The program that I run here in Ponte Vedra takes kids starting as early as age 6 and many of the kids are really tiny. More about the very small player in a minute.

Typically kids who are 7 or 8 years old are mature enough to participate in organized sports that focus on an introduction to the basics - even football. Some 6-year-olds may be able to handle the structure required to learn and play the game but I have found they are often overwhelmed by it all.

That said, back to the very small player. Some of the best players in our program are the really little guys. Smaller kids, like Edwin, are typically faster and often more aggressive than their bigger teammates and do very well as a rule.

I might add that injuries at the youth level are rare if players are coached correctly. It is probably because players are so well equipped and outfitted that the injury rate in youth soccer is higher than youth football.

I believe if kids express an interest in playing youth football and there is good program available to them, they should be allowed to play and experience the sport. For many kids, especially the smaller ones, it may be the only chance that they will have to learn and enjoy the game. At the little kid level, when done right, it is a wonderful experience. At the high school level and above, the game becomes quite competitive and restrictive. You don't see very many tiny players.