Sports are a great way for kids to get the physical activity they desperately need. It also allows them to socialize with a new group of kids outside of school. Soccer is the perfect sport for young kids. The game is fun to play, and it does not have any complicated rules to learn. These are the four things you should know before signing your child up for soccer.
Do They Want to Play?
You may want your kids to play sports, but it is only going to be a rewarding experience if they actually want to play the game. There is nothing worse than being forced to do something when you are a child. Make sure they are excited about playing soccer before signing them up. If they do not enjoy their first season as a soccer player, then you can always move to another sport the following year.
How Much Does it Cost?
Youth sports are a lot more expensive than most parents realize. In addition to paying the league’s registration fee, there are also costs for uniforms, equipment, and snacks. Luckily, soccer requires a lot less equipment than other popular youth sports. Still, you need to make sure you can handle the financial commitment before getting your child excited about joining the team. Taking them off the team at the last minute would be devastating.
What is the Time Commitment?
Youth sports can be a huge time commitment for the whole family. You kid will likely have at least one game every weekend. They will also have one or more practices during the week. Get a good sense of the time commitment required before signing your child up for soccer. It is not fair to your kid or their teammates if you force them to miss a lot of games or practices because of your busy schedule.
Can You Handle It?
There are far too many unruly parents involved in youth sports. If you cannot let your child enjoy the game without putting a lot of pressure on them, then it is probably best to not sign them up. You need to encourage and support your children when they succeed and fail on the field. Pressuring them to become a superstar can make them hate the sport.