coaches at small clubs thrive on.

Whatever you do, keep the pressure low and allow him to have incremental success and grow into the game. There will be a click point when it does click and then he will be off and running.  Good luck![/quote]

Thank you -- this is incredibly helpful! I may need to google half of what you wrote but I'm motivated to help my kid. :) [/quote]

I was you 3 year ago :-)

Sorry, I see I used acronoyms

DC XI - https://www.dcxiproject.com/tryout

Washington Capital United (WCU) - https://www.wcunited.org/programs

DC Way - https://dcwayacademy.org/tryouts

District Elite - https://lp.districtelitefc.org[/quote]

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