Football is a game full of decisions. When should a player pass? When should they move without the ball? When is the right moment to dribble or take a shot? Learning to think and make decisions on the pitch is an important part of a young player’s development.

With the best intentions, parents may sometimes try to help by constantly giving instructions or suggesting what they believe is the right choice. However, too much guidance can limit a child’s opportunity to think independently and learn through their own decisions.

Allowing children to make choices, try different solutions and learn from the outcome helps develop confidence and independence.

This process goes beyond football. A child who learns to assess a situation, make a decision and take responsibility for it develops an important skill that can benefit them both on and off the pitch.

At STRIPES, our goal is to help young athletes think, make decisions and grow through the game itself.