School's Out! How Much Football Should Young Players Actually Do This Summer?
The school holidays are nearly here. For young footballers, that often means a change to their usual routine.
Training sessions may slow down, matches take a break and suddenly there are six weeks of summer stretching ahead.
For parents, this can raise a common question: how much football should my child actually be doing over the summer?
Should they keep training? Take a complete break? Practise every day?
The answer is probably simpler than you think.
Summer Doesn't Need to Be a Six-Week Training Programme
Young players don't need every week of the summer holidays planned around football.
In fact, having time away from structured training can be a positive thing.
A busy football season can involve weekly training sessions, weekend matches, tournaments and plenty of travelling. Add school and other commitments into the mix, and young players can have a surprisingly full schedule.
The summer holidays are a chance to slow things down.
That doesn't necessarily mean putting the football away completely. It simply means allowing football to become a little more relaxed.
Let Them Play
Some of the best football played over the summer might not happen during a training session at all.
It might be a kickabout in the garden.
A game with friends at the park.
Trying to hit the crossbar ten times.
Practising a new skill they saw their favourite player do.
This type of unstructured play gives young footballers the freedom to experiment, be creative and simply enjoy having a ball at their feet.
There are no drills to complete and no pressure to get everything right.
Sometimes, they're just playing. And that's a good thing.
Follow Their Enthusiasm
If your child wants to play football every day, brilliant.
If they want a few days or even a couple of weeks away from the game, that's OK too.
Every young player is different.
Parents don't need to become summer coaches or create detailed training plans. Instead, look for simple opportunities to encourage their interest when it's there.
Offer to have a kickabout. Take a ball to the park. Encourage them to play with friends.
Keeping football enjoyable is far more important than counting how many hours they have trained during the holidays.
Don't Forget About Rest
Rest is part of sport.
Young footballers need time to recover physically, but they can also benefit from a mental break from the structure and expectations of a football season.
Summer is a chance to enjoy other activities, spend time with friends and try something different.
Swimming, cycling, running around outside and playing other sports can all help children stay active without feeling like they're constantly training for football.
A break doesn't mean a player is falling behind.
So, How Much Football Is Enough?
There isn't one perfect number of sessions or hours that suits every young footballer.
For most children, the summer should be about balance.
Play football when they want to. Keep moving. Try new things. Rest when needed.
The aim isn't to return after the summer as a completely different player.
It's to come back refreshed, excited and ready to enjoy football again.
At AFC Whyteleafe Youth, we want young players to build a long-term love of the game. Sometimes, the best thing for their football is simply giving them the freedom to enjoy it.
Have a brilliant summer — and don't forget the football! ⚽☀️