One of the six Key Qualities of a Self-Regulating Player is the ability to learn, adapt, and apply knowledge. Developing Learning Ability means helping players:

Stay open to feedback and reflection
Transfer skills across activities and games
Show curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving
Take ownership of their improvement

What Are the Key Qualities?

The Key Qualities are core attributes that we use as a lens to observe, develop, and support our players. These qualities help us understand not just how players perform in training sessions, games, or even at tryouts and kickarounds, but also how they learn and grow over time.

Using Key Qualities to Enhance Learning Ability

We integrate these Key Qualities throughout the year to help players self-regulate their own learning experience. For example, we encourage players to reflect on their progress using various documents and tools we’ve provided. The goal is to help them tap into their learning ability and become better learners, which ultimately accelerates their development. When players actively engage in this process, they can grow and improve at a much faster pace.

Making It Part of the Coaching and Learning Journey

We use these Key Qualities not just to evaluate players, but to guide them in becoming more aware of their own learning process. This might happen through regular check-ins, goal-setting sessions, or reflective exercises that are shared below. By weaving these qualities into the fabric of our coaching, we help players see learning as an ongoing journey.

What is Learning Ability?

Learning ability is essentially a player’s capacity to absorb new information, adapt, and apply what they’ve learned. It’s about helping players become self-driven learners who can reflect on their experiences and continuously improve.

Simple Ways to Develop Learning Ability

To foster this, we use a few straightforward methods:

Reflection Tools: Encourage players to use journals or reflection prompts after sessions to think about what they learned.
Goal-Setting: Have players set small, achievable goals and revisit them regularly to track their own progress.
Feedback Loops: Create a culture of constructive feedback where players feel comfortable asking questions and receiving guidance.

Learning Ability Across Different Levels

For a Rising Rapids player, learning ability might look like simply beginning to understand how to reflect on their own play and identify one or two things they did well. At the Competitive level, it could mean players are more actively setting goals and engaging in self-assessment. And for a National Platform player, learning ability is about sophisticated self-regulation—using detailed feedback, adjusting their own performance, and mentoring peers.
Players who develop strong learning ability become independent thinkers and lifelong learners. As coaches, our role is to ask good questions, provide clear feedback, and create space for players to reflect on their decisions and growth.

Ways Players Can Develop and Show Learning Ability

Ask Questions During Training: Players can show their learning ability by asking thoughtful questions about drills, tactics, or feedback. This shows they’re actively engaged and eager to understand more deeply.
Set Personal Goals Each Session: Encourage players to set one or two small goals for each training or game—like improving a specific skill or focusing on a particular aspect of their play—and then review how they did afterward.
Reflect After Games: After matches, players can write down or share one thing they learned and one thing they want to improve next time. This simple act of reflection helps solidify their learning.
Give Peer Feedback: Players can practice giving positive, constructive feedback to teammates. By articulating what they see, they reinforce their own understanding and help others learn too.
Adapt Based on Feedback: Show their learning ability by applying coach feedback quickly—whether it’s adjusting their positioning, trying a new technique, or changing their approach in the next drill or game scenario.

Ways Coaches Can Foster Players’ Learning Ability

Model Reflective Practice: Show players how to reflect by doing it yourself. Share your own reflections on what went well in a session and what could be improved, so they see that learning is a continuous process for everyone.
Provide Guided Reflection Prompts: Give players specific questions to think about after a practice or game, like, “What did you learn today that you didn’t know before?” or “What’s one thing you want to try differently next time?”
Encourage Peer Teaching: Let players occasionally explain a concept or demonstrate a skill to their teammates. Teaching others is a great way for players to deepen their own understanding.
Set Individual Learning Goals: Work with players to set personalized learning goals that align with their developmental stage and track their progress together. Celebrate when they meet those goals!
Create a Safe Space for Questions: Foster an environment where questions are welcomed and curiosity is encouraged. When players feel safe to ask questions, they’re more likely to engage deeply with their own learning.

Ideas for Connecting Learning Ability to Autonomy Support

One powerful way to deepen players’ learning ability is by fostering autonomy support. It’s not just about telling players what to do; it’s about giving them the “why” behind it. When coaches explain the rationale behind decisions or encourage players to ask each other questions, it puts players in the driver’s seat of their own learning.

For instance, instead of always having players answer directly to the coach, you can have them turn and talk to each other. Maybe at halftime, you ask the backline to reflect on their first-half performance together, while the midfielders and forwards do the same. This way, they’re co-creating solutions and really taking ownership of their own learning process.

Player-Led Reflection: Use these after training, games, or as weekly check-ins:
- “What did you learn today that you didn’t know before?”
- “What was one moment you’re proud of?”
- “If you could replay one moment, what would you do differently?”
- “What was most fun about today?”
- “What’s one thing you want to work on next time?”
Player-Led Goal Setting: Simple format for setting micro-goals before training or games:
- This week, I want to work on:
- I’ll know I improved if:
- One way my coach/teammates can support me is:

Goal: Encourage revisiting goals weekly and celebrating effort, not just results.

Peer-to-Peer Reflection Questions: Ask these questions in pairs or small groups after an activity:
- “What did your teammate do well in that moment?”
- “What decision would you make if you were in their shoes?”
- “What made that successful (or not)?”

Goal: Build reflection into pauses and transitions — not just the end.

Coach Check-In Questions (Mid-Season or Monthly): Use in 1-on-1 or group chats:
- “What’s one thing you’ve improved on since the start of the season?”
- “What’s been your biggest challenge lately?”
- “What do you think you need to keep growing?”
- “What’s something you’re curious about in your position/team role?”

Connect: Helps players connect reflection to growth — and opens space for feedback.

Creating the Right Environment

Normalize failure as part of growth
Respond to mistakes with curiosity, not criticism
Encourage quiet reflection time (not always verbal)
Give players space to write or draw their thoughts if verbal processing isn’t ideal

Outcome: Learning ability grows when players feel safe, supported, and challenged.

How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Learning Ability

Parents play a big role in nurturing a child’s learning ability, and it often starts with the kinds of questions they ask after games and practices. Instead of just asking, “Did you win?” or “Did you score?”—which focus on outcomes the player can’t always control—parents can ask questions that put the emphasis on learning and enjoyment.

Some great questions include, “What did you learn today?” and “What was the most fun part?” These are open-ended and encourage kids to share their experiences in more detail. When parents actively listen to these answers, they can help reinforce those positive elements. It’s a great way to make sure that the environment continues to meet the child’s needs for both fun and development.

Additional Ways Parents Can Foster Learning Ability

Provide a Reflection Journal: Give your child a small notebook or journal where they can jot down what they learned after each practice or game. This helps them build a habit of reflection and track their own growth over time.
Watch Soccer Together: Spend time watching a game with your child and talking about what you both notice. Ask them questions about what they see and what they think the players are doing, which can boost their game understanding and critical thinking.
Backyard Practice Time: Simply spend some time in the yard or at the park kicking the ball around together. This not only helps them practice skills, but also shows that you’re interested in their development and enjoy spending that time with them.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Praise your child for the effort they put into learning something new, rather than just the outcome of a game. This reinforces a growth mindset and the value of learning itself.

Key Qualities-Learning Lines-progression of competencies across programs
Key Qualities of a Self-Regulating Player- Rising Rapids
Key Qualities of a Self-Regulating Player- Competitive
Key Qualities of a Self-Regulating Player- Tiers 1-3

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