What are the benefits of playing soccer?

Soccer is a sport that is universally loved by people all around the world. People love soccer because of the enjoyment it brings when playing the game with fellow teammates and the passion it makes people feel when watching their favorite team play.

Soccer also provides many valuable benefits for both kids and adults.

This article will provide information on the main benefits of playing soccer and why it’s considered a great sport to play at all age groups.

1. Exercise

Soccer is a great sport for exercising, getting fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Some of the most basic movements required to play soccer involve:

• running (long-distance and sprinting)
• kicking the ball (passing and shooting)
• jumping to header the ball
• stopping, turning and changing direction

Depending on the soccer position played on the field, different levels of fitness and responsibilities are required for each position.

For example, a midfielder generally runs for extended periods during a game, covering a lot of ground. Therefore people who play in the midfielder positions should have good endurance and be comfortable with long-distance running.

A winger (someone who plays on the flanks of the field in an attacking position) is generally good at dribbling the ball and taking on defenders. So, sprinting and having pace is key for them.

Oh and let’s not forget the goalkeeper. Goalkeepers need to be able to guard the goal and save shots from the opposition. Goalkeepers are generally good at jumping and diving to save the ball.

2. Socializing

Playing soccer is a great way to make new friends and socialize with fellow teammates. Soccer players need to trust and support each other during a match in order to play well together as a team.

Playing soccer at club-level sees teammates spending time together frequently, at training sessions and also on game days. This is key so that the players can gel together and understand each other’s skills and personality. This really strengthens the bond between players and is a great social benefit from the sport.

It also inspires players to do better and try their best for the team, because they don’t want to let their friends down.

3. Teamwork

Soccer is a team game, played with 11 players on a team. Being part of a team striving to win games and playing for one another is great for players to experience.

Playing a team game sees players practice together regularly, building cohesion to improve the overall team. The more players practice with each other, the more they become familiarized with their fellow teammates and the better the team becomes.

Whether the team wins, draws or loses, it’s done as a team. Winning is great to celebrate with teammates, however, when the team loses, fellow teammates are there to pick you up.

4. Loyalty

Soccer can help instill loyalty in a person. Whether being a loyal fan and supporting a team or actually being part of a club and playing soccer.

Being a loyal person is an important character trait, and in soccer, it is also is important. Soccer teaches a person to become a loyal soccer player to the club you play for, teammates and supporters. Giving their all for the team, week in and week out, and sacrificing themselves for their teammates.

Loyalty can also be seen in the way people support their favorite soccer team. Supporting their soccer team through thick and thin, good times and bad, and not bailing on them when your team is not doing well. That is loyalty.

In world soccer today, loyalty can be questioned at times with players being tempted to chase more money by changing clubs. There are few one-club players these days.

5. Leadership

Soccer helps people develop leadership skills, even if they don’t know it.

On the soccer field, all players specific jobs to do. Players can also go above and beyond and lead their team by being an example to other players. This might mean scoring a goal for the team, blocking a shot on goal, setting up a goal or just doing a job really well. This helps lift the team and players look to individual players to lead them.

If a player is lucky enough to become the team captain or vice-captain, this will greatly assist them in developing leadership skills. They represent their teammates, proving support, guidance, and leadership.

Players can also be part of a leadership group. This is essentially a group of players generally nominated by the coach and captains, who are in charge of helping the captains and coach with providing further support and leadership to other players.

6. Communication skills

Soccer is a great way to develop communication skills. Most team sports, in fact, require some level of communication, to play well together with teammates and to be on the same wavelength as them.

Communicating on the soccer pitch is vital. Players need to communicate to let teammates know when they are free to receive the ball and to let teammates know that the opposition is on their tale trying to pinch the ball off them. It’s also used on the pitch to praise fellow teammates, boosting their confidence and encouraging the team overall to lift another gear.

It’s also important to communicate off the pitch. This could be at the beginning of a match or at half time when discussing game tactics with the coach and teammates.

7. It’s an outlet

Playing soccer is a great way of escaping issues and the stresses of everyday life.

When playing soccer, a players mind is focused on the game and at that moment they’re free from thinking about anything else. A players mind is focused on that next pass, next shot or next challenge with their opponent.

As much as soccer has its benefits for physical health and well-being, it is also great for mental health. It provides an outlet to everyday stresses and responsibilities that life has to throw at a person.

Playing soccer, or sport in general, allows a person to take some time out to just enjoy exercising and stretching the legs.

8. Confidence

Playing soccer can be a great boost to developing a person’s overall confidence. Being part of a team and playing with fellow teammates can make them strive to be better and gain more confidence in themselves.

A player may find themselves in a position where they are playing well or doing something good on the soccer pitch, resulting in their teammates praising and acknowledging this contribution the player is making to the team.

Even if that contribution isn’t acknowledged, a player knows when they are playing well and setting a good example for the team. This can ultimately boost confidence in a person.

This confidence gained from the soccer field can translate into everyday life, knowing what can be achieved when playing soccer and how it can be applied to other aspects of a person’s life.

9. Cost

It’s cheaper to play soccer than other sports. Generally, to play soccer you’ll need to factor in the following costs:

• club registration (annual fee)
• soccer cleats
• shin guards
• training clothes

The club registration fee covers a player’s soccer uniform for match days. Other sports require far more equipment to play and higher registration fees.

10. Many options nearby

It’s easy to start playing soccer. There are generally many options nearby to join a local soccer club, indoor soccer center or soccer training program.

With soccer being such a popular sport, especially amongst children. Every year soccer is one of the most participated sports amongst kids and youth age groups.

Many local outdoor soccer clubs and indoor soccer centers have junior teams for kids of all ages interested in playing soccer.

It is easy to also find a handful of soccer programs available for children that aim to teach kids the basics of soccer, whilst having fun at the same time.

11. Welcoming for all people

Soccer is played in every continent of the world. It is referred to as ‘the world game’ because it is played and loved by people all around the world.

It’s the sport that brings people together, regardless of gender, race, and age or demographic. All players should be respected equally in any sport.

Soccer is seeing more females take up the sport every year, which has been fantastic for the sport. Girls are now being inspired to join their local soccer club to play the sport they love.

Soccer can be an example to other sports in bridging these divides and respecting all people for their mutual love of the game.