My son's played soccer and I hated it. lol. Then they got into Little League baseball, then school baseball and we loved it, so did they.

What about baseball in the summer? Soccer requires a LOT of running. Baseball lets each player "shine" in the position they're best at. Even outfield. Of course one of my son's ended up with shoulder surgery sliding into first base. lol.

Sports teaches teamwork, how to be a good loser (sometimes, lol), and he'll make a lot of friends.

BUT...if he isn't interested in sports, then don't force him, but it wouldn't hurt to get him started, he may end up liking them.

Def. don't force him. DS1 has been playing soccer since he was 3yrs old (6 now). We've always left it up to him to tell us if he wanted to play the following season. So far he's only missed telling us once and he was not happy when he realized registration had come and gone. He plays Spring and Fall.

Whenever a registration comes up w/ any sport we casually say 'Hey - are you interested in checking this out?'. Even Dance and Art classes.

Does he show passion to want to play it? No not so much when he's on the field but he thinks it's fun. He played T-Ball last year and hated it in the beginning. Always wanted to quit but we reminded him that he has to finish someting that he's started. He's part of a team and they are also depending on him to show up and do his best. We told him that it doesn't mean he has to play the following season (but now he wants to).

He's at an age now w/ soccer where you can kind of tell who is totally into it to play soccer and win and are aggressive on the field and who just wants to hang out and have fun (my son). We've told him that he's at an age now where if he wants to play he has to start taking it more seriously.

I bought DH a great book about parents, kids and sports by Cal Ripken. Very good book.

Worst thing that ever happened was when DH coached DS1's team. The child was a spoiled rotten nightmare. I've heard that happens when a parent coaches the same team.

My DH was not interested in playing team sports. He did however like to hike, and his parents encouraged him.

He ended up hiking the entire Appalachian trail from start to finish in his early twenties.

DS was never interested in team sports either and we didn't push it. He loved to swim and was on a team for a year and actually did very well but when he changed schools he didn't rejoin the team. Said that doing laps all the time was boring.

As for not being good if you don't start early, the HS DS attended required a season of a team sport each year. He chose tennis. He had played before but nothing serious. He ended up on varsity and in 11th grade his team ended up in the finals (had to travel and play during final exams, it was actually too much and I'm glad it only happened once), and he also ended up getting coach's award. But best thing of all was he enjoyed it.

The best advice I can give is to watch your son for what his interests are and encourage those. As a boy, DH loved to tear apart engines and rebuild them. What he learned doing that has come in very handy over his lifetime!

My son played little league, b-ball and soccer, he enjoyed b-ball best, but this was all when he was a little kid, under 10yo. By middle school he was no longer interested, but took up skateboarding instead. He got so good as an amature, he was slated for pro, but found other things instead (a job!).

My girls also dabbled, but it never stuck. None of my kids regrets it.

OTOH, my nephew was put in sports the day he could hold a t-ball bat, and he played thru middle school, but he really hated it, did it b/c his parents pretty much made him. I suspect that it has a lot to do with my brothers lack of confidence...he's got 2 other boys who are baseball/football and he's the coach for several teams...it gives HIM something to feel good about and a social network. My eldest nephew is more academic, and does not echo his father's sentiments. My brother didn't play sports, however, until an adult when he got into softball.

My DH played football in HS, but it was due to his size more than his interest. He's not into sports at all.

I did not play team sports (probably b/c girls couldn't play soccer or baseball when I was a kid) but I grew up to love playing softball and was on several leagues till my legs got too bad to play. I love sports.

Does your city/town offer any of the team sports through Parks and Recreation? Sometimes those are a more laid-back intro to different sports than the privately-sponsored teams, and may be a less stressful intro for your son. I had three brothers, and none of them played any sports growing up (no money for uniforms, etc.). However, all three are in great shape (40s-50s) due to other healthy pursuits: cycling, hiking, swimming. My DH played tennis in middle high and HS very competively, but never plays it now; he much rather go golfing or hiking. Sometimes I think team sports are over-emphasized in the US, while having kids be active in other ways is not. Good luck finding a good fit for you son!

I agree with those who said not to force it. My DH was a baseball star when he was younger. Our first DS was born on Opening Day in a hospital overlooking Fenway Park. You can imagine the plans DH was making in his head! When DS was around 5, DH was throwing the wiffle ball to him and he was trying to hit it, mostly unsuccessfully. Finally DS put down the bat, looked at DH and said, "Do I HAVE to know how to do this??" That was the end of his baseball (and most other sports) career. (We do have another DS who is very involved with sports, BTW, and a DD who is a competitive gymnast.)

DS has avoided sports like the plaque for most of his life, but he enjoys swimming, biking, and now, at age 17, he has played on an Ultimate Frisbee team at school for the past 3 years, and does rock climbing (school sponsored) in the fall. (His school requires some type of sport, which is the only reason he would have signed up, but he does enjoy the climbing and tolerates the frisbee.)

I do think it can be easier for boys socially if they're involved in team sports, but I don't think it's something kids should be forced to do. Some kids just don't enjoy team sports.

My son didn't love soccer, but he played AYSO and on school teams. By around 8th grade, he got interested in the game itself. So, his coach, who really was a great guy, talked him into becoming a ref. He loved it.

My husband's a very serious amateur cyclist--he's on a team, rode the Tour de France route, and previously he'd played hockey in school.

Not being good at soccer isn't exactly a handicap to a happy life. But if your kid has a lot energy, finding a way to channel that is certainly useful.

I think team sports can build character. I enrolled my kids in sports automatically. If they didn't like the sport and wanted to quit, I would have them choose something else instead. Max took knitting lessons once when he was 6.

Theater, sports, music, dance, kayaking. Our kids did it all. I think it is important for the kids to be exposed to many things and be willing participants. We had one rule. If you join a sports team, you play the whole season. I didn't want to raise quitters.

Our kids ended up loving soccer and played on traveling teams from childhood throughout high school ($$$). Max quit soccer as a junior when it was very clear he was late hitting puberty and his small size on the field was dangerous. (He looks 8 years old in his driver license photo.)

My DH and I always said we would present opportunities and fuel their passions - as long as they were wholesome. It worked out pretty good for us.

Wow, some good advice, I like the idea of a private sports class, with lesss competition. Thanks so much everyone, I feel okay that he is not interested now.

Both DS and DD played soccer in a community youth league. The focus was on skills and fun. eventually they found a sport they loved- football when my DS was entering 9th grade, and field hockey for my DD at the same age.
Most of the kids play soccer- outdoor and in- so there were always lots of kids they knew on their teams.
We also found that baseball and softball brought out the worst in coaches and parents!

I think the private sports camp will give him the exposure to see if he likes the sport.

I have three boys and they all played sports of some kind. We started out in soccer. It's the easiest because it doesn't require alot of "skill" at 6-7 years old and most kids at that age like to run around! We also did t-ball, and baseball, but that only lasted until 4th grade. They just didn't like standing around and my youngest son developed a fear of being hit after getting beaned a few time while batting.

Hockey became the sport of choice for all three of my boys - that and golf. Hockey is the best sport, I can't say enough about how much my kids enjoyed it.

I will say that if your son doesn't want to play then listen to him. I would tell him he needs to try different sports because every one of them is different and he may really like something that he doesn't even think he'd like.

Get him into swim lessons, or on a summer swim team. Some kids who aren't soccer kind of kids like to swim. My kids never did football because they were small - but on hockey skates they were madmen on the ice. Being small wasn't an issue because they were fast.

If your son is quiet or reserved, perhaps tae kwon do (sp?) or karate would be a good sport for him. My nephew gained incredible self confidence and focus doing tae kwon do. It really helped him in school too. Now he's playing hockey too!

I would encourage all kids to play a sport. It's good exercise, it helps develop social skills and friendships. It doesn't have to be super competitive or winning is everything type participation.

I agree w/ Caroleoh about trying something individual if he's quiet or reserved. DS1 is neither but the whole 'group of kids running together to get 1 ball' doesn't seem to be his thing. He's not a 'get in there' kind of kid but he really wants to do something so I've been feeling him out about a martial arts class or Tap classes since he likes to do that.

Neither of my kids are sports kids. Son grew up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and loved Karate until I signed him up for a year (that was the cheapest & I was sure he'd love it). I was a single parent at the time; my "mother" hated Karate and talked him into how crummy it was; so here was hundreds of $$ blown.

We move out, I get him into local baseball - talk about expensive - make sure you look into what it's going to cost you before you open your mouth & he gets excited - there was a $75 registration fee IIRC - you also had to pay for uniforms, plus a $50 deposit that you got back after you worked the snack stand during games - and it wasn't necessarily when your child would be playing. If they scheduled you, you were expected to work. You then had whatever expense was left - cup, glove; cleats.

Daughter wanted to play soccer on her own at one point for the school, at this point she was older; all the kids were wearing expensive Nike cleats. Needless to say, she didn't play long due to an injury she got elsewhere; so it was money wasted.

So, as a single parent, sports have not been a favorite of mine because of the cost. I was relieved when my son stopped wanting to play ball because I couldn't afford it.

My two kiddos are 10 years apart in age. DH & I were somewhat older in age when our first child (DS) was born. Money was not a problem and we were gung-ho to get our son involved in any sport he was interested in. As kids, DH was very involved with basketball, golf and skiing, while I was enthralled with softball, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and then skiing.

Our son first got involved with T-Ball, then baseball. He was never a "quitter"; in fact, he was such a jock, he excelled at every sport he's ever tried. When he asked to move on to another sport, it was only because he wanted to try another new one. Like many of you, though, we always required that he finish out the season. After baseball, he started with karate, archery, basketball and golf (First Tee). He enjoyed First Tee golf a lot. With karate, though, despite winning numerous tournaments, we decided to move on because "it's not fun anymore, Mom". Karate, like baseball, got to the point where the coaches ruined it for the kids . . . their own egos, needing to win at all costs,got in the way and ruined it for the kids. Next DS tried soccer. Of all the sports DS participated in, he loved soccer the most . . . but we, his parents, ended up hating it!
Perhaps, because we're older parents, we look at kids' sports as great exercise and opportunities for learning teamwork. Unfortunately, the soccer coaches DS had (and the ones we encountered too many times over the years with our friends' and family's kids), seemed to focus on practice, practice, practice and WINNING. Our DS had no free time! If there wasn't a practice, there was a game. Holidays became, not family time, but GAME TIME. To us, it became sick. Sure, sports are great, but there should be time for school, homework, for family, for non-soccer friends, for church and (heaven forbid!) time for doing absolutely nothing but lying under a tree, watching the clouds and daydreaming! In other words, time for our kids to fill their own free time. In retrospect, I think too many sports these days are governed by parents (many but not all) who live vicariously through the kids they coach.

Ten years later, DD was old enough to play sports. We absolutely vetoed soccer, but all the rest were open to her. We've always encouraged our kids to get involved in a sport, but have left it to them as to which one. DD first tried basketball, but soon realized that she , unlike her big brother, did not like team sports. Next she got involved in figure skating. She loved it and did very well but again, her coach ruined it for her by constantly pushing her to compete! (Sigh!) Next she tried golf in the First Tee Program. Although she enjoyed this program and did well, she eventually moved on to tennis and ski club. But, I do have to say that with both our kids, the First Tee program was ~ by far~ the best sports program they've been involved in. This worldwide program for kids of all ages, first and foremost stresses honesty, good morals, homor in living and how you play the game over winning. This is a program we highly recommend. Now in 10th grade, DD is still on her school's tennis team and in their ski club. She's asking to try karate in addition to these, which seems reasonable to us. Ski club being a Winter-only sport here in New Mexico and Tennis team being a Spring sport. Frankly, I'd love to know that she's able to take care of herself in possible scary situations that (heaven forbid) may arise!

Looking back now, I'm convinced that kids should all be involved in some form of physical exercise and that sports are a great way to achieve that . . . IF ~ and only IF~
(1) they truly enjoy the sport
(2) the focus of the sport is exercise and fun, and not winning at all costs
(3) the coach has his/her head on straight

and (4) the coach puts REAL LIFE into it's proper perspective: family, school, non-sports friends and downtime should be equally important and the majority of free time should not be taken up with that one sport.

Anyhoo, that's my experience with kid's sports and my own opinion on the matter. If it comes down to one thing, it would be that, while sports and exercise are important, kids should always have free time to do absolutely nothing if they choose.
Lynn

I'm an introvert and disliked team sports and gym class when we had to play basketball and all that. I just didn't get it and dreaded every minute.

However, I excelled at individual sports and wish I'd had more exposure to them. Figure skating came very easily to me and I had a blast with my friends. My DH is a golfer and I found that I was naturally good at golf, too, and wish I'd known in high school and joined the golf team back then. I just figured I'd hate it and didn't understand the difference between team sports and individual sports.

Just one last thought after reading Lynne's post. I agree that sometimes sports get to be way over the top competitively and the perspective of what's important can be lost.

But, I also see the benefits of a competitive sports team. It teaches discipline and how to be competitive. I think one of the things that is lacking in our youth is that drive to excel and compete. My son's all played fairly competitively, and had plenty of down time - in fact, if they didn't play sports I think they would have had too much down time. Xbox, facebook, Family Guy, King of the Hill - are all favorite pastimes of many teens and I consider all of the above to be major brain zappers.

So, as in most things, it's doing things in moderation and with common sense. I've spent many a weekend at a hockey tournament or sitting in a driving rain storm at a soccer game. Would I like to have somewhere else? Of course, I never was one not to go watch my kid play - so my hubby or I were always at their events. Once it got to the point where they weren't loving it anymore then we would try something else or stick with something he already was good at and liked!

I'm rambling a bit here, but I do believe that keeping your child busy and off the computer and video game and TV route is a responsibility that isn't the easy route. It's much easier to just let them come home from school, watch TV, hang at Billy's house playing Xbox, come home for dinner, do some homework, watch more TV, finish off with a couple hours of Xbox then bed.

I know I'm fast forwarding way ahead of a 7 year old as was the OP's question, but behaviors and habits that start at 7, carry forward to the teen years and then it really is hard to change the routine of a teenager.

I didn't read all the responses and don't have kids so I can only talk from being one.

I don't think I would force him.

Your sister's comment caught my eye with "if we don't get them in early than they will never really be as good as those who have played for years."
I completely disagree.

My parents were athletic and involved with sports. Dad since he was wee little and Mom in high school. We weren't allowed to play sports and be in all kinds of activities as kids. We were told once we hit high school, and sports were offered through the school, we could (which was 7th grade). My Dad worked long hours and Mom worked on and off through the years. She wasn't going to run all the time dragging us from sport to Girl Scouts, piano lessons, etc. As a kid I was a little disappointed but I also want to point out there wasn't much around where we live besides girl scouts or softball. I only ever wanted to try softball because of my one friend. ( BTW, never again had a desire to play.) Anyhow, as an adult I don't blame my parents one bit for that decision. I see parents running their kids every night to something and they don't have time to be a breathe. In 4th grade band was offered and I wanted to play the trumpet. Two weeks into it I wanted to quite and wasn't allowed. I'm glad they had me stay with it. I played all the way up until I graduated. Once I hit high school I played sports. I played on the varsity team as a freshman. I was very good at everything I was involved in and it was rare for Mom to miss a game, meet, etc. Dad was there when he could be. Schedules were very crazy.

There's always room for improvement but I think a kid is generally either athletic or not. If you're not quite as good and you actually like the sport, most times you'll practice and practice even on your own time until you get better.

DH thinks like your sister. (Yes, even though I'm a first hand example proving him wrong.) His parents were athletic and involved in sports as well. DH and his brothers all played sports as kids. He's passionate about having our future kids in activities when they're super little all the way up through the years. I've seen kids get burn out on sports. Kids that started when they were 2 wrestling and hated it by high school.

A big difference from back then to now was we were made to go outside and play. When we did get a Nintendo and Super Nintendo our time was limited. So that being said, I think it's better for a kid to be involved with something vs. sitting on the couch in front of the tv, video games, or computer.

I have no idea what we'll end up doing when the time comes. If they want to, I'm sure we'll give the ok but it's very important to me that we keep a balance.

I know all this depends on a bunch of different factors but that's my story.

I also want to add that I was then and still am now more of an introvert.

I wouldn't worry about it much right now. Going back to all kids are different.

Your son could be a super star someday. :)

To some extent I think it depends on the community in which you live. If there are a lot of kids in your neighborhood outside playing impromptu games, then you may not need organized sports. But, if your son does not have a lot of neighborhood friends, organized sports can be a way to connect and be active. I would provide a list of activities and let him pick an interest. Left to their own devices, many kids will engage in brain zappers instead of living life.

Organized or no, help your son to learn how to catch, hit a ball, throw a football, etc.. He will be expected to know how to do these things when he is older, and you will want him to do so with confidence. He will learn some of this stuff in PE but it takes practice.

Of course sports may not be for your son, and he may hate it, but I would try it first.

I'm also a fan of putting kids in scouts to learn survival skills and citizenship, among other things.

I was just listening to what a problem obesity is for our kids today and reflecting on a few things. I grew up in an isolated community/township and attended a one room school who served students from first through eighth grade.

Every single day we had 'PE' and lunch time was always included a game of softball if it wasn't raining. The eighth graders played with the first graders, since there was only 18 kids in the whole school.

Many of today's kids don't get enough exercise. Frankly, I am alarmed by all the teen girls with their muffin tops. It seems acceptable to let it all hang out these days. I keep thinking, "What will they look like after they have children?"

I know this is harsh but sports activity, regardless of what level of competition, seems like a great thing to promote. I know Max loved his new soccer ball gift for Christmas. At almost 22, I know he will love kicking it around Golden Gate Park on his days off. And I appreciate my role in his love of exercise and sports.

My kids were hitting balls with bats as soon as they were old enough to hold a plastic bat. As a parent, I also appreciated the parents of the soccer crowd far and away over the baseball parent crowd. Maybe it's different around here but the soccer parents are much mellower here. Our coach wouldn't even let parents shout encouragement at games.

Sports seems like one good way to ensure our kids stay physically fit.

My coworker told me something really interesting just after his brother passed away, when we chatted about my son 9yr doing sports. He was not into sport as a child. He liked to fish and played the piano. He was not a nerd by any means but just not into sports. His dad pushed his other two brothers into sports and focused on them because they were interested. He told me he is sucessful college graduate who owns his own home and could retire easily at 50. He has one brother who just died mid 40s practically homeless, probably from drugs in his sleep. His other brother is basically talks to cats. He is like one of those old ladies with too many cats and is somewhat of a recluse and literally thinks he can talk to his cats. My coworker said his dad put so much effort into the boys doing sports and worried that my coworker would end up weird or dead. My coworker ended up just fine.

So do sports make you a better person, I don't think so. But if a child really wants to do something you should allow them. If they don't you should not worry. I always wished I had parents who would have taken me to sports and let me do things like that. They didn't and I am just fine.

I think children should be allowed to be involved in the things that they have an interest in whether it's sports or theater or whatever. If your son hasn't shown a real interest in playing an organized sport, it may be a struggle to get him to practices. This is of course assuming that he's had exposure to these sports to have formed an opinion. DS1(13 now) played baseball at that age because his friends played, but he was always the kid turning cartwheels in the outfield because the pace was too slow. He now plays lacrosse where you get to run around constantly(he's a middie) and hit kids with your stick. With baseball I was always yelling, "Hurry up and get your cup on, we're going to be late." Now he's the one shouting, "Let's go, mom" in the car and ready to go 15 minutes early.

We've always signed DS1 up for any and all activities that he has shown an interest in being involved in. He's ADHD and could handle the rigors of a cross country meet followed by a mad dash in the car to a football game, then home to pack for an out of town lacrosse tournament. That being said, most typical kids would be miserable with that type of a schedule. Kids flourish when given the opportunity to explore their interests. If your DS hasn't shown any real interest in soccer, I wouldn't push him into it.

There is no truth to the axiom that your child's sports career is finished if he hasn't started by 7. DS1 started playing lacrosse relatively late(10,) but was playing on an elite u-15 travel team this summer when he was 12 turning 13.

If your child has other interests, I'd foster them so long as he does get some physical activity. Not every child wants to play sports, but they usually want to do something whether it's horseback riding(much more physical than one might think,) or scouting, or building things. DS1 sings and dances in the glee club and if he wanted we'd look into community theater, etc.

I do feel that physical activity is important. We talk about lifetime fitness in our home. We play tennis. DH is in a volleyball league. I go to the gym 5 days a week and yoga on the weekends. We hike during the summer months and cross country ski in the winter months. I'm a 2nd degree black belt and DS1 is a brown belt in Tang Soo Do Karate. DS2(5yrs old) will be playing his first season of lacrosse this spring. He runs around the house with DS1's old gloves and stick and can't wait to get out on the field.

One question would be is what do you hope he will get out of sports and if organized sports are the best to teach this to your highly individual child. Some kids respond well to sports and others do not.

So far, my older children (11 and 8) have not expressed an interest in sports and team sports are not really conducive to our lifestyle or schedules. Giving them a habit of physical activity is so we try to teach them those skills that will benefit them as adults, going on hikes, walks around the neighborhood, dancing to silly music, etc. Not to mention, chores.

Before considering organized sports as well I would talk to other parents who are involved in them. In our area, the baseball teams are stacked. All of the good players are on one team which always wins. This is certainly teaches kids something about life, but not the positive aspects.

Neither of my kids are interested in sports either. My DS tried baseball. He was more into how he looked (at 5 yr old!) than the sport. He now is into karate and loves it. (I like it because there are no weekends involved, LOL!). Plus he get the exercise. I think that is very important.

My DD is the one I'm having problems with. I can't get her involved in anything. We tried dance and after the first class she refused to go (even though she had a good time).

We aren't a big sports family, but do watch local football and my ds will watch a bit of it, but he's just not interested. I wouldn't push it, but encourage your kids to try different things to "test" them. You never know until you try!