
Serving as a legal intern at Hach & Rose, LLP, a New York City law firm, Rachel Lader is currently working on her Juris Doctor at New York Law School. Before starting college, Rachel Lader played on a nationally-ranked soccer team that allowed her to play games all over the country.
Soccer programs offer a wide variety of benefits for children and teenagers. Soccer is a unique sport that requires more physical exertion than baseball or softball but is safer to play than football. Soccer helps players to increase their physical fitness, stamina, and agility. Running back and forth across the soccer field over the course of two 45-minute halves is the equivalent of running about six miles, which increases the player’s aerobic capacity and improves their overall cardiovascular health.
In addition to promoting physical fitness, playing soccer helps develop character skills like teamwork, leadership, and responsibility. Engaging in a challenging aerobic activity like soccer also is a great way to release tension and frustration, which leads to better mood regulation and overall feelings of well-being. Lastly, playing on a soccer team teaches children and teens to cope with adversity, such as an unexpected loss, and provides an outlet for improving self-confidence as they see their skills and performance improve over time.