What is wrong with my five year old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry about him being good at soccer, but I would worry about him being able to follow simple instructions. If he is told, when it's your turn to be on the field keep playing until your coach calls you out, he should be able to do that. If soccer isn't for him that is totally fine! And if he runs around the field and never touches the ball that's also fine! But ignoring directions and not following the rules might raise some concern.

I think this is exactly what worries me. Even in the absence of any marginal skill or competency, he doesn’t listen to what the coach says to do, or think twice about not participating in a helpful way to his team.

half of 5 yo boys are like that. parents of "wild" kids often skip the team sports at that age, that's why it feels like yours is one of the few wild kids not following directions. maybe try again at 7?

t-ball might be more engaging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son just turned five. He just played a soccer game where all of the other kids were fully engaged, focused on the ball and scoring a goal. My son briefly runs with the other boys who are focused on the ball with no actual intention of kicking it or trying to get it, and then will run off the field to me in the side lines saying he needs a rest or that he needs water, in the middle of the game. His head just isn’t in it at all, it’s like he doesn’t even know what’s going on. The coach came up to him and said “you have one job today, just watch the ball” and he couldn’t/didn’t do it. I am so embarrassed because he sticks out like a sore thumb. Do you think I should be concerned by this?

No not at all. Kids are different and they all mature at different rates. My DD ran off the field during a rec game when she was 6 years old, crying and ran into my lap. She now plays travel soccer and is on her high school varsity team. At his age it’s all about exposing to different activities, finding what he enjoys, and letting him, stick with it if that’s what he wants to do!

[Anonymous]

I’ve watched one game of 5 year old soccer. Two kids kept running in the wrong direction, one rolled on the field, and another tried to pick non existent flowers.

[Anonymous]

The only thing concerning about any of this is the coach. I have a kid on his second season of soccer around this age and this is VERY normal. But it the coach should not be shaming him! That will make things worse. Does he like it? My kid is super into soccer and a couple other sports but most kids are not.

[Anonymous]

The girls are picking flowers and putting them in each other's hair.
Same girls 10 years later are playing varsity sports.

[Anonymous]

Might be he’s not into soccer, the coach, or his teammates right now. Also maybe he’s really self conscious, needing reassurance, or maybe not able to keep up.

[Anonymous]

This sounds normal to me at this age. Is this a rec league?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s 5 yo soccer. This is totally normal

Agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son just turned five. He just played a soccer game where all of the other kids were fully engaged, focused on the ball and scoring a goal. My son briefly runs with the other boys who are focused on the ball with no actual intention of kicking it or trying to get it, and then will run off the field to me in the side lines saying he needs a rest or that he needs water, in the middle of the game. His head just isn’t in it at all, it’s like he doesn’t even know what’s going on. The coach came up to him and said “you have one job today, just watch the ball” and he couldn’t/didn’t do it. I am so embarrassed because he sticks out like a sore thumb. Do you think I should be concerned by this?

No not at all. Kids are different and they all mature at different rates. My DD ran off the field during a rec game when she was 6 years old, crying and ran into my lap. She now plays travel soccer and is on her high school varsity team. At his age it’s all about exposing to different activities, finding what he enjoys, and letting him, stick with it if that’s what he wants to do!

+1 At this age there are some kids that have never kicked a soccer ball and others that have been doing Lil' Kickers since they were 2. And there are always kids that age that are too scared or anxious to even get on the field. Your kid actually played!

[Anonymous]

The most concerning thing about this scenario and this post are the reactions of the coach and the replies that your DC is just not into soccer. Your DS is only 5…he might be shy right now, he might still be learning how to follow instructions, he might need to build his stamina physically. He’s so young still! Don’t worry, don’t pigeonhole him as an athlete or nonathelete. Keep exposing him to different activities and stay consistent with attending the activities you choose to join long enough for him to get comfortable enough with the routine and structure of the game/activity to see if he wants to do it again when he is a little older. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing wrong with him.

Just love him and appreciate what he loves, and follow that.

He sounds like a gentle, sweet boy. You can be very proud of that!

There’s nothing in the OP that indicates this.

Op, the answer to your question is he’s 5. He’ll either decide he likes soccer over time and start paying attention and actually playing, or he won’t. Now is the time to let him explore a variety of interests.

Sure there is! He isn’t pounding the other kids. He isn’t kicking anyone. He isn’t screaming or flailing. He’s just there! Sweet and gentle.

No. Focus on what OP wrote and asked instead of inventing a narrative that doesn’t exist.

Are you OP? Why can’t a 5-yo boy be described as “sweet and gentle”? Weird.

It’s weird to add adjectives to this child when you have no basis to do so. What exactly did OP post that is making you come to this conclusion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve watched one game of 5 year old soccer. Two kids kept running in the wrong direction, one rolled on the field, and another tried to pick non existent flowers.

I love this description & it made me laugh. The bolded sounds like my 5yo DS!

[Anonymous]

Have you as a family ever watched a soccer game on tv or in person? It sounds like your child has never been exposed to the game. Take him to a high school soccer game so he can see how the game is played. He can also see you need permission to be substituted in a game from the referee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you as a family ever watched a soccer game on tv or in person? It sounds like your child has never been exposed to the game. Take him to a high school soccer game so he can see how the game is played. He can also see you need permission to be substituted in a game from the referee.

This happens constantly during 5 year old soccer games. You absolutely do not need permission from the ref.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing wrong with him.

Just love him and appreciate what he loves, and follow that.

He sounds like a gentle, sweet boy. You can be very proud of that!

There’s nothing in the OP that indicates this.

Op, the answer to your question is he’s 5. He’ll either decide he likes soccer over time and start paying attention and actually playing, or he won’t. Now is the time to let him explore a variety of interests.

Sure there is! He isn’t pounding the other kids. He isn’t kicking anyone. He isn’t screaming or flailing. He’s just there! Sweet and gentle.

DP.
Well, you'd never describe a girl that way. 'She exists and is not pounding or kicking anyone, so she must be sweet?' Wierd... to me sweet means something different. To me he just sounds like a child who prefers a different activity and his parents push him towards soccer. OP, just let him try lots of stuff until he finds something he likes.