7 year old and football

[Saffagette]

My 7 year old isn't especially sporty, he has some minor motor skills and coordination problems, he's active (loves riding bike, runs, swims, is active, fit and healthy) and hasn't, until the last month or two, shown any interest in football at all. We're happy he has now, because his dad plays and is very into football so it's nice to think we can enjoy it as a family as the kids get older.

However, he's really not very good - he doesn't have the basic ball kicking skills and hates following the basic rules when he plays at home. He says he plays most playtime and does seem to love it but one day came home upset because he wasn't allowed to play by someone in the year above him - and I am pretty sure that's because he is basically not that good. And I worry that this will get worse as they all get older - he clearly wants to join in and be one of the boys (up until recently his closest friends have been girls and I sense that's changing).

Anyone here get what I mean and been in the same position, should we find a club for him to join or should we just leave him to it? I have asked him and don't get a clear indication either way.

Don't want to make a fuss! Also the honest truth is I'd love him to be good enough to really enjoy the competition of a game.

Probably too late for half term, but look for a football based holiday "camp" for school holidays. Usually they are partly the sport and then other games.

Ask him if he wants to start having lessons? If he says yes then sign him up. I think they can help with confidence and understanding of the rules even if they don't even follow them. My son never wanted to play at home but loved the sessions.

I clearly can't read as I see you've asked him. I would sign him up for the rest of the term if you can. View it as a trial and see how he goes. Don't push it, just let him have fun in the sessions. It'll help with confidence for when he plays at school.

My DS was like this and we signed him up for lessons. He went for 8 weeks and then quit as he realised it just wasn’t the sport for him. Don’t force it. Focus on his other things.. cycling and generally being active. Not all boys have to be good at football

I think you're right, having us trying to instil the rules of the game and technique just annoys him...will sign him up for trial lessons and see what happens. As an aside, he also has focus and attention issues so I asked if he'd like one-on-one lessons which we'd consider because it can be frustrating watching his swimming lessons and seeing him miss instructions because he's daydreaming (although obviously 1-on-1 would be at quite a cost) and he hated the idea! At least this suggests he might be well up for group lessons!

@bhrk true too, def don't want to force, seems a trial period would be worth a try

If it’s any consolation, my DS didn’t start really concentrating on swimming until he was 9. Some young kids really are away with the fairies. My DS then rapidly matured

Definitely sign up for a local team or lessons. At that age, kids are playing for fun rather than ability and the ethos of grassroots football is on inclusion, enjoyment and development. If your child isn't playing and training, it's going to be hard to improve their skills.

My DS was similar and he joined a Saturday football club which was just turn up and play. No matches, just fun football games and not too intense.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'm not about skills for skills sake but because he struggles to even kick the ball sometimes let alone vaguely in a desired direction, think he needs a little direction by someone who's not his parents. A fun and not serious club with some instruction sounds the best option and seems the consensus here 👍🏾🙏🏾😊