5 Benefits of Playing 5-a-side Football
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If you’re visiting this site in the first place, then you probably agree with us that football is one of humanity’s greatest inventions. It’s the best game in the world, whether you’re a player or a spectator. When you’re running around on that pitch, you’re building up your stamina, improving your dexterity, and, above all, having a great time with your mates.
Getting a Team Together
Football is the beautiful game – 11 players on each side working as a team to score against their opponents. But let’s be honest: finding ten friends or co-workers you can depend on to be available for a match every week isn’t easy. With a 5-a-side team (or 6-a-side or 7-a-side), it becomes that much easier to put together a reliable team that will meet up regularly.
Develop your skills
When you’re playing 5-a-side, you spend a lot more time on the ball than you would in a standard match. This gives you a great opportunity to develop as a footballer. There’s no risk of being left twiddling your thumbs while your teammates have the ball squarely in the opposition’s half. Everybody gets to be involved and enhance their skills in the process.
Health benefits
5-a-side is an intense sport, often played at greater speed and with constant movement when compared to an 11-a-side game. It’s a fantastic cardiovascular workout, as it gets your heart pumping for the entirety of the match. While you might not notice the changes immediately, within a few matches you’ll find your stamina and endurance have improved. The intensity of the game can also help you burn off subcutaneous fat and aid with weight loss too.
Socialising
It can be hard to commit to meeting your friends or co-workers on a regular basis. Trips to the pub are easily brushed off, with one feeling much like the other after a time. By joining a 5-a-side league, not only do you have set times to meet, but you’re meeting with a purpose – to win those valuable league points. It’s a great way to bond with friends, and you’ll meet new people among the other teams who share at least one common interest. And don’t think this makes trips to the pub a thing of the past. After all, what better way to cool off after a blistering match?
Improve Mental Health
Regular physical activity combined with the social aspect of the game can make 5-a-side football a great way to improve your mental well-being. While there’s no easy fix for certain mental health issues, studies have shown that exercise and social interaction both have a positive effect and can make it easier to manage the symptoms.
