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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I wouldn't force a sport - forcing a kid to do a sport in high school that she doesn't know how to play and isn't good at and doesn't like isn't a recipe for making friends. If she likes theater, find her a school that has theater so she can be in activity that she enjoys.

+1. Find a school with a strong theater program. That's where she's most likely to make friends as they will share that as a common interest. Sports aren't the only way to make friends as a new student.

I agree. I would really push for a school with a theatre program. It really is everything when you love it. All kinds of kids who like to have fun and are more tolerant than other groups.

Someone mentioned ballet but that would be tougher than any sport to pick up at this age. Hip hop classes, they usually have beginner teen classes.

If there’s a local YMCA type place near you they usually have instructional sports and offer things the school might not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked into crew?

+1

-2

Rowing is an extremely demanding sport that demands a high level of athleticism

It can easily be learned and the strength and endurance come with time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yoga? pilates? cycling?

+1. Would add running/walking, rowing, tennis, swimming, climbing.

Is your goal fitness?

[Anonymous]

Some of these suggestions are not appropriate for an unathletic kid who hates sports. Fencing and rowing? Both demand high levels of athleticism.

Cross country is a maybe depending on the team, but generally having her be the worst athlete on a team in a new private school is not the answer. Let her pick a physical activity for fitness and an activity she actually enjoys to do to make friends.

[Anonymous]

I know this is a niche sport but have her try squash. If she already played tennis, she’ll pick it up quickly. It’s also a lifetime sport with a really nice close knit community.

[Anonymous]

I’d get her into running. At most schools, cross country is a no cut sport. At our private it has a great culture and a range of kids from incredibly athletic (some do it to stay in shape for their main sport(s) which are winter or spring) to kids who got cut from other sports. The more season training is nice bonding, esp for freshmen or kids new to the school. They even have a large group that attends homecoming together.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thanks for all of the suggestions. She is average height, but very slim and muscular. She has great upper body strength so maybe crew or rowing might be a great option to see if she is interested. And also, it is not just ME who wants this - she does also. She just doesn't feel like she is good enough at the other sports. She is very self-conscious about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Thanks for all of the suggestions. She is average height, but very slim and muscular. She has great upper body strength so maybe crew or rowing might be a great option to see if she is interested. And also, it is not just ME who wants this - she does also. She just doesn't feel like she is good enough at the other sports. She is very self-conscious about it.

If *she* really wants to try, there are learn to row programs and summer camps (of course! ) for rowing that she could try to see if she likes it enough and give her a leg up for tryouts in the fall. Rowing is actually as much or more about core and lower body strength and flexibility as upper body. As a PP mentioned, kids don’t get started until mid to late middle school at the earliest. Generally, it’s an intense and supportive community. I hope she gives it a try. GL!

[Anonymous]

Cheerleading would be a good option

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the school, XC can be great for not athletic kids even if slow if they enjoy it.

Golf could work. Maybe dance/gymnastics. Rowing could also work well. As could equestrian but it is expensive around here.

All of those are sports that are hard even if most people think they seem easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the school, XC can be great for not athletic kids even if slow if they enjoy it.

Golf could work. Maybe dance/gymnastics. Rowing could also work well. As could equestrian but it is expensive around here.

All of those are sports that are hard even if most people think they seem easy.

I have done all of these sports, several at relatively high levels. I am happy to explain in greater detail for OP why they could work for her child (and also what to watch out for).

[Anonymous]

I agree with the recommendations for cross country. I did dance and cheerleading competitively starting in elementary school, but did not play any sports that involved running until HS. As a high school freshman, I decided to run cross country. I wasn’t very good when I started. But, since it was a no cut sport, plenty of other girls were in the same boat. We ran slowly and chatted while we did. It was a great way to meet people at a new school. I eventually became pretty good and have been a runner ever since. 33 years after joining the cross country team, I still run about four times a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the school, XC can be great for not athletic kids even if slow if they enjoy it.

Golf could work. Maybe dance/gymnastics. Rowing could also work well. As could equestrian but it is expensive around here.

All of those are sports that are hard even if most people think they seem easy.

I have done all of these sports, several at relatively high levels. I am happy to explain in greater detail for OP why they could work for her child (and also what to watch out for).

This is OP. Would you mind explaining?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was an unathletic kid and now as an adult I'm not comfortable with many forms of exercise. I'd look for something that can be continued lifelong for fitness. Maybe swim, tennis or running? Girls on the Run is supposed to be a great activity. There are also lots of developmental swim programs where she could work on improving her strokes without pressure.

For socializing, what about something like Irish Dance or fencing? Rec soccer is also popular in our area and no one cares if you're good.

Alternative activities like hiking, rock climbing or kayaking may also be good to try. Maybe as part of a scout troop?

my non athletic dd found climbing, and she's pretty good at it. Made team.

[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.

Has she tried dance? Many different types. Pickleball?

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.