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

[Anonymous]

A few things to consider. HS sports are a heavy time comittment--normally 2 hours after school 5 days a week. That is a ton for someone not that sporty. With that said, schools have summer pre-season practice where she could go try and if she hated it, switch to a fitness class in the fall. Some schools also have lesser competitive seasons of a competitive sport (ie Holton has competitive fall tennis and way less competitive/fewer hours club spring tennis; I believe they also have this for crew). Also, depending on the school, some sports allow for a wider range of abilities. Cross country does (although they're still running 5-6 days a week), golf at a school with no-cuts for golf is self paced. Also, she might be better off making friends in a yoga or dance class with others who aren't as sporty.

Your daughter is not wrong that sports are one of the easiest ways to make friends when new at a private high school, but if she's not that into it and others are, this may not pan out anyway.

[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.

Mayte as her mother you should work on building up her confidence instead of focusing on what is missing. Maybe if she felt good enough to you, she'd have the confidence to try new things without your prompting her. Maybe accept her as she is instead of trying to build a better model

[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.

Agree with cross country if the school has a no-cut policy. Some of the kids on my son’s team are very slow, but everyone still cheers them on and stays until the end. All the XC kids seem very nice overall and my shy kid experienced much more camaraderie and team spirit on that team than he currently does on his basketball team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has tried a variety of sports - soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey and will only last maybe 3 weeks before saying she doesn't like it. She likes swimming but is only okay at it and not sure she could even properly swim the entire length of the pool; has tried tennis and doesn't dislike it; and re: track, is generally a slow runner. I just want her to do a sport - not excel at it. I think it would be helpful when acclimating to private high school to participate in something. Any thoughts? Is it too late?

Rowing if she will out in the time, lift weights, not tip over the boat w poor balance.

I know tons of people who picked it up quickly and went on to do quite well. Including my overweight and uncoordinated spouse! It did get them in the best shape yet, for them!

[Anonymous]

Squash.

It’s a slower ball and racquet sport.

My aspergers daughter can play it and excel, not get frustrated or ask to quit.

Btw, you seemed to have set a bad precedent allowing your daughter to quit so many things after 3 weeks. We have a 3 month rule and also that they do one team sport and one individual sport. If HS comes and they hate sports then we’ll redirect their time.

[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.

Water polo or are ball sports and situational awareness court or field sports out?

FYI espn rated 60+ sports by about 12 qualities. Eg speed, stamina, hand/eye, reaction time, durability, situational awareness, coordination, flexibility, strength, etc.

Find that sheet and a good math for your child’s qualities.
It’s interesting nonetheless. Hockey and boxing had the highest score 1-10 across the 12 qualities’ scores added up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has tried a variety of sports - soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey and will only last maybe 3 weeks before saying she doesn't like it. She likes swimming but is only okay at it and not sure she could even properly swim the entire length of the pool; has tried tennis and doesn't dislike it; and re: track, is generally a slow runner. I just want her to do a sport - not excel at it. I think it would be helpful when acclimating to private high school to participate in something. Any thoughts? Is it too late?

Stop picking ball sports where you have to want to fight for the ball.

If she’s technical and strong upper body, try softball before it gets to fast pitch.

[Anonymous]

Field hockey might work if she can run

[Anonymous]

Sign up with friend

[Anonymous]

Speed walking

My westlake class had an Olympic speed walker in it. She practiced a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Squash.

It’s a slower ball and racquet sport.

My aspergers daughter can play it and excel, not get frustrated or ask to quit.

Btw, you seemed to have set a bad precedent allowing your daughter to quit so many things after 3 weeks. We have a 3 month rule and also that they do one team sport and one individual sport. If HS comes and they hate sports then we’ll redirect their time.

This is OP and I agree. Looking back I would have made her stick with one. With my second one am making him stick with a sport through the end of the season. Fortunately he loves every single sport.

[Anonymous]

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.

Mayte as her mother you should work on building up her confidence instead of focusing on what is missing. Maybe if she felt good enough to you, she'd have the confidence to try new things without your prompting her. Maybe accept her as she is instead of trying to build a better model

This is OP. None of what you have said is true. My kid is a typical theatre kid who has been in many productions (in often a lead or the lead role). We support her in this, driving to auditions, rehearsals and paying for pricey summer acting camps. However, she feels awkward when it comes to sports and not only wants to do a sport and be good at it. We, as her parents, are trying to help her find out what that could be.

[Anonymous]

I’m telling you, rowing is the sport for this girl. I have watched countless people (girls, boys, men, women) begin as novices and absolutely blossom in confidence and strength. This includes kids who were probably quite a bit less athletic than your daughter- I recall high school classmates who were bullied, overweight, etc finding themselves on our crew team. One of them posted on Facebook a few years ago about how rowing literally changed his life.

Before people jump all over me- yes I know it’s a very hard sport. I have a Head of the Charles medal and years of involvement across all levels of the sport (hs, D1 college, adult rec). Anyone can learn to row well and will learn dedication and teamwork in the process - plus have tons of fun.

[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.

Mayte as her mother you should work on building up her confidence instead of focusing on what is missing. Maybe if she felt good enough to you, she'd have the confidence to try new things without your prompting her. Maybe accept her as she is instead of trying to build a better model

This is OP. None of what you have said is true. My kid is a typical theatre kid who has been in many productions (in often a lead or the lead role). We support her in this, driving to auditions, rehearsals and paying for pricey summer acting camps. However, she feels awkward when it comes to sports and not only wants to do a sport and be good at it. We, as her parents, are trying to help her find out what that could be.

Why a sport and not dance?! Dance is a physically demanding activity that will only benefit a theater kid. Not sure why you seem to be dismissing this as an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has tried a variety of sports - soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey and will only last maybe 3 weeks before saying she doesn't like it. She likes swimming but is only okay at it and not sure she could even properly swim the entire length of the pool; has tried tennis and doesn't dislike it; and re: track, is generally a slow runner. I just want her to do a sport - not excel at it. I think it would be helpful when acclimating to private high school to participate in something. Any thoughts? Is it too late?

I would be sure to pick a school that has a strong theater program, that's her thing, except if there are stronger academically. I also echo some pp's recommendations for XC. My kids school has no cuts for both girls and boy's teams, some just run varsity vs JV. It's a tight knot group and many of the girls start off not even being able to complete the course to going to cross country regionals! They start off training in the summer, so instant built in friends before school even starts.