World Cup Inspires New Soccer Fans

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup coming to a very dramatic and exciting finale, there’s even more excitment about the game of soccer. According to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, of the 18 million Americans who play soccer, 78% are under the age of eighteen. In the 1990s, soccer was recognized as the fastest-growing college and high school sport in the United States. The experts say soccer has become popular with children because almost anyone can play.

So if your tween is inspired by watching the World Cup and wants to start or keep kicking around a soccer ball, here are some tips from OHealthy to make sure he or she will have a fun and safe time!

Soccer Safety Tips

• Players must wear shin guards that cover the entire shin, have a strap for children to fasten under their feet and have a plastic outside cover.
• Goalies should wear gloves, elbow pads and kneepads.
• All players should wear form-fitted mouth guards and shatterproof glasses.
• Players’ shoes should have molded cleats or a ribbed sole. Never use metal cleats, as they can cut another player’s skin.
• The right ball can prevent head injuries. Leather balls can become heavy when wet. Use synthetic, nonabsorbent balls on wet fields.
• Soccer goals should be anchored to the ground, using anchors flush with the ground and clearly visible.

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Have you been watching the World Cup? Are your kids inspired by it? Please share below.