Is My Kid Too Small for Soccer? Nah.

No, your child is not too small for soccer.

Obviously, we don’t know each other but I’m writing in general terms.

If you think your child is too small for a sport, I think you need to level set expectations. The top 1% of college soccer players will go pro. That’s college!

Youth sports should be fun. It should accommodate all sizes, shapes, ethnicities, athletic abilities, etc. There is always something for someone.

If it’s not club soccer, it might be travel or rec. If it’s not soccer, it could be basketball, tennis, hockey, volleyball, or golf.

In soccer especially, height does not matter much. In youth soccer, I don’t think it matters at all.

Why Size Doesn’t Matter Much in Soccer

In soccer, size is not as important as skill, technique, and tactics. I can’t say the same thing for other sports.

While height can be an advantage for some positions (i.e. – goalie), they are not the most crucial factor in determining a player’s success.

Case in point…

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, is only 5’7″ and 148 pounds.

Similarly, Xavi Hernandez, another legendary player, is only 5’7″ and 150 pounds.

Or, the MLS MVP, Luciano Acosta, who stands at only 5’3″!

Having a low center of gravity combined with speed and agility makes a player more dangerous than their height does.

Also, there’s this little beating organ in your body called the heart. That’s what separates many players.

Those players who have a passion for the sport will expand their game beyond their limits.

Teenage Years Can Be a Struggle

Most girls start puberty at 8 and boys a year after that. It can last five years or so for kids to fully develop.

Some young athletes will hit a giant growth spurt early while others start later in their cycle.

Players who are underdeveloped and hit their stride later can struggle. They may not be as fast or strong as the other players. This can make a big difference.

My suggestion is to trust the process, work on your skills, and continue to learn the game of soccer.

Do you know what happens later? Everyone catches up. At some point around 14 or 15, kids start leveling out.

The players who continued to work on their game will start to accel. This happens all the time…in every sport.

Don’t Wait Until They Get Bigger

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is using height as a crutch.

While taller players may have some advantages, smaller players do too.

Smaller players can often be more agile and quicker, making them harder to defend against.

Don’t get me wrong. There will be times when bigger kids push your child around by their brute strength.

But, unlike American football or basketball, the game is played with the feet.

Your child doesn’t need to wait to play soccer until they’re bigger. They are big enough.

They need to push that “too short” stuff to the side.

They need to work hard, develop their skills, learn the game, and enjoy the moment!

If you know someone who is struggling with their size, pass this article along. It’s made from my personal experience with my son. He has always been much smaller than his peers but never let that stop him. For that, I’m super proud of him.