There are lots of ways to be active and not do sports and a lot of individual sports that have “team” components, like tennis, swim, or running.

But also I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with mean and overzealous rec league coaches. If your kid wants to keep playing, I’d suggest watching the other coaches in the league and try to get on the team without the jerk coach. The nice ones also tend to attract the nice parents and nice kids. We’ve tried to avoid the jerk coaches for our kid who actually is fairly athletic just because it tends to ruin the joy of the game.

Ask him what he would like to try. Could be he excels at something not so typical. Maybe fencing. Or running cross country - for distance, or pole vaulting or dance or acting or bowling or curling or robotics or Olympics of the Mind or chess - there are so many options for kids!

Anonymous wrote:Karate didn't work out, but there are a TON of other non-team sports.

Bowlero has kid bowling leagues (my kids did this for a few years). rock climbing, fencing, golf, etc.

Also, WHy did you set him up for failure by signing him up for sports he doesn't know how to play (or rules)?
You should have pre-emptively given him exposure, pass the ball, watch on TV, etc.

Well the name of the class is "Beginner Field Hockey" and none of his friends had ever played it before either according to their moms. But he didn't pick up what to do as fast as the other boys did.

Anonymous wrote:Find him a team activity that isn't sports. Robotics, theater, band. There's a whole world out there that doesn't require athleticism where he can be happier.

He does a good variety of non-sports ECs but I do want him to get exercise.
My own mother did not allow me to do any ECs because of the expense / she didn't feel like chauffeuring so I guess I'm sort of over-enthusiastic about my kids trying all the things.

I have a very non-athletic girl who is now 17. I made her do cheer until middle school. She found and is now devoted to archery. She hates movement. I did ask that she at least try to exercise 3 times a week for 30 minutes for heart health. She does not need it for weight management as she is 100# and lanky but has low muscle tone. My youngest is kind of stocky but is extremely athletic and can do anything but is devoted to two sports. Let them be who they are but while young I would ask that he recreationally try one sport or swim.

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely sucked at every team sport as a kid, but I am a pretty decent tennis and pickleball player as an adult, and I enjoy other active stuff, so there is always something.

Pickleball lolz

Cut his manhood off. Snip snip

No team sports and physical activities. Try ninja courses, different martial arts (TKD is nice for some), diving! In HS he can do cross country or other track and field things. If he wants to. Get the team aspect in other things like math team etc.

1:1non team sports - tennis,skiing, swim.

My DS was similar. Tried everything and was good at nothing (diagnosed with dyspraxia, so it makes sense). By the third grade, both the parents and the coaches got frustrated and a few were outright mean about it, so we didn't sign him up for anything else.

I don't know the answer to this problem, but I recommend that you not let your DS stop being active altogether. We sort of let it all go and we regret it now.

Anonymous wrote:Find him a team activity that isn't sports. Robotics, theater, band. There's a whole world out there that doesn't require athleticism where he can be happier.

Yes! Sports are just one kind of activity. My almost grown sons did summer swim team for a while and then weight lifting and bike riding for fun, but their real favorite activities are all in arts and music.

Golf

He is the perfect age to start ballet and be a star of the studio regardless of how good he is. My brother and I grew up dancing together and we dance as adults now recreationally.

It’s hard, athletic, but lots of fun for non-sporty kids.

Robotics, theater, scouts

We've had luck with AYSO soccer. They have special needs kids on every team we've been on (mostly mild ASD) but it means the coaches are more understanding. Swim team, the non-competitive version. Golf because everyone is bad at golf. I was terrible at sports too, had the abusive coaches on rec teams etc. Enjoy most individual sports as an adult now.

Find him a team activity that isn't sports. Robotics, theater, band. There's a whole world out there that doesn't require athleticism where he can be happier.