Developing Motivation: 5 Steps to Increased Autonomy for Your Soccer Player

There is a tremendous amount of joy and excitement experienced as a soccer parent. Seeing your child thrive, watching them compete and learn, and sitting on the sideline observing their team work together during the game elicits a lot of positive emotion. As a parents, we want our children to feel motivated and excited about their soccer experience!

Self Determination Theory, often referred to in U.S. Soccer Coach Education Courses, is a framework that identifies three key components of motivation: Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness. According to the research team of Deci & Ryan (2000), athletes who experience environments that support autonomy, competence, and relatedness are more likely to feel a greater level of satisfaction with their sports participation as well as enhanced feelings of well-being and enjoyment. 

While coaches play a key role in the helping your child feel motivated about their soccer experience, there are also ways you, as a parent, can support your child’s soccer-related autonomy right at home. Creating moments for your child to feel self-directed and independent about their soccer experience, will be stepping-stones to them feeling a heightened sense of motivation and enjoyment.

5 Steps to Increased Autonomy for Your Soccer Player

1. Pack their Soccer Bag

Give your child the responsibility for making sure they have their cleats and shin guards and any other items they will need for a game or practice such as hydration, an alternate uniform, socks or, if relevant for your child - hair bands.

2. Maintain their Cleats

While many cleats are synthetic leather these days (so easier to maintain), it’s important to remove the dirt or turf pellets and make sure cleats are dry. If your child does have leather cleats, teaching them how to remove the dirt, polish, and maintain them is important (and a rite of passage for an aspiring soccer player!). After a wet practice or game, have your child remove their cleats from their bag and stuff them with paper to make sure they are properly dried and ready for their next time on the field.

3. Carry their Bag

Even the youngest of players can carry their own bag to the fields, and this simple lesson not only helps your child feel a heightened sense of independence and autonomy, it also builds a sense of relatedness – a sense of “I am a soccer player.” Avoid your temptation to help your child and make things easier for them before they exert themselves at a practice or game and give them the responsibility of carrying their own bag.

4. Maintain their Uniforms

Being responsible for their uniforms - making sure they are clean and easily accessible for games - is an important step in building autonomy as a soccer player. Avoid the chaos of running around the house on game day looking for the uniform, and help your child develop a plan for their uniform such as who will clean it and where it will be stored. 

5. Pump their Ball

Having a properly pumped ball is essential for training. Have a ball pump accessible to your child and give them the ultimate responsibility of making sure it is always adequately full of air. 

Giving your child responsibility for their soccer equipment builds a sense of autonomy that can actually enhance their performance, as individuals who feel in control of their environment are often more engaged and committed to their tasks.