Welcome to our SYSA educational series! This series is where we provide advice, guidance and useful tools for parents, coaches and volunteers within the Seattle Youth Soccer Association.
In youth soccer these days, it can sometimes feel like fun is no longer a priority. Passion, joy and enthusiasm for the game too often find themselves taking a backseat to winning and being the best. Even when players themselves aren't all-consumed by this, when they are surrounded by a culture of win-at-all-costs mentality, it is very easy for them to feel the impact of expectations and put pressure on themselves to perform well, score goals and not make mistakes or mess anything up. Not only does this take the fun out of the game, it also makes it less likely that players will find success or stick with the game for an extended period of time.
Image credit: Canva Pro
(It’s important to point out that there’s nothing wrong with winning, absolutely not. Winning is great. Winning is a part of the game. Winning is fun and it gives teams something to strive toward, and a reward for working hard. The problem arises when winning becomes the only thing that matters, and everything else gets sacrificed in the pursuit. What is everything else? Character development, growth-mindset and pure, simple enjoyment of the game to name a few.)
The number one reason that it's important to have fun at soccer is because kids are more likely to participate in activities that they enjoy.
Simple. Having fun on the field keeps kids in soccer, and playing soccer has so many positives. The mental, physical and emotional benefits are extremely high, so keeping kids engaged and wanting to play is the biggest reason why it's so important to keep the fun in the game.
Keeping soccer fun is something that recreational youth soccer is good at, as neighborhood soccer programs are typically centered around that concept. As players start to move into select, competitive, travel and premier programs though, other elements start to come into the picture more and can overshadow or sometimes even replace the 'fun' element for some players. If players, coaches and programs stay diligent to this though, it doesn’t have to be this way.
The truth in the matter is, it is absolutely possible to keep the fun in the game at any level of play. Whether you are playing on your co-ed neighborhood recreational team or on an ECNL team traveling all over the country for games, fun should and can absolutely be a part of the picture. According to this article by author Janis Meredith, a life coach for sports parents, "fun and hard work in youth sports are not mutually exclusive. You can have both."
There are so many developmental benefits to playing youth soccer, not to mention the life skills gained in the process. The level of growth and character development that is available to kids through participation in youth sports is why it's so important that kids are having fun and wanting to play.
When kids are having fun at soccer...
They get numerous physical and mental health benefits
It's important to have fun at soccer because soccer helps kids stay active and get outside! Running around on a soccer field is fantastic physical fitness. And having fun playing soccer is not only good for their physical health, but fun itself is also good for mental health! Smiling, laughing, and feeling joy improves mood, self-esteem and general overall positive mindset and outlook.
They learn better and they develop new skillsets
When kids have fun they learn better! Problem solving and decision making are just some of the many skills they grow at when they are enjoying themselves on the soccer field. They learn to be curious and try to figure things out on their own. Other skills that playing soccer can help develop include focus, patience, perseverance, courageousness and creativity.
They get practice interacting and learning to work as a team
Keeping the fun in youth soccer is also great for kid's social interaction and growth of relational skills. They learn to interact and communicate with other people. Players have to work together as a team and figure things out as a group. They learn to be socially aware, encouraging, empathetic, appreciative, respectful and have trust for others in a group setting. They make new friends and are introduced to different social groups outside of school.
The best part is that to get all of these benefits, the only thing a kid needs is to HAVE FUN when playing soccer. They don't need to win every match. They don't need to play perfectly. They get these extremely valuable developmental benefits if they are finding joy in the process, regardless of the scoreline. While our culture may try to tell us that winning is everything, winning IS NOT everything in soccer. Development, growth and healthy mindset ARE - which is why it is SO important to have fun at soccer.
