The international transfer window for soccer players closed at midnight last night and it was stressing me out too much so I shut off all tv and interwebz except for the Arsenal game saturday morning. So now I'm just getting back to the cellar.
Dude, you spooked me with the thread title and the opening lines about banging a soccer mom... I was like, "DUDE, you totally misunderestimated what I meant!" and then I remembered you mentioning Inch was about to start playing.
Game on dude.
First things first. Have fun and make sure the Inch is having fun all else is just icing on the cake.
Classic is probably right in saying that you will see herdball, aka bunchball, aka 14 monkeys humping a football... BUT I refuse to accept that is a necessary component of U6 soccer. Kids can be taught skills and proper play even at that young age. Trust me on this.
My suggestions?
1) Watch the coach and see if he's a seasoned pro at coaching or if it's just a dad who enjoys the game. Either way the kids can learn from him(or her). If he doesn't already have an assistant I would encourage you to ask the coach if he would like some help just keeping the kids organized while he instructs them. That is the biggest difference at that young age. Some coaches are on their own and they have 10 kids kicking shins while he talks to one player. With another parent keeping the kids focused, the kids will learn more, they won't get bored, and the coach, kids, and parents will enjoy the game more. The benefit to you is that you'll learn more about the game and you'll get to watch Inch interact with his peers and learn more about your kid.
2) Encourage Inch to take risks. If he is afraid of looking silly or making a mistake he won't learn and won't enjoy the game. One of the most important phrases to learn and use often is, "
Good thought!!!" Not every good idea ends with a properly executed wonder-move but that doesn't mean the idea was faulty. I use that phrase more than any other even with my adult teams.
3) Encourage Inch to play his best in any role the coach gives him, but listen carefully to what position he likes and focus on the most appropriate skills for that position when practicing at home. Each player should learn all the skills but each player's personality will determine what position they are best suited for. Encourage Inch to find the comfort zone and expand that zone incrementally.
4) While I am guilty of owning or having already discarded nearly every training tool, net, rebounder, and any other piece of crap you can think of I stress this idea to all parents who ask me how Lil Lookout developed his skills. Here's the secret: let them kick the ball. A lot. Kick the ball over and over and over again with him. Find a sturdy wall and tell Inch that when you aren't available he can kick the ball against that wall. That allows him to practice hitting the ball with good technique and also receiving it in various ways when it bounces back. The only two things a player needs are a ball and a wall. Everything else is icing.
5) Even if you are anti social (I am) be friendly with the other parents in the stands. Be a beacon of good sportsmanship for the parents. Cheer for kids on both teams when they make a good move. Don't yell things like, "shoot! pass! Go forward!" that is for the coach to do. You yell, "good job Inch/bobby/betty/billy! Nice pass! Good shot! Keep it up Wolves/Tigers/CarpetLizards!"
6) After each game is over you will of course be proud and tell Inch great job, but be the parent who encourages each child you see from both teams. Inch will be listening to other players more than he will listen to what you are telling him. "Great passing, Jorge", "You sure ran hard today, Suzie", "way to find the open space today, Fred", and "Nice dribbling, Felipe" will make those kids smile, but it will also stick in Inch's mind that you notice all the little things, not just the ball hitting the back of the net. The kid wants your praise and will exhibit behaviors to earn that praise so be careful to praise choices and work, not just results.
Phrases to master:
Good ball! (sounds way cooler than good kick)
Nice Touch! (means nice control while receiving or dribbling)
Great pass! (duh)
Good thought! (again, praise choices and work, not just results)
OK, Unlucky! (to be used sparingly when a child is denied a goal by good save)
It costs how much!?! (usage will be obvious and frequent)
Phrases to avoid:
Drop the fucker! (yes the bully deserves it, but be more subtle)
Don't pass if you don't have to! (I heard that one last week)
Go Forward! (if every parent says that and every kid listens there will be no defense)
The mom's from my last rec team got me a
I Love Soccer Moms shirt as a gag gift last season. I wore it as a joke to our pizza party and we all had a good laugh. DO NOT go buy that shirt and wear it to the first practice. This will result in you being known as "THAT guy" and could result in you not even getting homefield advantage with Inch's soccer mom.
Have fun.