Your child doesn't want to go to training: reasons and what to do
Yesterday your child was running to football, and today it is “I'm not going.” Almost every family goes through this, and it does not mean sport is “not for them” or that you did something wrong. Reluctance is a signal, and there is nearly always a specific reason behind it. Let us look at the usual reasons, how to spot them and what to do so your child keeps their love of the game.
First, calmly find the reason
The worst thing to do in the moment is to start persuading or shaming: “We've paid for it,” “You wanted this.” The child shuts down and you will not learn the real reason. Pick a calm moment — not at the door before training, but, say, in the evening — and ask: “What wasn't right at football? What do you like least?” Young children rarely say it directly, so specific questions help: who do you play with, what does the coach do, when was it fun.
Common reasons
- Tiredness. School, clubs, travel — it all adds up. Reluctance at the end of the week or after tests is often just fatigue, not disappointment with football.
- “I'm not good at it.” The child sees others are stronger and hates feeling “the weak one.” Especially after moving to an older group or when new players join.
- Relationships in the group. Someone was unkind, nobody passes, teasing, a best friend stopped coming. For a child this matters more than any technique.
- Fear of mistakes. If every game is followed by a home debrief on “why didn't you score,” training becomes an exam. The fun disappears.
- Boredom. Lots of repetitive drills and little play — especially hard for younger children.
- Something hurts or is uncomfortable. Boots rub, a knee aches, it is cold — small things a child may not mention. On kit, see what a child needs for football.
What to do
- Talk to the coach. They see your child on the pitch and often know what you cannot see at home: a conflict, where it is hard, what is going well. A good coach will help — pair them with another child, set a task within reach, encourage them.
- Remove post-game pressure. Instead of “why didn't you score” — “what did you enjoy today?” Praise effort and courage, not only goals.
- Check the load. If your child is tired, sometimes it is enough to reduce the number of sessions per week rather than stop altogether.
- Come and watch a session. You will see how your child feels in the group and understand where the problem is.
- Agree on a period. If the reason is unclear, agree: “Let's keep going for another month and then decide together.” It is fair to the child and stops the decision being a one-day whim.
When a break or a change is fine
If your child consistently, for weeks, does not want to go, gets upset before training, and talking to them and the coach changes nothing, it is a reason to stop. A break is not a defeat. Sometimes a child comes back to football six months later on their own and happily. And sometimes their sport is a different one — that is fine too. What matters is that your child keeps a good attitude to movement and sport in general.
How we try to make children want to come
We train using the Brazilian GINGA method: lots of play, lots of ball, technique through game situations rather than drilling. Groups are formed by year of birth so children play with others at their level. If you notice your child cooling off, message or call us — together with the coach we will figure out what is going on. What a normal session looks like — see how a training session works.
If your child does not train with us yet, start with a free trial session: let them try and decide whether they like it. Request one on the trial session page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I force my child to go to training?
Forcing usually backfires: the child starts to link football with pressure. It is better to find the reason, talk to the coach and, if it is unclear, agree on a trial period — for example, another month and then decide together.
My child says they are not good enough. What should I do?
Talk to the coach: they can set a task within reach and point out what is already going well. At home, praise effort, not just results. If the child is clearly behind the group, moving to a group at their level sometimes helps.
When is it worth taking a break?
If your child does not want to go for weeks, gets upset before training and talking changes nothing, a break is fine. The key is to keep a good attitude to sport: many children come back to football on their own.
Can I come and watch a session?
Yes, call us on +7 925 337-55-05 and we will suggest a convenient time. New children can come to a free trial session.