My son passes the ball every time because he is scared of losing it

Question

Bit of an opposite problem to what I normally hear. My son is U7 and in 3v3 he almost always looks for a pass straight away, even when there is loads of space in front of him. I think he is worried that if he dribbles and loses it he has done something wrong. We have never told him off for losing it, but he definitely plays safer in matches than training. Would you actually encourage him to try and beat somebody, or just leave him until the confidence comes?

Verified Coach · Accepted Answer

I’d give him permission to dribble rather than tell him he has to.

Something as simple as, “If you see space, you’re allowed to go into it,” can be enough. The important part is that losing the ball is not followed by disappointment from the adults. If he tries to beat somebody and it does not work, I’d still recognise the decision and the bravery.

You can help in training with lots of 1v1 and 2v1 games where keeping the ball is not the only sign of success. Let him experience taking somebody on, losing it, winning it back and trying again.

I would not make “dribble more” into another pressure. You are trying to make that option feel safe, not turn it into a new instruction he is worried about getting wrong.

BlackCoffee · Answer

This is why I dislike adults shouting 'good pass' at every safe pass. Sometimes the brave decision is carrying it. I would praise the decision rather than whether the team kept the ball.

Olivia1996 · Answer

I would definitely give him permission to dribble. Not 'you must dribble', more 'if you see space, go and see what happens'. Some children need to hear that losing it is allowed.

GreyHoodie · Answer

We had this with my son. He was so worried about being the kid who lost it that he would pass backwards from situations where he could have just run. What helped was the coach praising the attempt to beat someone, even when it failed. It took the 'wrong choice' feeling away.

My son passes the ball every time because he is scared of losing it

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