Looking back to my childhood, some of my fondest memories are from attending youth football games. Either under the Friday night lights of our high school’s football field – or with my family at a college football game on ‘Game Day Saturday’ (Go Gophers!).
Football has the ability to bring people together (I mean, what else literally brings 100,000+ people to a stadium on a Saturday afternoon?!). It is the root of so many family traditions and while I never played it as a child, it’s a sport that now offers more opportunities than ever for ALL athletes. More females have started to partake in youth football – from playing to coaching to reffing… it’s amazing to see!
Even though I was never a football player (the only time I ever “played” was a Powder Puff game In high school!), I’m thrilled to see my son play youth football in part because I can’t wait to watch him under those same Friday night lights – but also for other reasons that have to do with how they benefit him as a growing, learning human, that will contribute positively to society.
7 Reasons I Want My Child to Play Youth Football
Building Self Confidence
Every time a child accomplishes something that they didn’t know they could do – they build confidence. Every time they step out of their comfort zone, they build confidence. And self-confidence is a critical piece of overall health for children. Playing football can be a big confidence builder!
Not only are they accomplishing something as a member of a football team, but they are also learning how to use their physical strength in new ways. Additionally, split-second decisions are being made throughout the game, honing a child’s strategizing skills and mental acuity. When these things combine for an awesome play, or even a touchdown, the sense of self-satisfaction skyrockets. Watching your child build confidence is a true parenting highlight.
Competition
Competition is a part of life and youth sports, like football, help children learn healthy competition. Always giving your all, working hard to achieve goals, and learning from mistakes. It’s important to learn the value of competition at a young age so that it can take you through life – this does not mean ‘winning at all cost’, it means learning how to put your best foot forward and having a strong desire to want to compete!
There is also an opportunity to “learn to lose.” Every time your child takes the field in a football game, there will be a winner and a loser. Losing is hard. It’s easy for kids (and adults for that matter) to become frustrated, angry, and disappointed. But turning the loss around to learn from it is a true life lesson. What mistakes were made and how can they be improved? What went well during the game? Losing is a part of the competition, but losing gracefully is a valuable life lesson.
Friendship and Camaraderie
To this day, some of my closest friends are friendships that started by playing together on a team. It’s a great way for kids to find a sense of belonging to feel a ‘part’ of something. And those kids spend a lot of time together, celebrate each other in their victories, and hold each other up during defeats.
Not only that, but friendships develop between parents. If your child plays any type of youth sport, you know that you get to know the other parents quickly. It’s a special sort of friendship: you’re bonding over some of the most important memories and moments of your kid’s childhood.
When your child (or any child on the team or that matter!) scores their first touchdown or contributes to an incredible play, you’re celebrating and cheering like mad…and basically hugging strangers! But they won’t remain that way for long. The parents of your kids’ fellow team members might just become some of your closest friends as you spend year after year together watching youth football games.
Health, Wellness & Staying Active
We all know that it’s important for children to stay physically active. And these days there are more distractions than ever (video games, iPad, YouTube…) that prevent that. Football helps kids stay active – through the training, the games, and the practices… and it’s a FUN way for kids to be active!
Not only this but the movement required to play football encourages the development of broad motor skills like catching, throwing, balance, running, coordination, and agility.
Learning New Skills
Speaking of motor skills, childhood is a great time to develop new skills. It also contributes to a love of learning! It’s important to be willing to learn and open to learning new things whether it’s a sport, a subject in school, or a hobby. The ability to finish something that we start is a lifelong skill — and playing on a football team is the perfect way to help kids achieve that.
Learning to Work as a Team
Teamwork is a part of life — from childhood to adulthood. Being able to work well with others is so important. Football is all about teamwork, as there is not one player on a football team that carries the entire team. There are special teams and different groups and teams within the team and they all need to be able to work together in order to succeed!
Sportsmanship
One of the biggest things I tell my kids is that it’s important to always practice good sportsmanship. Win or lose – it’s paramount to be a good sport. Football instills sportsmanship in kids at a young age, so that as they continue in life – they can use that skill in other aspects of life.
Simply put, competitive play is much more enjoyable when those involved show good sportsmanship to one another. It’s easy to think that winning is the most important aspect of the game. However, good sportsmanship teaches how to be gracious and respectful of others. That’s certainly a life lesson that I hope my son carries with him long into his life.
Visit FutureForFootball.com to find a league near you and for other helpful resources.”
