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How to support players with Cerebral Palsy

Here, we explain what Cerebral Palsy is and how coaches can support players who have it. 

Disability football
Communications and relationships
England Football Learning logo on a red background.

England Football Learning

2 mins - Feb 26, 2024

Cerebral Palsy is a lifelong condition that affects different parts of the body. It can cause problems with breathing, movement, posture, balance and pain.  

Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the motor areas of the brain. This damage can happen before or during birth. Or it can happen later in life through something like a head injury or stroke.  

 

Some people with Cerebral Palsy find it difficult to coordinate basic movements. They could have accidents because they have difficulty with balance.  

They might also have restrictions on how they can move their limbs.  

Another potential effect of Cerebral Palsy is speech impairment. But don’t assume a player has a learning disability just because they have challenges speaking. 

Players with Cerebral Palsy may also have epilepsy. So, find out how they manage their seizures and what you should do if they have one. 

These are just a few key differences that we’ve highlighted. So, if you want to find out more, download this PDF. It has loads of key information and tips to help you support players with Cerebral Palsy.  

But remember, no two people with Cerebral Palsy are the same. Get to know them. Understand what motivates them. Find out how their condition affects them and what support they might need. 


Adapt sessions with the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002). Space: adjust the pitch size to allow players time to adjust their body position while also considering their fatigue levels. Task: use short duration activities with regular breaks. Equipment: use easy to grasp balls for throwing and catching warm up games. Players: group players according to physical literacy to ensure enjoyment of the session.
Adapt sessions with the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002). Space: adjust the pitch size to allow players time to adjust their body position while also considering their fatigue levels. Task: use short duration activities with regular breaks. Equipment: use easy to grasp balls for throwing and catching warm up games. Players: group players according to physical literacy to ensure enjoyment of the session.

Here are five top tips to help you support players with Cerebral Palsy: 

  • Get to know players. Talk to them and their parents about how you can best support them.   
  • Think about the temperature. Being too hot or cold can make it harder for players with Cerebral Palsy to play. Cold causes muscles to seize up, while warmth leads to overheating and tiredness.  
  • Embrace repetition. Doing the same thing repeatedly can help players overcome coordination challenges.  
  • Find out if players have a strong side or preferred position due to their impairment. Work around this on the pitch.
  • Work out the boundaries when it comes to responsibilities. Discover how you can assist them if they need help. 

If you haven’t already, download this PDF for more information on how to support players with Cerebral Palsy. It’s a handy resource to take with you to training.  

And if you want to find out more about Cerebral Palsy or disability football, check out these useful links:  

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