Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2021 20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2021 What's the best age to start a sport? This answer varies depending on the sport, and what you hope your child will gain. Most experts suggest anything before age 6 should focus on physical activity and fun, with no scorekeeping. By age 7 and 8, kids have the skills necessary to try team sports, while competitive sports are best reserved for ages 9 and older. Is it ever "too late" for kids to play a new sport? No, according to Hannah Dave, head field hock- ey coach for the Wolves at Newberry College in South Carolina. Dave, who was named 2019 Field Hockey Coach of the Year by Synapse Sports, started playing field hockey her fresh- man year of high school. "I went to college with kids who'd been playing since 6 years old, and I started in high school," Dave says. "Starting early is going to be the best for someone who really wants to go to the next level, but I would say no, it's never too late. There will always be different levels of par- ticipation available." For the late bloomer, you might consider a personal coach. John Engh, execu- tive director of NAYS, says the use of private training is one of the biggest changes he's seen in the last decade. It was discouraged prior to that, but as kids have become involved in sports at increasingly earlier ages, private train- ing can provide an older child new to the sport a chance to get up to speed. "The only caveat is to know who that person is because there's absolutely no one overseeing their work," Engh warns. WRITTEN BY LISSA CARLSON Any guidance in choosing a sport? Consider a child's personality when decid- ing on the right fit. You'll want to ensure your child can be successful and confident. Some kids may welcome an aggressive outlet, which sports can provide, while others may not want the pressure of being part of a team, Engh says. In his experience with parents over nearly 30 years, parents typically want their kids to gain socialization or learn about winning and losing. "Generally, the last thing par- ents say is they want them to be a great baseball player," he says. Once you choose the sport, review your options. "If you want your child to learn and have fun," Engh says, "make sure the team you're joining is about learning and fun and not creating an all-star team." For a greater challenge, travel teams and club leagues offer an elite level of compet- itive play. These teams require a commit- ment to travel, time and expenses beyond those found in school or park and rec programs. Some families find themselves working around other family members and duties to honor the team's expectations. Parents must review whether that com- mitment works for their family and if the benefits outweigh the considerable invest- ment. Additionally, Engh cautions parents to consider whether the added expenses and commitments guarantee their child any more playing time. Make sure you look at the "fine print" in any program, no matter how innocent it may seem, Engh says. Each program should have printed and available guide- lines for parents, including expenses you can anticipate. Consider "hidden" costs beyond program fees, such as uniforms/ costumes, shoes, competition travel (gas, meals, hotels), recital tickets, etc. The benefits of sports abound in a child's development: motor skills, teamwork, physical activity and even improved vision. We asked experts at the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) as well as an award-winning college coach/recruiter to answer some of the best questions parents have about kids and sports. NAYS provides train- ing and guidance to youth sports programs across the U.S. ∆ ∆ ∆ Questions Any guidance in choosing ∆ Questions Questions All-Star All-Star Answers to Parents' Answers to Parents'

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