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