Kids in Sports

Bob Cortese
The Edmond Sun

July 03, 2008 11:51 pm

— It is hard for parents to know whether their young child should be a team player or take to individual sports. I am not sure anyone knows the answer. I couldn’t find any research that proved certain children temperament, behavior, or attitude make them better individual athletes, or produce stronger team members.
Experts agree that giving children an opportunity to participate in both individual and team sports will help them make the right choice.
Some youngsters are great team players, while others seem to enjoy going it alone. Some enjoy both. Kids will eventually gravitate and show their preference by saying they prefer skiing to soccer, or hockey instead of wrestling.
I agree that experimentation is the only way to find out if a child will thrive in team or individual sports. Parents usually enroll or encourage their child to participate in sports that they feel is best for the child.
Many times it is chosen because the parent participated in that sport, or they themselves enjoy that sport. That is okay, you have to start somewhere.
If you can, however, try and put your child in sports that seem to interest them. As their parent you need to stop, look, and listen as the child will send messages to how they feel. Be smart and don’t try to force a round peg into a square hole.
Enjoying competition as an individual is much different than savoring a victory with team members.
Remember youth sports are supposed to be fun. If your child is not having fun in the particular sport they are participating at the time, then move on and try something else.
Remember, this is coach Bob Cortese reminding you if you can’t be a good athlete, at least be a good sport.

Individual sports
Golf
Martial Arts
Skiing
Wrestling
Gymnastics
Swimming

Team Sports
Soccer
Football
Baseball
Softball
Lacrosse
Basketball
Hockey