Soccer- where to start?

[Anonymous]

My daughter is turning 8 and I wanted to introduce her to soccer. Am I too late? She's not athletic so I don't expect her to be awesome, but she's willing to try it out. What is the best way to to do that? Is it also too late in the season?

My youngest daughter is 3 and did a little bit of tots soccer but she is naturally athletic. We did some tots soccer but it was kind of lame. I think she would enjoy it more if she could try playing a few basic games.

I went to the Stoddert website and was super confused about what might work for us. Could someone help us out?

[Anonymous]

If you’re in Virginia, check out Golden Boot Soccer, which offers a bunch of training camps for kids. We went this route with our daughter. The camps taught her the fundamentals of the game instead of just putting her into scrimmages and matches. Aside from building ability and talent, my daughter came to love all aspects of the sport. I think it made her a better player and teammate.

[Anonymous]

You are a bit late for the Fall programs. The season should be wrapping up in a few weeks. If she is just getting started take a look at the Rec program that should be starting in the spring. If you want a jump start for the spring check out some winter indoor programs. Many of the clubs offer some form of training for the winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in Virginia, check out Golden Boot Soccer, which offers a bunch of training camps for kids. We went this route with our daughter. The camps taught her the fundamentals of the game instead of just putting her into scrimmages and matches. Aside from building ability and talent, my daughter came to love all aspects of the sport. I think it made her a better player and teammate.

That's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

If you just don’t start, you’re miles ahead of most people in this forum

[Anonymous]

I'm a huge fan of rec soccer. It is too late for the fall, but find out what rec leagues are in your area and reach out to the soccer coordinator to get on the mailing list for the spring.

Both of my kids played rec and it was a wonderful experience - for both my kids and me as a parent - before going to a club. My DS (U17 who plays varsity HS soccer and on the top team with his club) played rec through 5th grade, before moving to club.

[Anonymous]

My DS plays in a rec league and the parents are so obnoxious. Coaching from sideline is worse than I've seen in awhile.

[Anonymous]

My DD started rec soccer this season at 8 and it is totally not too late.

[Anonymous]

Just do a spring rec program, registration should start in a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

8's not terribly late. The best player on our rec team didn't start until around then. That said, she may need a way to learn the rules before the spring season. It could be hard to come in completely cold when most of the team will have a certain base of knowledge. (especially if 8-year-olds are playing positions, which I am pretty sure they are.)

So get on the email list for your county's rec program -a handful of kids only do fall soccer and do spring softball or other sports so there should be a spot available. And then maybe see if your county offers a class of some sort, or a winter break camp, or some weekly clinics where she can learn the rules in a better setting than as one of 10 kids on a field with a parent coach.

[Anonymous]

not anywhere close to be too late.

try rec soccer in the spring, and tryout for a travel team in may as well to see where they stand

[Anonymous]

Where do you live OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in Virginia, check out Golden Boot Soccer, which offers a bunch of training camps for kids. We went this route with our daughter. The camps taught her the fundamentals of the game instead of just putting her into scrimmages and matches. Aside from building ability and talent, my daughter came to love all aspects of the sport. I think it made her a better player and teammate.

That's ridiculous.

NP here. It’s not ridiculous at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live OP?

OP. I’m in NE DC.

Thinking about a Stoddert skills camp. It starts this weekend. Do you think that would be a good start?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live OP?

OP. I’m in NE DC.

Thinking about a Stoddert skills camp. It starts this weekend. Do you think that would be a good start?

definitely a good start