The Three Most Important Factors to Succeed at Soccer for U12 Players
Before we dive into this, it’s important to remember that U12 players are mostly 11 or 12. They are kids before anything else, and absolutely no one can predict which 12 year olds are going to be professional soccer players (or on track to play in college) at 18. Every pathway is open to 12 year old players.
That being said, many people feel that when players are 14 is when pathways may start closing, so many parents look at the 11-14 range as an important phase of development for a player. It might be due to the famous quote attributed to Arsene Wenger:
“It's very simple, you build a player like you build a house.
First comes the basement, the base of a player is technique. You get that between the ages of 7 and 14 years of age. If you have no technical skill at 14, forget it. You will never be a football player.
The second part is the physical aspect, the first floor. Unfortunately, that is decided between 14-17 years of age where you feel you'll be strong enough, quick enough.
The second floor is tactical understanding. Does he have an understanding of the game? What to do with the ball?
The final part that is decided at 18-19 years of age is how successful the player wants to be.”
Or it might be something else. Regardless, here are three tell-tale signs of a promising athlete at the U12 level:
1. They Are Coachable
At younger levels, players often get joysticked by their coaches and told what to do in every moment of every game. As they grow, good coaches focus their teaching style to help frame how players can think about a problem and find a solution on their own.
Listening to a coach and trying to learn from them is called being “coachable.” If you really want to succeed at soccer, you have to be willing to learn and change.
2. They Give 100% Effort to Every Drill, Practice, and Game
A solid work ethic is mandatory for success in sports, just like anything else in life. High-level players give 100% of their effort to every single training session, and every game.
It’s natural for younger players to lose focus and drift off from time-to-time. But the ones that approach every practice, every drill with the same intensity as their games will be on the right track.
3. They Have Fun and Show a Positive Attitude
This one might come as a surprise, but it’s just as important as the previous two. Having fun allows players to develop a passion for soccer, and passion is what fuels high-level athletes to power through the growing demands of their sport.
Training is only going to get harder as you get older, and it’s much easier to consistently push yourself when you genuinely enjoy what you’re doing. A positive attitude is also conducive to the team’s success. Coaches will be especially impressed if you can continue using positive body language and communication, even when something goes wrong. This shows that you’re not afraid of adversity, and you can stay relaxed under pressure.
At Beyond Goals Mentoring, we know how hard it is to maintain a solid work ethic and a positive attitude when adversity strikes. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping young athletes build the mental tools to overcome inevitable setbacks. While many young athletes possess the physical requirements for success, the mental requirements are a much rarer find, and that’s what coaches look for at the highest levels.
So, if your athlete is struggling with a recent setback, let’s set up a mentoring session and get their focus back on track today.
