What Are the Benefits of Soccer for Kids?

According to U.S. Youth Soccer, over three million kids between the ages of five and 19 are registered to play soccer in the United States. Soccer is a great game for both boys and girls, and one which can have a number of important benefits for their development, both physically and mentally.

  1. Simplicity

    • Soccer is an ideal game for kids of virtually all ages because of its simplicity. All kids need to play soccer is a ball and a safe place to play. Unlike other sports, soccer doesn’t require any specialized equipment for a game to get started, which makes it a useful option if cost is a factor, and because the basic rules are very simple, they are easy for even young kids to understand. Any child capable of running and kicking a ball can get involved. As a non-contact sport, the likelihood of a child being injured—beyond a few bruises and a scraped knee--is low.

    Health

    • The very mobile nature of soccer makes it a great way for kids to get and stay fit. During a game, they will have to run, tackle, pass and defend, making it a great physical workout for the cardiovascular system. Soccer can also help build muscle tone, lower body fat, build endurance, strength and flexibility and increase bone and muscle strength. The shifts in pace which occur during a game as players walk, jog and sprint also contribute to the workout. The American Heart Association recommends soccer as an activity which can be very beneficial if played regularly.

    Teamwork

    • As a team sport, soccer encourages kids to work together toward a common goal. They learn to share responsibility and integrate everyone into the team. As such, it can be a great way to build kid’s confidence and self-esteem, in addition to helping them make friends and build social skills. No player can win a game on his own.

    Life Skills

    • Soccer can also be used to help kids gain the life skills which will help them succeed in the wider world. The Soccer in the Streets program in Atlanta, Georgia, helps urban young people learn about respect, communication, discipline and leadership—all skills they can use throughout their lives. Jill Robbins, the program’s executive director, explains that “Soccer is a great tool because it’s easy to apply it in the context of a hands-on example so that we can focus on very obvious and transferable skills that the kids can use in other arenas of their lives.”