By Ron Usher
Imagine building a house. A tall beautiful house. You want the house to stand for a long time; to withstand heat, cold and wind.
What's the first thing you do? You don't start building the frame, do you? You don't even start building the foundation.
The first thing you do is make sure the ground is prepared.
Like a house, so an athlete.
Our kids are coming to soccer unprepared. Too much TV, too much video games, too little outdoor playtime are taking a toll. A few kids get it. They excel in sports.
Most kids don't. They are always a step behind. They get frustrated and eventually quit.
What as a concerned parent can you do? Lots. Here's some tips to help you work with your child.
1. Start an exercise routine. Do it with your child five to ten minutes a day. It doesn't have to be hard or difficult. Not only will they (and you) receive physical benefits, they will learn to put extra time in for their fitness. Consider it homework for their body.
2. Work on Strength. Push-ups (modified for most) for upper body strength, sit-up and variations for core strength, and squats for leg strength.
3. Develop Balance. Practice standing on one foot and touching the ground. Or stand on one foot and throw a ball back and forth.
4. Build Endurance. Do bear crawls or crab walks. Even indoors, these are great exercises. Not only do they develop endurance and strength, they are fun. Bear crawls are walking on your hands and feet like a bear. Crab walks are the same but upside down. The stomach is towards the ceiling.
By spending a little bit of time with your child, they will start to develop the groundwork they need for soccer success. They will also develop self-confidence and you'll be building quality bonding time.
One final tip. Always keep it fun. Play music, compete, and challenge each other. Make it a family activity.
To receive my special report on what all soccer parents need to know go to http://www.athleticskillsforsoccer.com You'll also be signed up for my newsletter which is loaded with tips to help you work with your child. To Fit and Healthy Kids Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Usher |
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