How do I help my 12-year old play catch up in a sport where kids are playing as young as four?

Question

My son has been a late-bloomer for competitive sports. When I was a kid, some of us played on a team, once a week during the summer and got real serious in junior and high school. Now it seems like kids have to start early just so they can merely participate when they get older.

Our son would like to try out soccer, but how can he step into the sport when he may be low on the learning curve for his age? Suggestions?

Answer 1

ok being like your son and starting a sport at a later age. i would say what a lot of the others are and take him to practice and either buy him the tools necessary for him to practice on his own or look for a private tutor but w/e it takes soccer is a great sport and hope he has fun.

Answer 2

hire a varsity/college level player or a coach to "tutor" him in that sport.  have him practice alone and with friends, camps, leagues (if he's not good yet one that plays everyone equally--i think those are harder to find now a days b/c coaches just wanna win a lot). they also have coaching videos that help, or jsut have him watch some games and comment like see what that player just did, etc.  have him pay year round b/w indoor and outdoor rec. leagues.  and be very encouraging when he plays b/c it will be hard if others are better than him.

Answer 3

I think that I would learn everything about the sport and then coach him until her is where he should be.

Answer 4

Just take him to practice - learn from the coach and other parents and let him find out if he really likes it..

But this is very important - do NOT allow him top stop playing until he finishes his first season, we must finish what we start

Answer 5

if you have a like park district they might have baseball teams. like i play softball and we have ones and there were always knew girls joining, also some high schools (and maybe jr highs not mine) have summer camps for sports to learn it

Answer 6

Okay, well I play tennis and I started at a late age, 13, and then I stopped and now I have started again and I'm 15. I go to a summer tennis camp from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, 7 hours nonstop, everyday. If you want to get really good at any sport you need to put in the time. That's all there is to it. I am 15 and I would like to become a tennis professional by age 22, that's 7 years of steady nonstop playing. I know it's going to be tough, but it is possible, it you really want it and believe me, I DO! Just put in the time, try to get lessons, go to camps and even academies, if he wants it bad enough, he will do it! Good Luck!

Answer 7

get a soccer ball and practice. he can do it by himself if there is a wall or something he can kick the ball against or with someone else. if he has any friends who play soccer, he can get together with them and try playing just for fun with them for practice. then, he can try out for a school team or something like that. just keep practicing. it is always easier to start earlier and have more practice at something, but that doesn't mean that he shouldn't be able to play just b/c he didn't when he was younger.

Answer 8

Help him practice. Find someone older who's been playing most of their life and will be willing to teach your son. Practice practice practice!

Answer 9

have him do a begginning soccer camp with losts of footwork

Answer 10

There are beginner leagues for older kids too, and there are non competitive soccer teams where the point is just to have run. Maybe sign him up for one of those. As he gets better, he can advance to a higher more competitive league.

Answer 11

well he has to start somewhere.

just talk to the coach and let he/she know that your child has no experience.. I am sure they have classes for beginners at all ages..

Answer 12

just make her be four again baby her