Your child should play soccer as they will improve balance and strength and learn communication and team play skills.
You can introduce your child to soccer from the age of 3. They will have the strength and balance to play certain sports. Thankfully, soccer is one of them.
There are many benefits to playing the game from such a young age, both physically and mentally. Soccer can improve coordination, physical development, and discipline, amongst other things.
What to consider when thinking about taking your child to soccer;
• Learning the rules
• New skills to learn
• Level of competitiveness
• What position should they play
• Gear and equipment needed
• Involvement of the parents
Sports for children bring about many positive experiences. However, your child must be playing for the right reasons. See the important points below and decide for yourself.
8 Benefits of Kids Playing Soccer
The benefits for kids playing soccer are;
- Physical fitness
- Skills and technique
- Coordination
- Personal development
- Friendship and camaraderie
- Healthy competition
- Teamwork
- Life opportunities
Let’s look deeper at the benefit of playing soccer and see if your child should play.
Physical fitness
Soccer involves lots and lots of running and jumping. Movement and running are fantastic for overall fitness and provide a great physical base for kids.
It’s also good to burn up some of their never-ending energy stores!
Skill and Technique
Soccer is a highly technical sport. Several key skills are to be learned: kicking, control, dribbling, defensive and off-the-ball techniques, and movements.
These types of skills that can be learned are not always found in other sports.
These skills and techniques are useful for the game of soccer and also empower a player as they improve over time.
This skill development becomes applicable to other scenarios that a child may encounter in school or social situations.
Coordination
Balance and coordination are part and parcel of soccer. Players are constantly moving, competing for possession of the ball, kicking, and jumping.
This helps develop a stable core, improves one’s center of gravity, and greatly enhances coordination.
Children need to develop coordination and balance as it improves control over body movement and makes them more able for motor-based tasks.
Mental and Social Benefits
Personal Development
Training and playing games might be fun but require dedication and discipline. When young girls and boys try to show up every week, they will recognize the benefits and improvements in their game. Their work pays off.
Each player on the field has a responsibility. At such a young age, this can be an invaluable lesson for a child’s future.
Friendships and Comradery
There’s nothing quite like the friends that you make playing sports. Teamwork and comradery are crucial aspects of the game. Players strive for a common goal and experience both highs and lows together.
These friendships and memories can last a lifetime.
Healthy Competition
Keeping score is not important for 3 and 4-year-olds. However, there is no getting away from the fact that two teams compete against each other.
Although the games may not be very competitive, an introduction to healthy competition helps prepare kids for the world that awaits them.
They will learn that losing is a part of life and necessary to grow.
Teamwork
Being a team player is not only crucial in soccer, but it’s also very important in life. One player’s talent cannot outdo a well-oiled team throughout a game.
Soccer teaches people how to operate in team scenarios.
Life Opportunities
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. There are hundreds of professional soccer leagues, spanning every continent.
Soccer pros are among the highest-paid athletes on this planet.
Playing at a young age provides the perfect platform to progress from. Success in soccer as a youngster can also open up opportunities for college scholarships.
Best age to start playing soccer
If your child is full of energy and loves to run around, soccer would be great for them at the ages of 3 to 5.
Children develop at different ages; some become active on their feet from 3 and upwards. This could be a great time for you to introduce them to soccer.
A 2-year-old may not be fully stable on their feet when they need to coordinate their legs to run and kick the ball.
Playing soccer at a young age is all about having fun. Young children just want to have fun, and you’ll find a center near you that focuses on playing games with the soccer ball.
It’s a joy to take your kids to play soccer and watch them interact with other kids. They will run around and chase after a ball with a smile.
It allows you to relax and let them exercise the muscles, which is essential for development. If your child is more technically minded and wants to play with Lego, they may not be at the right stage to play.
More important to try it out. Children should interact in different social parameters for all-around physical and mental growth.
Best age to start competitive soccer
Soccer is best played competitively at the age under 6’s. At this age, they have enough concentration and physical attributes to compete.
This can be a great time to transition from a friendly playgroup to a proper team. While u6s and u8s will play against other teams, the focus is still on having fun.
One of the best things about soccer is its gradual progression to competitive soccer. From the ages of 3 to 5, children will have fun chasing after the ball and playing games with their friends.
At the later age of this development, you will notice if your child is competitive while playing. When a child transitions to a team, they will develop further skills. These are life skills that help us throughout life.
Working with a team with a ‘common goal’ helps build unity amongst friends. Communication is a key factor when playing together; when your child is playing competitive soccer, you will see them grow.
Soccer Rules for Kids
It’s not vital for kids to know each and every rule of the game. It’s more important that they enjoy themselves and develop different skills and techniques.
4 key positions
- Goalie: These players stand in the goalframe, and their job is to stop the ball from hitting the back of their net. They can use their hands to do so, as long as they’re inside their penalty box.
- Defenders: Their core function is to prevent the opposition from scoring or creating chances.
- Midfielders: Combining attack and defense, these players do a little bit of everything.
- Attackers: The most appealing but difficult position. Attackers are responsible for scoring the majority of their teams’ goals.
Essential Soccer Rules for Kids
- Soccer is a game with two opposing teams trying to outscore each other. It’s played on a rectangular field split into two halves, with goalposts on either end.
- The main objective is to kick the ball into the opposition goal. There are different strategies for doing so, such as passing, dribbling your way, or shooting from a distance.
- No hands! Handball is illegal in soccer for everyone other than the goalie, who can handle the ball inside his/her penalty box.
- The game starts via “kick-off” in the center circle of the field. The second half is started the same way. After scoring a goal, the conceding team “kick-off” to restart the match.
- Throw-ins: When the ball goes out of play over the sideline, a throw-in is awarded to the team’s opponent that last touched the ball. Here’s how a throw-in is to be taken.
- Corner Kicks are awarded when the defensive team touches (kicks, heads, knees, deflects, etc.) the ball over their end line. The kick is taken from the corner of the pitch, where the sideline meets the end line.
- If the offensive team touches the ball over the opponent’s end line, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. This kick is taken from inside the penalty box.
- Fouls occur when a player breaks the rules. Soccer is a contact sport but it does not allow heavy physical challenges. Shoulder to shoulder, light contact is permissible. The most common fouls are:
- Kicking an opponent
- Tripping
- Striking an opponent
- Pushing
- Pulling the uniform
- Handball
The consequence of a foul is either a free kick or a penalty kick.
- A freekick is awarded if a foul takes place outside the penalty box. This is an uncontested ball kick from which opposition players must stay a minimum of 10 yards.
- A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a foul inside their penalty box. A penalty kick is a free shot on a goal from 12 yards out, dead center of the goal. Only 1 player is permitted to take the kick. All other players, other than the opposing goalie, must stay outside of the penalty box until the kick is taken.
How to motivate your kid to play soccer
Coaches and parents can motivate kids by promoting soccer as a fun and enjoyable outlet for kids. Reduce the pressure of winning and scoring by praising kids for the simple plays.
Young players should look forward to playing and should relish every second. However, it’s beneficial for them to learn the game’s fundamental skills.
This helps them to improve quicker and provides a base for them down the line.
How to help your child improve at soccer
- Each player should have the opportunity to try out every position.
- They should be taught the proper technique for striking a soccer ball: shooting, passing, crossing, knees, penalty kicks, free kicks, goal kicks, etc.
- They should learn techniques for controlling the ball in different scenarios: with either foot, with the knee, with the chest, from a height, at different speeds, etc.
- Young players should be taught how to defend and tackle. They should also be made aware of how important defense is to learn to respect this side of the game.
- Positional play should be introduced, but it’s not an important aspect of the game at this level.
How to tell if your child is good at soccer
You can tell if your child is good at soccer if they have the key factors in retaining and regaining possession of the ball. A child can show many aspects to show that they’re good at soccer.
When you watch them play, you will notice if they’re controlled in their manner when they have the ball and the opponent is rushing toward them.
Some players stand out when they’re playing the game because they can dribble the ball past others with their fast speed.
They might show off their skills with a few flicks. This is a sign they’re confident in what they’re doing, and that confidence shows they know the game.
Not all players stand out in the team because of their skills. Other players play a simple game but don’t be fooled into thinking they’re okay.
In reality, a pro soccer player simply does the best things when required. Some players can elaborate too much and may miss the chance to play the ball forward to create a chance.
A child is good at soccer when they enjoy it. As with anything in life, when we enjoy something, we tend to excel.
If your child is not a stand-out player at the moment, because they enjoy the game, they will develop into a good player because of their passion.
What equipment is needed for kids’ Soccer?
- Cleats/Astroturf sneakers: for grip, control, and protection.
- Shin pads: these are usually made from plastic and are placed on the shin, underneath a player’s sock, to protect the shin from kicks.
- Socks: these are knee-high to keep the shin pads in place.
- Shorts.
- Soccer shirt or regular sports t-shirt.
- Sweater/Hoodie for cold weather.
- Rain jacket for rainy training days.
- Water bottle: it’s important to stay hydrated during soccer. You’d be surprised how much running is done in a single match or training session.
The great thing about introducing your child to soccer is that it requires very little equipment and clothing.
At home, all a player needs is a ball and a small amount of room to practice. When playing a more organized game, more sports gear is needed.
Role of parents to help kids play soccer
Parents should act supportively and encourage their kids when they’re playing. A smile on their face encourages you’re doing the right thing.
They shouldn’t force them to participate unwillingly, but quite often, a shy kids might need an extra push to immerse themselves in a team game.
This is especially true when they’re playing sports for the first time. It can be quite daunting.
It can help to have a soccer ball at home and for parents to practice or play with their kids for fun.
I hope this has helped you decide if your child should play soccer – try once to find out.
Related Questions
What are the best sports for 3 and 4-year-olds?
The best sports for this age group enhance motor skills, balance, and coordination and involve basic movements. Some sports recommended by the Mayo Clinic are softball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, martial arts, and dancing.
Should kids header the ball in soccer?
It’s advised that kids avoid heading the ball at all in soccer. As their brains are still growing and developing, there is a chance that some damage could occur from the excessive heading of a ball.
How often should a 3 or 4-year-old play soccer?
There is no set amount of time. Once a week is appropriate for organized soccer. However, if your child enjoys chasing and kicking a ball around the garden daily, that is perfectly healthy.
