There are a number of principles that our football coaches follow to ensure that the kids have a great time, while learning important skills such as dribbling and passing. Here are a few things that we do:
We understand that children don’t enjoy long, repetitive drills. Our coaches do their very best to make sure that each session is full of a variety of exercises and drills while maintaining a brisk pace to the class, keeping children busy and moving and maximising enjoyment. There are also a variety of games that are nearly always incorporated into the sessions and they're the ones the children love the most and incorporate #realskillsrealfun.
Concentrate on Improving Skills
As well as having fun, the coaches understand the importance of children improving their football skills. A lot of the games that are played focus on particular aspects, such as dribbling or shielding the ball. These are vital and often the kids learn how to do them without even realising they're being coached to do so. This is what we call hiding the learning in fun, a cornerstone of the Kiddikicks coaching philosophy for very young children.
Maximise Time with a Ball
At Kiddikicks, we ensure that each child has their own ball. Rather than making them wait in line for their turn, we try and maximise their time moving around and kicking the ball. This way they improve at a much faster rate as they practice the different skills throughout the entire session. They also have a lot more fun when there’s a ball at their feet!
Parents can also ensure that their kids get the most out of each class. There are a number of things that you can do to help your child have as much fun as possible:
Pep Talk
Very Young children can often be overwhelmed at the beginning of a football session and it sometimes takes up to 10 minutes until they’re ready to join in. A quick pre-session chat while en route to the class can make a big difference and can ensure the kids are raring to go from the start! Start the journey by checking the weather, putting on the player's uniform and packing their bag with a healthy snack and extra layers and suntan cream. Talk about your child's coach by name and discuss the fun things you think the coach might do today.
Bring Water
Running around can be tiring and it is always important that there is water available for the kids. During hot days, the coaches will often allow a quick water break in the middle of the class, and it’s vital that parents have a bottle ready.
Practice at Home
Children sometimes have difficulties with a particular skill and this can have a knock-on effect on their confidence levels. If you’ve noticed that your child is having trouble with a drill, it can be a great idea to practice at home. This way, when they return the following week, they’ll be eager to show off their improved skills to you and their coach!
We are currently in our #outdoorseason and look forward to welcoming you and your player each week or in the future.
If you have any questions about what we do, contact us here we're here to help.