Do they never do doubles in tennis or swim relays? Those are team endeavors. Dancing in ballet as a group to form a routine is a team endeavor.

My 2 didn't do team sports until 5-6th grade and each made varsity teams in FCPS.

Anonymous wrote:All sports are solo sports - some more obvious than others

Yeah. I've been feeling the same for my oldest as OP because my oldest didn't play any team sport, but when my younger one joined a team sport, I can't help but feeling disappointed. Even from the posts here, the biggest part about a "team sport" is that it helps you to learn to work with people you don't like to get things done. Why can't you learn it at work, as a grown up. If you haven't perfected on that as a grown-up, how can you expect a kid to enjoy that? Or you are just providing some early lessons for the youngsters so they become grown-ups earlier. Is that good? From performance perspective, maybe yes, but the years kids can be themselves and don't worry about anything is so short and so precious. Do you want to shorten that even more?

All sports are solo sports - some more obvious than others

I don't think it's a big deal. And it really depends on what type of kid you have. DD is 10 and isn't one to rely on others she'd rather live or die on her own merits. She plays cello and soon will have to start playing ensembles so we'll see how that goes.

But as for sports she's always gravitated to solo sports. She's a runner, a skier and a fencer. She's tried team sports and while she liked some she didn't feel it was for her.

Yeah I do wish she'd like team sports because there is team camaraderie and learning to work in a group for the benefit of all, but that's not her and that's ok. As long as she's having fun and growing as a person in her own way I'm fine with her solo sports.

Team sport also teaches how to be a natural leader if the kid has any inclination in that direction.

My DS was a swimmer thru college. It’s a team sport.