Football training classes for kids

Football refers to a group of sports that involve kicking (to varying degrees) a ball to score a goal. On the Bizibuz platform, this includes the form that is also known as soccer in North America and Oceania, and gridiron football which is popular in the US and Canada. The various codes of football share some common elements although typically use different ball types and may be differentiated into those that stress the carrying of the ball down the field (gridiron for example) rather than kicking the ball down the field (soccer). The commonalities are the sport involves two teams of between 11 and 18 players, played on a football field of some variation, and scoring goals by moving the ball to the other team’s end of the field. There is also some similarity in skills involved including passing, tackling, catching and kicking.

Football in the soccer form claims the title as the most popular sport in the world boasting more than 3.5 billion fans, and kids’ football classes are a major hit. Across Asia the biggest fan bases can be found in China, India, Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia. Why is football so engaging? It’s fast paced, entertaining to watch, each team has its own style of play, it doesn’t require expensive equipment to start playing, and there is arguably a more regular display of high class competition than other sports given football is played in almost every country on earth. Why is kids’ football training so popular? Because kids’ football classes and matches are social, energetic, dynamic, and usually involve healthy and fun competition! In short, kids’ football classes are a great way to get them outdoors, breaking a sweat and ready for sleep at the end of the day.

Kids’ Football in Hong Kong & Singapore

In their search for kids’ football classes, children and parents are often inspired by watching national athletes compete and having a strong national team is often strongly correlated to the growth and popularity of that particular sport. Football is no exception and many kids have developed a love of football after seeing the efforts and triumphs of the Hong Kong and Singapore national teams.

Some of the most famous football players in Hong Kong include

Chan Siu Ki: Chan Siu Ki is a retired footballer who is widely regarded as one of the best players in Hong Kong history. He played for the Hong Kong national team and was a key player in several major competitions, including the East Asian Cup and the AFC Asian Cup. He has also run kids’ football classes in the past.
Yapp Hung Fai: Yapp Hung Fai is a current goalkeeper who has played for the Hong Kong national team. He is known for his strong reflexes and shot-stopping ability and has won multiple awards for his performance, including the Hong Kong Footballer of the Year award.
Au Yeung Yiu Chung: Au Yeung Yiu Chung is a former striker who played for the Hong Kong national team. He is regarded as one of the best players in Hong Kong history and was a dominant force in the local football scene during the 1980s and 1990s.
Lee Wai Lim: Lee Wai Lim is another former footballer who played for the Hong Kong national team. He is known for his versatility and was a key player in several major competitions, including the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup.
Lo Kwan Yee: Lo Kwan Yee is a current footballer who has played for the Hong Kong national team. He is a skilled midfielder known for his passing and dribbling ability.

And in Singapore, some of the most well known football players include

Fandi Ahmad: Fandi Ahmad is a former footballer who is widely regarded as one of the best players in Singapore history. He played for the Singapore national team and was a dominant force in the local football scene during the 1980s and 1990s.
Baihakki Khaizan: Baihakki Khaizan is a current defender who has played for the Singapore national team. He is known for his strong defensive skills and has won multiple awards for his performance, including the Singapore Footballer of the Year award.
Hariss Harun: Hariss Harun is another current footballer who has represented Singapore in international competitions. He is a skilled midfielder known for his passing and tackling ability and has won multiple awards for his performance, including the Singapore Footballer of the Year award.
Shahril Ishak: Shahril Ishak is a former footballer who played for the Singapore national team. He is known for his versatility and was a key player in several major competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games and the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Sundramoorthy: Sundramoorthy is a former footballer who played for the Singapore national team. He is regarded as one of the best players in Singapore history and has also made a name for himself as a successful coach, leading the Singapore national team and several local clubs.

Kids’ football training in competitive leagues

What are the options for a child to get involved in football? Part of the reason why football is so popular is because there are many ways for a child to get exposure and develop a passion for football through kids’ football classes.

Many communities have kids’ football training and youth football leagues that children can join. The leagues often have teams for different age groups and skill levels, and they provide an opportunity for kids’ football training, and participate in kids’ football classes, with organized games to compete against other teams.

Some of the most popular football leagues for kids in Hong Kong include

Hong Kong Junior Football League: The Hong Kong Junior Football League (HKJFL) is a non-profit organization that provides a platform for youth football in Hong Kong. The league offers competitive football for children aged 4-18 years old, with different age groups and divisions to cater to different skill levels.
Hong Kong Football Association Youth League: The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) Youth League is a competitive league for youth football teams in Hong Kong. The league is divided into different age groups, with teams competing against each other in regular games and tournaments.
ESF Lions Football League: The ESF Lions Football League is a community-based league that provides football opportunities for boys and girls aged 4-16 years old. The league is run by the English Schools Foundation and offers a fun and supportive environment for kids’ football training and competition.
Jockey Club Youth Football League: The Jockey Club Youth Football League is a non-profit organization that provides kid’s football classes and match opportunities for children aged 6-18 years old. The league offers competitive football for different age groups, with teams competing against each other in regular games and tournaments.
Hong Kong Soccer Sevens Youth Tournament: The Hong Kong Soccer Sevens is an annual football tournament that includes a youth competition for children aged 8-14 years old. The tournament attracts teams from around the world and provides a unique opportunity for children to showcase their football skills on an international stage.

Children football leagues are also plentiful in Singapore and include

ActiveSG Football Academy: The ActiveSG Football Academy is a program run by Sport Singapore that offers kids’ football training the ages of 5-16 years old. The program aims to develop basic football skills and provide a fun and safe environment for children to learn and play the game.
Junior Soccer League: The Junior Soccer League (JSL) is a non-profit organization that provides football opportunities for children aged 6-16 years old in Singapore. The league offers kids’ football training and competitive football for different age groups, with teams competing against each other in regular games and tournaments.
Singapore American School Soccer Academy: The Singapore American School Soccer Academy (SASSA) is a program that offers kids’ football training for the ages of 3-18 years old. The program is open to both boys and girls and offers a fun and supportive environment for children to learn and play the game.
Football Association of Singapore Youth Leagues: The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) organizes youth leagues for children aged 9-18 years old. The leagues are divided into different age groups and offer competitive football for teams from all over Singapore.
Singapore Soccer Schools: Singapore Soccer Schools is a program that offers kids’ football training for the ages of 3-18 years old. The program is run by licensed coaches and aims to develop fundamental football skills in a fun and safe environment.

Kids’ football classes and camps

Another option for kids’ football training is to attend football camps or classes. Kids’ football classes and camps provide children with an opportunity to learn new skills and improve their technique. These kids’ football classes often focus on specific aspects of the game, such as shooting, passing, or defense, and they can be a great way for children to develop their skills in a structured environment.

Alternatively for the more serious future football star, a child can enroll in a football academy for proper kids’ football training. Football academies offer year-round kids’ football training programs that are more structured. Their kids’ football classes and programs often include regular practices and games, as well as specialized kids’ football training in areas such as fitness, nutrition, and mental preparation.

Kids can also participate in school or community programs. Many schools and community organizations offer kid’s football training programs. These kids’ football classes can provide children with an opportunity to learn the basics of the game and develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment.

And last but not least, children can also practice their football skills at home instead of traditional kids’ football classes, using resources such as online tutorials or instructional videos. Parents can help by setting up a goal in the backyard or finding open spaces where children can practice their dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.

So how old should a child be to begin kids’ football classes?

The best age to start kids’ football training in the form of soccer courses is between the ages of 3 and 5 years when they have sufficient attention span to follow directions and have better coordination. By 6 to 9 years, your child will be able to develop team skills, remember the rules and start to enjoy playing competitively either in soccer or flag football. Given concussion risks, it’s not recommended for children to play tackle football in kids’ football classes until they are 12-14 years of age.

The benefits of kids’ football training

The benefits of football training for children include

enhancing cognitive development
improving social skills and team work
physical benefits such as strengthening bones and improving hand eye coordination
protecting against future cancer risks, cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases
encouraging an active lifestyle which establishes healthy adult routines
increasing confidence and engagement levels
better quality sleep which improves concentration and resiliency
aiding stress management