Soccer Information for Kids

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world.

Soccer is a popular sport among young kids, as it gives them a good opportunity to run around, have some fun and work on their coordination. There are leagues available for most skill levels, with children as young as 2 years old being able to play the sport.

History

Soccer is played at all levels around the world.

Soccer has been played in some form or another for more than 2,000 years. A relatively simple sport, all that is needed to play soccer is a ball, a field, some manner of marking off goals and players. Contemporary soccer, or football as it is called in most parts of the world, has its origin in England, where the first league was started in 1864. Children's soccer leagues have been around almost as long, with kids enjoying the opportunity to run and kick the ball from an early age.

Benefits

Kids enjoy kicking the ball.

Soccer provides a fun way for kids to hone their coordination and improve their stamina. Starting with fairly short games, kids learn to work together, moving the ball up and down the field toward the goal. The earliest notions of teamwork and strategy can be formed on the soccer field.

Athletics teach children the value of being a good sport, and many of the youth soccer programs encourage positive attitudes by focusing on having fun and learning, rather than on winning. Organizations such as the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) encourage all youth to sign up, with a policy that guarantees that every child will play in every game.

Guidelines

Youth soccer teams keep like age groups together.

Youth soccer players are typically organized into teams that are broken down by age groups. The team designations typically have a "u" and then the age, indicating that all of the players on the team are that age or below; ie U8 teams are comprised of players that are age 8 and below. Children that play at the U8 level and below use a size 3 soccer ball, which is the smallest regulation size that is recognized. Children that are between 8 and 12 years old use a size 4 soccer ball. All other players utilize the standard size 5 soccer ball.

Leagues

Your child's coach can help determine the best fit for her.

There are a number of different types of soccer leagues for children. AYSO is one of the largest leagues, and it focuses primarily on teaching kids the basics of soccer and allowing children to play in a no-pressure environment. AYSO has divisions as young as U5, which children as young a 4 years of age may join. At the youngest divisions, teams are strictly co-ed, and there are no goalies. Teams may start utilizing goalies in the U8 division, though they are optional. Score is not officially kept, and every child plays in every game.

Many areas have youth soccer club leagues in addition to AYSO teams. Club leagues are typically more competitive, and they often require players to try out for the team. Club soccer generally employs the use of goalies and referees. If a child is really excelling in an AYSO type of soccer league and would like a greater challenge, this is often a viable option.

Many school districts have soccer teams, starting as early as middle school, which children may try out for. Similar to club teams, this usually provides a more competitive environment than the AYSO types of leagues.

Advantages of Soccer

Soccer is more fun for many kids than other sports.

Although any type of athletic activity can offer benefits to children by encouraging them to exercise, soccer has advantages over some other sports for young kids. Because soccer is a fast paced game, there is very little time spent just standing still, which can be an obstacle for some children in sports such as baseball. There is no bat or racket required, so equipment costs are minimal. Additionally, a lesser degree of hand-eye coordination is required, and the larger size of the soccer ball makes it easier for children to interact with than the smaller balls found in some other sports.

References

• Soccer Website: Soccer History
• Soccer Game Information: Soccer Balls
• AYSO: Age Guide