Motivation

As a parent of a youth soccer player, you want to see your child thrive on the field and enjoy the sport they love. However, sometimes, keeping young athletes motivated can be a challenge. Keeping youth soccer players motivated to play requires a team effort between club officials, coaches, and parents. Below are the main strategies used by CMF to keep motivation high and players within the game:

Focus on the fun: At the end of the day, soccer is a game, and players should enjoy playing it. Coaches and parents should encourage players to have fun and enjoy the sport, regardless of the outcome.
Success leads to motivation: At CMF we provide different programs and levels of play to cater to different skill levels and interests. By tiering, the club's goal is to create an environment where every player can succeed and feel motivated to keep playing. Level of play should never be of interest, rather conversations should focus on weather players are finding enough success to be motivated to continue playing.
Celebrate small successes and milestones: Sometimes, players can get discouraged when they feel like they're not making progress or contributing to the team. To keep them motivated, celebrate small successes and milestones, Parents should refrain from providing constructive feedback or criticizing players, but instead ensure our players know they are supported regardless of result or performance.
Focus on the process: Team and individual outcomes are not under our control; however, the process always is. Focusing on the process or systems, rather than goals, can lead to greater enjoyment of the activity without the worry of winning or progressing through levels. Focusing on the enjoyment of the process and practice rather than goals is the paradox of high achievers, as studies consistently show that young players that are not concerned by outcomes but are motivated by the process later find themselves in situations where they can set high achieving goals in their late teens.

In summary, creating a positive and enjoyable environment for young soccer players requires a team effort. By emphasizing fun, catering to individual abilities, celebrating successes, and focusing on the process rather than goals, parents, coaches, and club officials can keep players motivated and passionate about soccer.