Starting a new sport can be daunting, we get that. But soccer is a wonderful game that has been played by people all around the world for centuries.
Given the huge variety of sports that Americans play today, you might be wondering – is soccer really worth it?
Here are five reasons why we think you should give soccer a try today!
It’s an excellent way to socialize with friends
Although soccer is competitive, regularly meeting up with your friends to enjoy a friendly match is an excellent way to socialize.
Whether you play in a five-a-side league after work or are committed to playing in a grassroots league in your state, you quickly develop a sense of community among your team.
Soccer players develop unique bonds with their teammates and make lifelong friends from playing the sport.
And the great thing about playing soccer is that you can start at any age! Whether you’re 10, 20, or 40, you can find a league in your local area and get started.
Of course, the earlier you start playing, the better, but there’s no reason why you can’t start playing soccer at any stage of your life.
We guarantee that you will make great friends and have the opportunity to socialize with your current friendship group.
Playing soccer will keep you fit
There’s a reason that soccer players are in great physical shape when you see them on the television! Soccer is a demanding sport and players train hard to be able to get up and down the pitch.
Research indicates that recreational soccer players have lower cholesterol, blood pressure, resting heart rates, and fat mass than inactive people!
Naturally, soccer is a great source of cardio and enables you to keep fit and healthy while having a great time.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to work out five times a week to be able to play recreational soccer, far from it!
Keeping yourself in good shape by heading out for a run and hitting the gym once in a while will be more than enough to keep you in good enough shape.
Given the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, keeping fit by playing soccer is something we can all get on board with.
Soccer provides you with a broad range of skills
The range of skills that you learn by playing soccer is impressive. Of course, you will learn the basics of the game itself (dribbling, shooting, passing, etc.) but you will also develop lots of other skills and attributes as a result of your practice.
When you take to the soccer field, you will learn about:
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- Teamwork
- Sportsmanship
The learning possibilities on the soccer field are endless.
Particularly for young people, playing soccer and the associated development opportunities will make you a much more rounded and learned individual.
This is one of the best reasons to encourage your kids to try out for the local soccer team, as you will see them grow and evolve as they take to the field.
You can enjoy the great outdoors by playing soccer
In the present day, we spend far too much time indoors. This is a direct result of the prevalence of technology and the multiple leisure opportunities at our fingertips.
But signing up for your local soccer team encourages you to get outside and experience the great outdoors.
Startling statistics recently found that approximately 90% of people in America spend close to 22 hours inside every single day.This led USA Today to dub the children of today ‘The Indoor Generation.’
While maintaining hobbies that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home is a good thing, variety is key.
Signing up for a soccer team is an excellent way to motivate yourself to head outside and spend some time in the fresh air.
Even though you might not win the match, being outside for 1-2 hours at a time is a great way to boost your state of mind and is good for your overall wellbeing.
Soccer is a truly global community
There’s something extremely special about sports that transcend boundaries. Undoubtedly, soccer is tribalistic at heart, with fans cheering on their teams with the passion that some people worship their God.
When you become a soccer player, you join the global community of billions of others who live and breathe the game.
From the working-class council estates of Liverpool in the United Kingdom to the dusty, grassless savannahs of central Africa, soccer is a sport loved by the masses.
As well as playing, you can develop your interest in soccer by following your favorite club and building your fantasy team.
There are so many reasons why you should get involved in the global soccer community and you will be so glad that you took the first steps, when you realize just how rewarding it is.
The verdict: Is soccer worth it?
Soccer is often viewed as the ‘other’ sport in the United States. But we want to change that perception.
While it’s not as popular as the NFL or the NBA, soccer is certainly making strides in the right direction thanks to the high profile of the MLS.
Ultimately, if you’re interested in trying out for your local soccer team, we have one piece of advice: go for it!
Soccer is a wonderful game for the masses and we have no doubt that you will quickly fall in love with it.
Looking for the equipment that you need to get started as a soccer player? Check out our post introducing some soccer kit essentials for more information!