What sport is best suited for the U6 age? (Survey)

[BGF_Postman]

What sport do you think is best to start your child in at the ripe young age of 4, 5, or 6? And please say why you think that. :)

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu24/ballgamefinder/Article%20Pics/ballsports.jpg

[RickB]

I choose soccer and here's why. To me soccer is the best sport for starting your child out for many reasons.

First and foremost is attention span. I've seen far too many children get bored on the baseball/softball field especially in the outfield. Soccer remedies this because the ball can go all over the field AND positions are more flexible than in most other sports. For example, you can play defense on soccer, but it's okay to go a little past center field at times. Baseball at that age (or T-ball), you are really confined to your region and outfielders rarely get to do anything unless you have a coach that is thinking about such and rotates positions every inning.

Basketball, may be another okay one for attention span, but it requires much more coordination than soccer. Soccer again wins here because it is more basic, yet can go as advanced as their learning curve progresses.

Soccer is also great for helping to build agility in footwork that will easily translate to other sports. IMO, it should be the foundation of youth sports at ages 4 through 6.

Just my opinion and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[SoccerMommy]

Yay socccer! Since that's all my girl plays ;-) Nicely explained Rick!

[RickB]

Yay socccer! Since that's all my girl plays ;-) Nicely explained Rick!

Well, I'm no expert and this is just my opinion, but I do have the kid's best interest at heart. I love all sports, but would hate to see a child be turned off of sports as a whole due to being placed in the outfield in T-ball and the only interaction being 1-3 "at bats" per game. IMO, one bad experience at that age can leave a lasting impression. But thank you! :)

[baseball11]

Even though my son plays baseball alot. I agree with you. Soccer or Basketball keeps them in the game alot better.

[charlie11]

Even though I play baseball a lot I am going to pick soccer. I agree with Rick.

[stevefondy]

I'm against the grain here. My kids love to swing a bat and run. They love to play baseball. When we play soccer, they get bored.

[RickB]

No problem with disagreeing here Steve! But have you girls at this age tried T-ball? I think there are usually 3-5 kids per T-ball team that get some action on a regular basis. And soccer can be more fun if it is coached right. I believe even at this young age, they can learn some fairly complex strategies. Never underestimate these young ones. I've seen a great soccer coach at this age do amazing things with the kids and still keep it really fun for them.

But again, these are just opinions and all are welcome! ;p

[stevefondy]

No problem with disagreeing here Steve! But have you girls at this age tried T-ball? I think there are usually 3-5 kids per T-ball team that get some action on a regular basis. And soccer can be more fun if it is coached right. I believe even at this young age, they can learn some fairly complex strategies. Never underestimate these young ones. I've seen a great soccer coach at this age do amazing things with the kids and still keep it really fun for them.

But again, these are just opinions and all are welcome! ;p

I know my kids are coached right in soccer, because it's me coaching them ;) We do play on a 20 foot field at my house with small goals. My kids just don't have a taste for it, even when it's done in a more enjoyable environment.

But they love to try and hit the ball. We don't try t-ball. They like to be pitched to. My 6 year old smacks the balls pretty darn hard when she hits it, and really gets a kick out of that.

[RickB]

I know my kids are coached right in soccer, because it's me coaching them ;) We do play on a 20 foot field at my house with small goals. My kids just don't have a taste for it, even when it's done in a more enjoyable environment.

But they love to try and hit the ball. We don't try t-ball. They like to be pitched to. My 6 year old smacks the balls pretty darn hard when she hits it, and really gets a kick out of that.

haha! Ok Steve! Do you mean you coach them in a league on a full team? Big difference between that and yard play. That goes with T-ball/baseball too. The more players you have, the more likely it is for some to feel a bit left out. And everyone likes to step up to the plate, it's the fielding especially in the outfield at the age of 4-6 that can stink for some kids.

I hope no one thinks I'm anti baseball, because I'm not. I absolutely love it! My whole point in this is that soccer to me seems to be a sport that a kid can benefit from from an attention stand point and gaining the foot skills that will translate to all other ball sports. I'm also not saying they shouldn't play baseball or t-ball at that age. Just that soccer should be considered. Just my 2 cents ;)

BTW, I like this discussion! :D

[1SportsFan]

I happen to be all about baseball, but some decent points are made in soccer's favor. But since I know nothing of the sport, I do believe baseball (Tball) at that young age can be fun for the kids if they are coached right. At this age, I do however recommend a handful of assistant coaches.

[stevefondy]

haha! Ok Steve! Do you mean you coach them in a league on a full team? Big difference between that and yard play. That goes with T-ball/baseball too. The more players you have, the more likely it is for some to feel a bit left out. And everyone likes to step up to the plate, it's the fielding especially in the outfield at the age of 4-6 that can stink for some kids.

I hope no one thinks I'm anti baseball, because I'm not. I absolutely love it! My whole point in this is that soccer to me seems to be a sport that a kid can benefit from from an attention stand point and gaining the foot skills that will translate to all other ball sports. I'm also not saying they shouldn't play baseball or t-ball at that age. Just that soccer should be considered. Just my 2 cents ;)

BTW, I like this discussion! :D

I meant they are NOT coached right, lol. I post on the forum before coffee.

I don't know the first thing about soccer, or soccer strategy.

[RickB]

I meant they are NOT coached right, lol. I post on the forum before coffee.

I don't know the first thing about soccer, or soccer strategy.

OK Steve....yeah I'm like that too. I don't function too well pre-coffee! :cool:

[stevefondy]

OK Steve....yeah I'm like that too. I don't function too well pre-coffee! :cool:

Sorry for the confusion. I re-read my original post and thought I sounded like an arrogant soccer KNOW it all. I know NOTHING about soccer :)