Anonymous wrote:Something is really wrong if we think 8 is too late to start playing any sport.

This. I'm sorry, but the person talking about kids reaching their full potential is nuts.

99.9% of us are not raising Simone Biles.

It's not too late to start if SHE wants to play. If she really doesn't want to play and you are making her do something physical, please sign her up for an individual sport or a class. By 8 it really is frustrating for the other girls who want to play to have members of their team that aren't trying. Varying skill levels is completely understandable and expected at the Rec level, but my then-7 YO DD had a very difficult season with several kids on her team not trying and then not showing up at the end of the season.

Anonymous wrote:Something is really wrong if we think 8 is too late to start playing any sport.

For some sports starting at 8 can be to late to reach a players potential. And other sports 8 is not.

Sports that starting at could be to late would include, Soccer, Gymnastics, Figure Skating and Hockey.

Does this mean it is to late to learn and play and enjoy? No, it means a kids highest potential in the sport is not likely to be met if those sports are started later.

Of course not. Sign her up! I've found that talented and interested kids do well regardless of when they start

Something is really wrong if we think 8 is too late to start playing any sport.

Sign her up!

Being athletic is way more important at that age, a friend of my daughter started rec at 10 and is doing great at 11.

If she has a good motor and is in good shape she will do just fine.

We focus more on basketball because of genes, but also do soccer for variety and my kids do just fine because they can outrun most of their peers.
Strength and speed dominate skill until very late in the age. After all there is a reason why kids are separated in age groups.

Just sign her up for rec soccer. She will just be placed on a random team in your area though. Don't worry, lots of kids are really bad and you'd never know they've been playing for 5 seasons already. She will be fine.

My daughter started at 9 in a local rec league. She joined a team that had been together for a few years. It’s been a non-issue - both on skills and social aspects. And I would not say my daughter is especially athletic. Although she’s definitely improved since joining the team!

My son is 9 and in 4th grade. He is playing indoor starting next week after not having played since 1st grade.
I’m slightly nervous for him but he has a good attitude generally.

I support trying new things.

Following. Same situation here.

Not too late at all! Just sign her up for a low key rec league and she'll be fine

*guts

Is 8yo too old for my daughter to start soccer? I remember starting at 7 and played recreationally to college and loved it. Now I feel like all kids in soccer began much younger and my daughter might be a terrible fit for most teams and organizations. Is there a way she can join in without being creamed or held to as high of standards. We just want her to enjoy it if she has the guys to start.