Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:14
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Is it hard to make a public HS swim team in the DMV?
Seems like they all basically suck in the DMV area and it's almost the equivalent to a no-cut sport at most of the high schools (though unlike a sport like crew...if you can't swim a lap then you will be cut). I know our HS can't even get enough kids to swim.
I just don't understand why OP's kid has to continue swimming at some top club level if the only point is to be able swim for the HS team.
Seems like they all basically suck in the DMV area and it's almost the equivalent to a no-cut sport at most of the high schools (though unlike a sport like crew...if you can't swim a lap then you will be cut). I know our HS can't even get enough kids to swim.
I just don't understand why OP's kid has to continue swimming at some top club level if the only point is to be able swim for the HS team.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:11
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you even have kids? Who lets their child get bullied into disliking a sport and thinks that’s okay?
A kid saying to another kid “come play in our basketball team, it’s cool!” Is not bullying.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:09
Subject: Re:Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
This is so weird to me. Basketball is beside the point. He doesn't want to swim at the level he's swimming. Drop him down to fewer practices a week and let him do summer swim team/school team. It's fine. There are so many options with club swim. He can swim as few as 2x per week.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:08
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.
Why does the level matter? Are you looking for a scholarship? Just let him play with his friends.
None of the kids in either sport are going pro. Just let him play the one he enjoys.
He can swim at the very least all through high school at a high level. He will not be able to play organized basketball after he ages out of this local youth league.
Who cares if you can swim at a high level if you don't enjoy it (and the two are kind of opposite...if the kid does it just to please his parents, he won't be high level anymore).
There are actually plenty of HS rec basketball leagues. It is the easiest sport to continue playing at an organized level...albeit at a recreational level.
OP doesn't really indicate the HS. The DMV has some of the best HS teams in the country...and some that are piss-poor (Walls, Gaithersburg, St. Anselms, etc.).
OP's son will likely care when he gets to high school and has no sport. Also, people don't swim because it's "fun" the way they play basketball or soccer because it's fun. That's why there are pickup up basketball/soccer leagues. Nobody says to their friend, "hey, let's go swim 8,000 yards for fun!" There are plenty of reasons people keep swimming -- the goal setting, the sense of accomplishment, the incredible physical challenge, the amazing friends that swimmers make, the excitement at big swim meets, etc. Some people might feel a sense of peace or well-being as a result of swim practice, but it's not "fun." It's similar to working out/going to the gym--adults generally don't do that because it's "fun." People who know nothing about swimming and don't understand the sport or what motivates swimmers should not be giving advice on this board.
In a giant public high school at least, many kids have "no sport".
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:07
Subject: Re:Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Nothing about this story makes sense.
Other kids who suck at basketball in his local rec league (you said he's running circles around them with no basketball experience, right?) are also bullying him to say swimming is lame and basketball is cool? So kids are harassing him to play basketball with them, a sport they aren't good at and play at a low level?
I have a swimmer. You can fit in a low key basketball rec league without super uptight attendance expectations no problem. One practice a week and one game a weekend. My son did it for years. Our county provides the league through 12th grade. Which is common.
And agree you calling it travel swim is weird. No one ever calls it that.
#bullshit
Thanks for chiming in, Columbo. I think the pressure against swimming is coming from boys at school and friends he plays the online video games with, not the basketball team. And basketball seems fun because he believes he's really good without really any practice. While swimming is tons of practices to become as good as he's become. But he's not good at basketball, he only THINKS he's good. He is exceptional at swimming because of the practices and his body type.
Sorry I still don't buy that middle school boys give a shite if he swims or plays basketball. I don't know if you are in DC area but around here summer swim is a huge deal and good swimmers do have some social capital.
Again though why does he have to choose?
if he's doing club swim, then yes it's bit of a choice since practices/games/meets are both in the thick of winter season. If you have the flexibility of switching to morning practices for swim, then you could consider afternoons for basketball and just deal with the fact that you'll miss some meets/games here and there as winter/spring champs roll around, he'll just have to decide what's more important to him.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:07
Subject: Re:Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Nothing about this story makes sense.
Other kids who suck at basketball in his local rec league (you said he's running circles around them with no basketball experience, right?) are also bullying him to say swimming is lame and basketball is cool? So kids are harassing him to play basketball with them, a sport they aren't good at and play at a low level?
I have a swimmer. You can fit in a low key basketball rec league without super uptight attendance expectations no problem. One practice a week and one game a weekend. My son did it for years. Our county provides the league through 12th grade. Which is common.
And agree you calling it travel swim is weird. No one ever calls it that.
#bullshit
Thanks for chiming in, Columbo. I think the pressure against swimming is coming from boys at school and friends he plays the online video games with, not the basketball team. And basketball seems fun because he believes he's really good without really any practice. While swimming is tons of practices to become as good as he's become. But he's not good at basketball, he only THINKS he's good. He is exceptional at swimming because of the practices and his body type.
Don’t forget he hates it now.
Why don’t you want him to play the sport he enjoys?
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:05
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.
Why does the level matter? Are you looking for a scholarship? Just let him play with his friends.
None of the kids in either sport are going pro. Just let him play the one he enjoys.
He can swim at the very least all through high school at a high level. He will not be able to play organized basketball after he ages out of this local youth league.
Who cares if you can swim at a high level if you don't enjoy it (and the two are kind of opposite...if the kid does it just to please his parents, he won't be high level anymore).
There are actually plenty of HS rec basketball leagues. It is the easiest sport to continue playing at an organized level...albeit at a recreational level.
OP doesn't really indicate the HS. The DMV has some of the best HS teams in the country...and some that are piss-poor (Walls, Gaithersburg, St. Anselms, etc.).
OP's son will likely care when he gets to high school and has no sport. Also, people don't swim because it's "fun" the way they play basketball or soccer because it's fun. That's why there are pickup up basketball/soccer leagues. Nobody says to their friend, "hey, let's go swim 8,000 yards for fun!" There are plenty of reasons people keep swimming -- the goal setting, the sense of accomplishment, the incredible physical challenge, the amazing friends that swimmers make, the excitement at big swim meets, etc. Some people might feel a sense of peace or well-being as a result of swim practice, but it's not "fun." It's similar to working out/going to the gym--adults generally don't do that because it's "fun." People who know nothing about swimming and don't understand the sport or what motivates swimmers should not be giving advice on this board.
So, he can run track or cross country or join the crew team or the ultimate frisbee team that are generally no-cut...and continue to play in a HS basketball rec league with all his buddies if he so chooses. There are adult basketball, baseball, hockey and other team sports leagues that people continue to play, and then there are some people that go to the gym and some that do both.
Why does he have "no sport"?
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:01
Subject: Re:Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Nothing about this story makes sense.
Other kids who suck at basketball in his local rec league (you said he's running circles around them with no basketball experience, right?) are also bullying him to say swimming is lame and basketball is cool? So kids are harassing him to play basketball with them, a sport they aren't good at and play at a low level?
I have a swimmer. You can fit in a low key basketball rec league without super uptight attendance expectations no problem. One practice a week and one game a weekend. My son did it for years. Our county provides the league through 12th grade. Which is common.
And agree you calling it travel swim is weird. No one ever calls it that.
#bullshit
Thanks for chiming in, Columbo. I think the pressure against swimming is coming from boys at school and friends he plays the online video games with, not the basketball team. And basketball seems fun because he believes he's really good without really any practice. While swimming is tons of practices to become as good as he's become. But he's not good at basketball, he only THINKS he's good. He is exceptional at swimming because of the practices and his body type.
Sorry I still don't buy that middle school boys give a shite if he swims or plays basketball. I don't know if you are in DC area but around here summer swim is a huge deal and good swimmers do have some social capital.
Again though why does he have to choose?
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:57
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.
Why does the level matter? Are you looking for a scholarship? Just let him play with his friends.
None of the kids in either sport are going pro. Just let him play the one he enjoys.
He can swim at the very least all through high school at a high level. He will not be able to play organized basketball after he ages out of this local youth league.
Who cares if you can swim at a high level if you don't enjoy it (and the two are kind of opposite...if the kid does it just to please his parents, he won't be high level anymore).
There are actually plenty of HS rec basketball leagues. It is the easiest sport to continue playing at an organized level...albeit at a recreational level.
OP doesn't really indicate the HS. The DMV has some of the best HS teams in the country...and some that are piss-poor (Walls, Gaithersburg, St. Anselms, etc.).
OP's son will likely care when he gets to high school and has no sport. Also, people don't swim because it's "fun" the way they play basketball or soccer because it's fun. That's why there are pickup up basketball/soccer leagues. Nobody says to their friend, "hey, let's go swim 8,000 yards for fun!" There are plenty of reasons people keep swimming -- the goal setting, the sense of accomplishment, the incredible physical challenge, the amazing friends that swimmers make, the excitement at big swim meets, etc. Some people might feel a sense of peace or well-being as a result of swim practice, but it's not "fun." It's similar to working out/going to the gym--adults generally don't do that because it's "fun." People who know nothing about swimming and don't understand the sport or what motivates swimmers should not be giving advice on this board.
+1 Parent of 2 teen boy swimmers with AA/AAA times. I asked them a few months ago if swimming was fun. Both said no. Both would rather be doing football, basketball, or lacrosse (youngest is trying out lax). (PP - post about letting your boy come to terms on his own). Granted, getting any thoughtful answers from boys is like pissing in the wind, but take it for what it's worth.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:50
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Let him pick what he loves.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:47
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.
Why does the level matter? Are you looking for a scholarship? Just let him play with his friends.
None of the kids in either sport are going pro. Just let him play the one he enjoys.
He can swim at the very least all through high school at a high level. He will not be able to play organized basketball after he ages out of this local youth league.
Who cares if you can swim at a high level if you don't enjoy it (and the two are kind of opposite...if the kid does it just to please his parents, he won't be high level anymore).
There are actually plenty of HS rec basketball leagues. It is the easiest sport to continue playing at an organized level...albeit at a recreational level.
OP doesn't really indicate the HS. The DMV has some of the best HS teams in the country...and some that are piss-poor (Walls, Gaithersburg, St. Anselms, etc.).
OP's son will likely care when he gets to high school and has no sport. Also, people don't swim because it's "fun" the way they play basketball or soccer because it's fun. That's why there are pickup up basketball/soccer leagues. Nobody says to their friend, "hey, let's go swim 8,000 yards for fun!" There are plenty of reasons people keep swimming -- the goal setting, the sense of accomplishment, the incredible physical challenge, the amazing friends that swimmers make, the excitement at big swim meets, etc. Some people might feel a sense of peace or well-being as a result of swim practice, but it's not "fun." It's similar to working out/going to the gym--adults generally don't do that because it's "fun." People who know nothing about swimming and don't understand the sport or what motivates swimmers should not be giving advice on this board.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:37
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.
Why does the level matter? Are you looking for a scholarship? Just let him play with his friends.
None of the kids in either sport are going pro. Just let him play the one he enjoys.
He can swim at the very least all through high school at a high level. He will not be able to play organized basketball after he ages out of this local youth league.
Who cares if you can swim at a high level if you don't enjoy it (and the two are kind of opposite...if the kid does it just to please his parents, he won't be high level anymore).
There are actually plenty of HS rec basketball leagues. It is the easiest sport to continue playing at an organized level...albeit at a recreational level.
OP doesn't really indicate the HS. The DMV has some of the best HS teams in the country...and some that are piss-poor (Walls, Gaithersburg, St. Anselms, etc.).
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:33
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.
Why does the level matter? Are you looking for a scholarship? Just let him play with his friends.
None of the kids in either sport are going pro. Just let him play the one he enjoys.
He can swim at the very least all through high school at a high level. He will not be able to play organized basketball after he ages out of this local youth league.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:32
Subject: Re:Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Nothing about this story makes sense.
Other kids who suck at basketball in his local rec league (you said he's running circles around them with no basketball experience, right?) are also bullying him to say swimming is lame and basketball is cool? So kids are harassing him to play basketball with them, a sport they aren't good at and play at a low level?
I have a swimmer. You can fit in a low key basketball rec league without super uptight attendance expectations no problem. One practice a week and one game a weekend. My son did it for years. Our county provides the league through 12th grade. Which is common.
And agree you calling it travel swim is weird. No one ever calls it that.
#bullshit
Thanks for chiming in, Columbo. I think the pressure against swimming is coming from boys at school and friends he plays the online video games with, not the basketball team. And basketball seems fun because he believes he's really good without really any practice. While swimming is tons of practices to become as good as he's become. But he's not good at basketball, he only THINKS he's good. He is exceptional at swimming because of the practices and his body type.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:32
Subject: Tween DS is amazing at sport he now hates, loves sport he's medicore at
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He's fortunate to be playing a sport he loves. Clearly, let him do it. Are you seriously considering pressuring him to drop a sport he enjoys to do something he doesn't?
Do you understand higher level teen basketball? It's too late. He's not good enough to play past this little local league.
Why does the level matter? Are you looking for a scholarship? Just let him play with his friends.
None of the kids in either sport are going pro. Just let him play the one he enjoys.