Sports for short boys

[Anonymous]

As a mom to a short high schooler who wishes we had emphasized this likelihood more - I would say soccer.

My kid is a great athlete and he can play anything but around 8th/9th grade he got very tired of having to work extra hard to compete with the taller kids in basketball and baseball which had become his focus. He wishes he had focused on soccer instead.

Of course when they are younger let them play whatever they want. But around ms it is good to start focusing if they want to play in hs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He can play any sport until well into high school. I know some really short kids who are great at basketball and love playing.

This. I knew short kids who made the varsity basketball team, one of which went on to play D3 in college.

Those are the exception though.

[Anonymous]

Baseball is the way. A real sport unlike wrestling or martial arts, team play, camaraderie.

In short and did karate and so wish parents had suggested baseball.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jockey

5' 6" or 5' 7 is kinda tall for a jock, though, unless he wants to ride chasers. He might be puking and living in the sweat box to make weight.

He's only a little kid! Let him run around and kick balls, climb, and play. If and when he wants to pick a sport, go with what he picks.

[Anonymous]

Baseball, gymnastics, certain track and field events (the sprints and 2-mile), cross-country running, and diving. The shorter height makes it easier to rotate in diving and gymnastics-- imagine him somersaulting in the air with straight legs and you'll see how having less mass to spin is better.

Height is not essential in hockey if he's going to have a heavier build-- medium height but stocky guys are fine. Probably wouldn't reach the top levels of the sport but that's probably for the best, no?

He could also be a lightweight rower. If he turns out really short and slender he could cox. Obviously at this age you'd want to focus on swimming lessons and being willing to ride in any boat at all

[Anonymous]

5'7 is enough for ballet. Many female dancers are so petite, it just doesn't look right if the man is excessively tall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soccer

No soccer they like size. If you are short you have to be extremely fast and quick. Also the coach is always looking to replace you with someone bigger.

[Anonymous]

Too early to think about future height, OP. My closest friend is 4’11”. Her husband is 5’5”. Their two boys are 19 and 22 now and are 5’8” and over 6’. Both boys were short as little kids. The taller one hit a massive growth spurt in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too early to think about future height, OP. My closest friend is 4’11”. Her husband is 5’5”. Their two boys are 19 and 22 now and are 5’8” and over 6’. Both boys were short as little kids. The taller one hit a massive growth spurt in high school.

What did they feed them?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a mom to a short high schooler who wishes we had emphasized this likelihood more - I would say soccer.

My kid is a great athlete and he can play anything but around 8th/9th grade he got very tired of having to work extra hard to compete with the taller kids in basketball and baseball which had become his focus. He wishes he had focused on soccer instead.

Of course when they are younger let them play whatever they want. But around ms it is good to start focusing if they want to play in hs.

Thanks for getting it. I will definitely let him play whatever he wants. But if we have to say, choose one sport for travel, I would rather it be something where he doesn’t have to work 2x as hard to compensate for his stature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4.5 year old boy and I don’t understand how you can claim he is VERY athletic. I also have 2 older girls (10 and 8). The 8 year old is very athletic compared to boys and girls her age, but I could not have said that until she was 6+ (or x Roy for th fact that she was sitting before 5 months and walking at 10).
How do you compare 4 year old that for the most part don’t really play sports?
My 4.5 year old learned to swim and bike on a few days (does that mean he is VERY athletic?). He also went from needing training wheels to biking standing up within a week (does that mean he is super athletic?).

Can’t believe you wasted time to type all that nonsense

[Anonymous]

Baseball, cross country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a mom to a short high schooler who wishes we had emphasized this likelihood more - I would say soccer.

My kid is a great athlete and he can play anything but around 8th/9th grade he got very tired of having to work extra hard to compete with the taller kids in basketball and baseball which had become his focus. He wishes he had focused on soccer instead.

Of course when they are younger let them play whatever they want. But around ms it is good to start focusing if they want to play in hs.

Thanks for getting it. I will definitely let him play whatever he wants. But if we have to say, choose one sport for travel, I would rather it be something where he doesn’t have to work 2x as hard to compensate for his stature.

You are so many years away from signing up for travel sports. He's still practically a baby -- expose him to a lot of activities, sports and not sports, and see what he likes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baseball is the way. A real sport unlike wrestling or martial arts, team play, camaraderie.

In short and did karate and so wish parents had suggested baseball.

Baseball is lame

NP. I live near sports fields and like 30% of the kids on baseball and softball kids are overweight. Which is shockingly high in my UMC area.

Baseball is the sport for heavy boys until they are old enough for tackle football. The least fit kids play baseball.

[Anonymous]

I don't really see this short kid phenomenon you guys are talking about in baseball. The coaches like height. All other skills being equal, they take the bigger kid.