How to Know What Skills Are Important for an Advanced Youth Soccer Player

If your child is at this level, you have surely been watching - and living with - a lot of youth soccer. Understanding advanced skills will help you to support and appreciate your child's abilities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Soccer Apparel
• Soccer Cleats
• Soccer Shin Guards
• Soccer Uniforms
• Soccer Videos
• soccer balls

1. Look for high-level passing, such as a back-heel pass, chest pass or outside-of-the-foot pass.
2. Check out turns. Players are able to add turns and feints (deceptive moves meant to fake out an opponent) to their advanced dribbling.
3. Watch for dribbling with intent. Players at this level also know when to dribble and when not to. They can elude defenders by dribbling with either foot.
4. Watch for various methods of shooting. Advanced players make deliberate shooting decisions, requiring both skill and choice of strategic location, instead of just shooting the ball toward the goal.
5. Notice heading. At this level, players should be able to divert the ball with their heads, head the ball sideways and backward, jump and head the ball, deliberately pass with the head, and score a goal by heading.
6. Watch tackling. This is the level on which you'll see a lot of slide tackling (a defender who slides and makes contact with the ball).
7. Check out the speed and tactics. Advanced-level play is faster and more tactical. Advanced players are often thinking two or three moves ahead.

Tips & Warnings

• Be supportive. Although you may not be able to practice skills with your advanced player, you can still watch, drive and cheer.
• Be patient. The pressure and commitment at this level requires special understanding.
• Learn the game. The more you know the rules, positions and tactics, the more you can share the game with your child.
• Look for good coaches. At this level, the player's skills and knowledge will likely outstrip that of many volunteer coaches. Make sure the coach is qualified and takes steps to accommodate your child.
• Create balance. Whether it is the decision to play another sport or how to juggle studies with soccer, help your child to make decisions and to set priorities.
• Consider high-school and collegiate soccer. Do your homework to help your child play at these levels.