Just this past spring, my 7-year-old played flag football for the first time. He has always shown an interest in sports, so he joined the flag football team of our local league. I was excited, he was excited, and we were in for quite a treat over the course of the season. Not only did he show that he’s pretty fast, but he started to learn big lessons through this exciting sport. Here are 3 things my son learned from Flag Football.
1. How Good It Feels to Move Your Body
Learning what your body can do is empowering. Movement benefits our bodies physically, mentally, and emotionally. The physical activity exercises our muscles, makes them stronger, and shows us how to feel good about our capabilities. My son learned that in an open field, he could make a move, get to open space, and use his strong legs to score a touchdown. He also was able to see how this sport boosted his brain. He had an outlet to channel his energy, which I found was a good reset after long days at school.
2. Learning and Executing Plays
Learning anything—especially something new—is both challenging and exciting. This was no different for my son. Attending practice a few times a week, learning intricate plays that he did not have experience with took dedication and concentration. While there, he had to listen to his coaches, pay attention to detail and execute decisions. He also had to take in feedback about his performance in order to do it better the next time. These are all important life skills that I am so glad he was exposed to starting at such a young age in a positive environment.
3. What It Means to be Part of a Team
Being a member of a team is a critical part of life. We are social and a part of communities where we constantly interact with people and strive to do what benefits the whole. Flag football allowed my son to see the benefits of working with a group of people to achieve a shared goal: scoring a touchdown or pulling the flag of the other team. He could not achieve any of it without his teammates. He had to listen to his teammates, support them if a play didn’t work out how they wanted it to, and do it with a positive attitude.
Football is not only a great sport, but I love the 3 things my son learned from Flag Football. We’re fortunate to live in an area with several kids’ teams and a rich football history. While my son has yet to attend a Washington Commanders game, it is on our list of things to do this winter!
The National Football Foundation Serves Local Families
DC Area Moms is proud to partner with the National Football Foundation and Future for Football to bring these resources to families. The National Football Foundation (NFF) is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people.
For more resources or to find a league near you, visit the Future for Football website here.
