| There are more benefits to playingyouth soccer than | | | | they got to touch the ball and contribute to the team. |
| you may realize | | | | And when they win, every kid feels part of that win. |
| The sport of soccer continues to grow in the US as | | | | And when they lose, they feel proud of having played |
| evidenced by the increasing number of kids getting | | | | as well as they could and look forward to the next |
| involved in the game and the attendance numbers at | | | | game when it starts all over. Every kid knows that in |
| MLS soccer games throughout the country. This is a | | | | the next game he or she will be right out there in the |
| good thing because it provides a great opportunity for | | | | middle of things helping her team win and maybe even |
| all kids, no matter how tall, short, skinny, plump, shy, | | | | score the winning goal or make a winning save. |
| smart, or whatever, to gain the benefits of being part | | | | There is also something about the parents at soccer |
| of a team where anyone can be a super star on any | | | | games. Only the sport of soccer has a Mom, |
| given day. | | | | a Soccer Mom. These wonderful ladies, who shuttle |
| All sports provide physical and other benefits for those | | | | their kids back and forth to soccer games every |
| involved in them. But soccer offers much more to | | | | weekend, are the soul of youth soccer in America. |
| help youths develop, interact with others, and just plain | | | | Soccer moms have played a big part in the popularity |
| enjoy themselves, something kids should do, after all. | | | | of youth soccer and their involvement in the sport has |
| One of the greatest things about soccer is that any kid | | | | helped many a youngster enjoy being part of a team. |
| can kick a soccer ball and learn to do it well within a | | | | There are many resources on the web about other |
| short period of time. There are no special talents | | | | benefits of youth soccer including physical conditioning |
| required. If a boy or girl can run, he or she can do so | | | | and injury prevention. One of my favorite soccer |
| with a soccer ball at his or her feet. Any kid can gain | | | | websites is where you will also find all kinds of stuff |
| basic skills in dribbling, passing, and shooting a soccer | | | | about soccer, like soccer news, stats, and soccer |
| ball with minimal time and effort expended. This | | | | game schedules. |
| means that any child that wants to play soccer can do | | | | In addition to those highlighted in this article, soccer |
| so and be at a level of most of the players on the | | | | provides other benefits for youngsters. Think about |
| field. | | | | all that running and stopping and turning. Great for the |
| Kids don’t need to be 7 foot tall leaping gazelles | | | | lungs, muscles, and the mind. And there are so many |
| or refrigerator-sized brutes or multi-talented athletes to | | | | more. |
| play on a soccer team and perform at least as well | | | | If your child is not playing soccer, what are you waiting |
| as most of the teammates. Soccer is a pure team | | | | for? It’s going to be the number one sport in |
| sport. No one player, no matter how talented, can | | | | the US eventually, just like it is in every other country in |
| win a game on his or her own. Winning a soccer game | | | | the world. Get your son and daughter out on the |
| requires the participation of every one of his | | | | soccer field as early as possible. It keeps them out |
| teammates out on the pitch. This allows every kid on | | | | of trouble, builds their confidence, keeps them healthy, |
| the team to touch the ball often and contribute to | | | | and helps them grow the right way. I know. I raised |
| making plays, no matter what his or her skill level is. | | | | four soccer kids that started playing at five years of |
| This really helps build a child’s self-esteem, | | | | age and I saw the development provided by soccer |
| which can be seen in the confidence displayed on the | | | | through their teen years as the coach of their soccer |
| field. Something as simple as a good pass or | | | | teams. |
| stopping the ball from getting to an opponent can | | | | Every town and county probably has a youth soccer |
| make a kid feel good about him or herself and that | | | | association. It won’t be hard to find a team for |
| makes them perform even better. And they have | | | | your son and daughter. You never know, one of |
| lots of chances to do this. One good play washes | | | | your kids could be the next David Beckham. And, if |
| away any and all misses. | | | | you are a mother, maybe you will be Soccer Mom of |
| I have seen timid boys and girls blossom into assertive | | | | the Year. |
| soccer players in just a few weeks. All because | | | | |