Goal-scorers get a lot of the glory in football

Thing is, not everyone can be a striker.

So, for the players who have limited goal-scoring opportunities, it is important we find reasons to praise them for the things they do well so they feel they are contributing.

Goals are obviously very important but is it really fair that we give a top goal scorer award every year when some players simply have no chance of ever winning it?

Some would argue for and against but a simple solution is to make sure every player gets recognition for what they do within the positions they are playing.

Regardless of what position your players finds themselves in try to praise the things they do that help the team such as:

Good passing

Dribbling

Team work

Assists

Tackles

Saves made

Fair play

That way, they feel they have done something to help the team above and beyond scoring a goal.

This is not just down to parents – coaches need to make sure they aren’t just praising goal-scorers all the time.

At the end of the day, each individual form part of the whole. They each have their part to play to make sure their team scores more than the other team.

That’s why it is important that they realise, just because they don’t score all the goals, they are still really helping and doing some great things.

It’ll help their confidence and overall enjoyment.