Byron’s top tips on how to help your child for matches
Before:
Be positive and offer encouragement
Praise the effort and hard work that your child puts into training
Help them prepare their football kit, including shin pads and water bottle the night before
Make sure they get enough sleep
Encourage them to eat a healthy breakfast and drink enough
Ensure that you help them arrive on time for the match
Calm them down if they are nervous and avoid pressuring them about winning or losing.
Encourage them to visualise themselves playing well, scoring a goal, saving a goal etc.
During:
Be a positive supporter, cheer and support good play but don’t instruct!
Focus on effort rather than the outcome of the match
Control your own emotions and remember it is their game!
Take a step back and remember why they play football – To have fun!
Respect the coach and the officials and don’t interfere unless asked to do so.
After:
Provide positive and realistic feedback
Be proud of your child and what they achieve and tell them!
Be re-assuring
Listen to your child and discuss areas they would like to work on
Talk to your child about what works for them and let them decide what they want to do next
We only do positive!