Anonymous wrote:I agree with field hockey. Give me a break that it’s some sacred sport they can’t break into

Ok, good luck with that.

Kudos to you OP for supporting your DD in trying a new freshman sport!

This can be an amazing friendship opportunity if your HS has freshman teams. If no freshman team but JV has a lot of freshmen players also great. Hopefully, there is a team at your school that is:
- not super serious
-more fun-oriented
-likely to have other freshman girls in the same boat (little to no experience, primary reason for joining the team is social)

many freshman teams are like this even at super sporty schools-- I'm basing this on older DD at SJC.

If you want to help DD choose wisely between sports -- I would have her>
1. Seriously consider Field Hockey and Crew, plus any other no cut sports.
maybe volleyball if you are in an area that it's not super popular (this really depends on the school)

2. Go to any camps or open gyms for the sport this summer (especially field hockey or volleyball) ! The camp itself can be a great friendship opportunity and trial run for the sport

3. If the school doesn't have a camp, consider a camp near your school.

If you share the school on the forum, DCUM could give you better and more specific advice

Anonymous wrote:I agree with field hockey. Give me a break that it’s some sacred sport they can’t break into

This depends on the school. Some schools are very competitive and girls get cut even with experience.

Anonymous wrote:If she doesn't want cross country, she could always do indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring, and do the field events. Jumping, pole vault, throwing - most kids have never done any of this before.

Agreed!

It really depends on her school. Volleyball could be an option, but it's actually very tough to make at my kids' school. Same for field hockey.

I agree with field hockey. Give me a break that it’s some sacred sport they can’t break into

Anonymous wrote:Why not find out which sports are no cut? If her school is not competitive there may be a few options - cross country and track for sure, but perhaps others like softball or field hockey. She can pick whatever she likes best, and then use her freshman year to gain some skills nd experience and maybe she’ll decide she likes it and will work and get better!

This! Everyone is missing that the high school is not competitive and there are many no-cut sports.

OP - are you in MCPS or somewhere else? Which sports are her friends trying out for? Unless she wants to tryout for the same team as her friends, have her try out for field hockey. There are plenty of kids who have never picked up a stick and they can make varsity as freshmen at certain schools.

If she doesn't want cross country, she could always do indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring, and do the field events. Jumping, pole vault, throwing - most kids have never done any of this before.

Anonymous wrote:


This is a very bad recommendation. Basketball is incredibly difficult and frustrating to play until you get the skills. My HS player started in 2nd grade as did most teammates. And the rules are not straightforward (notwithstanding what 99.99% of people shouting incorrect nonsense at refs believe).


Agree, basketball is very difficult to join late.

Cross country, maybe tennis, swim, or what about dance team or cheer?

I don't want to be discouraging, but I would drop tennis from this list. My son made his high school team as a freshman, but the team cut most of the kids who had not previously played (he has taken weekly private lessons since he was 9). It is not an easy sport to learn, and takes time.

Make a list of the no cut sports and then ask her which one appeals to her. This is not a DCUM question. It’s a question to ask your daughter.

Anonymous wrote:Try tennis it’s very easy

Crew may be a grind but every person is an important part of the team

Anonymous wrote:Field Hockey is the perfect beginner sport for HS.

Not at my kids’ high school now, and not at my own decades ago. Really hard team to make, and almost impossible for someone who didn’t already play a team sport.

Anonymous wrote:When in doubt lacrosse

Or field hockey

Field Hockey is the perfect beginner sport for HS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spend summer playing basketball with her. She can learn rules later, get the skills.

And Pickleball. Super fun. Played at lots of schools and colleges. Contrary to the people who post only an old person sport, it takes skill but not as hard as tennis to learn. Look up 16 yr old Anna Leigh Waters.

This is a very bad recommendation. Basketball is incredibly difficult and frustrating to play until you get the skills. My HS player started in 2nd grade as did most teammates. And the rules are not straightforward (notwithstanding what 99.99% of people shouting incorrect nonsense at refs believe).

Agree, basketball is very difficult to join late.

Cross country, maybe tennis, swim, or what about dance team or cheer? I agree about drama club being a terrific choice also.

That’s great she’s interested and I think her instincts are right. She’s going to have to ask around at school & figure out what the easiest sport is. It does vary from school to school.