Soccer is
the most widely played and watched sport around the world. Children
will enjoy a lifetime of better health and friendships when they
learn soccer!
Did
you
ever see John McEnroe chase down balls that many other tennis players
might have never reached? Mr McEnroe had incredible footwork on the
tennis court. Some say his love of soccer during his younger years
helped him develop the strong legs and footwork which later helped him
excel
at tennis!
Soccer
players can run as many as 6 or 7 miles during the
course of a game. Small wonder you never see an overweight soccer
player! Playing soccer also helps your child learn important teamwork
skills that she or he will be able to enjoy for a lifetime!
Soccer is
fun to play in pick up games in the school-yard or you can sign your
little one(s) up to play on an organized team! All you really need is a
ball and a goal or two! If you play in a league, the goal will
usually be provided for you, and
you can buy a smaller goal if you want to play in your backyard — just
make sure it is anchored to the ground. No goal? No problem! Just set
up any two objects (cones or waterbottles are good) to shoot between.
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Lots of kids wear shin guards and cleats. Shin guards are designed to protect your legs from the ball, and from being kicked by other players. They are required in most leagues. The right cleats to wear for soccer are ones that are plastic or rubber — they'll help you with your quick starts, stops and turns.
Soccer balls come in different sizes depending on how old you are. Kids 8-12 should use a size 4 ball, and kids 13 and over should use a size 5 ball. Synthetic leather balls are best for beginners, because they don't absorb water and get heavy.
Here's a few
tips:
In addition to a good strong kick, you'll
want to master basic skills
like passing (moving the ball to a teammate with a controlled kick),
dribbling (tapping the ball with your feet to move it down the field),
trapping (stopping the ball with your feet, legs, or chest), and
heading (using your head to stop or pass the ball). Once you get these
skills down, you'll be unstoppable!
Passing. Pick your target out
before you start the pass. Keep your head
down to make sure you kick the ball correctly. Plant your non-kicking
foot next to the ball and kick the ball right in the center using the
inside of your foot and follow through with your leg.
Chest trap. As the ball comes
toward you, get in front
of it and let it hit your chest. Bring your shoulders around and
slightly inward, creating a cavity for ball. Make sure you keep your
arms down, so the ball doesn't accidentally hit your hands and cause a
foul. When the ball hits your chest, arch your back, so your chest pops
the ball upward and then lands at your feet.
Soccer
involves lots of running. You'll see your child use quick
bursts of speed and lots of quick stopping and starting. All this
running helps your child develop healthy leg muscles and get a great
total-body workout!
Soccer
will help your little ones burn off a lot of energy in a short time!
Make sure they have plenty of water available. You can be sure
they'll get a good nights rest after their practice or the big
game!
Building healthy muscles requires
eating healthy foods! Once they get
started you'll soon see that soccer is a great way to meet new friends!
If
your
children have never played soccer or been away from
the game for a while encourage them to gradually build their endurance
-
and muscles! Try these ten
tips for better fitness and these tips for building healthy muscles.
As with any sport, encourage your children to warm up before they play.
Try
jumping rope or jogging in
place
for a few minutes. Then, spend a few minutes stretching those muscles!
And, after
they leave the soccer field be sure to have them spend a few minutes
cooling down.
Take
care of your muscles and make
stretching a part of every sport you
enjoy. Soccer is a fun way to enjoy being part of a team and
improve your health and fitness!
