A Beginner’s Guide to Soccer for Kids

Soccer, or Football as it’s referred to in some countries, is one of the most popular sports in the world. Soccer is fast-paced, fun, and a great way to get and stay active. It’s a team sport, so it’s also a great opportunity to make new friends, and learn important skills that can only be derived from working with others. If you or your child is new to the game of soccer, don’t worry! This beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the sport, from the basic rules to tips on how to help your child become a better player.

What Is Soccer?

Soccer is a simple and fun sport for children that requires very little in terms of equipment. Basically, all you need to play is a ball and some space to play on! At it’s core, soccer is a sport played between two teams of 11 players. The goal is simple, players score by kicking the ball into the other team’s net. It’s played on a rectangular field (or football pitch) with a goal at each end. Players primarily use their feet to move the ball around, but goalkeepers—specifically, the players whose job it is to protect the goal—can use their hands within a designated area called the penalty box.

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Basic Rules of Soccer

The basic rules of soccer might seem complicated to kids at first, but don’t worry. The more your child plays, the easier it will inevitably become for them to learn what’s going on.

The Field

A soccer field (also called a pitch where football is concerned) is rectangular with two goals, one at each far end. Seen from above, you can see different lines drawn across the field. First, straight down the middle, is the halfway line, which divides the field into two halves. There are also penalty areas in front of the goals where goalkeepers can use their hands. Normally, there is also a border line that surrounds the entire field; everything outside that line is out-of-bounds. This means that if the ball crosses that line, it’s removed from play for a time.

The Objective

The main goal of soccer is to score more goals than the other team. You have un til the game ends to do so, about 90 minutes, usually. Those 90 minutes are usually split into two 45-minute halves, with a short break or halftime, in between. For younger children, however, games are often shorter and range from 50 minutes for the youngest players (around ages 5-7) to the usual 90 minutes for kids 13 and up.

The Players

As stated earlier, each team has 11 players: one goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. Outfield players can play anywhere on the field and are usually split into defenders, midfielders, and forwards. These positions help players understand their role on the field, rather than all running around like chickens without heads. This is because any player can go anywhere during the game and it’s helpful for kids to know where they should be standing.

The Ball

The main challenge of soccer is about controlling the ball. Players mostly use their feet, but they can also use their head or chest to stop or direct the ball. Players are not allowed to use their hands to move, stop, or bump the ball, however, unless they are the goalkeeper. Even then, the goalkeeper is only able to manipulate the ball with their hands from within their penalty area.

Scoring

Players score a goal by getting the ball into the other team’s net; it’s that simple. Each goal is worth exactly one point. The team with the most goals when time runs out wins the game. Eezy peezy.

Offside Rule

One of the trickiest rules for beginners is the Offside Rule. A player can be considered offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is passed to them. It’s an unusual rule and not always obvious, especially if you’re a kid. Frankly, even professional players sometimes get it wrong, so don’t be too concerned if your kid finds themselves offside now and again. If a player is found to be offside, the other team gets a free kick.

Fouls and Free Kicks

As in most sports, fouls exist. A foul is what happens when a player breaks the rules. Examples of fouls are things like kicking, tripping, or pushing another player. When a foul occurs, the other team gets a free kick, and the location of that kick depends on where the foul happened. This means the other team could receive a direct free kick, which allows them to shoot straight at the goal, or an indirect free kick, where the ball must touch another player before a shot on goal. If a foul happens in the penalty area, the attacking team gets a penalty kick, which is probably their greatest chance to score in a given game. But it isn’t a sure thing, especially if they’re kicking against a talented goalkeeper.

Throw-Ins, Corner Kicks, and Goal Kicks

Remember when we talked about the lines on the field earlier? Here is where we find out what happens when a ball goes out of bound. The first thing that happens is the game restarts, with either a throw-in, corner kick, or goal kick:

• Throw-in: When the ball crosses the sideline, the team that didn’t touch it last gets to throw the ball back into play anywhere they want.
• Corner kick: When the ball crosses the goal line (but doesn’t go into the goal) and was last touched by a defender, the attacking team gets a corner kick.
• Goal kick: When the ball crosses the goal line (but doesn’t go into the goal) and was last touched by an attacker, the defending team gets the goal kick instead.

Soccer Positions

Goalkeepers, midfielders, defenders, etc: Each position in soccer has a special role. So let’s break them down and see what they do.

Goalkeeper (GK)

The goalkeeper is one of the most important gigs in the game. They are the last line of defense and they protect the goal from all opposing kicks. They’re the only player who can use their hands, as we mentioned previously, but only in the penalty area. Goalkeepers need to be quick, brave, and good at catching or blocking shots, often throwing their whole body into the block. So if you’re kid is particularly apt at any of those things, it might be the position for them.

Defenders

Defenders, while not goalkeepers themselves, are there to help the goalkeeper stop the other team from scoring. There are usually a few defenders, like:

• Center-back: Someone who stays in the middle of the field to block attacks.
• Full-back: Full-backs defend the sides of the field and help stop fast attackers from getting too close to the goal.

Midfielders

Midfielders, as their name implies, sit in the center of the field. They are like the engine of the team and play a combination of defense and offense. This means that they can help the defenders and/or pass the ball to the forwards. There are different types of midfielders as well:

• Central Midfielder: These players control the middle of the field and passes the ball.
• Winger: Wingers play along the sides of the field and helps with crosses and passes.
• Defensive Midfielder: Are there to help the defenders and stops the other team’s attacks.

Forwards

Forwards, otherwise known as strikers, are the main goal-scorers in a soccer game. They play close to the other team’s goal and try to score as many goals as they can throughout the game. The most famous players in soccer, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, are usually considered forwards.

Essential Soccer Skills

In order to become a good soccer player, your child will need to practice key skills. Here are the basics they should work on:

Dribbling

Dribbling is how you move the ball around the field while keeping it close to your feet. This is similar to the way basketball players dribble, only done with their feet instead of their hands. Either way, the concept is the same, it’s a way for players to keep the ball tight and close to them, controlling it and keeping it away from the other team. Good dribblers can change direction quickly, which makes it harder for defenders to steal the ball out from underneath them. Kids can practice dribbling the soccer ball by moving through cones or around obstacles to improve their control.

Passing

At it’s core, soccer is a team sport, so passing is very important. Players can pass the ball to a teammate with different parts of your foot, but the most common pass uses the inside of the foot in order to maintain accuracy. Children can practice using short and long passes, as well as passing while moving across a distance.

Shooting

Shooting is the main way that players try to score goals and it requires a significant amount of accuracy. Achieving this accurately usually relies on hitting the ball with the right part of the foot, mostly the laces (top of the foot). Kids can practice aiming at different parts of the goal to improve their accuracy and their chances of scoring.

Defending

Defending isn’t just about stopping the other team from scoring; it’s also about getting the ball back so your team can take it across the field to victory. To be a good defender, players should work to stay between the ball and the goal, keeping an eye on their opponent, and trying to block their shots or passes.

Tackling

It may not seem like a part of soccer, but tackling is a thing here too. A tackle is when a player takes the ball away from an opponent. There are two types of tackles: a standing tackle (where a players use their foot to take the ball) and a slide tackle (where a player slides on the ground to knock the ball away from an opposing player). When you tackle, it’s important to be careful. You don’t want to foul the other player or hurt yourself while tackling.

Heading

The soccer ball doesn’t always stay on the ground and may sometimes end up in the air. In these situations, players might need to use their head, literally, to control it or pass the ball to their teammates. It’s impirtant to each kids to use their forehead to head the ball, and make sure to keep their eyes open and focus on where they ultimately want the ball to go.

Positioning

Every position on the field is important, which means every player’s positioning is something they ought to be mindful about. Good positioning means being at the right place at the right time. For example, a defender should stay close to their teams’ goal. While a forward should stay as close to the other team’s goal as they can. Thus, it’s always be aware of where the ball and one’s teammates are at any given point in the game. Good soccer players use all their senses to achieve this.

Teamwork and Communication

Hotshots and superb players might exist, but in the end, soccer is all about working together. Even the fastest or best player on the team won’t win any games on their own. Teach your kids to cooperate with their teammates and learn to be a good team player using these strategies:

• Pass the ball: Players shouldn’t be afraid to pass the ball to a teammate who’s in a better position to score.
• Talk to your teammates: Using simple words like “Pass,” “Shoot,” or “Mark” will let teammates know what’s going on without giving away too much to the other team.
• Encourage each other: Whether you’re on the bench or across the field, players should always cheer for their teammates, even if they make a mistake. Soccer is about having fun, and supporting one’s teammates is a big part of that.

Getting Started: What You Need

Basic rules aside, there are some necessary equipment that your kids might need to get started with soccer.

Soccer Ball

You can’t play soccer without a ball! But which kind does your kid need? After all, different balls exist for different age groups. For younger kids, a size 3 or 4 ball is perfect, while older kids can get away with using a size 5.

Soccer Shoes (Cleats)

Soccer shoes (also called cleats) have special studs on the bottom that help soccer players grip the field. This is particularly important when the grass or turf is wet and slippery. For most kids, soccer cleats that work for grass fields should be good, but make sure you get the right size and that they won’t slip off or pinch too hard. Like most new shoes, they’ll need to be worn in.

Shin Guards

Shin guards protect your kid’s legs from getting kicked and are a must for any soccer player.

Socks and Jersey

Most teams have special uniforms, but even if you’re just practicing, it’s important to wear comfortable clothes that let your child move easily. Most soccer players also wear long socks over their shin guards to keep them in place.

Water Bottle

Running around the soccer field is hard work so it’s important to stay hydrated. The same is true for any sport, incidentally, so make sure your kid has a good water bottle if they are going to be playing regularly. Help them stay hydrated by encouraging them to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your game.

How to Improve Your Soccer Skills

Practice makes perfect and the best way to get better at soccer is to practice often! Here are some tips to help your kid improve:

• Practice regularly: Children should practice at least a few times a week. The more they play, the better they will become.
• Watch soccer games: Watching professional soccer can teach a lot about the game. Encourage kids to pay attention to how players pass, shoot, and work together as a team.
• Play with others: Playing soccer with friends, family, or teammates is one of the best ways to improve. You and your kids can learn a lot from playing with each other.
• Set goals: Whether it’s scoring a certain number of goals or improving your dribbling, setting goals will help your child stay focused and motivated.

Having Fun and Staying Safe

Soccer is all about having fun and here are some ways to make sure your kid enjoys the game while staying safe:

• Warm up: Kids should always do some light running and stretching before they play. This helps prevent injuries.
• Play by the rules: Cheaters never prosper! Encourage kids to follow the rules so the game is fair and fun for everyone.
• Respect others: Being a good sport, whether they win or lose, is tough for kids to understand at first. Especially when emotions are high, but it’s easy to turn around. Kids should shake hands with their opponents after the game and always respect the referee’s decisions.
• Take breaks: If your kid is tired or feel any pain, they should take a break. It’s important to teach them to listen to their body.

Cultured Athlete Says…

Soccer is an amazing sport that anyone can enjoy. It’s a great way for kids to stay active, meet new friends, and develop important skills like teamwork, communication, and perseverance. Whether your child dreams of being a star striker or just wants to have fun with their friends, soccer might be the perfect game to get them into sports, in general.