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In the world of competitive sports, nothing compares to the thrill of making a big game play. Whether it’s hitting a home run in baseball or curling a shot into the upper 90 in a tight soccer match, that unparalleled euphoria can keep an athlete humming for days. But not everyone is going to be a star performer or a crucial cog in a winning team. At the end of the day, that shouldn’t matter for many; sports and other athletic activities can provide an enjoyable outlet and an excellent fitness regimen, whether a child boasts natural athleticism or not.
For this former athlete, it became clear pretty early on that some of my sporting endeavors weren’t going to lead to success, a message firmly received in 3rd grade after a severely misjudged pop fly landed squarely on my face, rather than nestling gently into my glove. Such outfield faux paus, when stood alongside my statistic of having only one fair hit per season, could have spelled trouble with teammates if it meant throwing away a close game and condemning us to a negative result. But this wasn’t that kind of league. The competitive travel leagues were out there, but our young crew opted to join up with a casual summer rec league, eager to try out the sport and have something to do for our couple of free months. I still have fond memories from casual baseball and soccer leagues, and even the dreaded swim camp.
There are so many benefits to youth sports, but be careful to manage expectations. The danger for many kids is that intense sporting pressure will tie their mental health to athletic performance and results, two things which may not always entirely be in their control. But on the flipside, successful sporting excursions can release more endorphins and unlock that elated feeling from the “runner’s high.”
That’s why communication is key with a child interested in sports. If they’re looking for another social opportunity, then there are plenty of recreational leagues to join that place more of an emphasis on fun. (Alternatively, it’s not too hard to organize a group session with a bunch of friends from school or the neighborhood on a nice day.) If a child says they’re interested in further competition, then it pays off to do some research on local club teams to find a coach or environment that’s the best fit for their sporting and mental development.
But the step up to a new level might never be required. Many young athletes prefer to play the game they enjoy alongside friends, and that’s quite all right.
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