Why Is My Child Not Getting Better at Football? My Child is not improving at football? 7 Common Reasons
Your child loves football. They attend training, play games every weekend and spend plenty of time kicking a ball around.
But you might be wondering:
"Why aren't they getting better?"
"My child not improving at football?"
It's a question many parents of young footballers ask.
Sometimes a player can seem to stay at the same level for months, despite regularly attending football training. This doesn't necessarily mean they aren't talented or aren't working hard enough.
Children develop at different rates, and there are many factors that influence football development.
From a lack of individual practice to confidence, coaching environment and simply needing more time to develop physically, there can be several reasons why a young footballer isn't progressing as quickly as their parents expect.
Here are seven of the most common reasons — and what you can do to help.
1. They're Not Getting Enough Time With the Ball
One of the simplest reasons a young footballer may struggle to improve is that they aren't getting enough touches of the ball.
A typical team training session might involve a warm-up, drills, passing exercises, games and other activities. With a large group, however, a child may spend a significant amount of the session waiting for their turn.
The same can happen during matches.
If a player only gets a small number of opportunities to control, pass, dribble and shoot, they have fewer opportunities to practice those skills.
This is one reason additional individual or small-group football training can be useful.
It doesn't necessarily mean your child needs hours of extra training every week.
Even a short, focused session can provide hundreds of additional touches and opportunities to practice specific skills.
What can parents do?
Encourage simple football activities outside organized training.
For example:
Passing against a wall
Dribbling around cones
Practicing ball control
Shooting
Using their weaker foot
1v1 games
Playing football with friends
Small-sided games
The objective isn't to turn every afternoon into a training session.
It's simply to give your child more opportunities to interact with the ball.
2. They're Practicing the Wrong Things
Not all football practice is equally effective.
A child could spend 30 minutes practicing something repeatedly but see very little improvement if the exercise isn't appropriate for their current ability.
Young players need to progressively develop their skills.
For example, a beginner might need to focus on basic ball control and dribbling.
A more experienced 12-year-old might need to work on receiving the ball under pressure, scanning before receiving and making decisions at speed.
The training needs to match the player.
Good football training should challenge a player without overwhelming them.
If something is too easy, the player may not develop.
If something is far too difficult, they may become frustrated and lose confidence.
This is why individualized football coaching can be valuable for some young players.
A coach can identify the player's current strengths and weaknesses and design activities around their specific needs.
3. They're Not Using Their Weaker Foot
Most young footballers naturally prefer one foot.
That's completely normal.
The problem occurs when a player becomes so reliant on their stronger foot that they avoid using the other one completely.
Imagine receiving the ball on your weaker side during a match.
If you're uncomfortable using that foot, you may need an extra second to move the ball onto your stronger foot.
At higher levels of football, that extra second can make a big difference.
Developing both feet doesn't mean your child needs to become equally strong with both.
Instead, they should become comfortable enough with their weaker foot that they aren't afraid to use it.
Try this simple exercise at home:
Set up two cones approximately 5–10 meters apart.
Have your child:
Dribble from one cone to the other.
Use only their weaker foot.
Change direction.
Repeat 5–10 times.
Then practice passing with the weaker foot.
Keep it fun and avoid turning it into a test.
The goal is to build confidence.
4. They're Focusing on Skills Instead of Decisions
Football isn't a skills competition.
A player can perform an impressive step-over or dribble around cones perfectly in training but struggle to use those skills during a match.
Why?
Because football is about making decisions under pressure.
Players constantly need to decide:
Should I pass?
Should I dribble?
Where is the space?
Where is my teammate?
Where is the defender?
Should I turn?
Should I protect the ball?
Where should I move after passing?
This is why game-based training is so important.
Players need opportunities to practice their skills while also making decisions.
Small-sided games can be particularly useful because players are constantly involved in the action.
Parents can help too.
When watching your child play, try not to give them instructions every few seconds.
Instead of shouting:
"PASS!"
"SHOOT!"
"GO LEFT!"
Allow them to make decisions themselves.
They won't always make the right decision.
That's okay.
Making mistakes is part of learning.
5. Their Confidence Is Holding Them Back
Sometimes the problem isn't technical ability.
It's confidence.
A child might actually have the ability to perform a skill but be too nervous to try it during a match.
They might be worried about:
Losing the ball
Making a mistake
Missing a shot
Getting shouted at
Letting their teammates down
What their coach or parents will think
When a player becomes afraid of making mistakes, they often start playing safely.
They pass backwards.
They avoid 1v1 situations.
They stop trying new skills.
They may even stop asking for the ball.
Over time, this can slow their development.
What can parents do?
Try praising the behavior and effort, rather than only the outcome.
Instead of:
"Why didn't you score?"
try:
"I liked that you tried to take the defender on."
Instead of:
"You should have passed."
try:
"What did you see when you got the ball there?"
The aim is to help your child become comfortable making decisions and learning from mistakes.
6. They're Comparing Themselves to Other Players
This is particularly common as children get older.
One player might physically develop earlier.
Another might have played football since they were four.
Someone else might have older siblings who play football at home.
Another child might suddenly grow several centimeters and become much faster.
Comparing your child's progress directly with another player can therefore be misleading.
Football development isn't linear.
A player who looks average at 8 might become an excellent player at 12.
A player who dominates at 9 might find the game more difficult when everyone else catches up physically.
Instead of asking:
"Is my child better than that player?"
ask:
"Is my child better than they were six months ago?"
Look for improvements in:
Technique
Confidence
Decision-making
First touch
Passing
Dribbling
Finishing
Movement
Understanding of the game
Attitude
Those are much better indicators of development.
7. They're Not Getting the Right Type of Coaching for Their Age
A six-year-old shouldn't necessarily be coached in the same way as a 14-year-old.
Young children generally benefit from fun, engaging activities that help them become comfortable with the ball.
As players get older, training can gradually become more complex.
Ages 6–8
Focus on:
Ball familiarity
Dribbling
Coordination
Basic passing
Shooting
1v1 situations
Using both feet
Enjoyment
Ages 9–11
Players can increasingly work on:
First touch
Passing
Receiving
Dribbling
1v1 attacking
1v1 defending
Finishing
Weak-foot development
Decision-making
Ages 12–14
Training can become more detailed and game-specific.
Important areas include:
Receiving under pressure
Scanning
Turning
Decision-making
Tactical awareness
Position-specific skills
1v1 situations
Finishing
Speed and agility
Game understanding
This doesn't mean every player needs the same sessions.
The best training should take the individual player's age, experience, ability and goals into consideration.
So, What Should You Do If Your Child Isn't Improving?
First, don't panic.
A period of slower development is completely normal.
Instead, look at the bigger picture.
Ask yourself these five questions:
1. Does my child enjoy football?
If the answer is yes, that's a great starting point.
2. Are they getting enough touches of the ball?
Consider whether additional practice or small-group training could help.
3. Are they working on the right areas?
Identify one or two specific areas to improve rather than trying to fix everything at once.
4. Are they confident enough to make mistakes?
If they're afraid of getting things wrong, their development can be affected.
5. Are they making progress compared with themselves?
Don't judge development solely by goals, team selection or match results.
How Long Does It Take for a Child to Improve at Football?
There isn't a set timeframe.
Some improvements can happen within a few weeks of consistent practice.
Other aspects of football development can take months or even years.
Technical skills such as ball control can improve relatively quickly with regular practice.
Game understanding, decision-making and confidence generally take much longer because they develop through repeated experiences.
The key is consistency.
One football session isn't going to transform a player.
But regular, purposeful practice over months and years can make a significant difference.
Does My Child Need Private Football Coaching?
Not every child needs private coaching.
For some players, their club training and regular games are enough.
For others, individual coaching can provide an extra level of development.
Private football coaching can be particularly useful when a player has a specific goal.
For example:
Improving their weaker foot
Becoming better at 1v1s
Improving finishing
Developing their first touch
Building confidence
Preparing for football trials
Working on position-specific skills
Getting additional technical practice
The biggest benefit is that the session can be tailored to the player rather than the entire team.
For parents in Auckland looking for additional football training, one-to-one or small-group coaching can complement — rather than replace — normal club football.
Final Thoughts for Parents
Your child's football development isn't a race.
Some players develop early.
Some develop later.
Some are technically advanced but lack confidence.
Others may not stand out initially but develop rapidly over several years.
The most important thing you can do is create an environment where your child enjoys football and wants to keep improving.
Give them opportunities to practice.
Encourage them to use both feet.
Allow them to make mistakes.
Help them build confidence.
And, most importantly, let them enjoy playing the game.
A better footballer isn't created in one training session. They're developed through thousands of small experiences over time.
Looking for Football Coaching in Auckland?
If your child is aged 6–14 and you're looking for additional football training in Auckland, Coops Football Coaching provides individual, small-group and junior football coaching designed to help young players develop their technical ability, confidence and understanding of the game.
Based on Auckland's North Shore, Coops Football Coaching works with players of different ages and abilities — from children beginning their football journey through to players looking to take their game to the next level.
If you're looking for football coaching for kids in Auckland or on the North Shore, find out more about the available coaching options through Coops Football Coaching.
Coops Football Coaching Auckland, New Zealand and here is our homepage to our website: www.coopsfootballcoaching.co.nz
Please click HERE for info on our 1on1 football sessions
If your child prefers fun football sessions or elite group sessions please check our "book online" page for our most up to date sessions we are providing. You can see the sessions available HERE
Lastly if your child wants a pro football themed birthday party then click HERE
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my child not improving at football?
A child may struggle to improve because they aren't getting enough touches of the ball, aren't practicing the right skills, lack confidence, rely heavily on their stronger foot or aren't getting enough opportunities to make decisions during games.
How can I help my child get better at football?
Give them regular opportunities to play and practice, encourage both feet, allow them to make mistakes and consider additional individual or small-group football training if they have specific areas they want to improve.
How often should children train football?
There is no single amount that is right for every child. Training should be appropriate for their age, ability, motivation and existing football commitments. For some players, one additional quality session each week can be beneficial.
Is private football coaching worth it for kids?
Private coaching can be useful when a child has specific areas they want to improve because sessions can be tailored to the individual player's needs. It should complement their normal team training and matches.
What age should children start football training?
Children can begin playing football from a young age. For younger players, training should prioritize enjoyment, movement, ball familiarity and basic skills. As players get older, training can gradually become more technical and tactical.
How can I improve my child's football confidence?
Create a positive environment where mistakes are treated as part of learning. Praise effort, bravery and good decision-making rather than focusing only on goals, wins or mistakes.
What are the most important football skills for children?
Important skills include ball control, dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, using both feet, 1v1 ability and decision-making. The priority should change as the player becomes older and more experienced.
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