Small, late to puberty girl -- what sport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cross country is the obvious choice here.

Tennis can also be an option.

Tennis is too hard for a small girl

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cross country, dance, cheer

Gymnastics

I think we've missed the dance, cheer, gymnastics route by 11 yo. She's also not really into those activities, as she's pretty competitive.

Those activities are pretty competitive. As it is your daughter seems to be a dabbler so her interest in competition isn’t really relevant anyway.

[Anonymous]

Field hockey could be great too. The best played on my HS team (that went to the State tournament) was a girl who topped out at 4'10". Have her work on her shooting.

But I really do think just being interested in playing is still half the battle.

[Anonymous]

Small and quick point guards with great ball handling are really hard to guard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cross country, dance, cheer

Gymnastics

I think we've missed the dance, cheer, gymnastics route by 11 yo. She's also not really into those activities, as she's pretty competitive.

Those activities are pretty competitive. As it is your daughter seems to be a dabbler so her interest in competition isn’t really relevant anyway.

Being a dabbler in elementary school doesn't mean she can't focus now. She's in great shape and has no qualms about taking on larger opponents, giving her a great base to build skills. It's not time to throw in the towel at the beginning of 6th grade.

She has no interest in cheer, dance, gymnastics, so those really are off the list. I don't think she has the flexibility for dive without a ton of work. I think soccer and basketball are also too competitive in this area for a kid without significant skills already, so looking at other options that start later.

Cox may be a great option as she's very strategic and a multitasker, but it doesn't really scratch the itch to be athletic herself. She'll definitely try xc and track. She'll likely keep swimming, as a great base and lifelong exercise option, but with an understanding that it will be hard for her to be very competitive.

[Anonymous]

Mine rides on horseback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cautionary tale ... is her diet OK? Some kids are just small, and that's fine, but I know a girl who was diagnosed with anorexia around that age. She'd been flying under the radar, getting praised for being so athletic and tiny, and ultimately, people realized she had a problem.

She's matching the growth pattern of women on both sides of the family. Pediatrician considers her healthy and we think so too. She's has a major sweet tooth and will choose chocolate cake or ice cream over healthy options, but will also eat healthy stuff too. She does get very hangry after sports or heavy activity so we try to have food ready for immediately after.

[Anonymous]

For girls being short is not a big issue in all but a very few sports.

Starting at 11 - middle school - is okay for all but a few sports, and not impossible in any sport. She would need serious training/practice to catch up in sports like soccer and gymnastics. But, it could be done.

Going into high school:

Track/X-country are obvious choices. Being taller is an advantage in running but not so big that short kids are easily outclassed.

Volleyball is for tall kids but - the Libero position is made for short girls.

Softball is really just getting started at 11. Again some individual coaching and she could be fine.

Basketball obviously has guard positions which depend on speed and ball skills.

Look at where she will go to high school and the sports they offer. Chose a couple and get moving.

[Anonymous]

Is she left-handed?

Teach her to slap. They'll be a spot for her on a softball team somehwere.

[Anonymous]

If she's flexible, maybe pole vault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cautionary tale ... is her diet OK? Some kids are just small, and that's fine, but I know a girl who was diagnosed with anorexia around that age. She'd been flying under the radar, getting praised for being so athletic and tiny, and ultimately, people realized she had a problem.

She's matching the growth pattern of women on both sides of the family. Pediatrician considers her healthy and we think so too. She's has a major sweet tooth and will choose chocolate cake or ice cream over healthy options, but will also eat healthy stuff too. She does get very hangry after sports or heavy activity so we try to have food ready for immediately after.

OK, good!

[Anonymous]

If she’s competitive, she might enjoy a kids’ triathlon. Or flag football, if she’s fast and agile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For girls being short is not a big issue in all but a very few sports.

Starting at 11 - middle school - is okay for all but a few sports, and not impossible in any sport. She would need serious training/practice to catch up in sports like soccer and gymnastics. But, it could be done.

Going into high school:

Track/X-country are obvious choices. Being taller is an advantage in running but not so big that short kids are easily outclassed.

Volleyball is for tall kids but - the Libero position is made for short girls.

Softball is really just getting started at 11. Again some individual coaching and she could be fine.

Basketball obviously has guard positions which depend on speed and ball skills.

Look at where she will go to high school and the sports they offer. Chose a couple and get moving.

I would not say softball is just getting started at 11, but an athletic girl can pick it up quickly. She isn't going to be a first baseman or a pitcher but height does not really matter for any other position. Your comment that she is "very strategic and a multitasker" would make her a good fit -- it is a highly mental game!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cross country is the obvious choice here.

Tennis can also be an option.

Tennis is too hard for a small girl

No it’s not, that’s ridiculous. Tennis can be played by anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For girls being short is not a big issue in all but a very few sports.

Starting at 11 - middle school - is okay for all but a few sports, and not impossible in any sport. She would need serious training/practice to catch up in sports like soccer and gymnastics. But, it could be done.

Going into high school:

Track/X-country are obvious choices. Being taller is an advantage in running but not so big that short kids are easily outclassed.

Volleyball is for tall kids but - the Libero position is made for short girls.

Softball is really just getting started at 11. Again some individual coaching and she could be fine.

Basketball obviously has guard positions which depend on speed and ball skills.

Look at where she will go to high school and the sports they offer. Chose a couple and get moving.

I would not say softball is just getting started at 11, but an athletic girl can pick it up quickly. She isn't going to be a first baseman or a pitcher but height does not really matter for any other position. Your comment that she is "very strategic and a multitasker" would make her a good fit -- it is a highly mental game!

This also depends on the high school in their area, some high schools field teams almost entirely of travel players, some are no cut. In any case, short players have an advantage because they have a small strike zone.