Today in America we have a growing epidemic. Some say it is the obesity, but I think on a more positive matter. Soccer. Once the least popular sport in America now is growing and with it comes more youths. With the latest studies researchers state that around 65% of Americans are over weight. This is a stunning statistic that needs to be addressed.
Youth Soccer is a growing in popularity in America. Once a European sport, is now becoming widely accepted in the states. Since a lot of people really don't know soccer I will explain it for you. Each team consist of 11 players, with a goalie and a mixture of forwards, midfielders, and defenders. The player may use any part of his or her body except their elbows to their hands to control and move the ball. Throw-ins being the only acceptation to this rule. The object is quite simple. Protect your goal while trying to score in the opponents goal.
Soccer's simple play being one of the reasons that it is the number one sport around the world. People of any age and just pick up and play. There is no gear that you MUST have to play the game besides a ball. Shin guards are recommended for younger kids due to their playing style. Speaking of youth playing style that reminds me of when I first started playing soccer. To describe it would bring laughs all across the internet. When we would play our coach described it as a angry bee hive attacking the ball with flurries of kicks. Our coach and the spectators thought our first games were fun to watch, and enjoyed them more as the season progressed because we developed structure.
Youth soccer did, however, teach me more then what met the eye at our games. It taught me vital game play structures. Which in later years can be difficult to learn because the atmosphere around the game changes. In youth years the goal is to have fun. As time goes on the goal is to win more then have fun. Making it harder to learn the game to the fullest. I always would see kids come and go from soccer because they tried to join after the youth years. Some of them picked up quickly others were discouraged and never played soccer again. Thinking outside the box with this, they kids that joined late had to learn their structured play in a hostile environment because we were trying to win a game, not teach the game. Every single time the reason why they said they quit was because they were not good at the game or it was to frustrating trying to learn when people are literally running around them during game play.
I believe youth soccer provides the most for the children of today and tomorrow for many reasons. Know lets think like a little kid. I always wanted to have fun. I loved running around. I loved playing games. I didn't really care for a complex game just a simple one, like hide and seek I hide you seek or visa versa. Youth soccer just fit all my criteria. I ran around the whole time kicking a ball. It was a game so I got to score and see how many points I could get. And it was simple, once the ball rolls out of bounds we throw it back in or kick it back in. Plus there was a crowd cheering me. When I played Mario there was no one to congratulate me when I made it to the next stage, but every game I was cheered on for scoring.
My experiences as a player are all linked to my early years in soccer. I have played every position that is offered on the field. That was only possible because I played youth soccer. If I wanted to learn how to play the different positions in travel or high school soccer I would be faced with a mountain of difficulties. One, I don't know how to play the position so chances are that I will make rookie mistakes like I was still in youth soccer, and two even if I did practice and study my position to death game play is a whole new world from practice. I may be able to tell you how to stop a break away as a goalie, but I probably couldn't do it in game.
So right now I want you to stop all things you are currently doing. You have been reading this article on youth soccer and have not talked to your children about it. If you have time to read this you have time for you children? Go out sign them up for youth soccer, and at least get them a soccer ball to see how they like it. Who knows your children could have a hidden talent just waiting to be release.
Lastly, think of it this way. Youth soccer will help reduce the obesity rate in America. Do our future generations a favor and help make tomorrow a better place to live in. If youth soccer isn't for you children at least get them active in anything. Will your children make or break the 65%? - 15683
Youth Soccer is a growing in popularity in America. Once a European sport, is now becoming widely accepted in the states. Since a lot of people really don't know soccer I will explain it for you. Each team consist of 11 players, with a goalie and a mixture of forwards, midfielders, and defenders. The player may use any part of his or her body except their elbows to their hands to control and move the ball. Throw-ins being the only acceptation to this rule. The object is quite simple. Protect your goal while trying to score in the opponents goal.
Soccer's simple play being one of the reasons that it is the number one sport around the world. People of any age and just pick up and play. There is no gear that you MUST have to play the game besides a ball. Shin guards are recommended for younger kids due to their playing style. Speaking of youth playing style that reminds me of when I first started playing soccer. To describe it would bring laughs all across the internet. When we would play our coach described it as a angry bee hive attacking the ball with flurries of kicks. Our coach and the spectators thought our first games were fun to watch, and enjoyed them more as the season progressed because we developed structure.
Youth soccer did, however, teach me more then what met the eye at our games. It taught me vital game play structures. Which in later years can be difficult to learn because the atmosphere around the game changes. In youth years the goal is to have fun. As time goes on the goal is to win more then have fun. Making it harder to learn the game to the fullest. I always would see kids come and go from soccer because they tried to join after the youth years. Some of them picked up quickly others were discouraged and never played soccer again. Thinking outside the box with this, they kids that joined late had to learn their structured play in a hostile environment because we were trying to win a game, not teach the game. Every single time the reason why they said they quit was because they were not good at the game or it was to frustrating trying to learn when people are literally running around them during game play.
I believe youth soccer provides the most for the children of today and tomorrow for many reasons. Know lets think like a little kid. I always wanted to have fun. I loved running around. I loved playing games. I didn't really care for a complex game just a simple one, like hide and seek I hide you seek or visa versa. Youth soccer just fit all my criteria. I ran around the whole time kicking a ball. It was a game so I got to score and see how many points I could get. And it was simple, once the ball rolls out of bounds we throw it back in or kick it back in. Plus there was a crowd cheering me. When I played Mario there was no one to congratulate me when I made it to the next stage, but every game I was cheered on for scoring.
My experiences as a player are all linked to my early years in soccer. I have played every position that is offered on the field. That was only possible because I played youth soccer. If I wanted to learn how to play the different positions in travel or high school soccer I would be faced with a mountain of difficulties. One, I don't know how to play the position so chances are that I will make rookie mistakes like I was still in youth soccer, and two even if I did practice and study my position to death game play is a whole new world from practice. I may be able to tell you how to stop a break away as a goalie, but I probably couldn't do it in game.
So right now I want you to stop all things you are currently doing. You have been reading this article on youth soccer and have not talked to your children about it. If you have time to read this you have time for you children? Go out sign them up for youth soccer, and at least get them a soccer ball to see how they like it. Who knows your children could have a hidden talent just waiting to be release.
Lastly, think of it this way. Youth soccer will help reduce the obesity rate in America. Do our future generations a favor and help make tomorrow a better place to live in. If youth soccer isn't for you children at least get them active in anything. Will your children make or break the 65%? - 15683
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