Best Fall Sports Leagues For Kids In Los Angeles

(credit: istockphoto)

(credit: istockphoto)

Knowing how to be a good sport in Los Angeles is as important a lesson to learn as it is anywhere else in the world. So, why not start your Southland-based kids on this noble quest as early as possible? Taking part in group activities that involve athletics means the city's youth will not only become physically fit, but they will also collectively take on the challenge of team work in the real sense of the term. With that said, consider the following places in which children who live in the City of Angels can practice what everyone preaches about sports etiquette this fall as these future athletes sharpen their sports abilities and then some.

(credit: istockphoto)

(credit: istockphoto)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
1553 N. Schrader Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 467-4161
www.ymca.org

This Hollywood location, around for a century, is just one of a dozen or so around the city. As in most of the Y's in Los Angeles, this branch offers all kinds of athletic pursuits for the younger set. Learn to swim competitively in the Olympic-sized pool or try out your basketball skills on the full-sized court. If you're not sure you want to join this or any other YMCA in the Southland, try it out first with a seven-day free pass.

(credit: istockphoto)

(credit: istockphoto)

Any 1 Hungry Basketball
6550 W. 80th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(323) 245-7172
www.any1hungry.com

Westchester Youth Basketball as practiced at Any 1 Hungry Basketball near LAX means your offspring can depend on meaningful training via a convivial leader called Jerry or, simply, Coach. Learning to push the limits is part of his strategy for the kids who clamor to get a grip on the game from the best mentor around the Southland, as is learning the meaning of overall performance in this ball sport that's popular with every generation.

(credit: Youth League Tennis)

(credit: Youth League Tennis)

Youth League Tennis
4669 Del Moreno Drive
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 347-1898
www.youthtennis.org

This particular outpost founded by a former Wimbledon player is just right for any level of play. Your child will learn to play a better game while competing with others who have similar skills. Ages five to 14 are invited to this Woodland Hills tennis clinic where scholarship programs are on offer. As the site says, "No child is ever turned away for lack of funds." How cool is that?

Related: Best Dance Classes For Kids In Los Angeles

(credit: Thinkstock)

(credit: Thinkstock)

Free Youth Sports Program
City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation
221 N. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 202-2633
www.laparks.org

The Los Angeles County Parks system is dedicated to giving kids great opportunities to join sports groups of many kinds, up to and including baseball, soccer, basketball and softball. The fall months are mostly devoted to basketball, with coaching provided by top instructors who have played at all levels, from college to the pros.

Little Boys playing soccer

(credit: Thinkstock)

Hollywood Soccer Academy
3401 Riverside Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(310) 926-7668
www.worldsoccerconnection.net

Soccer is not necessarily part of every curriculum at American schools, so to be sure your kid gets a chance to learn the skills it takes to become the best he or she can be, sign up at the Hollywood Soccer Academy located in Los Feliz. The coaches at this school for soccer are said to be both kind and fun-loving while the practices in Griffith Park make for a lovely place to escape to for the students who are learning the art of this particular international sport. Look out! Future LA Galaxy stars are in the making.

Related: Best Rock Climbing Facilities For Kids Around LA

Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.