As fall sets in,
the kids are back in school and our attention seems to turn to the sports the
new season brings. This seems like the perfect time of year to start to get your
kids busy with athletic endeavors (without it infringing on the quality of
their school work, of course). We’ve made a list of five popular sports your
kids can participate in this fall, and the benefits that they will have on them
mentally, physically, and even socially.
1.
FOOTBALL
The old adage claims
that baseball is America’s past time. That is, until fall football starts. Then
everyone’s attention turns to those Friday night lights at football fields
across the country. We are inspired by home town heroes who, despite all odds,
bring home a victory for their team and community.
This American
classic tends to awaken a sense of nostalgia in all of us and can really be
seen as a great equalizer. Football is a sport that has a place for everyone.
From positions as a lineman which require a great amount of strength and—let’s
be honest—girth, to the agility and versatility that are required for positions
like quarterback, running back, and special teams. There couldn’t be a more
all-inclusive sport.
Don’t be afraid
to let the girls play either. More and more common throughout the sport, the
agility that young girls show can be put to great use in tactical positions.
And talk about a legend in the making. How would it be to have your daughter as
the first female to play on a professional level!
2. SOCCER
With a need for
speed and constant motion, the minimal requirements for soccer really come down
to having a lot of energy. What kid isn’t just bubbling over with excessive
amounts of energy? Soccer continues to be one of the fastest growing youth
sports in the nation, and the state of Utah is no exception. With new Real Salt
Lake Academies popping up all over, kids can make soccer a sport that they pursue
for their entire lives.
Important
quick-thinking skills are developed, along with large amounts of speed, power,
endurance, and durability. You read that right—durability. We know that
football can be a rough sport, but soccer can cause great harm to kids, so a
high pain tolerance will go a long way. Imagine what it would be like to run
into another kid at full throttle without any pads. That’s got to hurt!
3. GOLF
The sport of
businessmen and casual weekend mornings is thought to be one of the most
tactful sports out there. Requiring a high level of hand-eye coordination to
determine direction; strength to hit a ball long distances; finesse to
accurately direct it; as well as a gift for impeccable timing, golf is not a
sport for the faint of heart.
There is a lot
of concentration required when it comes to playing golf. Golfers develop a
great amount of patience as they learn to assess certain situations and
consider the possible outcomes of tactical strategies. This is not a one-size-fits-all
sport, but one that is tailored over time as a golfer develops and hones their
skills.
4. TENNIS
Often referred
to as the sport of kings, tennis has enjoyed many centuries of popularity among
elite classes throughout history. Now, like every sport there have emerged
stars rising from humble beginnings to take on this regal sport.
Tennis requires
a great amount of coordination, flexibility, and strength to hit the ball at
high velocities. The techniques used in tennis allow the player to learn to
move in ways that they don’t necessarily move in other sports. And the focus on
individual improvement is crucial to be successful.
5. CHEERLEADING
Certainly not
for the cowardly, cheerleading is becoming a very popular form of physical
activity for many kids. Involving a combination of dance and gymnastics
elements, this sport also requires the participants to develop excellent memory
and critical thinking skills. Although, for most cheerleaders it is a matter of
following a routine, it also demands a great attention to detail and uniformity.
And no, we don’t mean the uniforms they wear, but the ability to perform a move
or skill in rhythm with the others around you.
Not to be
overlooked in cheerleading is also the physical strength and stamina it
requires. Routines can be taxing on the body and require a great deal of
physical conditioning. Plus, an added measure of peppy enthusiasm will go a
long way as well (but we just assumed that was implied).
A few of these
sports easily carry over into spring and summer seasons, and offer a wide
variety of camps and clinics throughout the year that young participants can
engage in to develop their skills. And as a car dealer, we encourage you as
parents to have the perfect vehicle to help cart your budding athletes to all the
practices, games, matches, performances, and more. Be sure to stop by Larry H.
Miller Chevrolet in Murray to ensure your children arrive to practice both in
style and with the space for all their equipment. Check out our online
inventory and schedule a test drive to get both you and your kids on the
path to success on the field.
