beginner soccer for 8 year old

[Anonymous]

My son is turning 8 this summer and last played soccer when he was 3. His gross motor skills lag his peers and he has inattentive ADHD. He has expressed interest in wanting to play fall soccer. We live in the BRYC district, but I am afraid he will get trampled playing with peers who have played their whole life. I was wondering if parktakes soccer was lower key or more introductory or if there are any other beginners leagues in the area for his age. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Look for a rec league. He should be fine because there are a good number of kids who are playing for the first time or are just developing certain skills/coordination

But please be willing to pay attention at practice and games to help his focus. We have been on teams, multiple sports, with kids with inattentive ADHD and the results are night and day different when the parents are focused on helping their child focus and participate and when they don't. Please remember that if you do rec soccer the coaches are parent volunteers and do not have training or experience with working with different types of kids, they will need your help and support.

[Anonymous]

My 8yo DD will be starting BRYC soccer in the fall, also hasn't played since she was 3. I'm also a little concerned that she's starting later than her peers, but they're 8 for goodness sake! It shouldn't be too late to start.

FWIW, my 6yo just finished Parktakes soccer and I was a little underwhelmed. There was a lot more running around playing sharks & minnows than actual soccer.

[Anonymous]

i9 is really low-key and supportive.

Don’t go with Annandale Boys & Girls Club rec. Weird and awful combination of disorganized and checked-out organization, with intense and stressed-out parents. Parents yelling at coaches, kids yelling at other kids, parents yelling at kids .... tried two seasons there, thinking the first might have been an anomaly, and the second was just as bad. This was K and 1st, btw. We won’t go back.