For the past several hundred years, soccer has remained one of the most popular sports in the entire world. It’s easy to see why the sports draws so many people to it. It is a dynamic sport, full of consistent action, skill, strategy, fitness, and fun. For all these reasons and more, soccer is the perfect sport for young athletes. Children who choose to embark on their soccer journey are in for a world of fun, but getting to that level might not always be easy.
This is where parents come into the picture. As parents, we are in a unique position to help influence how much fun our child has when they engage in sports. Whether your child is just starting out or if have been playing for a few seasons, it’s important that they and their parents have an understanding of some soccer fundamentals. Parents that understand the basics of the game are more apt to be able to support their child’s development both on and off the soccer pitch.
In this guide, we will go over those basic soccer concepts, as well as cover the essential rules of the game. At the same time, we will offer parents valuable tips on how to foster a positive, supportive environment for your child to grow in.
Understanding the Basics of Soccer
We do want to get into the ins and outs of how parents can support their child’s development, but we cannot do that without first giving parents an accurate run-down of the basic rules of soccer. Grasping those basic tenets of the sport can act as a bulwark for parents later on, because knowing what your child is struggling with in soccer and how they might improve those things, will be vital to helping them get over certain youth sports humps. Essentially, knowing how a game is structured will help you better understand what’s going on when your child is playing that game.
The Objective of the Game
The main objective in soccer is simple: score points by getting the ball into the other team’s goal. In soccer, two teams compete to score said goals by getting the ball into the opposing team’s net, usually via their feet and legs, but sometimes by using their head. We mean this last bit quite literally, as talented players often use their head as an additional appendage when they cannot use their arms to touch the ball. When time has elapsed, the team with the most goals wins. Soccer, as with most team sports, is not a long game, per se, but it is a fast-paced one. More importantly, playing it requires excellent coordination, communication, and teamwork, as well as a fair amount of physical endurance and skill.

Team Structure
A standard soccer team consists of 11 players: one goalkeeper and 10 field players. Teams are generally broken down into the following player roles: defenders, midfielders, and forwards, depending on the team’s strategy and formation.
Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper’s primary role on the field is to keep the ball out of the net. In different terms, that role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring any points. This is generally accomplished by the goalkeeper protecting the goal by any means necessary. Note that goalkeepers are the only players on the team that are allowed to use their hands, and only within the penalty box.
Defenders: Defenders do as the name implies. These players are responsible for stopping the opposing team from scoring by blocking shots and passing lanes.
Midfielders: Midfielders hang about the midfield most of the time. These players are key to controlling the pace of the game. They act as a means of connecting the defense to the offense, often playing both offensive and defensive roles when they are needed.
Forwards: Forwards or strikers, as they are sometimes called, have one main focus; scoring goals. They generally accomplish this by attacking the opposing defense and goalkeeper…with the ball of course.
Basic Rules of Play
- Kickoff: A soccer game begins with a kickoff at the center of the field. After each goal, the game restarts with another kickoff.
- Duration: A standard soccer match consists of two 45-minute halves for adults. Youth soccer games matches lengths vary, however. As one might expect, younger players’ games might last between 20 and 40 minutes with breaks for halftime.
- The Ball: The soccer ball must stay within the boundaries of the field at all times. If it does go out of bounds (as it sometimes does) the team that didn’t touch the ball last gets possession with either a throw-in (for the sideline) or a goal kick/corner kick (for the goal line).
- Offside Rule: A player is considered to be offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is passed to them. This rule might sound convoluted but it does have a purpose. The rule is meant to prevent players from just waiting near the opponent’s goal for a pass, ensuring fair play.
- Fouls and Free Kicks: Even in youth soccer, fouls can occur. Fouls themselves can be committed for various reasons such as tripping, pushing, or handling the ball (except for the goalkeeper). Depending on the severity of the foul in question, the opposing team may even be awarded a free kick or a penalty kick (a direct shot on goal).
- Penalties: Players can be awarded penalty kicks when another player commits a foul inside their own penalty box. This tends to be a one-on-one shot against the goalkeeper from the penalty mark and can often lead to a point.
The Role of the Referee
A soccer referee is there to ensure that the game is played fairly. These individuals enforce the rules and make decisions about fouls and violations, per their own discretion. Also, referees signal when the game should start, stop, or restart. In youth soccer, referees typically focus on teaching the players about the rules, making the experience more educational for everyone. At higher levels of competition however, the role becomes expanded to include the aforementioned responsibilities and judgement calls.
How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Soccer Development
You now understand how soccer is played. This popular sport is obviously more than just kicking a ball around. It involves technical skills, physical conditioning, mental focus, and teamwork. Here’s how parents can help their child develop the skills and mindset they need to succeed:
Fostering a Positive Environment
Encourage Fun: Soccer and sports in general should be fun for kids! Children develop best when they are engaged in a positive, supportive atmosphere. Parents should check in with their kids often to ensure that their child is actually enjoying the game and not feeling overwhelmed. It’s more important for parents to keep the focus on the enjoyment of the sport, rather than just winning or being the best. Kids are insecure enough about those last two without having parents piling more on.
Praise Effort, Not Just Results: Celebrate the child’s effort, whether its the effort they put into their practices or how they perform during games. Even if they don’t score a goal or make a perfect pass, make sure they know that you know they tried their best. Encouraging a growth mindset will also help your child understand that improving is a process, and mistakes are part of that learning process.
Avoid Overemphasizing Winning: While winning might exciting for both you and your kid, it should never be the only focus for either of you. Encourage your child to enjoy the process of learning new skills and being part of a team. Remind them that losses can teach us important lessons about perseverance and resilience.
Supporting Skill Development at Home
While practices and games are the main place where kids will develop their soccer skills, parents can and should support their child’s growth on the home front whenever possible.

- Dribbling: If your kid needs a little help with dribbling, you can set up a small obstacle course in your backyard or at a local park. As they practice, encourage your child to keep the ball close to their feet, using small touches to control it while moving.
- Passing: Because teamwork is such an important part of the sport, passing is another vital skill that soccer players need to learn. Have your child practice simple passing by kicking the ball between the two of you. Remind your kid to try and use their inside foot to push the ball to you. You can gradually increase the distance between you two as their skills improve.
- Shooting: Set up targets in your yard (like cones or even buckets) so your kid can practice shooting accuracy. Challenge your child to aim for specific targets or score using various strategies and techniques, like shooting with the inside or outside of their foot.
- Conditioning: 40 minutes is a long time to be running back and forth, add to that the fact that your kid is going to be using their mind and muscles almost the entire time, and you’ve got a recipe for serious endurance training. What we’re trying to say is that soccer requires stamina and agility, so simple exercises like jogging, jumping jacks, and sprints can help build up their fitness level. You can also add fun activities like “Simon Says” to keep things lighthearted and enjoyable. Heck, if you join in the fun you might end up getting a little more in shape yourself.
- Balance and Coordination: Soccer players need good balance to keep moving and kicking all at once. If you want to improve their balance, have your kid stand on one leg and try to hold it for as long as possible. To add a challenge, ask them to pass a ball to you while they are balancing; maybe do this on something soft or grass just in case they fall over.
Supporting Teamwork and Communication
Soccer is, above all else, a team sport, and teamwork is crucial part of knowing how to play it well. Soccer players work together and need to communicate with one another during games. Here’s how parents can help foster that sense of teamwork:
Instill a Team Spirit: Encourage your child to make friends with the other kids on their team. Don’t force them into anything if the other kids or jerks, but try and have them find common ground with the other players. Team bonding activities outside of practice, like attending games together, play dates, or celebrating birthdays, can create a stronger sense of camaraderie among kids.
Promote Communication: Teach your child the importance of open communicate. Help them to find the best ways to communicate with their teammates on the field. Simple calls like “man on” (to warn of an incoming defender) or “I’ve got it” (to avoid confusion when receiving the ball) are common and extremely important. Maybe even ask the coach what communication terms they utilize, so that you and your kids can be on the same page as everyone else.
Respecting Coaches and Teammates: Remind your child about the importance of respecting others, be it the referee, their coach, or their fellow teammates. Positive interactions on and off the field create a healthier team atmosphere, and make for a better time for everyone who attends games and practices.
The Importance of Health and Well-Being
To play soccer at their best, kids need to take care of their bodies, but most of them will need their parents’ help in doing so. Here’s how you can ensure your soccer star stays healthy:
Hydration: Hydration is key! Parents should make sure their child drinks plenty of water before, during, and after practices and games, especially on hot days.
Proper Gear: Parents should always make certain that their child wears the appropriate gear, including shin guards and cleats while playing. Safety gear and safe practices are paramount to preventing injuries.
Rest and Recovery: Soccer is physically demanding, so it’s essential that young players get enough rest between practices and games. Proper sleep helps kids with recovery and improves their overall performance, both on the pitch and at school.

Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, soccer is a fantastic youth sport that your kids will love to play. Like most team sports, soccer has the potential to help your child reach their own, by teaching them valuable life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and leadership. As parents, we can help to play a key role in supporting our young soccer star’s development. With the right mindset and encouragement, we can give them the tools they need to succeed on and off the field. One way to do this is to help them practice at home, another might be to just fostering a positive environment, whatever your degree of involvement, remember that your input matters to your children; probably more than you know.
Additionally, as your child grows into the sport a little more, keep in mind that every practice, every game, and every moment that you participate in with them will count as part of their soccer journey. By staying supportive, patient, and involved, you’ll not only help your children develop their soccer skills, you will be able to instill a love of the game and physical activity that will carry them all throughout their life.
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