How much did size (height/strength) impact kids athletic chances in middle school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are we talking about school sports or club sports? School sports seems to be the last gasp for athletic boys who are not big in the sports where size matters. Competitive club sports really start favoring larger kids by this age, even if they are less skilled.

+1

Club sports start heavily favoring larger or more physically developed kids at around age 12. If not before. Especially boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle school sports can be extremely difficult for smaller or late-developing kids, especially for boys.

The impact of size/strength and height depends on the specific sport. In addition, a kid's stage of development and height are two separate issues. For example, people mention soccer as being a sport where height doesn't matter as much as a sport like basketball, and that is true to some extent. However, when you are talking about middle school years, just being short may not be as much of a disadvantage as being late to puberty. My son had the challenging combination of being a skilled soccer player, not even on the growth chart small (height and weight), and a late developer. There were always other shorter kids, but many of them had mustaches by 7th grade, so they had a level of physicality that a less developed kid did not. It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch my son struggle during the middle school years. He wound up quitting basketball, which he once loved because he couldn't hang. He stuck with soccer and things got much better once he went through puberty around sophomore year.

+1

Height is not really the issue, other than in a few sports (basketball for one).

Puberty/late development is the main concern at this age. It can be very challenging for the later bloomers to keep up/ some sports being more difficult than others. There is a big difference physically between one boy who is 5’5” 95lbs & hasn’t hit puberty yet VS another who is 5’5” 140lbs with man muscles and a deep voice. The latter kid is generally going to be more successful at sports than the former- at this age.

But it’s not a sprint boo. We don’t care about the best in early middle school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle school sports can be extremely difficult for smaller or late-developing kids, especially for boys.

The impact of size/strength and height depends on the specific sport. In addition, a kid's stage of development and height are two separate issues. For example, people mention soccer as being a sport where height doesn't matter as much as a sport like basketball, and that is true to some extent. However, when you are talking about middle school years, just being short may not be as much of a disadvantage as being late to puberty. My son had the challenging combination of being a skilled soccer player, not even on the growth chart small (height and weight), and a late developer. There were always other shorter kids, but many of them had mustaches by 7th grade, so they had a level of physicality that a less developed kid did not. It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch my son struggle during the middle school years. He wound up quitting basketball, which he once loved because he couldn't hang. He stuck with soccer and things got much better once he went through puberty around sophomore year.

+1

Height is not really the issue, other than in a few sports (basketball for one).

Puberty/late development is the main concern at this age. It can be very challenging for the later bloomers to keep up/ some sports being more difficult than others. There is a big difference physically between one boy who is 5’5” 95lbs & hasn’t hit puberty yet VS another who is 5’5” 140lbs with man muscles and a deep voice. The latter kid is generally going to be more successful at sports than the former- at this age.

But it’s not a sprint boo. We don’t care about the best in early middle school

Yes, that is it should be. I agree. In practice, very different story.

[Anonymous]

The reality is some boys just develop too late period.

I was 5’1 freshman year in high school. 6’0 by start of senior year and topped out at 6’2.

But as a result of that growth spurt - 145 pounds.

Im physically fit at 40 and no longer 145 pounds and it all worked out but it is what it is. I ended up physically more dominant at 25 to many of the guys that towered over me 10 years earlier. But my basketball career? Still over before it began.

It’s really not a big deal pretty much everyone moves on eventually. Just do rec, learn a musical instrument, whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reality is some boys just develop too late period.

I was 5’1 freshman year in high school. 6’0 by start of senior year and topped out at 6’2.

But as a result of that growth spurt - 145 pounds.

Im physically fit at 40 and no longer 145 pounds and it all worked out but it is what it is. I ended up physically more dominant at 25 to many of the guys that towered over me 10 years earlier. But my basketball career? Still over before it began.

It’s really not a big deal pretty much everyone moves on eventually. Just do rec, learn a musical instrument, whatever.

Very true. My DS started freshman year at 5’4” 95lbs and as a junior is 6’0” 145-150, probably not done growing. But- he threw in the towel with team sports as a freshman. Just too physically behind. He runs track, has a part time job, and has found other things to do. Looking at school peers there seemed to be a small group of boys in a similar boat as freshman-sophomores. None really play sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was always the best athlete but in middle school he ended up on the B team for his most competitive sport. He did not hit puberty until 9th grade.

He grew in 11th grade - sophomore in college. It was tough, he had to walk on in college but ended up being an All American.

But middle school was so tough.

Proud of him for pushing through! I bet it built his character so much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, athletic kids so much better in sports.

Expensive sports are less competitive.

This is not true. Ask any volleyball parent. I’ve been spending many hours driving to pre tryout clinics for my middle school DD and spending too much money so she hopefully gets looked at during upcoming tryouts, and then we can spend thousands if she makes a team. The taller the kid, the bigger the advantage in this expensive sport.

How come it’s so expensive? I’ve heard a lot of girls want to play so they can wear bikinis or short bike shorts and put their hair cute. But maybe it’s just fun. There’s no running up and down a large field or basketball court.

Are you the poster who was concerned about your daughters playing an unfeminine sport?

Volleyball has to get court space, pay tournament fees, good clubs travel, pay coaches, uniforms aren't cheap, all the things.

That would describe most sports. And no, my daughter plays basketball and there’s nothing feminine about their outfits. That’s volleyball. Why do they wear two piece swimsuits? Because it started as a beach game?

DP and you are referring to beach volleyball, which you probably watch on tv. The rest of our are talking about club volleyball where tryouts are coming up in a few weeks. They don’t wear two piece swim wear. They wear mostly long sleeve shirts. The shorts might be short but some even wear leggings. In practice, my daughter has has on shorts, knee pads, arm guards and is actually quite covered up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, athletic kids so much better in sports.

Expensive sports are less competitive.

This is not true. Ask any volleyball parent. I’ve been spending many hours driving to pre tryout clinics for my middle school DD and spending too much money so she hopefully gets looked at during upcoming tryouts, and then we can spend thousands if she makes a team. The taller the kid, the bigger the advantage in this expensive sport.

How come it’s so expensive? I’ve heard a lot of girls want to play so they can wear bikinis or short bike shorts and put their hair cute. But maybe it’s just fun. There’s no running up and down a large field or basketball court.

Are you the poster who was concerned about your daughters playing an unfeminine sport?

Volleyball has to get court space, pay tournament fees, good clubs travel, pay coaches, uniforms aren't cheap, all the things.

That would describe most sports. And no, my daughter plays basketball and there’s nothing feminine about their outfits. That’s volleyball. Why do they wear two piece swimsuits? Because it started as a beach game?

DP and you are referring to beach volleyball, which you probably watch on tv. The rest of our are talking about club volleyball where tryouts are coming up in a few weeks. They don’t wear two piece swim wear. They wear mostly long sleeve shirts. The shorts might be short but some even wear leggings. In practice, my daughter has has on shorts, knee pads, arm guards and is actually quite covered up.

I’ve only seen volleyball on the Olympics and at the beach. Those bathing suits the US wore weren’t flattering at all. Maybe it’s like cheerleading. Some show no skin, some have really cheap looking uniforms made to be revealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, athletic kids so much better in sports.

Expensive sports are less competitive.

This is not true. Ask any volleyball parent. I’ve been spending many hours driving to pre tryout clinics for my middle school DD and spending too much money so she hopefully gets looked at during upcoming tryouts, and then we can spend thousands if she makes a team. The taller the kid, the bigger the advantage in this expensive sport.

How come it’s so expensive? I’ve heard a lot of girls want to play so they can wear bikinis or short bike shorts and put their hair cute. But maybe it’s just fun. There’s no running up and down a large field or basketball court.

Are you the poster who was concerned about your daughters playing an unfeminine sport?

Volleyball has to get court space, pay tournament fees, good clubs travel, pay coaches, uniforms aren't cheap, all the things.

That would describe most sports. And no, my daughter plays basketball and there’s nothing feminine about their outfits. That’s volleyball. Why do they wear two piece swimsuits? Because it started as a beach game?

DP and you are referring to beach volleyball, which you probably watch on tv. The rest of our are talking about club volleyball where tryouts are coming up in a few weeks. They don’t wear two piece swim wear. They wear mostly long sleeve shirts. The shorts might be short but some even wear leggings. In practice, my daughter has has on shorts, knee pads, arm guards and is actually quite covered up.

I’ve only seen volleyball on the Olympics and at the beach. Those bathing suits the US wore weren’t flattering at all. Maybe it’s like cheerleading. Some show no skin, some have really cheap looking uniforms made to be revealing.

Here is a high level local team that many kids want to be on. Look at the photo of the two girls at the top and see a typical uniform. https://www.metrovbc.com/

But back to OP, yes, height and athletic ability mattered greatly in middle school. It mattered to my kid who just was in rec and not in volleyball even more since he always felt bad that he couldn’t keep up. Puberty hit him after MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, athletic kids so much better in sports.

Expensive sports are less competitive.

This is not true. Ask any volleyball parent. I’ve been spending many hours driving to pre tryout clinics for my middle school DD and spending too much money so she hopefully gets looked at during upcoming tryouts, and then we can spend thousands if she makes a team. The taller the kid, the bigger the advantage in this expensive sport.

How come it’s so expensive? I’ve heard a lot of girls want to play so they can wear bikinis or short bike shorts and put their hair cute. But maybe it’s just fun. There’s no running up and down a large field or basketball court.

Are you the poster who was concerned about your daughters playing an unfeminine sport?

Volleyball has to get court space, pay tournament fees, good clubs travel, pay coaches, uniforms aren't cheap, all the things.

That would describe most sports. And no, my daughter plays basketball and there’s nothing feminine about their outfits. That’s volleyball. Why do they wear two piece swimsuits? Because it started as a beach game?

DP and you are referring to beach volleyball, which you probably watch on tv. The rest of our are talking about club volleyball where tryouts are coming up in a few weeks. They don’t wear two piece swim wear. They wear mostly long sleeve shirts. The shorts might be short but some even wear leggings. In practice, my daughter has has on shorts, knee pads, arm guards and is actually quite covered up.

I’ve only seen volleyball on the Olympics and at the beach. Those bathing suits the US wore weren’t flattering at all. Maybe it’s like cheerleading. Some show no skin, some have really cheap looking uniforms made to be revealing.

Here is a high level local team that many kids want to be on. Look at the photo of the two girls at the top and see a typical uniform. https://www.metrovbc.com/

But back to OP, yes, height and athletic ability mattered greatly in middle school. It mattered to my kid who just was in rec and not in volleyball even more since he always felt bad that he couldn’t keep up. Puberty hit him after MS.

I like that they put girls in leggings on their homepage. Most volleyball uniforms are nike pros that are rolled up and too small

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, athletic kids so much better in sports.

Expensive sports are less competitive.

This is not true. Ask any volleyball parent. I’ve been spending many hours driving to pre tryout clinics for my middle school DD and spending too much money so she hopefully gets looked at during upcoming tryouts, and then we can spend thousands if she makes a team. The taller the kid, the bigger the advantage in this expensive sport.

How come it’s so expensive? I’ve heard a lot of girls want to play so they can wear bikinis or short bike shorts and put their hair cute. But maybe it’s just fun. There’s no running up and down a large field or basketball court.

Are you the poster who was concerned about your daughters playing an unfeminine sport?

Volleyball has to get court space, pay tournament fees, good clubs travel, pay coaches, uniforms aren't cheap, all the things.

That would describe most sports. And no, my daughter plays basketball and there’s nothing feminine about their outfits. That’s volleyball. Why do they wear two piece swimsuits? Because it started as a beach game?

DP and you are referring to beach volleyball, which you probably watch on tv. The rest of our are talking about club volleyball where tryouts are coming up in a few weeks. They don’t wear two piece swim wear. They wear mostly long sleeve shirts. The shorts might be short but some even wear leggings. In practice, my daughter has has on shorts, knee pads, arm guards and is actually quite covered up.

I’ve only seen volleyball on the Olympics and at the beach. Those bathing suits the US wore weren’t flattering at all. Maybe it’s like cheerleading. Some show no skin, some have really cheap looking uniforms made to be revealing.

Here is a high level local team that many kids want to be on. Look at the photo of the two girls at the top and see a typical uniform. https://www.metrovbc.com/

But back to OP, yes, height and athletic ability mattered greatly in middle school. It mattered to my kid who just was in rec and not in volleyball even more since he always felt bad that he couldn’t keep up. Puberty hit him after MS.

Those uniforms are fine. It looks like volleyball players don’t use their legs as much as their upper body. Not surprising I guess.

[Anonymous]

That’s a bet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Expensive sports are less competitive.

^This. Golf and tennis are expensive sports and much less competition in them, unless you live in wealthy areas.

If you can make the golf or tennis team at Justice HS with little to no skills vs McLean/Langley HS. It is because parents of kids attending Jusitice HS can't afford private golf or tennis lessons. It is that simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Expensive sports are less competitive.

^This. Golf and tennis are expensive sports and much less competition in them, unless you live in wealthy areas.

If you can make the golf or tennis team at Justice HS with little to no skills vs McLean/Langley HS. It is because parents of kids attending Jusitice HS can't afford private golf or tennis lessons. It is that simple.

Tennis is really not that expensive. There are tons of kids playing tennis are they all UMC or wealthy? Give me a break

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Expensive sports are less competitive.

^This. Golf and tennis are expensive sports and much less competition in them, unless you live in wealthy areas.

If you can make the golf or tennis team at Justice HS with little to no skills vs McLean/Langley HS. It is because parents of kids attending Jusitice HS can't afford private golf or tennis lessons. It is that simple.

Tennis is really not that expensive. There are tons of kids playing tennis are they all UMC or wealthy? Give me a break

I agree. My daughter is a casual, for fun player. She takes a private lesson weekly and spends time on public courts with friends playing. Some of her friends never took any lessons they just like to play. Also most Ys and town park and rec have group lessons at affordable prices.