Image Source: SoccerWire

Can you relate to this concerned parent who’s 10 year-old son hit a sudden slump  in soccer? This is what he had to say: 

“He was making progress in general over the years, but starting about a year ago, he seems to zone out a lot and often times looks like he’s running in slow-motion. He’s increasingly showing less effort to make plays.”

If this father’s dilemma is yours as well, then rest assured you’re not alone (and neither is your kid). Parents often forget that the natural act of “growing up” can throw kids off, in terms of soccer ability and movement in general. And the emotional aspects can be trickier. 

But this is normal and for that reason, you should never pressure your kids to perform. Let them have fun, but also, keep in mind why growing bodies can struggle on the pitch. 

Centre of Gravity Shifts 

A parent of any teen knows the difference just one summer can make growth-wise. When school’s over in June, your kids might be pipsqeak-sized. By September, when class resumes, they’re taller than Jack’s beanstock. And then there’s their weight also—boys’ shoulders broaden, girls’ hips widen, and limbs lengthen. 

In case you forgot what that’s like, let’s remind you—it feels awkward. Rapid height and weight increases shift kids’ center of gravity, making it harder for them to maintain balance and coordination. It’s the reason why teenagers often appear clumsy (to no fault of their own). 

It’s also explains why second-nature movements such as dribbling, quick cutting, and shot-taking can suddenly feel (and look) wonky. 

Muscle and Bones Grow Asymmetrically 

Remember, humans don’t grow symmetrically. When it comes to the skeleton, bones grow faster than muscles can compensate for. Bones elongate before muscles fill them out, which is a reason why tween and teen athletes may look lanky or gangly for some time. With that said, long bones without adequate muscle on top of them can lead to temporary decreases in coordination and strength. 

Image Source: The Guardian

The lack of muscle can also increase injury risks, and movements may have less power and explosiveness behind them. And if that’s not enough, when the muscles and other tissues start to grow, the bones and ephyiseal plates will be sensitive to the new load, which further makes some movements stressful on bones. 

Their Body’s “Movement Sensors” Change Settings

During puberty, the body’s proprioceptors get a “tune up”. As a 101, proprioceptors are sensory organs in the muscles, tendons, and joints that tell the brain where the body’s position is in space. Think of a car with lane assist or a backup camera. They tell you what obstacles or vehicles are nearby and give you a sense of where your car is in relation to them—your proprioceptors do in a are basically your body’s lane assistant and backup camera. 

During the tweens and teens, they get rewired to accommodate to a new body. Going back to the car analogy, the change is like taking your car into the mechanic for a repair job. If the battery was removed,  the lane assist and backup camera may need a reset and you might have to rejig the settings so these features worked like before. 

Similarly, until a teenager’s proprioceptors reset to accommodate their changing bodies they will have moments where their shooting, passing, and dribbling form looks a bit “off”. They might fall more often, collide with opponents more frequently, and fall short when it comes to positional awareness. But remember, this is almost always temporary. 

Hormones Rage and Fluctuate

Of course, we know this one too well. Raging hormones don’t just make them more mouthy or risk-takers, but also, they can downgrade their performance as well. In girls, fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can lead to hypermobility and prone q-angle-associated injuries. In boys, testosterone surges can affect increase aggression in ways that may not be suitable on the pitch. 

For all genders, hormonal changes can reduce energy levels, and amplify feelings of poor mood, low self-esteem and poor self-confidence. And cognitive skills such as visual awareness, decision-making, and overall soccer IQ may drop a bit because of hormone-induced brain fog. 

So How Do We Fight Nature?

You don’t. As a parent (or coach), you accept it as a natural process, work with kids to keep their skills intact, and have a sense of humor about it. Each player’s body will autocorrect on its own timetable. And make no mistake—some of the greatest players on Earth struggled with growth spurts. 

Big Names Who Fought Through Growth Spurts

• Gareth Bale - As a youth player at Southampton academy, he was almost released due to being undersized (which could have affected his strength, power, and injury risk) despite being superbly skilled. Luckily, a 3-2 vote saved him after medical staff confirmed he was in the middle of a growth spurt and would catch up with his peers. 

Danny Wellbeck/Jesse Lingard - Both players were standouts on Manchester United in terms of skills, but physically delayed. Nevertheless, Sir Alex Ferguson gambled on them and the rest became history.

Young Gareth Bale

Image Source: The New York Times

Now with that said, youth clubs gave these three players a shot by implementing a technique called “bio-banding”. It’s where coaches ditch the traditional approach of grouping players by age to put kids with a similar development timeline together. So you can have 14 year olds playing with 12 year-olds, assuming they have an identical physical and mental schedule. 

Bio-banding, is another topic within itself and the results can be mixed. But this technique and the examples of the three players mentioned above should remind  parents and coaches that no two kids develop at the same rate. It should also remind you that kids can get back on track with patience and practice. 

Fix What You Can 

You can’t change normal adolescent development. Kids will be kids. And in the context of soccer, that means that they’ll likely have to “re-learn” or adopt some new habits. Is it a challenge? Certainly. Is it doable? Absolutely. 

How to Help a Struggling (Growing) Player 

• Adjust technique — Whether it’s shooting form or goal distribution skills affected by body changes, your kids will have to make adjustments. That might include altering their body position, timing, or even their thought process during the move. Whatever it is, keep making little changes here and there, and once the technique is refined, practice it until it becomes second nature. 
• Focus on conditioning — Tween and teenage bodies are usually brimming with energy, but things like strength, power, and coordination might lag a bit during growth spurts. Conditioning fixes those deficits. Age-appropriate strength training incorporating weights, calisthenics and resistance bands can build muscle mass and power if there’s a lack of it. Also, neuromuscular exercises such as the FIFA 11+ program improves balance and proprioception, counteracting a slight dip of coordination that growth spurts bring. 

• Adopt injury prevention protocols — Tweens and teens are at risk of injuries since their muscles and bones are developing. Soccer protective gear safeguards them from impact trauma, whether it’s padded tops, leggings, or the essentials like shin guards. And don’t forget their noggins. Adolescent brains are more sensitive to head impacts, so consider getting them to wear headgear. 
• Push, but don’t pester — Lastly, avoid being the parent who projects their unfulfilled dreams onto their child. Obviously, push them to be as great as they can be, but don’t force them to be a Mbappe, Bellingham, or Yamal. Let them be themselves, let them have fun, and let go of your own expectations. It’ll make the game more enjoyable for everyone. 

Embrace the Struggle—It Only Happens Once

One of the things athletes look back at with fondness is overcoming adversity. When you think about it, becoming great at soccer or any sport means breaking through obstacles. It takes a thick hide and nerves of steel to get through challenges, including the physical awkwardness of puberty. 

Embrace that. 

It only happens once, and the kids who push through come out as warriors on the other side. That persistence will make them mentally tough and good sports. And ultimately, making adjustments only refines their skills so that they become elite soccer players we all want them to become.