It is time to talk about the importance of preparation, what happens and what should happen prior to playing football in order to stay safe and fully enjoy the game.
It is time to talk about the importance of preparation, what happens and what should happen prior to playing football in order to stay safe and fully enjoy the game.
It can be a small kick about, football training or match day, it always starts with getting into the mood by putting on the football kit. For younger players looking like a footballer is everything, at the same time right outfit can protect your child from injury. These items are part of the wardrobe:
I would like to focus on two main elements of the kit today, the shin-guards and the football boots and share with you how it is important to choose right ones.
Football boots
As you see the choices are endless, however making the right choice can help you play better and safer football. As you see in the guide above, it is important to use shoes appropriately. The most versatile shoe to wear is moulded studs, as those kind of shoes are good for astro and grass surfaces too, whereas boots with flat soles are to be used on hard ground and indoors. Studded football boots are to be worn on softer surface for better traction.
Does it really make a difference?
Yes. If you wear studded boots on hard surface, it will be uncomfortable, as you are walking on the studs and they don’t dig/grip into the ground. Also, if you wear studs on hard surface, inevitable you are going to fall and perhaps hurt yourself and others. Thirdly, your studs are going to wear and the studs themselves are going to be sharp, so when the referee comes over to check your boots prior to football game, you will NOT be able to play, as sharp studs are dangerous. Check out what happened to Rooney’s thigh or head in fact…
So, if your kids go home and complain that they were only assisting me during the training session and I didn’t allow them to play (even though they had football boots), now you better understand why. I may not be popular on that specific day in the children’s eye, but I’d rather choose that and avoid an accident.
Shin pads
Bring them, wear them, get used to them!
“I cannot kick with shin pads”, “I doesn’t hurt for me”. “I don’t like to wear them”. “I forgot them”. “My mum didn’t pack it for me”. “I left in my other bag” and so on… I’ve heard it all.
Kids, I know you may only be 6, but you love football and you know damn well what you need to wear for football!!! You guys answer correctly every time, when I ask: “are you wearing all the necessary kit for a footballer”- then they look and say- ohhh…. and here comes the excuses J
Mums and Dads! Just remind your children that there tomorrow is football, have you got all the kit that you need? And please check! I’m sure you only need to do that a few times, but keep on top of it, please, kids learn fast!!!
It is very important to wear them and if you can, purchase the one with ankle protection!!! One of the most commonly injured and broken bones are the ankles, regardless of playing football. Obviously playing football can increase the likelihood of an ankle injury, so why not try and protect it as much as you can, with shin pads with ankle protection, with that some injuries can be avoided, I highly recommend. Plus the shinpads stay in place with a strap around the back and under the foot! Below you can see what I mean.
I’m sure you have seen a number of bruises, and might have even used the word, never ending, they come in different shapes and colours, red, purple, yellow, brown, black, etc…
Luckily the shin is a fairly strong bone, so keep strengthening them by taking in calcium, eat those morning cereals with milk!
Last but not least, shoe-laces
I feel that part of my job as a football coach is educating and helping kids learn and here I don’t mean about football. Actually explaining them why tying shoelaces is important. I could just do the kids shoelaces not worry about it and just focus on the football. Especially at a younger age, encouraging them and doing our shoelaces up together will help them. I have 2 short stories to tell.
- A couple of years ago in Moscow, I was given a team for the first time to coach in a tournament. One of my players had their shoelaces undone during the game, as he turned after a corner, he stepped on it and fell. It was so unfortunate that he fell and broke his arm. Shoelaces are more important than you might think.
- A couple of weeks ago I started coaching in a school, even some 10 year olds could not do their shoelaces, which unfortunately says a lot about parenting too. I have introduced an incentive of giving points to the children who can do their shoelaces up prior the session starts and these points would add up to see who gets to be the player of the day. Guess what, it works! I have also asked them to practice at home, ask their parents and they all started to improve instantly. Well done to the kids and well done to the parents who had the patience to help! This way, me as a coach, I have more time working on your kids football skills development.
Having the right football equipment helps your children to be safer, whilst playing football and teach them to do their shoelaces up, 5-10 times a da