Indoor soccer for kids
WRITTEN BY: COACH BRUCE LOVELACE
PUBLISHED ON: NOVEMBER 17, 2023
So, you and a lot of other parents want to know: is indoor soccer good for kids. You know you can enroll your child in an intro to soccer program during the cold winter months, but you want to know if it's worth it.
Having the opportunity to play soccer year round gives the chance for young children to develop their gross motor skills, get quality exercise, and have a lot of fun when the weather gets a little harsh for outdoor soccer.
Unfortunately, there are a few downside risks. Read on and you'll find out the benefits and the pitfalls of having your child play indoor soccer.
Overall, playing indoor soccer is good for kids. Most importantly, they'll have a blast.
Secondly, Indoor soccer can help your child develop positive character traits and make new friends. Increased participation in any sport, including indoor soccer, improve the basic skills needed to progress and improve. Indoor soccer is also a great builder of cardiac fitness and strength.
The season should be run in a warm, supportive environment, with games that are the right competition level for your child.
Benefits for kids who play soccer
You may already know about the physical benefits that children get from playing soccer. Research has shown that kids who participate in regular physical activities are less prone to be obese and childhood obesity is at an all-time high in the United States.
When it's cold outside kids are less likely to want to play outdoors and this leads to more inactivity. Indoor soccer for kids is a great way to counteract at least some of that activity drop off that usually happens during the winter.
According to kidsheath.org, kids who are active will:
- have stronger muscles and bones.
- have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat.
- be less likely to become overweight.
- decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.
- have a better outlook on life.
Among the many emotional benefits of physical fitness are improved confidence and stronger self-esteem.
Benefits like these have an impact on your child that will carry over to adulthood.
What many parents don't know is the mental and emotional benefits of of physical activities. Look at the brain scans below, comparing what brain scans look like with and without exercise.
Why Kids Should Play Soccer Indoors
Let's face it. We all want our kids to get outside and play, but we know that here in the Northeast, it's not always possible because of the weather. The sometimes frigid temperature, wind, and snow make it tough to play outside soccer year round in our climate. Having an indoor soccer facility makes it possible for your child to have fun, get exercise, and develop soccer and life skills in the winter months.
Trying to organize your own soccer game for young kids on a snow day sounds like a interesting idea, but it might be tough to pull it off successfully. Indoor soccer leagues do the organizing for you. They've already got the warm and dry facility set up for your child to play soccer with other young children in the same age group.
do Kids Get Hurt Playing Indoor Soccer
Just like most other physical activities and running sports, kids can get hurt playing indoor soccer. Just like outdoor soccer, there are the typical bumps and bruises that are likely to happen during matches.
Additionally, there are a few injuries to young soccer players that are more likely to occur while playing indoor soccer rather than outdoor soccer. The number of collision injuries is likely higher due to the smaller playing field.
According to an article published by The American Journal of Sports medicine: "The incidence of injuries among youth soccer players (under age 16) participating in indoor soccer was 4.5 times that of youth players in outdoor soccer when calculated per 100 hours of team play, and 6.1 times greater when calculated per 100 hours of player game participation."
The study also went on to say that younger kids under 10 are inured much less frequently than the older kids.
is Indoor Soccer safe
I get it. You're worried over whether to enroll your child for indoor soccer. The Covid-19 pandemic brings indoor youth soccer safety issues to the front of your mind. You have to look at several factors to determine if indoor soccer for kids is worth the risk. These include
VENTILATION. Ventilation systems at your local gym may not be adequate for the size of the enclosed space for the soccer field.
MASKS. For some leagues, the wearing of masks is thought of as part of the standard uniform, like soccer shoes and shin guards.
SPECTATORS. Some soccer arenas will limit the number of spectators and the space in between them.
PRE-SCREENING. The question of what kind of screening and testing goes on before each practice or game. Mandatory temperature checks and questionnaires are somewhat effective at improving safety for participation in indoor soccer.
Use the lessons learned playing and coaching the game of indoor soccer to inspire a child for life!
Soccer coach Bruce Lovelace started playing soccer in 1974 when, as a young boy, he constructed his own makeshift soccer goal. He played in high school, then in college and beyond. He started to coach his own children in the 1990s and then ran a Soccer Shots franchise for 12 years. Now, Coach Bruce publishes the soccer-for-kids.com website. Find out more about youth soccer coach Bruce Lovelace and what inspires this website.
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