Soccer Skills: Tiny Trooper vs. Older Player

You’ve likely watched older children play soccer in recreational leagues. You’ve also spent time watching your Tiny Trooper chase a ball around Soccer Island. The older player might dribble and keep the ball close, seeming to automatically switch direction when an obstacle enters their path or stop the ball exactly where they want it. On the other hand, your Tiny Trooper might kick the ball too far in front, run after it, or forget the ball completely. This is completely okay and normal.

Young children are still developing their basic gross motor skills that are the foundation for soccer skills. These include running, balancing, kicking, stopping, changing directions, and controlling their bodies. These abilities develop over time, and not every child develops at the same pace.

It Starts With Movement

Before a young child can dribble around obstacles, they first have to figure out how to move their body around the obstacle. Before they can change direction with the ball, they have to learn how to stop, turn, balance, and start moving again. That is why our classes focus on games that build these skills. These games build the foundation for future soccer skills.

Kicks Look Different At Every Age

Toddlers and preschoolers may kick the ball with very little control. They might kick with their big toe or swing their whole body forward. They might lose their balance or send the ball off Soccer Island. An older child, on the other hand, has had time to develop that coordination. Tiny Troopers are still figuring this out. At this age, it’s all about experimenting and seeing what happens.

Dribbling is More Than Just Kicking a Ball

Dribbling can look especially different when you compare a Tiny Trooper with an older soccer player. Older players can often keep the ball close while moving, watch where they are going, and decide what to do next. A young child cannot juggle all of these at once. For a Tiny Trooper, dribbling might be kicking the ball forward and then running after it. It might mean stopping completely before deciding what to do next. It may mean wild kicks and then chasing it down.

Young children are still learning to coordinate movement, balance, and the ball at the same time. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that children ages 2 to 5 are still mastering fundamental skills such as running, kicking, jumping, throwing, and catching. Every controlled touch is helping them build that foundation.

What Soccer Skills Should Look Like Right Now

For toddlers and preschoolers, soccer should give children opportunities to move, explore, experiment, and have fun while gradually building their skills. Your Tiny Trooper will not be on the same level as an older player. They will look like a young child trying to figure out how their body works. They might need several tries to figure out a skill or the ball gets away from them. They might take time to watch activities before joining the coach. They might even be able do a skill they could not do the previous class.

What to Watch For

The next time you watch soccer class, watch closely. Look for signs that your Tiny Trooper is becoming more comfortable with the ball. You might see them doing the following:

• kicking with confidence
• keeping the ball close
• stopping the ball before kicking it away
• changing direction while moving
• tries a hard skill again after failing

Time to Grow

Your Tiny Trooper has years ahead to develop soccer skills. Right now, the goal is to give them positive experiences with the ball. As their coordination and confidence grow, their soccer skills will grow with them. Cheer them on and enjoy the moment!

Ready to take that first step onto Soccer Island with your toddler or preschooler? Find your nearest class and sign up for a trial today!