“Why Can’t My Child Score in Matches?”
A Case Study of Improving Reproducible Scoring Play in a Grade 3 Private Soccer Lesson

Coach: Yutaro Noma (Soccer Home Tutor / Private Soccer Lessons)

1. Basic Information

• Grade: 3rd Grade (Elementary School)
• Gender: Male
• Lesson Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

2. Main Theme of This Lesson

This lesson was not about fixing something that the player “couldn’t do.”
Rather, the focus was on how to move into the next phase based on what he has already built.

The player himself shared that:
• He wants to score more goals in matches
• He wants to be able to shoot with his left foot as well

Based on this, we worked together to clarify what should be organized next and what should be tested in real games.

3. Current Situation (Before the Lesson)

• Dribbling and right-footed play have become stable
• He feels that his form and results have recently improved, including scoring more goals
• However, depending on how and where he receives the ball, his options can still become limited

In team training environments, players are often told to “just do the same as everyone else.”
For children who prefer to understand the reason behind actions, this can feel unclear and unsatisfying,
making it harder to fully commit to practice.

4. Diagnosis (Key Insight)

In summary, this player was not struggling due to lack of ability.
He was at a stage where he was ready to move into the next phase.

• His past efforts and training were correct
• He has high comprehension and grows rapidly once concepts are understood
• Therefore, organizing play through clear principles rather than intuition was essential

Once this clarity is established, play naturally becomes simpler and more effective.

5. Training Intervention

① Introducing Left-Foot Shooting
• Instead of treating it as a completely new skill, we framed it as an extension of his right-foot shooting
• Emphasized understanding rather than repetition alone

② Organizing Ball Reception and Positioning
• Where and how to receive the ball to make the next action easier
• Positioning that naturally connects to shooting opportunities

The moment he realized that these were logical extensions of what he already knew,
he smiled and said, “This is actually easy.”
That reaction was one of the highlights of the session.

6. Changes Observed During the Lesson (Before / After)

Before
• Good plays appeared sporadically, but hesitation occurred depending on the situation
• Even when shooting opportunities existed, timing was sometimes delayed

After
• Decisions were made based on clear principles, reducing hesitation
• The common issue of “able to shoot but not shooting” nearly disappeared
• Shooting became simpler, leading directly to more goal-scoring situations

7. Advice for Matches and Daily Practice

Going forward, the key message was simple:
keep testing what was practiced today.

• Mistakes are expected and welcomed
• Repeated attempts are part of the process
• Team and school practices should be used as places to experiment

By attending training with a clear purpose rather than passively participating,
improvement accelerates significantly.

The fact that he consistently reports what worked and what didn’t before each lesson
is a major reason for his rapid progress.

8. Professional Comment

In private soccer lessons, we place great importance on
organizing a player’s understanding before adding new techniques.

Players with high comprehension often struggle not because they lack skill,
but because they don’t fully understand why certain actions are required.

As seen in this case, once previous learning is reorganized and connected to the next phase,
play becomes remarkably simple and effective.

9. For Players and Families Facing Similar Challenges

• Working hard but struggling to score in matches
• Understanding instructions but hesitating during play
• Unsure what the next step should be

These issues are rarely about talent or natural ability.
In many cases, improvement comes from reorganizing understanding and connecting practice to real matches.

In private lessons, we tailor this process to each player’s current stage and needs.