For Coaches, It’s All About the Small Wins

When we think about progress in a sport or activity, we often focus on the big wins, like following all the directions or dribbling the ball around Soccer Island without stopping. However, in toddler and preschool soccer, coaches are watching for something different. The biggest signs of progress in toddler soccer are the little wins.

Walking onto Soccer Island Independently

For some Tiny Troopers, just walking onto Soccer Island is a win, especially if it’s their first time as a 3 or 4-year-old. The first few classes for new Tiny Troopers might be stepping onto Soccer Island holding a grownup’s hand, watching from the sidelines, or clinging to their grownup while hiding their face. This is understandable, as Tiny Troops Soccer is a new activity with new people in a new location. It’s unfamiliar and sometimes scary.

When given time to warm up and take to Soccer Island at their own pace, Tiny Troopers will become more comfortable more readily. Having the familiar (their grown-up) by their side gives them the courage to explore the unfamiliar. For many Tiny Troopers, independently stepping onto Soccer Island is one of the first signs of progress in toddler soccer.

Trying Again

Toddlers and preschoolers are constantly experiencing new things in their young lives. Sometimes they try an activity once and decide they aren’t ready yet. For example, they might kick the ball once and then refuse to kick it again. They may only participate in half of a game and choose to watch their peers instead. What coaches love to see is when that Tiny Trooper decides to try again later. Coming back to an activity after feeling unsure is a big developmental step and shows growing confidence.

Responding to the Coach

Not every child immediately feels comfortable around a new adult. Often they’ll avoid eye contact, stay close to their grown-up, and won’t say anything. This includes your child’s Tiny Troops Soccer coach. While the coach will work to find threads of commonality with every Tiny Trooper, sometimes it just takes time.

As time goes on, the Tiny Trooper may begin to make connections. Perhaps they answer a question during the introduction, or they smile when the coach says hello. They might return a fist bump or high five. Eventually, they may go over to the coach on their own and begin conversations unprompted. These interactions are important because they show that your Tiny Trooper is beginning to feel safe and comfortable in class.

Participation Increases

Going from a little participation to full class participation isn’t quick. Often it grows little by little. A new Tiny Trooper who spent thirty seconds practicing dribbling skills one week might dribble the entire time over the next few weeks. A Tiny Trooper who watched classmates complete the obstacle course during the first week may decide to try walking the balance beam the next week, and the next month decide to complete the entire course. These small increases show that your Tiny trooper is building confidence and becoming more comfortable with the class routine.

What This Means for Parents

If your Tiny Trooper is not scoring goals or completing every activity yet, that does not mean they are falling behind. The early stages of toddler and preschool soccer are more about becoming familiar with the routine and surroundings, rather than completing all of the class activities. The next time you watch a class, try looking for the smaller victories. Notice the moments where your tries something new or does an activity just a bit longer than the week before. Those are the signs of progress coaches notice first, and they are often the most important ones of all.

Ready to see your child learn and grow on Soccer Island? Find your location and enroll today!