The start of spring and summer soccer leagues are right around the corner. With the warmer weather, your kids are likely anxious to get outdoors and stretch their legs. To get them prepared for an upcoming season, you have to make schedule adjustments, take their shin guards out of storage, and put up the backyard equipment for extra practice. If you’re looking for other ways to get your child into shape and ready for intense soccer training, below are a few additional tips.

3 Ways to Get Your Child Ready for Soccer

1. Build up Endurance

Soccer training relies on a strong heart, which means your kids will be running and elevating their heart rate the entire time they’re on the field. After months of being off the field, it’s important that you get your kids off the couch and hitting the pavement. Incorporate running and endurance-building exercises outdoors or challenge them to distance runs on the treadmill. Cardio exercises also increase blood flow and oxygen throughout the body, which keeps your child’s muscles lean and strong while allowing them to go long distances with fewer breaks.

2. Practice Footwork 

Playing soccer involves pristine footwork and coordination when handling the ball. Get your child in the backyard and set up an obstacle course with orange cones. Set up different stations that challenge their footwork, stopping ability, and passing. You can even take them to the local park to test their sideline passing and foul goal shots with you as the goalie. If they’ve played soccer for years, these kinds of exercises can stimulate muscle memory, and your child will be ready for the first day of practice.

3. Break in New Shoes

New gear is part of a new season, and that may include new cleats. Thick socks are often the desired foot covering for games and soccer training, but your child could still leave their first practice with blisters if they don’t take time to break in their new shoes. Have your child wear them around the house, practice with them in the backyard, and run sprints at the practice fields before the season begins. If there is something defective with the shoes or they begin to irritate your child’s foot in a different way, you have plenty of time to replace them before the start of the season.

Children in the Norwalk, CT, area turn to Beachside Soccer Club for all of their soccer training needs. Soccer training programs start for youngsters five years old and up, and they’re taught by expert coaches who pride themselves in helping kids master the game while building sound character traits. To sign your child up for a soccer league, call (203) 852-6969. You can find more information on all of their teams and training sessions on their website.