Child to Pro Footballer - How is it done?

Parents whose children play football often dream about the future potential for their child - the team they will play for and all that. Most of it is done light hearted, a bit of fun, and a lot is exaggerated.

I now find myself in a similar position. I have a 5 year old (almost 6) who is a keen footballer (he even dreams of it now ha!) and he has talent. I'm not the type who lauds my children for public praise. I'm a straight forward guy, who says it how it is, and I see in my son a strong ability in the game. Of course, it is early, and of course, it's near impossible to say to what level it will go, but I now find myself keenly looking out for any opportunity to help him develop his talent.

Of course, this situation is not new, so I wonder, how is it done? - for a child to develop to a pro footballer, and what are the key stages of development? Gerrard, Suarez, and all the top players must have started off in the same way.. I'm very curious to know how they and others like them did it. Does anyone know?

At the moment, my son is playing for 2 football coaches (one a junior U7 club, the other a basic 'academy' - not a "club"). I am going to drop the academy one which is a little too basic, and have him attend another junior U7 club, so he will play twice a week. He plays most evenings at home with me, and before I get home, he plays football on the Xbox - You'd be surprised how that has actually improved his own game - no joke.

All who see him play note his ability, and I'm just wanting to do everything right to help him develop. At the same time, I'm concious of "reality" and it really is early to get carried away.

However, I'm presently selling my home and possessions so I can move to Liverpool and get him in the academy.. now!! (joke)

Edit to add: BTW I have no idea where to put this query/discussion..

Showing signs at 5, 6 years old is very promising, certainly not too young either. I was taken on by Portsmouth when I was 7 and moved around a couple of times up until I was 17 but never got offered a scholarship or contract or anything because of my injuries. Broke my leg, ruptured my cruciate ligament, tore my hamstring all before I was even 16, then I went and cracked my knee cap in the same leg I done the cruciate and that kind of sealed it for me.

It's all about luck and your lad being in the right place at the right time, it's the same with every player. The best thing you can do is just making sure your lad is playing every day, practicing as much as he can and making sure that he really wants it. Also make sure he has confidence because a confident player who believes in himself will always stand out. Although don't ever think of it as "your playing to become a pro", if you think of it like that then as he gets older he will get more downbeat if he hasn't been given a chance by a club. But even if he doesn't get snapped up by anyone at a young age it's never too late, a couple of my mates were seen playing and now play in America on a scholarship and that happened when they were around 18, 19.

Wouldn't say all top players developed in the same way DanMann, I imagine Gerrard and Suarez have had a vastly different football upbringings.

Don't know where you're from DanMann? I think the answer will probably be different per country. In my country, Netherlands, you can't really put your kid on 2 clubs. And it seems excessive, at that age especially. Although my country has a street football culture too, which compliments club football very well. I'd say at such a young age the most important thing is that he's having fun while playing football, not so much being very focussed on improving yet.

I think the most skilled football players in the world mostly have a street football background besides playing club football. Especially in South America, but I think in many European countries too. In my country for sure. Players like Cruijff, Van Basten, Bergkamp, Van Persie etc were all avid street football players when they were young. Just kids playing football after school with friends and people from their neighbourhood on a daily basis. It's the perfect environment for kids to play football regularly without growing tired of it, and yet really improve. Again though this comes down to what country your from, and if there's a street football culture locally.

I guess the way it isn't done is by every child wanting to be the next Lionel Messi. I'm not saying that football development should be like Chinese sport in hen picking and dividing youths into categories of what best suits them but sometimes you feel kids get lost in trying to be the best on an individual level, with coaches maybe forgetting the role of the team. How many children want to model themselves on say Lucas, one of the ultimate team players? I suspect it's not many. The problem with brand football like your FIFA console games and you're swanky Adidas adverts is that it too often highlights the individuality of football and not the team element of the game and kids maybe forgetting that vital aspect. The social aspect of football dominates everything. It's probably one of the first thing a child should be taught.

 Dan I think the best thing you can do for your lad is encourage him but you have got let him enjoy his time as a lad.I had a mate many years who was due to have a trial at Liverpool sadly he died about 18 years of age,I also had a nephew who was on the books at Anfield sadly he had a bad accident to his leg and that finished him from turning pro.All I am saying is let the lad grow up ,enjoy his football and see where that takes him in 10 years time and remember there are more kids who don't make the grade than kids that do.I would stress in this day and age education is very important for a kid and that should be the priority.

Your lad needs to play for a team that plays at a central venue where a number of teams play at the same time (eg PowerLeagues Saturday mornings). This makes it easier for scouts to spot him. Summer tournaments are another good place to be spotted as many scouts attend these. If he's good enough he will be invited to a satellite centre for a number of weeks where they will decide whether to keep him or release him. The clubs cast a very large net these days and often merely being above average gets an invite.

Once in the satellite centre the aim is for promotion to the "elite" group that normally plays at the club academy. At 8 years old they sign players which means that a player cannot play for another club (even a local one) but clubs will still happily drop signed on players. I tend to think that if you're not signed on by 8 it's going to be an uphill struggle to make it because of the sheer number of hours academy players put in under top level coaching.

Showing signs at 5, 6 years old is very promising, certainly not too young either. I was taken on by Portsmouth when I was 7 and moved around a couple of times up until I was 17 but never got offered a scholarship or contract or anything because of my injuries. Broke my leg, ruptured my cruciate ligament, tore my hamstring all before I was even 16, then I went and cracked my knee cap in the same leg I done the cruciate and that kind of sealed it for me.

It's all about luck and your lad being in the right place at the right time, it's the same with every player.

Thanks mate. Were your injuries due to overplaying? That is a concern I have, although having looked into it, at this stage, I don't think there's too much risk. The way they play for U7 is fairly mild really.

I totally agree about luck. Luck in terms of injuries, and being in the right place at right time. That's why I'm keen for him to get as involved as possible. It seems silly - he's only 5 - but this stage (and the next 2-3 years) are hugely important. Getting him on the right track, connected to the right people etc. Basically trying to help put him in the best position so that hopefully, luck will come his way.

Some concerns have been raised about playing twice weekly, but I'm not 'pushing' him and I know his limits. He absolutely loves his football.. too much almost.

The point about confidence is spot on. If I could inject him with anything - it would be confidence. He has ability, but confidence he lacks. He's a really shy lad whose too aware of his environment, so sometimes he feels people are "watching him" (his words) and he won't join in. That's the usual drama when I take him somewhere new. He will stand - very stubbornly (ignoring the coach) - and be very reluctant about joining in for the first few weeks. After that, he's normally okay.

Funny thing is, he will stand there while they go through warm-ups etc looking like he can't play.. and then when the coach puts on a mini-game, he will get stuck in and score goals. I'm working on changing this!.. 

Interesting post mate. I think some parents shy away from asking such questions in the fear that they may come across as putting too much pressure on their kids. However, I applaud your desire to help your child.

I am a youth football coach but I don't admit to coaching players at a massively high level. That said, I worked with a Hungarian top flight football club called Vasas SC for a number of months and I learnt a hell of a lot from the coaches out their. I have also carried out work placements with the Liverpool Academy and learnt quite a lot from them too.

Drawing on my limited experience, as well as playing with very talented footballers in the past, I think the important thing to say is that a child can have all the talent in the world but, if their attitude or arrogance starts to get ahead of them, they are extremely unlikely to make it. Very often, those who play professional football will come from a group of kids where they wouldn't be the most gifted out of the group. However, their hardwork and determination has got them to where they are today.

I played a good bit of football with guys who went and played for teams in the top tier right to the bottom tier of the English football league. All were very gifted footballers and you could tell that despite being at a young age yourself. However, I would say that only 1 out of every 10 have actually made it to the level that they are capable off, purely through having a better attitude and work rate than the others.

My time working in Hungary taught me a lot about European football. I noticed a significant difference in emphasis between talented young English teams and young European teams. In mainland Europe, they teach the youngsters that it doesn't matter what the scoreline is, if you are improving as a player, interacting with your fellow academy players in a positive way and have the level of commitment required, you will go along way. Sadly, rightly or wrongly I am not sure, I watched a lot of very talented footballers fall to the side and asked to leave the academy, mainly due to the negative issues I have mentioned.

Start them early.
Be supportive.
Make sure they test/train regularly.
Hope for some luck along the way.

No definitive way to make it in sport.


Edit:

Also at some point they need to know sacrifice is needed to be good at sport.
Drinking/Socialising will need to be avoided.

The problem with a lot of the industries that make people rich now is that they
highlight the results and not the hard work taken to get the results.

Thank you all for your posts.

It is an interesting predicament to support and help a child reach the potential you can see, whilst at the same time nurturing their interest and love for the game, whilst protecting them from injuries and other unfortunate incidents.

Racer, your point about sacrifice is a good one. So too are Semple's comments about determination and attitude. I am 100% alcohol free, and have been all my life (yep, never taken a taste of alcohol) and I intend on encouraging my children to follow the same principle. If he adheres to it, the drinking aspect will be completely clear from his game. I'm also careful to ensure that arrogance does not prevail. That's one characteristic I cannot stand, and will be sure to keep him in check. Naturally, he thinks he's better than me and talks that way (no harm in that at the moment, as it helps his confidence) but as he grows up, his attitude will be kept in line.

So, in summary so far, I guess the advice is keep working at it (supportive, nor pushing), give him plenty of opportunity, and hope for some good luck (a lot of it).

Problem I have in relation to geography is I live on Isle of Man, and there's not so much opportunity here. I watch clips on youtube of 5-7 year olds in full training, playing mini-tournaments and all sorts. We're not geared up to professional football here. Our national team is fairly poor and would struggle in the lower English football leagues. Not aware of any player from here having gone on to play professional football.

At this age, coaches here seem to consider football as being 'good for social development' rather than an opportunity for the children to develop skill and talent. So the points made by finchie will be more difficult to reach in practice.   

Thanks mate. Were your injuries due to overplaying? That is a concern I have, although having looked into it, at this stage, I don't think there's too much risk. The way they play for U7 is fairly mild really.

No not at all. I done my cruciate by challenging for a header, we both went in for it with momentum and just came down awkwardly and my leg just kind of buckled underneath me. The broken leg was from a bad tackle, hamstring went as I was making a run and the knee cap came playing indoor football in 6th form! Needless to say they all hurt and had to have surgery on all but my hamstring.

Thank you all for your posts.

It is an interesting predicament to support and help a child reach the potential you can see, whilst at the same time nurturing their interest and love for the game, whilst protecting them from injuries and other unfortunate incidents.

Racer, your point about sacrifice is a good one. So too are Semple's comments about determination and attitude. I am 100% alcohol free, and have been all my life (yep, never taken a taste of alcohol) and I intend on encouraging my children to follow the same principle. If he adheres to it, the drinking aspect will be completely clear from his game. I'm also careful to ensure that arrogance does not prevail. That's one characteristic I cannot stand, and will be sure to keep him in check. Naturally, he thinks he's better than me and talks that way (no harm in that at the moment, as it helps his confidence) but as he grows up, his attitude will be kept in line.

So, in summary so far, I guess the advice is keep working at it (supportive, nor pushing), give him plenty of opportunity, and hope for some good luck (a lot of it).

Problem I have in relation to geography is I live on Isle of Man, and there's not so much opportunity here. I watch clips on youtube of 5-7 year olds in full training, playing mini-tournaments and all sorts. We're not geared up to professional football here. Our national team is fairly poor and would struggle in the lower English football leagues. Not aware of any player from here having gone on to play professional football.

At this age, coaches here seem to consider football as being 'good for social development' rather than an opportunity for the children to develop skill and talent. So the points made by finchie will be more difficult to reach in practice.   

I come from Northern Ireland and we have similar issues than the Isle of Man, although our youngsters may get a bit more exposure to English clubs than the Isle of Man, as well as possibly having a slightly better youth structure. What I will say is that, if the kid is good enough, he will get spotted. I am not one to give parenting advice but I think it is important not to put to much pressure on your son. Let him make decisions. You can guide him as much as you want but there will be times when he may want to play somewhere and you may think he is better off elsewhere. I look at people who I played football with at a young age and their parents maybe sent them down one direction, when their child wanted the opposite, eventually falling out of love for the game.

All that said, sounds like you know what you are doing. I wish you and your child the best of luck.