lacrosse advice for young boy

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old does not really like lacrosse. He is inimidated by it and does not like wearing the gear. I keep trying to explain to him that he has to play because his friends all do it and he will be left behind if he does not want to do it in a few years. You can't pick up lacrosse at 9 or 10 and expect to be compete if everyone else has been doing it for 5 years. What can I do to make him more willing to engage and practice?

[Anonymous]

If you force him he will dislike it even more. He is very young you have plenty of time especially if he is athletic. Skip the gear and get a few sticks, lots of balls and a good rebounder. Play catch with him, shooting games, make it fun, involve friends in a non competitive environment focusing on trying to get good with the stick and see if he becomes more interested. Playing multiple sports early is good for athleticism in general so consider adding flag football and basketball (no gear, lots of rec leagues).

[Anonymous]

Get a 3x3 goal and mess around and play pick up in your backyard using a tennis ball.

[Anonymous]

My son is a junior and is going to start playing lacrosse this year for his school. He has played baseball since he was 4 (travel since he was 7) and is burnt out. It’s never too late to start a new sport.

If there’s one thing I regret it’s that we started him in travel sports so young- he also played travel basketball.

[Anonymous]

He does not "need" to play now.

DS started at 10 and now plays for his HS team. There are kids on the team - some really good! - who started in 8th or 9th grade.

Keep him active and having fun. That's all that really matters. An athletic kid can pick up a new sport any time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 7 year old does not really like lacrosse. He is inimidated by it and does not like wearing the gear. I keep trying to explain to him that he has to play because his friends all do it and he will be left behind if he does not want to do it in a few years. You can't pick up lacrosse at 9 or 10 and expect to be compete if everyone else has been doing it for 5 years. What can I do to make him more willing to engage and practice?

This has to be satire.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I am serious. Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I am serious. Thank you

If he doesn’t like lacrosse, why are you forcing him to play lacrosse? It sounds like it’s because you want him to be friends with the “right” kids. If that’s the case… gross, OP.

[Anonymous]

Boys develop at their own pace. Pushing them would be the worst advice ever. Does he like to throw in the back yard? At that age that does more than formal play let him join a team when he is ready. Stick skills provide confidence that will help later on. Everyone can offer something to the game.

[Anonymous]

Also, the fact that you think a kid cannot pick up the sport at 9 or 10 is sad. That is young to start. Some still start playing in 8th or 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

they do not start in 8th or 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

This is absurd. Let me guess - goes to SSSAS?

[Anonymous]

exactly - some SSAS insanely thinks they can start in 8th grade

[Anonymous]

he has to play because his friends all do it

If that's not making him excited, then what will?

All my son's friends play soccer, and he doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I am serious. Thank you

Just think about what you wrote. You have a young kid who hates lacrosse. You want advice on how to make him play because his friends play and because when he is TEN it will be too late. Why would you force a kid to play a sport he doesn’t like? Why are you worried about what other kids his age do? It defies logic. By high school, heck middle school, kids have different friend groups than they did when they were seven. And, gasp, they are friends with kids who play different sports!