Sports for nonagressive girls

[Anonymous]

It is also very important to keep in mind that kids change. My daughter (now 26) was very aggressive playing little kid soccer as a 5 and 6 year old. Then she became much less physically aggressive in sports, but still participated -- soccer, swimming, gymnastics. She was very athletic for a little kid, but not very aggressive. That showed in other areas as well - particularly in school.

At 9 she started club soccer, and was still doing gymnastics and she swam on a little swim club team. She was still not very physically aggressive with other kids. Slowly, over about 3 years, she learned she could be more physically aggressive when competing in soccer and still be okay. It really took about that long.

By 13-14 she was pretty much normal in terms of physcial aggressiveness playing soccer. She went on and played 4 years of college soccer so it obviously worked out for her.

I would not worry. The key, in retrospect, as a parent I think is just being aware of the issue and continue to regularly work on encouraging appropriate physical aggressiveness. I do think it is one of those things like reading where progress is made in stages. One day she will be willing to do X. Then 4 months later she is willing to also do Y.

Do Not avoid activities where appropriate physical aggressiveness is part of the activity just because it is part of the sport. That will have long term implications down the road. Willingness to dive in and mix things up will be an important part of adulthood.

[Anonymous]

My daughter had the same issue and got really into figure skating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ice skating. It’s a great sport with the potential for life long enjoyment, and easy to enjoy progress without competition — unless she wants that at some point.

What planet do you live on? Ice skating is as competitive as can be, and it doesn't make any sense without competition.

I feel like there is no way you can actually be immersed in figure skating and say this. I know OP isn’t trying to shy away from competitive sports but with figure skating, you can do freestyle and moves in the field testing as well as showcases/Christmas performances. Those don’t have any competition AT ALL and are a huge part of the sport. Lots of figure skaters don’t compete.

[Anonymous]

Cross country

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter had the same issue and got really into figure skating.

Op here- Im still reading and thank you all! Im going to go to cabin John after the new year whenever these numbers improve!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is also very important to keep in mind that kids change. My daughter (now 26) was very aggressive playing little kid soccer as a 5 and 6 year old. Then she became much less physically aggressive in sports, but still participated -- soccer, swimming, gymnastics. She was very athletic for a little kid, but not very aggressive. That showed in other areas as well - particularly in school.

At 9 she started club soccer, and was still doing gymnastics and she swam on a little swim club team. She was still not very physically aggressive with other kids. Slowly, over about 3 years, she learned she could be more physically aggressive when competing in soccer and still be okay. It really took about that long.

By 13-14 she was pretty much normal in terms of physcial aggressiveness playing soccer. She went on and played 4 years of college soccer so it obviously worked out for her.

I would not worry. The key, in retrospect, as a parent I think is just being aware of the issue and continue to regularly work on encouraging appropriate physical aggressiveness. I do think it is one of those things like reading where progress is made in stages. One day she will be willing to do X. Then 4 months later she is willing to also do Y.

Do Not avoid activities where appropriate physical aggressiveness is part of the activity just because it is part of the sport. That will have long term implications down the road. Willingness to dive in and mix things up will be an important part of adulthood.


Nice points- thank you!