Becoming a football mum?

[Gorgeous73]

My son loves football. He recently joined a youth club, plays regularly, watches famous players all day long and tried to copy their style... you get the picture. His most valued possessions are his football shoes and kit Me on the other hand, I know literally nothing about football, except the obvious rules of the game. DH isn't into sports either.
But I (we) would love to be able to "speak football" with my son, and actually understand him when he describes a great move or something he's done that he's proud of. So my question is to those of you who are football mums, where do i start? Should I just learn the more intricate rules of the game? And how do I get involved to show him my support? Attend all the matches, be there with water and snacks? I know the answer might seem obvious but I've never been in the world of sports, so please just point me in the right direction

[drivingmisspotty]

I am in the same boat as you! I sought this thread out actually as my ds is about to join a local team training scheme.

You don't say how old your DS is. Mine is 5 and still has a bedtime story. Recently we've been reading football books we got from the library - started with some Dorling kindersley and other non-fiction about how to play/the big competitions and now moving on to some fiction about boys in football. There is an author called Alan Combes who he is enjoying. I have learnt so much! (And you might have guessed I am more of a book person than a sport person!)

I find watching a football match dull but have also watched with my ds some of the YouTube compilations where even I marvel at the skill - eg 'most amazing penalties of all time', 'top 10 goals scored from a distance'. I agree with a pp who said to get your son to explain-he'll enjoy that. And play with him too, even if you are rubbish!

[crazymumofthree]

I am a football mum! DS aged 8 lives for football! He plays three times a week, plays in school as much as he can and lives for his weekend matches! Luckily I was sporty at school and a bit of a tomboy so I played football myself however I am not 100% on all the rules as he is currently under 8's and sometimes plays for under 9's and the amount of players and rules, Pitch size etc changes between the two! Luckily
DH is their coach, also loves football and did a coaching course a while back so knows all the rules!

Tbh I would just be there to support him and watch all his matches, cheer him on. My DS loves it when I listen to his football chat even if I don't understand it all! Also the more I take him to the park etc he loves it and it's great to bond even if he runs rings round me!

[Gorgeous73]

Wow thank you all, I'm now looking forward to it all, and don't feel as hopeless :D

[BackforGood]

Yup. Get yourself some serious layers, boots and waterproof, then go to the games and ask other parents on the side - what was that for? Why did they do that? etc. Pick it up as you go along. Ask him about it afterwards if he can but probably won't remember particular bits.

[Susiesue61]

Yep, thermals, a good coat (mine has fleecy pockets ) and a thick skin!
Mine all play, 12 years up to now!!
Enjoy it, I've made some good friends through football and cricket

[TotallyWingingIt]

Buy yourself some warm clothes, an umbrella and a thermos mug

[Gorgeous73]

Thanks TWI, that gives me hope and a place to start

[TotallyWingingIt]

My number one bit of advice is to just watch him and be his biggest fan. Let him talk about it and teach you the ropes. He will feel he is teaching you something and it made my lads so happy for me to be involved and learn. I have 4 sons (3 that play football) i I didn’t know one rule, any positions or even any other teams in their league. I now don’t have any free weekends, one plays Saturday the others on a Sunday and I honestly love it. Get to know the other football mums, chances are they are in the same boat

[Gorgeous73]

No football mums on MN?