How to Encourage Competitiveness in Girl Soccer Players

Between 7 and 8 million girls ages 6 through 18 play soccer in the United States. It is important that they are taught to take full advantage of their sports experience by encouraging them to be competitive.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Insist on equality. Girls should be considered not "girl soccer players" but just "soccer players."

2. Watch the coaching. Coaches should be as appropriately tough and demanding on girl players as they are on boys.

3. Use praise. From the earliest ages, point out when girls have displayed positive competitive behaviors.

4. Practice together. Do exercises and games that require aggressiveness and competition.

5. Let them yell. Practice having girls shout soccer instructions and comments, an important aspect of activity on the field.

6. Play with boys. Either formally or informally, playing with boys usually requires girls to be more aggressive.

Tips & Warnings

• Some referees work girls' games differently than boys' games - from taking more breaks for infractions to stopping at quarters when they don't do it for boys.
• Speak to your coach or your league if you notice inconsistencies in officiating.
• Spectate at boys' games to get a comparison.
• Counter the behavior of other parents. If they gasp and groan at something physical in the game, counter with "good hustle" or "nice tackle."
• Let your coach know your goals and expectations for your daughter. Tell the coach that your daughter is prepared to play in the same conditions as boys do.

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