Attitude and Character
Let’s explore a topic close to our hearts: attitude and character in youth football. The football industry has produced its fair share of colourful characters who made headlines for their outrageous behaviour on the pitch, from ear-biting to head-butting (and who knows what else!). These players are often remembered more for their bad attitudes than their football skills.
But times have changed, people!! In today’s football world, attitude and character are becoming game-changers. It’s not just about raw talent anymore. Football clubs are paying closer attention to the qualities that set one player apart from the rest, and attitude and character are right up there on the list. They’re having make-or-break discussions in those boardrooms, and even the all-important transfer deadline day, yay or nay, is influenced by these factors.
Our sources in the football world tell us that attitude and character can make a huge impact. That’s why we’ve been talking to some incredible guests on our Behind the Boots parent podcast and our REAL Sideline Expert (RSE) interview series. They’ve shared valuable insights on how attitude and character shape the youth football journey. Steve Sallis author of “Educating Football” and also a guest on the RSE, talks about players having the ‘REDGE‘ – meaning ’rounded with an edge!
Now, let’s be real for a moment. Kids will be kids, and they’re bound to have their off days. We get it, we’ve all been there! But here on our platform, we want to explore the impact of too many off days and how they can influence your child’s journey through youth football. So, let’s reflect on a few points together:
In the world of football, there are certain expectations of a “good” attitude and character from young players. If your child’s attitude and character are off all too often, they might have fewer opportunities to progress in the sport longer-term. That said, many clubs have a philosophy to develop people as well as players, so those organisations will do their best to work with children to help develop a better character and attitude for life beyond football. As parents we play a crucial role in shaping our child’s attitudes and character. It’s on us to guide them in the right direction.
Think about those moments at the end of a match. Are they shaking hands with their opponents? Or are they sulking, blaming the coach or teammates for the outcome? What about their body language on the field? Are they angry at decisions, shouting at the ref or coaches, or being unnecessarily aggressive?
While these behaviours are quite normal for young competitive youngsters, they impact your child, their team, and everyone around them. It’s important to remember that how others see your child will be determined by their attitude and character.
We love this candid clip of ex-football star Robin Van Persie talking about his journey with his son in elite youth football and the importance of having a winning or losing mentality.
Also, check out this inspiring clip with Chuka Iwobi, the dad of Alex Iwobi, a professional player at Fulham Football Club. In our Behind the Boots interview with him, Chuka talks about how Alex’s character played a vital role in his success. Chuka says: “Alex has always been open to playing different positions, even when they weren’t his natural ones”. This adaptability and flexibility made him stand out when opportunities arose.
The youth football industry recognises that character and attitude are necessary qualities for young players to succeed. After all, no one enjoys being around someone who lacks respect or sportsmanship.
We talk about this with the insightful Grant Cornock, a school teacher, PE Teacher and ex-professional footballer, who we interviewed for our REAL Sideline Expert series. Grant spoke about “flicking the switch,” emphasising that trying hard shouldn’t be selective. It’s about giving your best in all areas, both on and off the field.
As parents, we can start early by instilling these values at home. We can model positive behaviour on the sidelines and in our daily lives.
Our No1Fan.club platform is a space for open debates, challenges, and exploring different perspectives. Let’s discuss how we create an environment where our children can develop the right attitude and character to thrive in youth football and beyond.
It’s about having the right mindset, determination, and resilience to overcome challenges on and off the pitch. And guess what? Attitude and character play a vital role in cultivating that champion mentality.
Another RSE, Dr Andrea Firth, also discusses the champion mentality. A champion mentality means more than just winning games; it can start small. See more from Dr Andrea here.
We’ll leave you this clip from the business side of football, a message from Sky Andrew, a highly experienced football agent of over 30 years, who shares his thoughts on character and attitude in this clip from our Real Sideline expert interview:
So, if you are struggling to help improve your child’s attitude and character, we hope this article has given you some tips. We have so much more to explore and share together. Join our community to really delve deep, ask questions and connect with other families in our community, and hear more from our experts.
*Please seek your own independent medical and legal advice on all matters.
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