Soccer is a beautiful game for people of all ages. Most people start playing soccer when they’re young, and it’s a really easy game to pick up.
After all, soccer’s rules aren’t overly complex, and it’s a super fun and safe game for kids to play. So, in this article, we explain why you should get your kids playing soccer and how to help them fall in love with the beautiful game.
How to get your kids into soccer
The best way to get your kids playing soccer is to encourage them to play the sport when they’re young. Buy them a mini ball and play with them in the yard, and see whether or not they enjoy it. You will find that most kids enjoy chasing the ball around, and it could easily become a super enjoyable thing for you and your kids to do together. Below, we offer some tips on how to get your kids to fall in love with the beautiful game.
How to start your kids playing soccer (Five tips)
Of all the sports out there, soccer is one of the easiest to get started with. All you need is a ball and some grass, and you’re all set. Here are five tips on how to get your kids playing soccer from any age:
Buy them a ball
The only item that is essential when you’re introducing your kids to soccer for the first time is a ball. After all, as hard as you might try, it’s impossible to play the game without one! Thankfully, you can buy a soccer ball from practically everywhere.
Recently, we put together a super useful article recommending the best soccer balls for toddlers, which you can use as a guide to help you find an ideal ball for your little one.
Play in the backyard
Soccer is a game that you can play practically anywhere, and you don’t need a great deal of space to get started. To get your little ones involved for the first time, set up a game in the backyard and allow your kids to try out different things with the ball at their feet.
You might find that they’re the next Kasey Keller or Megan Rapinoe – after all, all legends have to start somewhere!
Take them to a soccer match
It’s impossible to forget your first ever soccer match. The walk to the stadium, your first entrance through the turnstiles, and your first glimpse of the lush green grass, will all stay with you forever.
So, be sure to take your kids to their first ever soccer match when they can truly appreciate the experience. You can take them to watch your local team, or you could travel interstate to watch an exciting MLS match.
One thing is for sure; once they’ve experienced a live soccer game, they will almost certainly want to come back for more!
Help them choose their team
An excellent way of getting your kids hooked on soccer is by helping them choose a soccer team to support. Choosing a team to follow for the rest of your kids’ life isn’t an easy decision, as there’s a lot to think about!
Do you want them to follow your team? Are you happy for them to choose for themselves? Should they follow your local team? Whoever they decide to follow, you will find that your kids will fall in love with the beautiful game more quickly when they have a vested interest in a pro soccer team.
Look for a little league
Our final tip for helping to get your kids playing soccer is to look for a little league to join in your local area. There are so many ways of finding soccer leagues near you, and getting your kids into competitive soccer from an early age is a great way to keep them entertained.
After all, the earlier your kids learn the rules of the game and various other key aspects of the sport, the sooner they will fall in love with the game. By enrolling your kids in a little league, you are giving them the perfect chance to develop their skills and interests.
Is soccer a good sport for kids to play?
While there are so many sports for your kids to play from a young age, soccer is by far one of the best. It’s easy to get into and doesn’t require much investment at all, as there is no specialist equipment required to enjoy the game.
Soccer is also completely safe and played in good spirits, particularly in North America. So, if you’re on the fence about your kids playing soccer, we have one piece of advice – go for it!
Tip: Discover the perfect age for your kids to start playing soccer by checking out our recent blog post on the topic.
The verdict: Get your kids playing soccer today!
Everyone at Soccer Knowledge Hub loves the beautiful game. We appreciate that everyone starts their soccer journey at different times, but we’d certainly encourage you to get your kids into the game when they’re young.
This way, they have plenty of time to develop their skills and may even fulfill their dream of representing their national team sometime in the future.