Soccer for kids

Soccer is very popular the world over, and it is also a brilliant form of exercise and a good way to promote friendship and bonding. It is an ideal way for children to keep fit, make friends and learn how to work as part of a team to achieve their goals.

Putting together a children’s soccer team couldn’t be easier, all you need are some determined kids who want to learn, and a coach who is willing to teach.

Once you have these two things, then all you need to begin, is a playing field and a few cheap balls to get in some training.

Soccer: A Popular Sport

Originating from England, football or, as it is more commonly known in the USA, soccer is one of the most popular sports all over the globe.
There are hundreds of professional teams, and thousands upon thousands of fans, each supporting their own team.

As well as men’s soccer, women’s soccer is actually becoming more popular as well nowadays, with female teams competing in professional matches and in the Olympics, with their own network of fans.

It is safe to say that soccer will continue to be a very well supported and popular sport for many years to come, from around all the corners of the world!

What you need to become a soccer player

To become a good soccer player, there are some basic pieces of equipment that you need in order to make sure that you can play to your full potential and they are:

• Cleats- every soccer player needs a good pair
• Ball- whether it is a cheap PVC ball or a synthetic one, a soccer ball is a must
• Uniform- very important if you are playing in a team
• Shin pads- a must to protect ankles and shins

These four items are the basic staple of becoming a soccer player, once you have these then you are ready to put your skills into practise!

The soccer referee

Being a soccer referee can be hard work- they are not always loved by the team and they are very rarely loved by the audience! But a game of soccer would not work if it wasn’t for the referees.The main role of the referee is to ensure that the rules of the game are followed- they are there to issue penalties, free kicks, send players off and make sure that there is no misconduct on the field of play.

There are also two assistant referees who stand on either side of the pitch and help to make the decisions with the main referee, but they do not get to make the final decision as to what happens.The referee is often shouted at by players and fans alike and more often than not, nobody will agree with his ruling! Yes, life as a referee can be unfair but if you are willing to put up with numerous insults, then it can also be very rewarding.
To be right there on the field of play with the soccer players, to have an influence over the game- it can be the most important role of a soccer game and without the referee, a game could not go ahead.

Women’s soccer

Primarily, soccer is more of a man’s sport- this is evident all over the globe with professional male soccer teams, male fans etc.

But there are women’s soccer teams out there, both professional and non-professional and women’s soccer has become more popular over the years, even though it is still not as popular as the male version.

If you are a woman and you are interested in soccer and there aren’t any female soccer teams in your area, then why don’t you set up your own team? The basics are the same as a male soccer team- you need eleven players for each side, two goals, a soccer ball, a uniform and all of the accessories that go with it for protection.
Why don’t you challenge the men and have a women vs men match? Women can be just as good at soccer as men, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t become more involved if you want to- most men would love to play a game against a team of women!

Women’s soccer teams play all over the world, not only in professional games, but also in the Olympics as well- so get out your soccer ball and start up your own female soccer team today.

Shin Guards - Choosing the right pair

Choosing the right pair of shin guards can depend on many various factors, such as cost and age and material. But one way to determine which pair are the right shin guards for you, is to base your choice on the position that you are playing.

Younger soccer players should always choose a light weight shin guard, fibreglass is the best because it is the lightest and offers very good protection. Defensemen should opt for a heavier, more protective shin guard, midfielders tend to need a combination of protection and lighter weight, and forwards need to choose a light weight shin guard which also offers very good ankle protection.

It is possible to find shin guards that can be moulded and custom designed to fit your leg and this means that you will have a superior fitting shin guard that will offer you maximum protection when playing soccer.

You also need to consider size:

Shin guards should cover the area from ankle to knee, so measure from where the knee bends to 1 inch above your shoe top and this will be the proper length of the shin guard that you require.

Sizes: senior- taller than 5’4”
Junior- shorter than 5’4”

Creating your own soccer team

If you want to play soccer, and there aren’t any teams or spaces available in your local area, then why don’t you try putting your own soccer team together? This is a good way to exercise, have fun and make new friends!
What you need:

• Eleven players for each team
• Two goals (plastic is cheaper and mobile)
• Soccer ball (or two!)
• Uniforms (optional, or you could make your own)
• Shin pads
• Goal keeper gloves
• Cleats

Once you have all of these things, then what you need is a location in which to play your game, and this could be anywhere where you live- public playing fields, at your local sports centre even your own garden if it is big enough. If you are having problems finding a place, then you could always try renting out an inside pitch at your local gym if possible.
Then you must choose which player will play which position- making sure that you pick the goal keeper carefully and then you should arrange a time and day when your team can meet up at least once a week- remember, practise makes perfect and soon you could be challenging your neighbour hood teams!