Sports for a conflict-averse, very tall girl?

[Anonymous]

Swimming
Crew
Running

[Anonymous]

Equestrian. Tall and lanky is the best body type for equitation.

[Anonymous]

OP back. Thank you, everyone! This is heartening. I had no idea height was an advantage in rowing. I like that she can start that later

[Anonymous]

Cross country/track and field, swimming, tennis, horseback riding, bowling (seriously my nephews love it!) or rowing

[Anonymous]

Ballet

[Anonymous]

I don’t think volleyball is a good fit. I played rec and very competitive volleyball for years and the girls are usually very aggressive and competitive and often catty. It’s also uniquely a ton of team pressure based on the rules of the game.

Most field hockey players I have known at the elite levels have not been particularly tall. Maybe just a coincidence.

High jumpers are usually tall and thin if she has interest there. Cross country is not really known for tall people (may even be a disadvantage) but in my experience has a more chill fun vibe.

Is dance of any interest?

Tennis or golf could also work well. There is a small advantage to height in tennis, probably also in golf due to arm length, but not sure about that.

Do you think she wants a team individual sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rowing! She can start at 12 or 13. Being comfortable ahead of time with boats and oars is great, so you could take her kayaking, rowing in stable single shells, canoeing.

I think OP meant physical confrontation so I second rowing, but just in case: if OP means she’s not into interpersonal drama, rowing would not be fun for her. Close quarters, seat racing, making boats=lots of conflict.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think volleyball is a good fit. I played rec and very competitive volleyball for years and the girls are usually very aggressive and competitive and often catty. It’s also uniquely a ton of team pressure based on the rules of the game.

Most field hockey players I have known at the elite levels have not been particularly tall. Maybe just a coincidence.

High jumpers are usually tall and thin if she has interest there. Cross country is not really known for tall people (may even be a disadvantage) but in my experience has a more chill fun vibe.

Is dance of any interest?

Tennis or golf could also work well. There is a small advantage to height in tennis, probably also in golf due to arm length, but not sure about that.

Do you think she wants a team individual sport.

High jump for sure. The flop requires both speed and power. Body strength can come later, so working on speed (short bursts) is helpful. Height clearly helps. The current world champ from Ukraine (Maruchickh) is "only" 5"11 but has terrific speed and technique and is an ideal role model to watch. She is the most elegant performer in track and field. The women competitors in the sport are graceful and while competitive, are good to each other. They know the bar is their competitor.

[Anonymous]

Tennis!

[Anonymous]

Ballerinas are not usually tall. They just look it. Baryshnikov was 5’7. The women he danced with were obviously not towering over him.

[Anonymous]

Softball! No conflict and height is great, especially for pitching and first base.

[Anonymous]

Swimming

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Volleyball or swimming- and it’s a great age to start either.

+1 on these. Volleyball is a great way to build teamwork skills (and camaraderie) without it being a sport where players get in each other's faces. And height is a huge advantage and will instantly make her a popular team member. I wasn't very tall but the tall girls on my volleyball teams always kind of naturally became leaders because more was expected of them when we played -- if I missed a block no one could blame me for only being 5'4", but the taller girls had higher expectations. That makes it sound like a bad thing but it really wasn't. I think it can be good to be assigned responsibility in a team setting. You know your role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ballet

I came to say this. Ballet can help her feel proud of her height. Ballet helps develop control over arms and legs, and strong posture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Softball! No conflict and height is great, especially for pitching and first base.

Agree with this. And also, long legs to make catches in the outfield and steal bases.