What is the best age to start soccer?

Kid playing soccer

The best age for kids to start playing soccer is between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. Introducing soccer to kids in this age group can help develop their basic soccer skills at a young age while gaining a general interest in the game.


It is important to note that each child is different and although this age group may suit some kids, this is just a guide, so it’s worth considering the right age group based on when parents believe their own child is ready.

Actually, some kids may benefit from being introduced into the sport at an older age (between 6 to 9 years old), as their coordination is better and have a greater attention span.

Regardless of the child’s age, getting kids involved in soccer provides a great opportunity for parents to promote a healthy lifestyle, by introducing exercise to their kids and all the while having fun playing soccer at the same time. This may be as simple as having a kick around either at home in the backyard or at the local park.

Alternatively, there are a variety of soccer classes and academies available for parents to enroll their children and introduce them to soccer with kids their own age.


How to get your child started in soccer?

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. It is played in every continent around the world and chances are that you won’t have to look too far to find a soccer venue nearby that can assist with teaching your child the basics of soccer and developing their soccer skills.

Parents can also easily introduce soccer to their kids at home and teach them basic soccer skills, without having to enroll them in a soccer class. This is great for parents wanting to get involved in playing soccer games with their kids, participating together, and developing their child’s skills and interest in the game.

Below are some options to consider when looking to get your child started in soccer.


1. Introducing soccer to kids at home

Ages: 3 – 8

Soccer at home

Introducing soccer to your kids at home is a great option for parents wanting to get involved in teaching their kids basic soccer skills and having fun without having to worry about the restraint of rules.

The great thing about this is that parents can teach their kids at a time that is convenient to them, in the backyard, at a local park, or inside the house if it’s cold or wet outside.

What soccer equipment is required?

Parents don’t need fancy soccer equipment to get started, just a soccer ball that can come in various sizes suited for kids. Generally, a size 3 soccer ball is suited for kids under the age of 8. Parents can start teaching soccer to kids at home from the age of 3.

For kids beyond the ages of 8, it may be more practical to register them to play at a soccer club or join a youth academy for kids in their age group. This is because it may be difficult to find the space required at home and kids in this age group may be more stimulated to be part of something.

What can parents do to teach their kids?

Parents can start teaching some basic soccer drills such as ‘kick to kick’ (kicking the ball to one another). This will allow the child to become familiar with kicking the ball, learning how to stop the ball with their feet, and passing the ball with the instep of their foot.

Parents can also introduce a shooting drill. Here parents can use a fence or even 2 markers on the ground as a goal. Parents can place the ball in front of the goal or roll the ball to the child, who can shoot at the goal.

This can improve a child’s shooting skills, including shooting power and accuracy. It’s also a great way to teach kids the fun and rewarding feeling they have when scoring a goal.

There are also a variety of other fun soccer drills parents can teach their kids to further develop their soccer skills and build their coordination abilities, such as dribbling, passing, and heading drills.

9 fun soccer drills for kids

Check out this list of fun soccer drills for parents to teach their kids.

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How often can parents teach their kids?

Continuing to practice once or twice a week will help kids develop their soccer skills and take a liking to the game.

Aside from actively participating in teaching their kids, parents can also take their kids to see a professional soccer match, local soccer match, or even watching a soccer match on the television. This can help kids become familiar with the sport.


2. Soccer classes for kids and toddlers

Ages: 3 – 5

Soccer classes

There are a variety of kids soccer classes aimed at teaching the basics of soccer to boys and girls aged from 3 to 5 years old. These soccer programs are a great way of getting your child involved in soccer at an early stage and developing their interest in the sport.

Soccer classes are also fantastic for developing a child’s core soccer skills, coordination, confidence, motor skills, and socializing with other children their own age, in a safe and professional environment.

Any soccer training program should be fun for all kids involved and be a place for them to go and enjoy themselves.

What soccer classes are available?

There can be a variety of different soccer classes for toddlers and kids available, such as group sessions, private and semi-private sessions, school holiday programs, after-school care, and birthday parties.

These can be held outdoors or indoors (for indoor-soccer or futsal) at a gymnasium or alike, depending on the soccer program, and are generally run by experienced soccer coaches who have some form of qualification.

Check to see what soccer classes are available in your area, who is in charge of running them and what developmental skills are included in the classes.


3. Joining a Youth Soccer Academy

Ages: 5 – 13

Youth soccer academy

There is also the option to enroll your child into a youth soccer academy. These youth soccer academies generally cater to kids from 5 to 13 years old.

A youth soccer academy can offer a variety of programs available for kids with no previous soccer experience or for experienced kids who are after more advanced soccer practice.

The programs that are more suited for beginners are focused on a fun approach to soccer, which can range from holiday camps, school programs, and weekly clinics.

The more advanced training programs are tailored for kids looking to take their soccer skills to the next level. These can range from weekly sessions, development training soccer camps, position-specific training (out-field, goalkeeper, defending or attacking), instructional one on one sessions, and performance-based training. Some advanced programs are designed for kids who have aspirations of becoming a professional soccer player and playing at a high level.

While most programs cater to both boys and girls, there are also girls-only programs that allow girls to learn to play soccer in a girl-only environment.


4. Soccer clubs for kids

Soccer clubs for kids

Registering your child to play club soccer is another great option. Many soccer clubs have junior programs and youth soccer teams, usually ranging from kinder through to older youth age groups.

Kinder and junior training programs are designed for kids to participate in a fun environment, with opportunities for boys and girls to play at all ages levels.

These developmental programs usually run for 8-10 weeks, generally for 4-11 year age groups. Programs cover the fundamentals of soccer, teach basic soccer skills, and help improve a child’s overall technical ability.

Clubs also allow kids to register to play in a junior or youth soccer team. This allows kids to learn to be part of a team, make friends, socialize, bond with teammates, and represent the club by playing in soccer tournaments and league games against other clubs.

Many clubs now have options for both girls and boys, with girls-only teams and boy only teams available. This is important for the game of soccer as clubs are seeing more and more girl soccer players in the game.

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  ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Steve. I started playing soccer at the age of 4 at my local soccer club. I developed a passion for the game at an early age that saw me go on to play soccer for 29 years. Soccer is a big part of my life and I want to share with you what I’ve learned along the way. Happy exploring!