What are the pros and cons of competitive football for children under the age of 8?
kat s asked:
The FA have said that under 7’s should not be playing competitive football – what about under 8’s? I am looking for some research to assist with this question as i am involved with our local mini football academy.
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exercise, getting them into sport before they can become couch potatoes, making friends… as far as i know its all good.
however low scale competitivness is key, with teams made equal on purpose+praise and prizes for everyone. ciaragw
Pro’s
he’ll learn teamwork and working with others
He’ll get good excercise in open air
He’ll make a lot of new friends
It may open a career for him in sports playing or training
He’ll learn better skills than if he didn’t play in a competitive league.
He’ll learn some of lifes harder lessons easier, like how to handle winning and losing.
Cons
He MAY get injured
If you force him to do so he may not thank you for it later
He may neglect his school work for his football training.
i’d take the chance and let him play though if he loves the game Mike Sanders
The FA are a law unto themselves- who elects them anyway? It’s ok for kids to get their parents to pay for overpriced merchandise and see players kick each other with studs on the pitch. Heaven forbid they should get away from their computers and do any sport. We might win the world cup otherwise. I can see no downside to it at all. The approach can be adaptive to suit young children and encouragement is key whatever their ability. brainlady
Pro’s
Exercise, meeting new people, discilpine.
Con’s
Differnce is size could get a kid hurt, sometimes little leauge football is too tough for 8 yr olds. Take most nights of the week km
Pros:
Kids learn the thrill of competition and it can drive them to succeed in life.
Cons:
Whimpy kids who loose parents get uppity because their fragile child’s delicate disposition was aggitated. Linc
I can’t cope with non-competitive sport. What’s the use of football if it isn’t competitive? If someone scores a goal do you have to give a goal to the other team? Sport should be competitive. It teaches children to be part of a team and work together. Life is competitive. There has to be winners and losers and the want to win the game. It’s no good playing any game if you don’t want to win. ribble_girl
I think that the pros and cons are teaching them that they are never going to always win and build up their character and their self esteem. I think this is a great opportunity for kids under 8 to develop their talent and keep working on them as they get older. Ms.Fun With Hazel
All sport is a great way to get children to excersise regularly whilst, hopefully, doing something they enjoy. My son even enjoys the training! Football makes children more social, as they will meet and mix with other children, not necessarily those from their own school. Football nurtures teamwork too.
However, even as young as under 8’s, I found that some Parents take it far too seriously and -even worse – swear and shout abuse from the touchline! Every parent thinks that they have given birth to the next David Beckham; sadly, it’s just not true.
Another downside is that football boots – even for young children – are quite expensive, and the child will probably need a new pair every season, as their feet grow fast at that age. Try not to be pressured into buying “top of the range” Nike or Adidas, as your child will never wear them out. My son is now playing for an under 14 Sunday league side, aswell as his school team; he does now want the best boots but, as he gets pocket money, birthday money etc, I agree to pay, say, half the cost, and he makes up the difference.
Also, try to avoid buying new boots/kit towards the end of the season as your child is bound to “put on a growth spurt” during the summer months, and nothing will fit properly come the autumn!
I think football for kids is great; I’ve met some really nice perople through taking my son over the years, and he started at a young age too. It has also done a lot for his confidence and discipline. Andrew C
Children need time to grow and just have fun. They need to come into themselves and learn about themselves and figure out who they are what they enjoy doing. They just need time to be a kid and do what kids do. If they played competitively all the time, they might not get the chance to truly learn about themselves. That is a con.
The pro side…By starting young, a child can learn the right skills and the right form and they have a lot of time while they are growing in strength and mentallity to develop and mature their skills and form. If you’re older, you may be so used to doing certain things the wrong way, that it could be hard to do them the right way. But, if you start off doing the things the right way, then you will never have to worry about that and you can just become better and better. sweetpanther08
Pro – has to be team spirit and a healthy competitive environment.
Con – probably parents and others putting pressure on kids to win.
It should be all about competing, not winning at all costs. That’s easier said than done, no one likes to lose, but the emphasis should be on playing well and competing. Bill H
no tezweeman