How to Keep Your Teen Soccer Player Motivated This Summer
- Soccer Unleashed
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
The school year ends, and suddenly everything slows down—including your teen’s passion for soccer. One week they’re staying late after practice, hungry to improve; the next, they barely touch the ball. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many teen soccer players lose motivation during summer. Without the structure, it’s easy for focus to fade.
This post unpacks why that motivation dips and how you can help your teen reconnect with the sport they love—without pushing them away.
The Real Reasons Teen Soccer Players Lose Motivation
There are several reasons teen soccer players lose motivation over the summer—and laziness usually isn’t one of them. After long, demanding seasons, many are simply physically and mentally burnt. You might notice fatigue or a lack of interest in the game. The loss of structure during summer won't help. Without routines, days blur together, and motivation fades.
Comparison also plays a role. Social media, tryouts, or competition can trigger self-doubt: “I’ll never be good enough, so why try?” Add pressure from parents, coaches, or college decisions, and soccer starts to feel like a chore. One more thing—teen soccer players need short-term wins. Big goals like “making varsity” feel far away and overwhelming. Without smaller milestones, motivation fades.
How Parents Can Help Reignite Their Teen’s Soccer Drive
So, how can you help your teen soccer player find their spark again—without turning into the motivation police?
Start by adding structure, but let them help shape it. A flexible routine that includes training, rest, and fun gives them ownership and balance.
Refocus on joy—remind them what they love about the game and give them opportunities to reconnect to the game. It could be a pickup match, nailing a new move, or hanging with their teammates.
Set short-term goals—like improving their weak foot or running a faster sprint. Small wins rebuild confidence and joy.
Provide a little inspiration—watching pro games or helping younger players—can reconnect teen soccer players as well. It’s not about pushing harder; it’s about remembering why they play.
Most importantly, listen. If they’re feeling burned out or discouraged, validate it before jumping to solutions. Being heard helps.
What Not to Do (Top 3 Parent Pitfalls)
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to slip into habits that actually make things worse. When your teen soccer player seems unmotivated, here are a few common missteps to avoid:
ONE: Pushing Harder When They Pull Back
It’s tempting to respond to low motivation by tightening the reins—more training, more structure, more pressure. But if your teen is burned out, this can backfire. Instead, give them space to recover, then rebuild gently.
TWO: Making it About Your Investment
You’ve likely put in a lot—time, money, travel, energy. But when your teen hears “After all we’ve done for you…” it adds guilt to the pressure. They need support, not a scoreboard.
THREE: Comparing Them to Others
Whether it’s a teammate, sibling, or someone you follow on Instagram, comparisons chip away at confidence. Motivation grows from feeling capable and valued—not from feeling behind.
Opportunities to Reignite Their Love of Soccer: Small-Sided Games, Pick-Ups, Camps and More
Long-Term Motivation Is Built on Connection
At the end of the day, your teen soccer player’s motivation won’t be built on perfect routines or constant pressure—it’s built on connection. Connection to the sport, to their own goals, and most importantly, to you. When they feel seen, supported, and understood, they’re more likely to stay engaged—even when things get hard. That doesn’t mean fixing everything or forcing the issue. It means being present. Asking questions. Celebrating small wins. And reminding them that their value doesn’t depend on how fast they run or how many goals they score.
Motivation comes and goes, but what lasts is the relationship you’re building with your teen through the highs and the lows. Keep showing up. That’s what they’ll remember most.
What to Do Next to Help Your Teen Soccer Player
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Sometimes, the most powerful shifts start with a single, thoughtful action.
Ask yourself: What’s one small change you could make this week to help your teen feel supported—not pressured? Whether it’s adjusting your tone, carving out time to kick the ball around together, or just listening more closely, those moments matter.
Then, make a plan for the summer. Include reconnection, skill work, agility, and downtime. Structure helps. If you prefer not to make one yourself, here is a Summer Soccer Success Plan that can that can help.
------------
We’re soccer moms on a mission to support families at every stage of the soccer journey. We know how overwhelming the youth soccer world can be—so we’re here to help. Our platform connects parents to valuable opportunities that might otherwise be missed: skill-building camps, small-sided games, clinics, and more. Whether your player is just starting out or chasing big goals, we help you find what they need to grow—without the guesswork. We also support clubs by helping them share their programs and reach more families—so more kids can access the right training and development paths.
Because every player deserves a fair shot—and every parent needs a partner in the process. We're here to serve, guide, and champion every players' soccer journey.
Comments