The Girls’ Game
April 12th, 2007
…ever wonder why an average girl’s soccer game looks so different than an average boy’s game? I have my theories, but I’d like to know yours’. What factors do you think make the difference?
4 Responses to “The Girls’ Game” 
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August 15th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
I think it could be with the attitude from parents towards each game. There is a “believe” that the girls would not play as rough as the boys.
August 18th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Interesting…What you mention touches on many points all of which books have been written on. I will lean towards the issue and factor of confidence in this comment. Perhaps most girls who play rougher have more confidence than those who shy away from the aggression on the field. Why would this be? I do believe that our perceptions dictate our attitude (and vice versa) and therefore our actions. If parents think a certain way, perhaps their children will live within those boundaries. Perhaps we limit not just ourselves by the way we think, but unfortunately also limit others. As well as that if we live open to change and fluidity in life, perhaps we will raise more confident and empowered children, changing the Girl’s Game indefinitely.
August 21st, 2007 at 5:03 pm
In my previous comment, I suggested that open-minded parents raise more confident kids. As many societies do, we tend to protect our daughters from the harshness of life much more than we to our sons, including within the sports arena. Just compare the sidelines of most boy’s and girl’s games to see how much closer to heart an injury or a foul hits when it involves our daughter’s rather than our son’s. We think it is for the benefit of the girls, but it is really for our own comfort. Try observing some girl’s games and some boy’s games game as an outsider a few at your next opportunities to test this out. This phenomenon transcends geographic and cultural boundaries and species, too. People just react differently to it.
Sometimes this control of their environment goes so far, that the kids don’t even want to try something new, and in our attempt to protect them…or control our chaotic lives, we actually stymie our own kids. Of course, there is also the flip side, but that’s another day’s topic. Timid behavior is easy to see in many kids when inevitably exposed to sports, nature, and public speaking. What our children actually need instead of protection is good role modeling with parents who demonstrate and encourage empowered thinking and opportunity within a safe yet flexible structure. (ie. teaching street smarts and self defense in addition to how to run away) Think of how quickly kids feet grow: 2-3 sizes a year sometimes…those little toes need wiggle-room. If they don’t get the room to grow they get foot problems. Our kids minds need wiggle-room, too. Just be careful with giving them clown shoes…’cause they might trip!
Everyone needs to determine the fit for their child, so I suggest to you to find out your child’s foot size and remember…always give kids shoes to grow into(hand-me-downs are fine), teach them to tie their laces, and give them a “map.” I will provide links for and address this topic and others in more detail in future Articles on the site. …remember…WIGGLE-ROOM!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:48 am
I coach a U7/8 Girls team. It being my first year and being girls has been like a whirl wind that won’t stop. The girl’s keep me on my toes and I have seen a number of difference from watching boys play vice my girls.
Boys tend to compete for each others acceptance, were girls find other ways to be accepted by their peers.
Girls are tough as boys but their emotions are still on their sleeve, they need someone to say “Hey are you ok sweetie” were boys you can be a little more tough with “You ok?, good let’s get back out there”.
It might be me and my first year of coaching, but girls appear to be much more energetic than boys, like I said in the beginning, they keep me going.
I love coaching this age and I am going to move up with my daughter as is my assistant with his daughter. I think you have to have a connection with the girls, not necessarily their buddy, but befriend them and also let them know you are coach and you do the coaching and they do the playing.
I encourage my girl’s to talk at games and let one another know were to move and direct traffic, but at practice it is coaches time to direct traffic.