Picking up the Gap in Sports

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We do this by focusing on physical activities that are non-competitive or less competitive. Yoga, dance, hiking, rock climbing. We've also done rec gymnastics which is so non-competitive my kids didn't realize it was even a sport you could compete in until the olympics this summer (they thought you just learned the different skills for fun and playground bragging rights). They are also good swimmers and we go swimming every chance we get.

We also have started to get into kayaking and turns out our HS has a crew team that is no cut and pretty chill.bAgain if you take the competition element out of it and just make it about moving your body and learning skills then your kids get all the benefits of exercise and sports without having to deal with their access being limited by ability. I don't think our kids have the natural aptitude or drive to be competitive athletes but we are still a really active family.

This also frees up a ton of time for other interests and family time. Without sports practices and games and try outs and alll the rest of it my kids have had the chance to take art classes and participate in stem and writing programs. It also does not seem to have impacted them socially.

Part of me is relieved they didn't take to sports early on (they both did soccer and swim team and after school basketball in early elementary but none of it took and they were not interested in continuing after the first year or two.

Yeah, I try not to complain too loudly about the swim team cuts.

I find it is difficult to get my wife and the kid's grandparents to set aside time, if I don't have a schedule, they seem to think "Oh, that's you playing", not "Oh you're saving so much money and spending time with the kids." Somehow it becomes more difficult to get the kids there when we can pick the time and place. It devolves into we don't want to do it then, which devolves into we just don't want to do it. Which devolves into sitting in front of the TV.

Also, there is some benefit to the schedules. I recall the travel soccer pretty much set the schedule for the year. Week before school starts, tournament... They sort of had it figured out when people would go traveling vs were good weekends for competitions.

Then sign up for classes-- yoga, rock climbing, martial arts, dance, tumbling, etc. Kids learn some physical skill, spend time with other kids, get exercise, and there's a schedule to stick to and motivate.

For kids probably the biggest draw for sports is the social aspect-- they can of course also love competing but most kids do sports largely to hang with friends. So you just have to find activities other kids are doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it sounds like your kids dont like working out.
and thats the issue

gym is great but they need to want to go

Not really, loves summer league. Loves basketball. Just rec isn't enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As is documented in this thread. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1223953.page

Competitive sports, rec sports, school sports are kind of failing students without exception.

Ignoring college admissions for the time being.

How do you go about getting that key vitamin that kids need to develop?

Personally, this year I am forgoing most of the organized sports and have decided to basically just get a gym membership and take my kids as often as I can. I feel the problem with this is keeping kids motivated.

I don't buy this premise. Plenty of kids are happy at all levels of sports.

Yes, that's the sign, that this just might not be the thread you need to post in. Kind of like being cut.

My kid is happy playing rec and it works well for our family. How does a rec player get cut?

Is that supposed to be humorous? I think rec kids get cut all the time.

How? You register and pay dues. That's how rec work

Let me explain. Rec basketball is two months, summer league swimming is two months. What do you do the other eight months of the year? Rec basketball is only one day of the week, what do you do the other six?

There are some major gaps. There are some other sports, but we decided we didn't like soccer that much, too tall and doesn't want to be goalie. Softball for girls isn't much of a thing.

Where do you live? Fairfax County is covered in rec leagues, including some Little Leagues (mostly newer, except MLL and SYA) as well as established independent leagues (NVGSA, VGSL, HRYS, BRYC, SYC). Alexandria has FHYAA and ALL has a relatively young softball program. Arlington has AGSA, Loudoun has all the leagues in the Loudoun County Alliance plus some Little League programs. Prince William has at least 3 rec leagues - one independent , one Babe Ruth that does very well in that tournament every year, and one Little League. DC has all the Little Leagues but I have heard varying things about CHLL and NWLL softball from families who drive out to Fairfax County to do softball even though they're in DC. But those leagues do exist.

If you're in Fairfax County the indepdent softball leagues also offer rec+, which is basically the softball equivalent of NVTBL - Sunday afternoon double headers played but what are supposed to be the all-stars in addition to your rec season. Of course there's travel, but this thread is about rec so we'll ignore the travel organizations for now.

And when you get to high school there are many strong programs in VISAA and VHSL. But there are also programs where your rec or rec+ only kid can play at least on the JV team and maybe even make varsity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As is documented in this thread. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1223953.page

Competitive sports, rec sports, school sports are kind of failing students without exception.

Ignoring college admissions for the time being.

How do you go about getting that key vitamin that kids need to develop?

Personally, this year I am forgoing most of the organized sports and have decided to basically just get a gym membership and take my kids as often as I can. I feel the problem with this is keeping kids motivated.

I don't buy this premise. Plenty of kids are happy at all levels of sports.

Yes, that's the sign, that this just might not be the thread you need to post in. Kind of like being cut.

My kid is happy playing rec and it works well for our family. How does a rec player get cut?

Is that supposed to be humorous? I think rec kids get cut all the time.

How? You register and pay dues. That's how rec work

Let me explain. Rec basketball is two months, summer league swimming is two months. What do you do the other eight months of the year? Rec basketball is only one day of the week, what do you do the other six?

There are some major gaps. There are some other sports, but we decided we didn't like soccer that much, too tall and doesn't want to be goalie. Softball for girls isn't much of a thing.

Where do you live? Fairfax County is covered in rec leagues, including some Little Leagues (mostly newer, except MLL and SYA) as well as established independent leagues (NVGSA, VGSL, HRYS, BRYC, SYC). Alexandria has FHYAA and ALL has a relatively young softball program. Arlington has AGSA, Loudoun has all the leagues in the Loudoun County Alliance plus some Little League programs. Prince William has at least 3 rec leagues - one independent , one Babe Ruth that does very well in that tournament every year, and one Little League. DC has all the Little Leagues but I have heard varying things about CHLL and NWLL softball from families who drive out to Fairfax County to do softball even though they're in DC. But those leagues do exist.

If you're in Fairfax County the indepdent softball leagues also offer rec+, which is basically the softball equivalent of NVTBL - Sunday afternoon double headers played but what are supposed to be the all-stars in addition to your rec season. Of course there's travel, but this thread is about rec so we'll ignore the travel organizations for now.

And when you get to high school there are many strong programs in VISAA and VHSL. But there are also programs where your rec or rec+ only kid can play at least on the JV team and maybe even make varsity.

MoCo maybe just not many kids in her class are doing it. I think they have to play with the boys 8 and under.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As is documented in this thread. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1223953.page

Competitive sports, rec sports, school sports are kind of failing students without exception.

Ignoring college admissions for the time being.

How do you go about getting that key vitamin that kids need to develop?

Personally, this year I am forgoing most of the organized sports and have decided to basically just get a gym membership and take my kids as often as I can. I feel the problem with this is keeping kids motivated.

I don't buy this premise. Plenty of kids are happy at all levels of sports.

Yes, that's the sign, that this just might not be the thread you need to post in. Kind of like being cut.

My kid is happy playing rec and it works well for our family. How does a rec player get cut?

Is that supposed to be humorous? I think rec kids get cut all the time.

How? You register and pay dues. That's how rec work

I may over interpret what the PP meant, but here is my take. You don't get cut from rec leagues, but your kid will likely be cut from some HS sports. If you live in an area with lots of club players, your kid will have less of a chance to make a competitive HS team. I saw kids who made the JV team without club experience, but I feel like most will get cut from varsity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As is documented in this thread. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1223953.page

Competitive sports, rec sports, school sports are kind of failing students without exception.

Ignoring college admissions for the time being.

How do you go about getting that key vitamin that kids need to develop?

Personally, this year I am forgoing most of the organized sports and have decided to basically just get a gym membership and take my kids as often as I can. I feel the problem with this is keeping kids motivated.

I don't buy this premise. Plenty of kids are happy at all levels of sports.

Yes, that's the sign, that this just might not be the thread you need to post in. Kind of like being cut.

My kid is happy playing rec and it works well for our family. How does a rec player get cut?

Is that supposed to be humorous? I think rec kids get cut all the time.

How? You register and pay dues. That's how rec work

Let me explain. Rec basketball is two months, summer league swimming is two months. What do you do the other eight months of the year? Rec basketball is only one day of the week, what do you do the other six?

There are some major gaps. There are some other sports, but we decided we didn't like soccer that much, too tall and doesn't want to be goalie. Softball for girls isn't much of a thing.

Where do you live? Fairfax County is covered in rec leagues, including some Little Leagues (mostly newer, except MLL and SYA) as well as established independent leagues (NVGSA, VGSL, HRYS, BRYC, SYC). Alexandria has FHYAA and ALL has a relatively young softball program. Arlington has AGSA, Loudoun has all the leagues in the Loudoun County Alliance plus some Little League programs. Prince William has at least 3 rec leagues - one independent , one Babe Ruth that does very well in that tournament every year, and one Little League. DC has all the Little Leagues but I have heard varying things about CHLL and NWLL softball from families who drive out to Fairfax County to do softball even though they're in DC. But those leagues do exist.

If you're in Fairfax County the indepdent softball leagues also offer rec+, which is basically the softball equivalent of NVTBL - Sunday afternoon double headers played but what are supposed to be the all-stars in addition to your rec season. Of course there's travel, but this thread is about rec so we'll ignore the travel organizations for now.

And when you get to high school there are many strong programs in VISAA and VHSL. But there are also programs where your rec or rec+ only kid can play at least on the JV team and maybe even make varsity.

MoCo maybe just not many kids in her class are doing it. I think they have to play with the boys 8 and under.

Must be little league then. See if there are any youth club softball leagues or independent leagues where you are. We both 6U and 8U for girls in our softball league and a few VA leagues offer a 4U/BlastBall type thing.

[Anonymous]

So yeah, like anyway.

I wasn't soliciting for help from the rec crowd or the travel crowd.

If you know what I mean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So yeah, like anyway.

I wasn't soliciting for help from the rec crowd or the travel crowd.

If you know what I mean.

Maybe I'm the only one, but I don't. What do you mean? Were you looking for something like the poster upthread who said put your kid in classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As is documented in this thread. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1223953.page

Competitive sports, rec sports, school sports are kind of failing students without exception.

Ignoring college admissions for the time being.

How do you go about getting that key vitamin that kids need to develop?

Personally, this year I am forgoing most of the organized sports and have decided to basically just get a gym membership and take my kids as often as I can. I feel the problem with this is keeping kids motivated.

I don't buy this premise. Plenty of kids are happy at all levels of sports.

Yes, that's the sign, that this just might not be the thread you need to post in. Kind of like being cut.

My kid is happy playing rec and it works well for our family. How does a rec player get cut?

Is that supposed to be humorous? I think rec kids get cut all the time.

How? You register and pay dues. That's how rec work

Let me explain. Rec basketball is two months, summer league swimming is two months. What do you do the other eight months of the year? Rec basketball is only one day of the week, what do you do the other six?

There are some major gaps. There are some other sports, but we decided we didn't like soccer that much, too tall and doesn't want to be goalie. Softball for girls isn't much of a thing.

Lol. So, I take it you've never been to Loudon county on a Saturday....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As is documented in this thread. https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1223953.page

Competitive sports, rec sports, school sports are kind of failing students without exception.

Ignoring college admissions for the time being.

How do you go about getting that key vitamin that kids need to develop?

Personally, this year I am forgoing most of the organized sports and have decided to basically just get a gym membership and take my kids as often as I can. I feel the problem with this is keeping kids motivated.

I don't buy this premise. Plenty of kids are happy at all levels of sports.

Yes, that's the sign, that this just might not be the thread you need to post in. Kind of like being cut.

My kid is happy playing rec and it works well for our family. How does a rec player get cut?

Is that supposed to be humorous? I think rec kids get cut all the time.

How? You register and pay dues. That's how rec work

Let me explain. Rec basketball is two months, summer league swimming is two months. What do you do the other eight months of the year? Rec basketball is only one day of the week, what do you do the other six?

There are some major gaps. There are some other sports, but we decided we didn't like soccer that much, too tall and doesn't want to be goalie. Softball for girls isn't much of a thing.

Lol. So, I take it you've never been to Loudon county on a Saturday....

Bolen Park FTW!