Youth interest in sports has seen a rapid decline in the last few years. Hectic lifestyles and mounting expenses have made participation in organized youth sports increasingly difficult for American families. Understandably, football too has fallen prey to this unfortunate phenomenon. According to a survey, 2012 participation in organized football by players between the ages of 6 and 14 was 4.9% below that in 2008. The fear surrounding physical injury to players may have contributed to the dropping numbers. However, public health officials believe that such fears are unfounded, especially when compared to the dangers associated with leading an inactive lifestyle. But theories and facts aside, how can parents practically deal with the situation? How does one coax a reluctant child to get off the coach and pick up a pigskin? The answer may lie in an unexpected place. It is quite possible that parents and teachers can turn to the internet, and mobile or online football games in particular, to fight the alarming trend. Here is a quick look at some of the ways that online games can be used to get kids more interested in the sport.
1. Online football games help familiarize kids with the sport
Football is not an easy game to understand. The scoring mechanism, the position of the players on the field, the role of each player and the terminology can all be a bit too much to grasp for newcomers. This is also likely to make them reluctant to play the sport with more experienced and knowledgeable peers. Online football games serve as the perfect starting point for familiarizing oneself with the game. Apps like Kurt Warner’s Football 101 and NFL RUSH Heroes and Rivals help beginners pick up the basics of football and learn additional details about the sport. Kids also learn a lot about the various teams and players while playing online football games. Armed with all this information, kids are more likely to show an interest in watching football games and may even be motivated to pick up a football and throw a few passes with their friends.
2. Online virtual world encourages physical activity
Playing online games has always been associated with inactivity. Fun Go Play is an online virtual world that takes an innovative route to breaking this association. The game involves an online sports theme park where players can play single and multi-player games, participate in tournaments, go on quests, customize their avatars and environment and even interact with the other players. The producers have also created a line of real-world sports gear called ‘FGP Sports Gear’ that tracks children’s physical activity and generates codes that unlock special features and rewards within the online world! So far Fun Go Play only has a flying disk and a soccer ball, but they plan to release more sports gear soon. Hopefully it’s only a matter of time before a football is added to the list! It’s easy to see how a game like this can increase players’ interest in sports.
3. Football-themed virtual world cultivates an interest in the sport
CampPete.com is another innovative online virtual world designed to encourage a healthy interest in sports – or rather football to be precise. The game features various lands where kids can play online football games and earn points to buy virtual gear. Several of these games are designed to teach the players football rules and strategies. The game also has videos featuring Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, with tips on leadership, team work and perseverance. Playing in a virtual world that is so strongly associated with football and interacting with other players who are fans of the sport is certain to cultivate an interest in watching and playing football offline.
Parents and public health officials believe that the internet and video games are partly to blame for the decreased interest in sports among kids. Using online football games to drive kids outdoors is a wonderful way to turn the situation around and encourage a healthier lifestyle among the youth.
Football is not an easy game to understand. The scoring mechanism, the position of the players on the field, the role of each player and the terminology can all be a bit too much to grasp for newcomers. This is also likely to make them reluctant to play the sport with more experienced and knowledgeable peers. Online football games serve as the perfect starting point for familiarizing oneself with the game. Apps like Kurt Warner’s Football 101 and NFL RUSH Heroes and Rivals help beginners pick up the basics of football and learn additional details about the sport. Kids also learn a lot about the various teams and players while playing online football games. Armed with all this information, kids are more likely to show an interest in watching football games and may even be motivated to pick up a football and throw a few passes with their friends.
2. Online virtual world encourages physical activity
Playing online games has always been associated with inactivity. Fun Go Play is an online virtual world that takes an innovative route to breaking this association. The game involves an online sports theme park where players can play single and multi-player games, participate in tournaments, go on quests, customize their avatars and environment and even interact with the other players. The producers have also created a line of real-world sports gear called ‘FGP Sports Gear’ that tracks children’s physical activity and generates codes that unlock special features and rewards within the online world! So far Fun Go Play only has a flying disk and a soccer ball, but they plan to release more sports gear soon. Hopefully it’s only a matter of time before a football is added to the list! It’s easy to see how a game like this can increase players’ interest in sports.
3. Football-themed virtual world cultivates an interest in the sport
CampPete.com is another innovative online virtual world designed to encourage a healthy interest in sports – or rather football to be precise. The game features various lands where kids can play online football games and earn points to buy virtual gear. Several of these games are designed to teach the players football rules and strategies. The game also has videos featuring Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, with tips on leadership, team work and perseverance. Playing in a virtual world that is so strongly associated with football and interacting with other players who are fans of the sport is certain to cultivate an interest in watching and playing football offline.
Parents and public health officials believe that the internet and video games are partly to blame for the decreased interest in sports among kids. Using online football games to drive kids outdoors is a wonderful way to turn the situation around and encourage a healthier lifestyle among the youth.