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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Not good at football ds- should he stay at football club

40 replies

change23 · 09/10/2024 14:05

It's a free football club at the school once a week. We spoke with ds and decided to put his name down for him to give it a go.

He is very bad at it apparently. From what I understand, KS2 boys are given a ball and play a match. He's seven and small for his age. Not very 'sporty' (he is very active!), no ball skills, etc. He was already 'told off' last time by the teacher for not kicking the ball. He says he never gets near it ever.

Would you encourage to keep at it or is this just terrible for his confidence and just giving the rest of his classmates a reason to pick on him?

OP posts:
Original poster
change23 · 14/10/2024 21:16

NewLamp · 12/10/2024 21:28

Have a look at the free McDonalds football. My kids do it and they teach more skills.

Thank you. Nothing local to me but otherwise looks quite good!

OP posts:
WTFMywork · 09/10/2024 14:57

Speak with whichever teacher is supervising this re telling him off as that’s not right. Everyone has to start from scratch. At our school they separate ks1 and ks2. It is matches each time but your child will get better each week. If it’s too much for them now try again in a few months. Good luck.

TizerorFizz · 09/10/2024 14:53

@change23 A local club should be run with FA coaching protocols. Yes, matches might have too involved parents, but they should have sequenced teaching of skills prior to getting into a team. If he gets a grounding in skills, he might enjoy school football in the future.

user2848502016 · 09/10/2024 14:30

If he is enjoying it yes he should stay. But if he isn't then stop - it doesn't sound like a very good club if they're telling off 7 year olds for not kicking the ball , surely they're there to learn?
He might prefer a non team sport more like climbing, swimming or gymnastics?

Original poster
change23 · 09/10/2024 14:25

He came out saying 'I was the worst player' so it does bother him.
Part of me is hoping he'll pick it up if he carries on, but I also don't want him to end up completely hating it/ not believing he is capable.

Local paid club with a training programme sounds good. I had thought they'd be more competitive than a school club, which I imagined would be more 'for fun' and v supportive.

OP posts:
NewspaperDoll · 09/10/2024 14:18

At DS2’s football club, in most year groups, they have a competitive team and a less competitive team that played in lower divisions. The ethos was that if the boys wanted to play, there was a team for them. Maybe he needs more that kind of vibe - if it bothers him, that is.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/10/2024 14:15

If he enjoys it and it's free I would let him keep going. If he doesn't enjoy it (and it doesn't sound as if he's getting any actual training) I would let him drop it.

Mainly though, if he's interested in football and he's 7, I would find a good local club outside school with a training session for his age group. He's at an age where the standard suddenly shoots up and out of reach of kids who aren't playing and training regularly, and it does no harm to give him a chance to stay involved if he so chooses.

TickingAlongNicely · 09/10/2024 14:15

All of KS2? So Yr3-Yr6, all playing together?

I think even a good small 7yo would struggle against 10 and 11yos.

TizerorFizz · 09/10/2024 14:14

@change23 This is quite difficult, The club is probably set up to play and not focus on skills. As he’s 7, he does have 3 more years to rejoin but I can see why he wanted to give it a go. If he likes football, would he be better off joining a proper club set up on FA coaching criteria? Or try another sport? Touch rugby and running clubs were popular around here.

Original poster
change23 · 09/10/2024 14:12

I always thought it's good for him to play a bit of football so it's an option for him during lunch breaks at school, an opportunity to make friends with more kids.

I guess I'm surprised they are only doing actual matches at that club.

He can kick a ball and played lots with dad or grandad but I guess the pace is different.

OP posts:
OneRealRosePlayer · 09/10/2024 14:09

At that age its not about skill. Its about being active. If he enjoys it, then continue. If not then find a different sport to try. But he will only learn ball skills with practice

heartbroken22 · 09/10/2024 14:09

If he's happy I'd let him carry on..some things take time...

Original poster
change23 · 09/10/2024 14:07

He's not sure.
He only had one session with the ks2 boys so far, and one with ks1 (oddly).

OP posts:
BananaGrapeMelon · 09/10/2024 14:06

Does he want to stop? If so I'd let him.