7 1/2 year old son not athletic

[Anonymous]

Just let him chase the ball around with his friends on the soccer team. He’s 7.

Also, if he’s not athletic enough to kick a soccer ball, golf is pretty much going to be impossible (and a ton more expensive) and plus he won’t really be able to run around on the course like he would playing t ball or soccer.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thank you for the encouragement! I signed him up last night and am going to practice with him a bit before the season starts.

[Anonymous]

I would sign him up but also explore some other sports that might be better for kid who is less of a naturally gifted athlete. Maybe swim team (year round swim is great exercise regardless of how fast you are) or rock climbing (Movement has great teams and it is a nice group of kids).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would sign him up but also explore some other sports that might be better for kid who is less of a naturally gifted athlete. Maybe swim team (year round swim is great exercise regardless of how fast you are) or rock climbing (Movement has great teams and it is a nice group of kids).

Just replying to say that naturally gifted athletes exist, but many of the people called that aren’t. Both my kid and I were naturally very unathletic as young kids but became obsessed with different sports as we got older and had a lot of success with them (basketball for my kid, football and track for me).

Even things like speed and hand eye coordination can be learned much more than people think. No, not to the level of being an MLB pitcher, but well enough to do well at HS varsity sports. Of course, this assumes willingness to practice for hours every day for years, which most people don’t have.

Absolutely don’t make assumptions about your kid’s ceiling at 7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My soon-to-be 2nd grader son said he wants to try soccer again after trying in kindergarten. In kindergarten, he just liked running after the ball. I don't think he ever really kicked it in a game. Same with t-ball - he had problems just hitting it off the tee. I know that a lot changes in two years, but based on what I know of him, I don't think it will much better this time around.

My husband is reluctant to put him in a team sport because he knows he isn't athletic. He said he just wants to run around and would rather have him learn golf.

I am not athletic, and my parents forced team sports on me when I was young. I hated it at the time but can see the benefit of being on a team sport. I was teased a lot as a kid due to my lack of athleticism, and I don't want him to possibly go through this. He was told by a little girl at the pool this summer that he was dumb, and now he won't talk to or play with other kids. He is very concerned they will say no if he tries to play with them.

Although I know I have a bunch of issues on my hand based on what I just wrote, how to best deal with putting him in soccer? My husband won't be in the yard helping him practice, so it will be on me. Do I just sign him up, hold my breath, and hope the kids are nice to him?

Thanks in advance!

More changes in two years than you can imagine. I thought my 1st grade DS was completely unathletic. He tried flag football, track, tee ball/baseball, gymnastics, nothing stuck. We signed him up for basketball this past year (just wrapped 2nd grade) and it clicked. He's one of the best players on the team, loves to dribble around the house, and wants to do basketball nonstop. The confidence and athleticism he's found in basketball is translating to general athleticism in other sports and activities and he looks like an entirely different kid when he's with friends. All that to say, definitely let your kid play.

[Anonymous]

7 is too young to peg your kid as unathletic. When we talk about little kids who are athletic at 5 or 6, we're really talking about kids who are ahead in terms of physical development. My kid and I were both early readers and pointy in terms of cognitive development, physically lagging in those early years. Around 9 or so that started to change. I became a star distance runner and my kid has become an incredible tennis player. We both gravitated to sports that require a lot of endurance which is a physical skill that tends not to develop until later.

[Anonymous]

Agree with what others have said, follow your child's lead and who cares if he is not the best on the rec team if he is having fun and leaving the field with a smile on his face.

That said surprisingly swimming has been great for our kids. Both team and individual components. Supportive teammates. Lots of fun and great exercise. Children of all different skill levels are welcome. Check out a swim school, we really liked Goldfish Swim School in NoVA, get some lessons and join a summer swim club team next summer.

[Anonymous]

It’s sad your husband won’t practice with him in the backyard.

There are so many YouTube videos with soccer drills now. Sit down and watch some then go to your backyard and practice. Parents will say their kid isn’t athletic but then you find out the parents have never kicked a ball with their kid or played catch in the backyard.

If you went out and practiced with him 30 minutes a day he would have more fun when the season starts. If it is too hot but a nerf soccer ball that is not hard and practice barefoot in the house with him. The reason to practice barefoot is because you don’t want him kicking with the front of his toes. Honestly you can totally help him.