Competitive Soccer Benefits

With around 45 million kids enrolled in some type of organized sport, it’s clear that youth sport is a massive part of American culture. Most people remember playing a rudimentary form of soccer or basketball during elementary school, when rules weren’t too important, and having fun was the only goal. While nearly everyone can recall playing some kind of organized sport during their childhood, a very small percentage of people stick with sport beyond middle school, and even fewer go on to play after high school. The amount of children who quit organized sport during adolescence has raised questions about the psychological risks of youth sport. Youth sports in and of themselves are not an inherent problem; however, issues do arise when children are asked to take on too much at too young of an age. While there are risks associated with youth sport, organized sports also provide

In “Children Need to Play, Not Compete,” Jessica Statsky argues that younger children should not be involved in overly competitive sports. Statsky wrote that organized competitive sports were to the disadvantage of children both physically and psychologically. In youth athletics, some parents and coaches put their own dreams in front of their children 's’ well-being by stressing winning. Statsky concludes “all organized sports activities” to be remade as a more enjoyable game regardless of each athlete’s ability and athleticism. The author states many issues that kids have when they are forced to play a sport just to win or that they don’t enjoy. Some kids just don 't enjoy sports, but their parents force it on them. Certain organized sports programs promote winning over physical skills and self-esteem. Statsky brings up valid points that early childhood shouldn’t involve intense physical competition, which is associated with the risk of injury to the body and mind.

Being a professional athlete is one of the most commonly heard dreams of a young boy or girl who currently elementary school. Whether it is realistic or not, these kids will be participating in the sport that they wish to thrive in. But, time after time we hear adults complain about their child’s insane soccer schedule, or how they have to spend their whole weekend traveling for games. The parents complaints shouldn’t be the topic of discussion, in fact the only opinions that matter are the children. The question shouldn’t be asking whether or not youth sports are too intense, it should be asking if it is worth it. If a child loves what they’re doing then they have every reason to continue playing their sport, but if they are not all in, he or she has to question whether or not all the craziness is worth it.

Lately though, these games have lost it’s purpose and the lessons these players could be learning are far from what is transpiring. The emphasis on winning or losing has significantly outweighed what these sports are all about; teamwork and having fun. Alfie Kohn, author of “The Case Against Competition” found a study researched by David Johnson, a professor at the University of Minnesota, and his colleagues. They previewed all the studies they could find on the subject of competition from 1924 to 1980. Sixty-five of the studies found that children learn better when they work cooperatively as opposed to competitively, eight found the reverse. It is proven that you can get the most out of a topic whether it’s school work to sports, you learn the most from working in an atmosphere where they work together not against each other. In addition, children have been enrolled in intense sport training as early as the age of 4, not allowing them to have a chance to really pick what sport they are interested in. A lot of times parents hope to fulfill their dream, by having their offspring due what they never got the chance as a child. This doesn’t give kids the chance to develop and make decisions for themselves when it relates to the sports they want to play. This causes children to not only unhappy but dependent on

Each year in the United States, more than 36 million school-aged children participate in an “organized sport” (“Youth Sports Statistics”). Especially over the past few years, many studies have proved or disproved the idea that sports are beneficial for young kids. Those studies have found that youth sports have both positive and negative effects on young children, and research shows parents and coaches have the greatest effect on a child’s experience.

Youth sports in general is being reshaped because of how competitive americans are becoming. Every aspect of kids’ sports has become hypercompetitive hyper organized, and all consuming. The craziness in the culture of kids sports has led to the realization the world has changed. An estimated 40 million young adults are participating in a variety of organized sports For those 40 million apart of organized sports they have to give an almost total commitment to playing and being apart of the team (Ferguson). Sports are considered to be a shared cultural experience between many children, and they can

Statsky specifies that sports played from six to twelve years of age could have long-term negative and degrading effects in terms of health and the interest and attitude towards the sport for the child as both a player and a fan. Statsky states many reasons for her opinion, which include the risk for physical and psychological harm, and parents who are more worried about their child winning rather than participating in the game. In my opinion, I agree with the argument made by the author that competitive sports encourage children to engage in physical actions. Some of the sports activities are most thrilling and energetic. Players, driven by the desire to win are likely to act in a careless way causing physical injuries. Hence, young children are at great risk of sustaining injuries in the course of competitive sports. Though in football injuries are common, instances of injuries for 12 year olds are severe since the body structure of these children has not developed fully. Competitive sports have two results, either a loser or a

In light of Jessica Statsky’s book ‘Children need to play, not compete’, she argued that, with the vivid increase of sporting competition lately in the United States, children have been exposed to the adults hard and rigorous training by devoted parents and coaches at their tender age making a game that is supposed to be fun and joy look hectic and strenuous to them due to the standard of training they are made to go through and also the belief that they must always win thereby making them lose the spirit of sportsmanship, and neither gaining satisfaction nor benefiting from them. In as much as sports are good for physical, mental and emotional growth, it should be organized in a manner that the youths will enjoy the game at the end of it rather than the fear of being hurt or defeated by the other competitors.

“According to a news article, studies show that being physically active through football lowers body fat, strengthens muscles, and increases the likelihood of continuing good health habits later in life” (Harbaugh, 2015). Football is a physical sport where players learn how to play through pain and give their best efforts despite their limitations. In addition to physical toughness, it takes a strong mind to play the game of football. Regardless of the circumstances, possessing mental toughness will enable children to overcome adversity. Practice is crucial and preparation is necessary for children to work on their weaknesses, build confidence, and play with integrity. This is a motto I learned when I played basketball for The Boys Club of New York. Furthermore, children who are physically active and fit will be in shape to have fun and enjoy playing football. Besides enjoying the benefits of physical exercise, children will learn life lessons through the sport. The strong work ethic football players develop is a vital asset they can carry with them for the rest of their

Living in this world is a constantly changing affair. 30 years ago everyone knew everyone and the young respected the old. Parents would greatly exaggerate how difficult their life was as a kid and how easy we have it now. Each generation has a new story to tell. However, one element that does not change from generation to generation is high school football. Regardless of age, the effect football has had on youth is constantly rewarding. Although opposing convictions may elucidate the barbaric nature of football, the sport is adequately composed of beneficial elements. Therefore, youth should play football in order to experience the positive benefits.

Primarily, a teengers vision for soccer can change in a matter of seconds. As a soccer player reaches the teenage years there are many threats one faces. For example, when I interviewed my friend, a soccer player, who plays for Los Xolos de Tijuana gave very concrete perspectives. One perspective he gave me is that he did not let anyone blind his dream. I think this is very important because many players let themselves be influenced by his surroundings.

¨Sixty-nine percent of girls and 75 percent of boys in the United States participate in organized and team sports, according to the 2008 report titled “Go Out and Play: Participation in Team or Organized Sports” conducted by the Women’s Sports Foundation. Between 2006 and 2007, approximately 7,342,910 boys and girls participated in high school sports.¨Uzoma,K.(2015) How Many Youth Participate in Sports in the U.S.?,Leaf Group.The amount of students participating in sports is tremendous,they do get physical training but they could result in injuries,time commitment,and the overspending of money for the sport.

Soccer Association, “Participating in sports can be a good thing if handled in a healthy way (Coyle)”. Healthy competition is a great way to teach a number of great life lessons to your children provided the parents get involved. There are many benefits, “as

Soccer has been played for nearly three thousand years and is considered the world’s most popular sport. The sport is regularly seen as a hobby however for me it is a pleasant method for learning long lasting lessons. I was introduced to soccer when I was ten years old. I started by playing street soccer and afterward I proceeded to playing on an actual league. As I gradually got better at soccer I picked up abilities that I would use in everyday life. As I had stated, soccer is very popular but why are the benefits unheard of? Why are parents not being told at all? Soccer is vital for children. Children who play soccer experience lifelong benefits such as the building of social skills, discipline, and a healthier lifestyle.

Imagine your son dashing into the kitchen as your eyes dart to meet his.His eyes evidently filled with joy as a sincere smile begins to sneak onto his face. The excessive amount of words begin to spill from his lips as he hands you a paper that reads “ Youth Football ”. Although some might altercate the negatives associated with our youth participating in football such as injuries and behavioral changes, studies show that children who participate in football benefit in their social lives.The positive correlation between sports and my son’s recreation will assemble a strong mindset,enforce discipline,as well as building camaraderie.