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by Logan Andrear

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Over the past several years soccer has become one of the most popular youth sports in the United States. There are three main reasons for this boon in popularity.

First, in it's most basic form soccer is a simple game with simple rules - kick the ball in your opponent's net, keep it out of yours, and do it all without using your hands. These are simple rules and any child can easily follow them. Comparing these rules to those of baseball it is quite apparent how daunting it can be to organize a game of baseball for a group of five year-olds. Also, the rules of soccer require a simple skill set that most children have at a young age. Very few adolescents are so uncoordinated that they cannot kick a ball. Meanwhile sports like baseball, football, and ice hockey require a tremendous combination of skills which can often be difficult for children.

In addition to its simple rules, soccer is a free flowing and creative game without strictly regimented rules for players. When a baseball is hit to a shortstop there is a series of rules for the shortstop to follow - if there is a man already on first, throw the ball to second, if first is unoccupied but there is a man on third then look the man on third bag to his bag and then throw it to first, etc. Soccer is a free flowing game with very few regimented options for a player. This eases the burden on a child and allows them to discover skills they are most comfortable with. Perhaps a child is fast and good at dribbling. Or perhaps a child is frightened by the prospect of running past an opponent so they may develop a great ability to pass the ball. The options are endless and any skill which prevents the opponents from scoring is appreciated and valued.

Finally, soccer provides children the opportunity to experience success with very little exposure to failure. Many children shy away from sports because they are afraid of making mistakes. In a game of baseball a play is usually a success or a failure, there is very little in between (especially in the eyes of a child). If a ground ball is hit to the shortstop, the fielder will either throw the ball to first base to make an out (a success for the shortstop) or they will be unable to field the ball and complete the throw to first base in time (a failure). This strict definition of failure may weigh heavily on a child. On the other hand soccer has limitless opportunities for success and failures are both hard to recognize and ambiguous at best (especially in youth soccer). Merely kicking the ball can easily be a success as it often disrupts the play of the opposition and may result in a change of direction which leads to a goal. On the other hand, the only play which may be absolutely defined as a failure is when the other team scores. A goal may be scored by a great play from the other team which leaves little culpability to the players who were scored on. But even if the goals comes from a player's mistake the mass of chaos that is youth soccer often masks these mistakes. While it is important for children to learn responsibility for their actions and while sports is a great way to teach that soccer allows young children the ability to do it in a less public forum and at a more gradual rate.

Youth soccer's popularity will continue to rise as it provides a fantastic arena for a child to participate in a team sport without subjecting them to stringent rules for play. Kids can start with no knowledge of the sport and contribute immediately. Their successes are easy to recognize and their mistakes are often barely apparent. The boost children receive to their self-confidence will motivate them to participate in the sport for as long as they are able.

Learn more about this author, Logan Andrear.

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