Hooray for Soccer!

by Susan Linn, Ed.D. and Alvin Poussaint, M.D.

Why Soccer Is So Great

The 1999 Women's World Cup soccer tournament elevated U.S. enthusiasm for the world's most popular sport to an unprecedented level. Although the international community abounds with soccer fans, outnumbering those of other sports, the game was never previously embraced by the American public. These days, soccer is front and center in American consciousness. Both girls and boys across America stand to benefit.

Soccer Is a Great Game for Children of All Ages

• It's aerobic. During a soccer game, kids are constantly running from one end of the field to the other. Studies show that exercise has clear physical and psychological benefits. Children who play soccer regularly are getting in the habit of incorporating regular exercise into their lives. In addition, physical exercise can help combat obesity, which is a national public-health problem for children.

• It's cooperative. Because passing the ball is essential to success in both offense and defense, players must communicate well and be consistently mindful of their team members' whereabouts on the field.

Everyone Gets Involved

• It's inclusive. In the United States, over 40 million children and young people participate. Soccer teams are everywhere — not just in suburbia, but among urban children, immigrant groups, and disadvantaged youth. In many communities, teams in the younger grades consist of boys and girls playing together. Children of all ages and varying ability can enjoy the game.

• It's truly a team sport. In soccer, only the goalie is subject to ongoing individual scrutiny as she prevents the ball from entering the goal. This means that soccer can be a less pressured sport for children than baseball, for instance, in which the individual skill of batters and pitchers is constantly on display. Soccer is particularly appealing to kids who may not have superior athletic ability, but who enjoy participating in team sports.

• It teaches social coping skills. Because it is so focused on group participation, playing soccer can teach children good sportsmanship. Playing on a soccer team coached by a caring adult can help children learn to cope successfully with challenges like winning and losing, group decision-making, and getting along with kids of varying backgrounds and temperaments.

• It's international. Encouraging children to share in the excitement generated by soccer around the world can help them learn about other countries and experience the United States as part of a larger, diverse community of nations.

How to Participate

If your children would like to play soccer, check with your local school, neighborhood group, or recreation department to see if they have a league. Youth organizations like the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Clubs might also have teams. In addition, many kids participate in leagues sponsored by the United States Youth Soccer Association (1-800-4SOCCER) and the American Youth Soccer Organization (1-800-USA-AYSO), which are more competitive. These two leagues select players on the basis of ability, and consist of "travel teams" that play teams representing neighboring communities.

In soccer, as with any sport, your attitude will affect your children's enjoyment of the game. If you are a highly competitive person, make sure that your need to win does not put extra pressure on your child. Attending games and cheering is a way of concretely demonstrating support for your kids, and is a good way to participate in their expanding lives.