If your tween attracted a lot of positive attention and comments for athletic ability

[Anonymous]

from coaches and other people with experience in youth sports, how did it play out? Did they continue to show a lot of promise after puberty?

[Anonymous]

No b! Tch no

[Anonymous]

Your question is interestingly worded. Our child has been showing ability, pointed out from others since before elementary school. Coordination and speed at a very early age. This child is self motivated and, even at 5 years old was creating sports drills, practicing on their own and imitating other athletes they saw on TV. This kid will be an athlete for life- maybe not at a professional level- but it’s more than natural ability, it’s drive.

[Anonymous]

It varies. Even if everything works out in their favor, it’s rare to go pro. Less rare to play in college, etc. Plenty of kids burn out, flame out, or get injured. It’s a marathon that requires focus and drive and patience.

[Anonymous]

It depends how their bodies mature.

[Anonymous]

Before puberty it does not matter. After that you have to have luck- no juries, play in a system that highlights your strengths and have the right coaches.

High school teams(travel sport) for a good athlete are fairly easy to make. The next level up everyone is a good to great athlete. At this level the game(18 years and older) the game becomes more a mental game(mental processing) because everyone is a really good athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your question is interestingly worded. Our child has been showing ability, pointed out from others since before elementary school. Coordination and speed at a very early age. This child is self motivated and, even at 5 years old was creating sports drills, practicing on their own and imitating other athletes they saw on TV. This kid will be an athlete for life- maybe not at a professional level- but it’s more than natural ability, it’s drive.

He got lots of "wow your kid is coordinated" kind of feedback when he was younger, but it was from people like other moms on the playground, or the Dad coaching rec flag football. He was always the toddler climbing to the top of the playground equipment, or running as fast as he could to keep up with his older siblings. He's also very tall, and when kids are little that alone gives them a lot of advantage.

Then there was a pandemic, and no one saw him play for a long time. He did one rec sport in the spring (but with a family member as coach, so no outside feedback), so it wasn't until this summer when he did a little more that I started noticing the attention from coaches.

He's my youngest, and my other kids are athletic. But this is a different level of interest, so I'm curious.

[Anonymous]

If talented before puberty and their parents have are athletic adults it usually continues after puberty as long as the kid sticks with it.

[Anonymous]

The only one I know like this was a standout on all his teams up until 8th grade. But, he's short and while talented, can't really compete at the higher levels and is sitting on the sidelines in high school. He'll probably always be active, but not a lot of potential for an athletic future.

I know another on the same path and his parents brag endlessly about his soccer prowess but he's very small for his age and his parents aren't tall either so I'm sure his height will hold him back at some point, he's 11 now.

[Anonymous]

I have a 10yo like this, very self motivated. I'm honestly concerned about identifying so strongly as "an athlete."

What happens if there's an injury down the road and it all goes away?

I don't want to discourage these healthy outlets and the friendships made there, but I'm also encouraging other interests.

[Anonymous]

My kids are starting to hit the tween years. From what I see of the 12-14 year olds... a lot are getting injured. It really sucks. Growth plate injuries too - and those take so much time to heal.
My 7 year old is a better athlete than most other 7 year olds. (I have other kids to compare to). Will that continue? I have no idea - other kids will catch up. So much plays into continuing to be successful at something - drive (the biggest factor IMO), interest in the particular sport, puberty, whether they like the kids on the team, good coaching (v. a coach that makes them hate the sport).
My point is just enjoy the ride. So much can change between age 7 and 18.

[Anonymous]

Obviously the big thing is where they will be after puberty and their growth spurts. One thing that parents can do in particular to be helpful is to guide their kids into activities and sports that a fit with their likely physical abilities in young adult ages. The kid with the early growth that is basically over after 8th grade at 5'9" is not going to be a basketball player unless he works on his dribbling and outside shooting (and even then it is questionable). The girl who is likely to end up 5'8" is going to be too tall for competitive gymnastics beyond a certain point.

I have a daughter who played 4 years of college soccer. She played high level travel as a kid for many years. One thing I learned reflecting back is that I did not insist on her getting playing time in likely positions that fit her physical abilities. She spent years playing defensive positions and there was not one college coach who watched her play and said she was a defender (too short), but as a very fast kid everyone wanted her as a forward or outside mid. Not everything can go your kids way in sports, but you can guide, and with our younger kids I learned to do that in their sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obviously the big thing is where they will be after puberty and their growth spurts. One thing that parents can do in particular to be helpful is to guide their kids into activities and sports that a fit with their likely physical abilities in young adult ages. The kid with the early growth that is basically over after 8th grade at 5'9" is not going to be a basketball player unless he works on his dribbling and outside shooting (and even then it is questionable). The girl who is likely to end up 5'8" is going to be too tall for competitive gymnastics beyond a certain point.

I have a daughter who played 4 years of college soccer. She played high level travel as a kid for many years. One thing I learned reflecting back is that I did not insist on her getting playing time in likely positions that fit her physical abilities. She spent years playing defensive positions and there was not one college coach who watched her play and said she was a defender (too short), but as a very fast kid everyone wanted her as a forward or outside mid. Not everything can go your kids way in sports, but you can guide, and with our younger kids I learned to do that in their sports.

I should add, that you will see differences once kids hit their growth spurts on physical attributes. Particularly, on who is fast and who is not.

[Anonymous]

My son as a preschooler to tween was really athletic and good at every sport he did. Played travel soccer early on A teams, point guard in basketball, made all stats in baseball, etc. However, he is short AND was one of the last of his age group to enter puberty. This has really held him back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends how their bodies mature.

I agree with this.