Team sports are great for boosting confidence, coordination, and athletic ability. They also teach kids sportsmanship and how to play or work with others. But some kids aren’t naturally athletic, or just don’t like competition or the pressure that comes from a team sport. What then? Is there a way for a child to reap the benefits of team sports, without being forced into a game of hockey or basketball? This article explores activity options for kids outside of team sports.
GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM
There are several reasons why your child might not want to play a sport. It might also be hard for them to express why or where their reluctance is coming from. It’s important to find out though and work through it with them. Your end goal here isn’t to convince them to continue with the sport, rather show them they can overcome anything. Some common reasons kids won’t want to participate:
- They’re still developing the basic skills. Your child might feel frustrated seeing a teammate dribble a basketball when they’re still working on their hand-eye coordination. Being able to practice in a safe environment, without feeling rushed or judged might be all they need.
- The league is too competitive. A child that’s already nervous will probably feel extra pressure with an organization that’s too focused on winning. Talking to coaches in advance about their philosophy or parents who are also a part of the league can help you get to know the play environment in advance.
- Performance Anxiety. Many kids feel pressure on a team, they worry that they’ll let their teammates, coaches, and parents down. Helping your child set realistic expectations and reminding them the goal is to have fun and be healthy can foster more positive feelings towards sports.
BEING ACTIVE WITHOUT TEAM SPORTS
When a child is younger, it can be easier for them to get in their required daily fitness, simply from running around and playing. As they age though, you might find they need a purpose or a reason to be active, especially for an hour a day.
This is why we mentioned getting to the root of the problem. If, for example, they have performance anxiety then they may like the idea of joining a yoga or fitness class. This way they reap the social and structural benefits of a class, without the pressure.
If your child likes competing but doesn’t want their performance directly connected to others then they may like swimming, gymnastics, or martial arts. If the opposite is true for your child though, and they don’t want the competition, hiking, rollerblading, or skateboarding might be fitting.
SUPPORTING YOUR KID’S CHOICE
Sports can be a difficult area for parents to relate to their kids with. If one parent loved hockey as a kid and still plays it, it’s natural to want the same for your child. On the other hand, if a parent has never been active or interested in sports, they may not understand their child’s new obsession with basketball.
Either way, try to stay open-minded so he/she feels comfortable talking to you about their feelings. Encourage them as you go and be patient as they figure it out. It might become frustrating if a child switches from skating to gymnastics, to karate, to tennis… but when something clicks, you and your child will be glad you invested the time and effort.
