What Is a Sport I Could Get My Unathletic DD Into?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Fencing, archery


These are not easy.
Anonymous
private school XC teams are generally very inclusive, regardless of skill level
Anonymous
Actress here. If she likes musical theater get her into dance classes.

It's not going to be instant social group at a new school the same way the lacrosse team would be, but it's an activity and it is physical and it would help with the theater.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Try one of the martial arts, maybe Aikido -- generally non-team and non competitive. Or try ballet.


I like this idea--not all kids want to play sportsball (I know I never did).
Anonymous
Some privates have winter fitness, spring fitness, dance etc as sports, maybe she would like something like this.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:private school XC teams are generally very inclusive, regardless of skill level


I find that track is also inclusive.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:She doesn't need to do a sport. Making her do a sport when she is unathletic and uninterested will only drive down her confidence and morale. She will be surrounded by girls who have played the sport since they were 3-4-5 years old in many cases. It's too late to take up a varsity sport, OP. She may even have to try out for a spot, and won't make the team.

Who is your daughter? What are HER interests, OP? Have you asked her? If this is about something to put on a college application, just stop already. Help your daughter figure out her interests, don't try to force her to be interested.


This is OP. It is not about something to put on a college application. She is can be a little shy and is not very confident athletically. However, I would like her to enjoy some sport but need something that would not kill her confidence because she is not the best at it. She is very smart, gets good grades and loves musical theatre but not all of the schools she has applied to have great or robust theatre programs so I am trying to figure out something else she would enjoy and which would allow her to practice and socialize regularly with a group of girls.


Similar DD did a learn to row program in HS. Never found a sport she liked prior to this. Joined a not too competitive club team in HS. Still rowing in college. It’s been great for her confidence, great group of friends on the team and just loves being out on the water. There are many colleges with club teams so if your DD likes it but doesn’t want to be in a highly competitive/intense sport situation, she can still do it in college.
Anonymous
Climbing! It’s a very inclusive community, you don’t need a specific body type, and there’s a lot of thought and problem solving.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Actress here. If she likes musical theater get her into dance classes.

It's not going to be instant social group at a new school the same way the lacrosse team would be, but it's an activity and it is physical and it would help with the theater.


I agree with this. If ballet seems too stuffy, try jazz, hip hop, or musical theater specific classes.

I also think choir might fill this niche. And show choir as an extracurricular (like on "Glee").
Anonymous
Running is the only thing an u athletic person can do besides walking. Try XC. Or possibly, if she is tiny, she could learn to cox a rowing team. My kid was a D1 Ivy rowing recruit. One of her friends was actually autistic and not athletic and was the cox for her team.
Anonymous
Please let her take her time and find the activities, friends, teachers, clubs, etc that SHE wants to get involved in/with. Your well-intended efforts to find things for her will work against her developing her confidence and her own voice. If she has a year of observing and acclimating that will be okay. Schools make efforts in the fall for new students to make friends. Please consider letting her own her experience.

- an Upper School teacher
Anonymous
Stop trying to force sports. I was your DD. I hated it. It actually embarrassed me. Help her find something she likes to do with other kids that aligns to her interests. A club or hobby? A spin or yoga class? Anything that is led by her, not you. Tell her she doesn't have to do a sport but she needs to be involved with something every semester. Stay back and she will find her way.
Anonymous
yoga? pilates? cycling?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Running is the only thing an u athletic person can do besides walking. Try XC. Or possibly, if she is tiny, she could learn to cox a rowing team. My kid was a D1 Ivy rowing recruit. One of her friends was actually autistic and not athletic and was the cox for her team.


This is a random comment but I totally agree. I know more than a few former college and national team coxes with autism. I guess it attracts a certain rule of person? Not saying this is OP’s DD, but it’s a great role for someone who is focused, strategic, great at being part of a team, and not necessarily athletic.
Anonymous
Crew
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