Get young players to engage in elite soccer

Success by the national team at last year’s Euros and this year’s World Cup has created a surge in popularity of women’s soccer in England.

This has resulted in an increase in the visibility of female players and they can be great role models for the players you coach. 

There are many benefits for your players when they watch soccer, such as an increased understanding of the laws, tactics and positions of the game.

It can also massively help with their confidence as they will see that even elite-level players will make mistakes, helping them feel better about their own.

One of the ways I encourage my players to watch more games is by selecting clips from certain players that have a similar style of play, or play in the same position, as them and showing them what these players do that makes them so successful.

Not only does this make players want to engage with the game in their own time, it can be used as a good coaching method, too.

Another method I have found effective is engaging regularly in conversation with players who I know already watch games. 

I ask how their team got on at the weekend or ask them for their opinion on the game: what did you think of the result? Was it a good performance?

This is most effective when done in a casual manner - try not to come across as too insistent with the questions. Other players may overhear these conversations and ask questions themselves. It can encourage them to start engaging with the results, teams and league tables. 

You can also utilise friendship groups. Ask a player’s friends, who might not be as into watching the sport, what they think about their friend’s team. 

This can encourage them to look into the team themselves or just have a conversation with their friend about it - a great starting point.

Another way to encourage your players is by integrating the elite women’s game into your sessions. 

Perhaps seek out clips on social media or YouTube from a training session from a national team or your favourite professional club. See what practices they do and either include these directly or adapt them for your players. 

 

"Elite female players can be great role models for the players you coach..."

When introducing the practice, explain that it is one that, say, England Lionesses use. This can help engage players as it creates an environment that takes football seriously and brings to mind their idols.

Of course, there is nothing like seeing the real thing in front of you. Perhaps arrange to take your team to a match yourself.

Some teams may offer discounted tickets for players at grassroots clubs - in England, for example, clubs in the Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and FA Women’s National League [third and fourth tiers] often partner with local grassroots teams. 

This can be a great way of getting the girls involved as not all families will have the time and resources available to take their children to a game. 

If tickets are not available, then perhaps organise a watch party for your team, as an increasing number of matches are being covered on television.

Good luck with getting your players more invested in the game!