Are you a parent who dreams of your child scoring the winning goal in a soccer game? Who isn’t!?  Soccer scouting and recruiting today have become surreal where coaches ask 5 years old about their experience before they can join the team. You’re probably wondering what the best age for kids to start playing soccer is. Well, it’s time to lace up your cleats and create the next soccer superstar to follow! Get ready to kick because we’re about to give you the lowdown on the perfect age to start playing soccer!

Let’s Start Kicking: Best Age for Kids to Play Soccer!

If you’re eager to get your child into soccer, you might be wondering when you should start. The answer is simple: as soon as they can walk! That’s right, there’s no such thing as being too young to start playing soccer. Even toddlers can benefit from playing with a soccer ball and developing their motor skills. Plus, it’s never too early to start cultivating a love for the beautiful game.

We talked about the importance to create soccer motor skills with and without technology. Furthermore, it is even more important to make sure that the love of the game starts early. Also, you allow time for it to grow over time. There is no point, or reason, to avoid soccer and then pick a time for it before getting serious. Give time for the kids to fall in and out of love with activities and let them grow organically.

Little Feet, Big Dreams: Ideal Time to Begin Soccer Training

Now that you know there’s no minimum age for playing soccer, you might be wondering when your child should start receiving formal training. Experts recommend starting soccer lessons around the age of 4 or 5 years old. We have seen how coaches berate adult players and we have seen how they encourage them. John Wooden had about 2/3 of his coaching being instructional, and he was coaching at the college level. When they are 5 years old, probably 99% is encouragement and celebration. There is very little organization and structure on the soccer field. However, kids are able to follow instructions and have developed enough coordination to be able to kick a ball around. Plus, training at this age can help build a strong foundation of skills that will serve them well as they grow older. 

Early Bird Gets the Goal

While there’s no set age for kids to start playing soccer, many coaches agree that starting at a young age can give players a competitive edge. By the time the soccer players are 8 or 9 years old, kids who have been playing soccer for a few years will have some technical foundation of skills. Then will be better equipped to play at a higher level in a team setting. It is not random that this is the age when they start playing in teams of 7 players on the field. Before that, there are only 4 players in a fluid structure. Additionally, starting early can help develop a love for the game that will last a lifetime.

Score a Goal for Fun and Learning: Perfect Age to Start Soccer

When it comes down to it, the perfect age to start playing soccer is whenever your child is interested and ready to start. Whether they’re 2 or 12, as long as they’re having fun and learning, that’s all that matters. If they show soccer talent at very early age, that’s great. But don’t worry if they don’t – not all flowers bloom on the same day! Soccer is a sport that can be enjoyed at any age, so don’t worry too much about when to start. Just get out there and start kicking!

Whether you’re a parent or a coach, we hope this article has given you some insight into the best age for kids to start playing soccer. Get the right gear even when it’s raining or cold, and make sure the kids have fun playing soccer. Remember, it’s never too early or too late to start playing soccer. Joining a team to learn or just pick up games to have fun, go for it! Grab a ball, lace up your cleats, and get ready to score some goals!