If your tween attracted a lot of positive attention and comments for athletic ability

[Anonymous]

One thing I’ve heard is that pre-puberty, there’s about a 2-year standard deviation among kids in terms of physical size and athletic ability. So some 8yos look/play like 10, and some 10yos look/play like 8. Both are normal, not outliers.

By middle school, some kids are getting hurt. Others start to burn out. Still others are just beginning their upward trajectory — they’ve been middling players on youth teams, but are now putting the pieces together.

If you have older kids, you know that having a 9yo who plays up a year means NOTHING. Focus on situational awareness/game IQ/knowledge of the sport — those are the things that often get left behind when a kid can rely on just being bigger and faster.

[Anonymous]

It is so bad to be pegged as a good athlete early. My daughter was identified as a great athlete and suffered a bad injury that has been awful for her self esteem because she defined herself as an athlete.

My son was always average and is now having a great time in high school because he has come into his own with a great work ethic and interest.

I am a super hands off parent. I followed both my son and my daughter’s lead. I let her play sports whenever she wanted. I wish I would have said no sometimes. She was just having so much fun and it is so hard for her now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only one I know like this was a standout on all his teams up until 8th grade. But, he's short and while talented, can't really compete at the higher levels and is sitting on the sidelines in high school. He'll probably always be active, but not a lot of potential for an athletic future.

I know another on the same path and his parents brag endlessly about his soccer prowess but he's very small for his age and his parents aren't tall either so I'm sure his height will hold him back at some point, he's 11 now.

I have a giant kid, who is talented. He has shorter, more talented friends who aren’t getting the same looks due to size. Look at scouting reports — even at MS level. They all start with a description of physical attributes. It isn’t fair, but that’s often what sells at higher levels in many sports. Just like being tall is a disadvantage in figure skating or gymnastics.

My other kids is short and just a grade and year younger. He gets lumped with little kids all the time. It is hard to move up. It is the exception to be seen higher up the chain if you dont fit the mold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only one I know like this was a standout on all his teams up until 8th grade. But, he's short and while talented, can't really compete at the higher levels and is sitting on the sidelines in high school. He'll probably always be active, but not a lot of potential for an athletic future.

I know another on the same path and his parents brag endlessly about his soccer prowess but he's very small for his age and his parents aren't tall either so I'm sure his height will hold him back at some point, he's 11 now.

I have a giant kid, who is talented. He has shorter, more talented friends who aren’t getting the same looks due to size. Look at scouting reports — even at MS level. They all start with a description of physical attributes. It isn’t fair, but that’s often what sells at higher levels in many sports. Just like being tall is a disadvantage in figure skating or gymnastics.

My other kids is short and just a grade and year younger. He gets lumped with little kids all the time. It is hard to move up. It is the exception to be seen higher up the chain if you dont fit the mold.

There are scouting reports for middle schoolers? We’ve approached by people trying to get him to switch teams. Is that scouting?

— OP

[Anonymous]

Imagine these sceen from kicking snd screaming when they yelled “pass it to the Italian”. That was my son.

In 1st-4th the rec league commissioner made him play up a year.

In football he was not allowed to carry the ball if we were up by 3 TDs.

He was recruited by coaches as they walked around the soccer field.

Middle school was rough, he didn’t grow until junior year of HS.

The wrestling coach recruited him freshman year to fill in the lower weight.

He was always on Varsity though even with his small size and he started.

He now plays for a D1 team, not top 20 but more academic and always trying to crack the top 20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Imagine these sceen from kicking snd screaming when they yelled “pass it to the Italian”. That was my son.

In 1st-4th the rec league commissioner made him play up a year.

In football he was not allowed to carry the ball if we were up by 3 TDs.

He was recruited by coaches as they walked around the soccer field.

Middle school was rough, he didn’t grow until junior year of HS.

The wrestling coach recruited him freshman year to fill in the lower weight.

He was always on Varsity though even with his small size and he started.

He now plays for a D1 team, not top 20 but more academic and always trying to crack the top 20.

What sport?

[Anonymous]

So much depends on the sport and find/lucking into good developmental coaches. My son and several of his friends were standout athletes from the time they were little. Often recruited to join other teams in even rec sports they played. They all play soccer in college now, and that’s fairly common with other talented kids on opposing teams they played with pre-puberty as well. Height doesn’t matter to a good soccer coach beyond a few defensive positions, though. Speed very much does, but there was no significant change in speed for any of them. Standout young athletes in other sports we knew ultimately had their baseball and basketball dreams limited by height.

[Anonymous]

My kids were all good athletes, but one was particularly good, with people commenting on her talent from an early age. Played a number of sports, settled down on one, played at a college that was known for that sport, and then went on to be a professional for a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only one I know like this was a standout on all his teams up until 8th grade. But, he's short and while talented, can't really compete at the higher levels and is sitting on the sidelines in high school. He'll probably always be active, but not a lot of potential for an athletic future.

I know another on the same path and his parents brag endlessly about his soccer prowess but he's very small for his age and his parents aren't tall either so I'm sure his height will hold him back at some point, he's 11 now.

I have a giant kid, who is talented. He has shorter, more talented friends who aren’t getting the same looks due to size. Look at scouting reports — even at MS level. They all start with a description of physical attributes. It isn’t fair, but that’s often what sells at higher levels in many sports. Just like being tall is a disadvantage in figure skating or gymnastics.

My other kids is short and just a grade and year younger. He gets lumped with little kids all the time. It is hard to move up. It is the exception to be seen higher up the chain if you dont fit the mold.

+1000

This is exactly what I’ve seen. Lots of recruiting (to teams) and opportunities to play/continue based on body size (usually tall/large, but in some sports the reverse). And it starts very early (and what age depends on the sport). Starts in middle school or so for many of the traditional team sports (basketball, baseball etc). It is unfortunate because kids grow at such different rates (especially boys).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


This is exactly what I’ve seen. Lots of recruiting (to teams) and opportunities to play/continue based on body size (usually tall/large, but in some sports the reverse). And it starts very early (and what age depends on the sport). Starts in middle school or so for many of the traditional team sports (basketball, baseball etc). It is unfortunate because kids grow at such different rates (especially boys).

Yes, recruiting starts around middle school age or earlier for basketball. My 9 year old DS was recruited to another AAU team (coach persistent until we showed up at a practice)... good timing since he was not happy with his former team. DC and PG county teams sometimes poach players.

I am told some AAU coaches "scout" at FCYBL playoff games. Crazy, even though we benefited from the recruit.

[Anonymous]

For my superior athlete kid, mental health challenges during puberty have been the delineator. Physical prowess, work ethic is there but mental health issues will hold them back. It’s so hard to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


This is exactly what I’ve seen. Lots of recruiting (to teams) and opportunities to play/continue based on body size (usually tall/large, but in some sports the reverse). And it starts very early (and what age depends on the sport). Starts in middle school or so for many of the traditional team sports (basketball, baseball etc). It is unfortunate because kids grow at such different rates (especially boys).

Yes, recruiting starts around middle school age or earlier for basketball. My 9 year old DS was recruited to another AAU team (coach persistent until we showed up at a practice)... good timing since he was not happy with his former team. DC and PG county teams sometimes poach players.

I am told some AAU coaches "scout" at FCYBL playoff games. Crazy, even though we benefited from the recruit.

If your kid is 6’6 in middle school, they’ll be 6’6 in high school so it’s not that insane. Can’t train height and yes I tried to talk my shortie out of basketball a long time ago and it didn’t work. He still enjoys it very much and will be a solid high school player.

[Anonymous]

As long as they like it, support them. It’s not about them becoming an NBA superstar. They even want another related career such as a sports journalist, coach, trainer, athletic director, etc. And it’s a great way to get exercise.