From boosting your child’s social skills, to improving strength, soccer has a wide range of benefits. Find yourself searching, “How to play soccer for kids?” But not sure when or where to start your child? You’re not alone.
Taking the right steps to improve your child’s physical wellbeing can be tough. From knowing the right time to enrol them, to whether enrolment is too early for their age. At Soccajoeys, we understand that this can be especially challenging for new parents. Which is why, we’ve provided an easy step by step guide tailored to you.
Our guide covers everything you need to know, all in one. So you can ensure a streamlined enrolment process from start to finish, for your peace of mind.
See the below:
When Is Soccer Season for Youth in Australia?
In Australia, soccer season for kids typically starts at the beginning of each year.
This registration ranges from January, February to March. Which is why it’s important to express interest in enrolment a year prior, or during the programs allocated time period. However, some soccer programs may be seasonal meaning that the enrollment varies. For example, this includes winter based soccer programs.
*At Soccajoeys, we begin our soccer programs for kids in late February. Starting fresh at the beginning so your child can progress throughout the year.
What’s the Best Age to Start Playing Soccer?
When it comes to soccer, it’s never too late for your child to start. This poses a wide range of physical and mental benefits. However, the most beneficial age for your child to start playing soccer is at 2.5-3 years, this is when they first start progressing in their basic developmental skills. These gross motor and balance skills range from dribbling, kicking to passing the ball.
Additionally, soccer provides an engaging and interactive atmosphere that helps them meet their required hours of activity per day.
See these below:
2 years: 3 hours of energetic play at minimum daily.
3 years: 3 hours of physical activity, one of those being energetic play.
*Missed out on soccer enrollment for your toddler? No worries. Beginning soccer programs at any age also has many benefits.
Soccer for Different Age Groups: What Your Child Will Learn
It’s important to understand that there is no “right time” for soccer programs. Every age-based program is curated based on their current social and physical skills. As each focuses on the varying developmental needs of that specified age group. You’ll have peace of mind in knowing that your child will benefit from these.
See what your child will learn below:
Soccer for 2.5-3 Year Olds
Beginning your child when they’re a toddler means that the games will be targeted to meet their shorter attention spans. As the program works on them developing their social skills, such as the ability to listen more closely. This also focuses on problem solving activities such as through basic drills.
At this stage, soccer will aid them in developing both their motor and physical skills. Providing a relaxed environment for them to progress further. This ranges from coordination, balance to control.
When starting soccer at a toddler age, this instills motivation for a healthy lifestyle early on. Providing the right encouragement to stay active, which improves both their mental and physical wellbeing.
*Our Soccajoeys minis soccer program helps meet the skill-sets learned by toddlers at this age. It provides an immersive and inclusive environment to fortify social skills and teamwork.
Soccer For 5 Year Olds
At this age, they’ve developed their fundamental motor and physical skills. However when it comes to these programs, it’s important to keep soccer fun. Meaning that enjoying the game rather than competing creates a more unified environment.
During these programs, your child will refine their basic movement skills, like agility and learning how to control the ball. As they have more control over these movements, they’ll become more familiar with a game of soccer. As this allows them to build the basics in a low pressure setting. This in turn helps them to move quicker, and be more precise in their movements. Alongside this, it encourages them to work as a team in a healthy way. So they can build bonds with their peers, and coordinate their game as a team.
*Soccajoeys teaches 5 year olds the soccer basics, with our pre school soccer program. Your child will progress in their physical and social skills, which then improves their self confidence.
For 6-8 Year-Olds
Once they have the soccer basics under control, they move onto more organised sessions. Your child will grasp the fundamentals of a soccer game. All of which is provided in a non-competitive and uplifting social setting. This includes learning how to pass, shoot and basic soccer field positioning.
This program slowly introduces specific skill-sets. Which includes dribbling and controlling the ball under pressure. Partnering them with the soccer essentials for a complete game.
At this stage, they also are hyperfocused on a desire to be socially accepted. This is provided through soccer, this is because it’s a teamwork based sport delivering a pathway for them to build long lasting friendships.
*Looking for a soccer program for your 6,7 or 8 year old child? At Soccajoeys, our preschool soccer program aids your child in boosting their social skills. All while learning the range of soccer essentials.
For 9-11 Year-Olds
During this stage, your child will learn to play competitive soccer. This allows them to become more familiar with the game progressively over time. The program for this age group is adjusted based on their unique social and physical skill-sets. This includes their larger muscle growth, better small muscle coordination and higher energy levels.
The program will include a larger team, field size and understanding of and meeting different rules of the game. They’ll also be trained in more advanced skills, like shooting the ball under pressure. At this age, they begin to value closer friendships and bonds with those around them. Through teamwork, soccer provides a great opportunity for feeling socially accepted.
*Looking to introduce your child into the world of competitive soccer? See our premier soccer program. Providing an empowering environment for your child to improve within this game.
How To Get Into Soccer
If you find yourself searching for the next step, “Where to learn to play soccer near me?” Turn to us.
At Soccajoeys, we’ve made this process easy for every parent or guardian. We offer a comprehensive range of programs to help your child learn to play soccer. All of which are to boost your child’s self confidence through heightened social and physical skills.
We pride ourselves on providing an inclusive environment, at any age.
Enrol with us today!
