Nabiella Annaejla, Amin Akbar
This study aims to explore the psychological dynamics of children's involvement in grassroots soccer through a sports psychology perspective. A descriptive qualitative method was used with purposive sampling, involving 11 participants there were five parents, five child athletes, and a head coach from SSB Bina Mandiri Tembilahan. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and observations, then analyzed thematically. The results revealed that children's experiences are shaped within a complex psychological ecosystem, characterized by the interaction between the child's intrinsic motivation to play and socialize, the extrinsic expectations of the parents, and the coach's play-learn-play philosophy. The findings indicate that the soccer environment functions as a holistic developmental space, not only honing motor skills but also fostering emotional regulation, athletic identity, and social competence in children. The key to the success of this environment lies in the alignment of roles within the triadic support ecosystem like parents as logistical and emotional supporters, coaches as architects of the motivational climate, and children as active participants. This study concludes that a sports psychology approach is crucial for designing a grassroots environment that supports children's psychological well-being and long-term engagement in sport, beyond simply the pursuit of athletic talent. © 2026 by the authors.
Departmen of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
