What Sport for my Very Tall 6yo Girl?
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Anonymous
| I was a collegiate soccer play, my sister (DD's aunt) was a full scholarship DIV I swimmer. My 6.5 yo DD is 52 inches, 62 pounds, poorly-coordinated (but rhythmic), and does not like soccer (is very passive as she towers over most other kids her age) - so, I am at a loss of what to explore with her. I truly believe sports are an integral part to growing-up for girls, and I want to give her that gift that I had, but not force her into something she does not enjoy. She is in swim lessons to try and get some basic stroke work down. Any DCUM suggestions? |
Anonymous
| Try basketball in the fall and softball in the spring and see how she does. When my daughter was in first grade she was the kid on the soccer field picking dandelions. Now at 13 she’s a solid defender on a travel team. You never know. Another thought is field hockey, and that’s a good one to start early because it’s not as popular. Volleyball is becoming increasingly popular and then we’re done Virginia area as well. |
Anonymous
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Sounds like my 7 year old. Towers over the other kids and has no coordination but a lot of power. Not incredibly aggressive with team sports, but likes the social aspect.
We did private tennis lessons for a while and she really enjoyed that and learned some basic coordination. After that, we tried basketball, and that became her favorite. It helps to be tall, the coaches constantly tell her how great it is that she's tall, and she feels good about being tall. |
Anonymous
| I was much taller than that at her age, just avoid gymnastics anything else is fair game. |
Anonymous
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Volleyball, basketball, softball for team sports
Swimming, tennis more individual |
Anonymous
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The aggressive (competitive?) element is challenging.
I think for my DS he was more passive due to the fact that he was really tall and stocky. The kids who were smaller were given a lot of leeway for aggressive behavior but he was not given similar pass. For you daughter right now - keep it social. Do it with her / make it a family thing. Go to the driving range and take lessons together. Take family tennis together etc. In the evening go and play basketball - keep it fun. |
Anonymous
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You could try dance, but avoid ballet -- being too big (even just in height) sucks.
Martial arts might also be a good fit: being tall in an advantage and it's great at teach body awareness and coordination. Tai kwan do includes team things too if the being part of a team aspect is important to you. I never played myself, but would she like field hockey? Volleyball? Track? She could be good with hurdles or some of the field events with all that height. Basically just let her try out different things until something sticks. |
Anonymous
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My strong but non-coordinated and non-competitive kids love climbing (on a rec team at a local climbing gym) and track&field (so far just casual programs through the rec department).
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Anonymous
OP here - thank you for all the great suggestions. I have looked for youth volleyball, but I think she needs to be a tad older. I am going to sign her up for softball for the team aspect; and, yes! I forgot about climbing, my nephews do competitive climbing - doh! |
Anonymous
| Just let her try lots of things for now. Her height might taper off, and who knows which team will have that special chemistry that makes her really enjoy the experience? She's got miles to go! |
Anonymous
| she might end up being 5 2, please don't do that to you kid, let them do what happens naturally. |
Anonymous
| Try tennis also. |
Anonymous
| Fencing - her arm length is an advantage and it will help her learn to coordinate her body. |
Anonymous
| If not coordinated try fencing |
Anonymous
| Softball! |