Team sport for girl

[Anonymous]

Labeling a 7 year old as unathletic is unfair.

I coached girls rec basketball for many years and the kids who struggle a bit in the beginning often pick it up as they go along.
Basketball is a skill sport not just an athletic one and it takes a bit to learn the skills.

One of my daughters was slow to learn most sports when she was young, but a recruit college athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thank you for all suggestions and encouragement. She has been watching her older brother playing soccer and basketball for a few years, so she is kind of exposed to these at earlier ages. She has her own soccer ball and basketball. She has not asked about giving soccer a try yet, and I believe it is due to being outdoors. I will try to practice with her more often with basketball. May I ask about softball? Is that offered at her age? Where in montgomery county has class for it?

Softball starts young-ish (not quite as young as soccer), usually kindergarten but you can find the occasional preschool opportunity. 7 is a great age to start.

I am much more familiar with the northern Virginia rec softball landscape, but I have seen Montgomery County Little League mentioned for softball on here: https://www.mclittleleague.org/registration/divisions-of-play

This would be the coach pitch rulesest for them: https://www.mclittleleague.org/rules/softball/sb-coach-pitch

Looks like Little League softball is a good bet for you. Ask around to see if any of her friends are on a team- that’s often really helpful for younger kids in determining whether they want to play. Signups are probably very soon. As with bball, buy her a glove now and start tossing the ball to her.
That said, if she already has a soccer ball you could start there this spring.

[Anonymous]

Don't give up on hoops just yet. I remember coaching my DD's team at that age and one of the players cringed/ducked when the ball was passed to her. Lost track of her for a bit after that season and saw her a few years later and she was a terror on the court. Really improved greatly.

I'm not a huge baseball or softball fan because of all the downtime. Just a lot of time to stare off into space whereas you are moving pretty much constantly with basketball or soccer even.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't give up on hoops just yet. I remember coaching my DD's team at that age and one of the players cringed/ducked when the ball was passed to her. Lost track of her for a bit after that season and saw her a few years later and she was a terror on the court. Really improved greatly.

I'm not a huge baseball or softball fan because of all the downtime. Just a lot of time to stare off into space whereas you are moving pretty much constantly with basketball or soccer even.

Good Luck!

If you're staring off into space during a softball game, you're doing it wrong. If you're staring off into space during practice, your coach isn't running enough stations (possibly due to needing more help).

[Anonymous]

Nothing like feeling that sweet contact when the bat hits the ball. Then having your whole team cheering for you as you circle the bases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing like feeling that sweet contact when the bat hits the ball. Then having your whole team cheering for you as you circle the bases.

I guess you haven’t played or seen other sports

[Anonymous]

My DD, about the same age, not particularly athletic, loves basketball, but it's because she plays in the driveway with DH, and it's their thing. They also watch together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Labeling a 7 year old as unathletic is unfair.

I coached girls rec basketball for many years and the kids who struggle a bit in the beginning often pick it up as they go along.
Basketball is a skill sport not just an athletic one and it takes a bit to learn the skills.

One of my daughters was slow to learn most sports when she was young, but a recruit college athlete.

Fair. My oldest was the opposite - a standout at 7 but barely made the high school team. Other kids caught up and passed him in puberty!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD7 is trying her first team sport, and she picks basketball. She is clumsy and cries at first practice (ball hit her). She is not a sporty type, and she only has done dance, gyynmastic and c swimming in the past with zero body contact. Is basketball a bad pick for an unalthetic girl?

This happened to my daughter at her first basketball practice too. She's been playing rec basketball for 6 years now. She's not the best player on the team, but she's fast and a good team player and loves it.

[Anonymous]

She’s not unathletic. She’s a 7 year old.

[Anonymous]

My now 12yo was definitely a kid many would describe as unathletic at 7. We had her try field hockey and swim team and she loves both. She still isn’t the most coordinated or competitive but she’s fast and has fun. Sports are just one of the many things she’s into. If your daughter is having fun just let her keep going and enjoy this stage!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give softball a shot. Basketball, soccer, and other sports are just a mad rush to the ball at that age. You can still get hit by the ball in softball, but at least when it's her turn at bat it's her turn, no worries about her own teammates stealing the bat out of her hand. Smart kids do well at softball, lots of skills and strategy to learn.

This is my vote, too! (From a mom of a daughter currently being recruited to play D1 softball!!!)

Hey congrats to your daughter! May she have a great recruiting journey and love where she lands.
-fellow softball mom whose kids will never be recruited

Thank you!! She is over the moon about all the interest she has had!! <3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give softball a shot. Basketball, soccer, and other sports are just a mad rush to the ball at that age. You can still get hit by the ball in softball, but at least when it's her turn at bat it's her turn, no worries about her own teammates stealing the bat out of her hand. Smart kids do well at softball, lots of skills and strategy to learn.

Minimal exercise. If you want to be sedentary go for it

Agree. I would never suggest this as my idea. If my kid wanted to do it, ok.

[Anonymous]

Agree with another PP about practicing a bit outside of practice. She will see quick improvement. Also, honestly, if you watch the girls at that age, on most rec teams, there are a couple really good girls and others are not. She's not behind and will do great! (The only downside to basketball long term is that there are only a few spots on a HS team. If that is a goal and you're in a tough school district, then just something to think about.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with another PP about practicing a bit outside of practice. She will see quick improvement. Also, honestly, if you watch the girls at that age, on most rec teams, there are a couple really good girls and others are not. She's not behind and will do great! (The only downside to basketball long term is that there are only a few spots on a HS team. If that is a goal and you're in a tough school district, then just something to think about.)

And to all the softball haters, there are usually around 18 slots on a high school team (more than volleyball or basketball, similar to soccer) and often - with some notable exceptions in the area - fewer girls competing for those slots. Plenty of rec-only girls make high school softball teams around here.