The Coaching Mistake Most Parents & Coaches Make…

Telling kids to focus on their foot, not the ball.

Turns out, that actually slows learning down.

Here’s what to do instead

Focus Matters. A LOT.

Science-backed fact:

When kids focus externally (on the target, not the body), they learn skills faster AND perform better.

Think: “Kick the cone” not “Lock your ankle”.

Proven by multiple studies—including one on 45 skilled 8-year-olds that found distal external focus (target far away) = best results.

Internal vs External Focus

“Keep your knee bent!” = Internal focus

“Try to hit that blue cone!” = External focus

Internal focus can lead to overthinking, stiffness, and less fun.

External focus = smoother, more natural movement.

What’s the Best Focus for Beginners?

Even for younger or less skilled players, proximal external focus (closer targets like the ball or a nearby cone) is better than body-based cues.

Start close → Progress further.

Build confidence and performance together.

What Parents Can Say Instead:

Instead of “Use the inside of your foot!”

Say: “Can you curl it around the red cone?”

Instead of “Put your standing foot next to the ball”

Say: “Pretend to squish a bug next to the ball when you kick it”

You’re not just helping them play—you’re helping them learn.

We break all this down (with loads of examples) in our latest podcast episode.

Search Shouting From The Sidelines wherever you get your podcasts.

Study credits:

Influence of attentional focus distance on motor learning of skilled children – Francisco Milton Gonçalves

Pereira Júnior, Giordano Marcio Gatinho Bonuzzi

Effects of Internal, External and Preference of Attentional Focus Feedback Instructions on Learning Soccer“Head Kick” Bülent Okan Miçooğulları and Sadettin Kirazcı, Ömür Serdal Altunsöz

The Effect of External Focus Distance on Learning Shooting for Beginners Male Soccer Players – Aiman Sarhan

A systematic review of motivational and attentional variables on children’s 2 fundamental movement skill development: The OPTIMAL theory. 3 Thomas Simpson, P. Ellison, E. Carnegie and D. Marchant

Frequent External-Focus Feedback Enhances Motor Learning – Gabriel Wulf