Why Kids are Quitting Soccer

The decline has been felt everywhere: recreational leagues in longtime soccer hotbeds here; high-profile traveling teams from Maryland to California; programs targeted at Latino and immigrant populations in South Texas. High burnout rates from pushing children into travel soccer too young as well as the high costs of programs have also contributed to the lower numbers.

…as the proliferation of club and travel teams has expanded into the preteen levels, and sometimes even younger, many players get discouraged.“We put them in tryout and team situations before they are psychologically and emotionally ready,” said Chris Moore, chief executive officer of the U.S. Youth Soccer Association. “So if you can’t make a travel team some kids may say, ‘what’s the point,’ and quit playing altogether.”“

Really — what IS the point? If kids want to play soccer, they don’t need a coach, a field, a uniform and a fee. All they need is some friends and a ball. And actually, as Carlo Celli and Nathan Richardson note in their book, “Shoeless Soccer,” they don’t even need a ball. Pele, the soccer legend, learned playing barefoot, kicking a sock filled with rags.

Give the kids some free time, or have the schools or parks and rec department do that. We suggest a Let Grow Play Club before or after school. They will be with friends, without devices, with the chance to truly play just for fun.

And instead of a decline, we predict off-the-charts growth in leadership, sportsmanship, social skills…and maybe even their rusting soccer moves.