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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel really sorry for ds1

42 replies

WonderWendy1 · 02/08/2015 17:23

Ds1 (15) is a very short 5ft 1 compared to his peers and he is insecure about it, but it doesnt normally bother him to much.

As its the summer holidays I always book my dc into a local the summer activities camp, ds1 really enjoys sports and particually basketball. I know all about the Lakers, Toronto Rapters and Chicargo Bulls. At school we dont normally play basketball but we have a hoop at home.

So at summer camp he put his name down for basketball and he didnt do to well, he said it was not the skill but he could not shoot or jump high enough.

This just made me feel really sad, i suggested to try another sport where height is less of a neccessity, but he really loves basketball.

Im not vary tall 4ft 10 and dh is only 5ft 5. This reminded be of when i did ballet but became to busty to fully excel.

Any advice please, im new to mumsnet.

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderWendy1 · 02/08/2015 17:30

Just to mention that ds1 does enjoy the summer camp.

OP posts:
Spartans · 02/08/2015 17:34

Yanbu to be a little melancholy.

However we all have limitations. For some it's height. It doesn't mean he can't play, just that others have an advantage.

But he can still do it an have fun.

EmeraldKitten · 02/08/2015 17:36

One of our closest make friends is 5ft 4, and plays basketball semi professionally. I've never seen anyone jump so high, it's actually freaky.

woowoo22 · 02/08/2015 17:37

I think it is a good lesson in not being good at everything BUT have you googled short bb players? They must need nippy ones to be quick surely.

scatterthenuns · 02/08/2015 17:37

Basketball is a sport for tall people. It doesn't mean he can't play, just that lots of other short people will have avoided it.

Has he had a look at tips like these?

www.livestrong.com/article/555710-how-to-use-shortness-to-your-advantage-in-basketball/

theunguardables.com/how-to-thrive-if-youre-small-the-best-basketball-drills/

Original poster
WonderWendy1 · 02/08/2015 17:39

But basketball is his favourite sport, he really wants to be a player in America when hes older, but i dont know how i can say its probably not going to happen.

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderWendy1 · 02/08/2015 17:40

Thanks scatter will show him them pages.

OP posts:
FishCanFly · 02/08/2015 17:46

I'd suggest he tries weightlifting and bodybuilding instead. Shorter guys have an advantage there.

pinkdelight · 02/08/2015 17:47

Prince loves basketball and is around the same height as your DS. Don't let him be deterred.

Original poster
WonderWendy1 · 02/08/2015 17:47

Will reconmend Fish.

OP posts:
pinkdelight · 02/08/2015 17:49

See here:
www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/03/04/prince_high_school_basketball_photo_charlie_murphy_s_chappelle_s_show_story.html

I like this bit:
"He moved like a player and played like one of those darting little guys you have to keep your eye on every second. Blink and he’s somewhere you wouldn’t expect. Lose control of your dribble for a heartbeat and he’s relieved you of the ball. He jitterbugged around the court like a sleek little lightning bug, so fast he’d leave a defender stranded and looking stupid if he weren’t careful."

Spartans · 02/08/2015 17:51

He should try weight lifting until he is a bit older.

He may love the sport, but many people love football but can not be professional football players.

If he can jump he can play. It may not be down to his height but his ability. What about trying gymnastics? Or something to help his jump and how agile he is.

Dd is a kick boxer, she does gymnastics to help with that. The flexibility and agility is a definite advantage to both.

EmeraldKitten · 02/08/2015 17:51

Woah...weightlifting is the LAST thing that should be suggested for a 15 year old on the short side Shock

There's a lot of evidence that heavy weight training can stunt growth. A 15 year old still has 6 years of growing left...he could potentially grow another 6/8 inches in that time. Less chance of that with weights though!

Spartans · 02/08/2015 17:52

He shouldn't try weight lifting

Minicaters · 02/08/2015 18:00

The country is full of children who want to be olympic gymnasts, or professional dancers, or footballers, or rock stars. Virtually none of them fulfil that dream but they find out in their own time. Just encourage him to do it for fun and keep trying new sports. He might find that he's amazing at canoeing, or rock climbing, or something.

Original poster
WonderWendy1 · 02/08/2015 18:08

Didnt know that about weightlifting. Shock

OP posts:
Spartans · 02/08/2015 18:21

I am a body builder. My trainer won't entertain training anyone under 18. Even then it depends on the person and the type of training is slightly different.

The ukbff has a 16-18 catagory and there was outrage when the started it last year. Because it can be really damaging for bodies that are still growing.

If he really wants to play professionally, at 15 he needs to be devoting a lot of time to training now. Really he should have been doing it for a while. Regardless of height, it's unlikely that he would be just naturally good enough to play in the US.

May I am reading this wrong but it doesn't sound like he already devotes a lot of time to it.

scatterthenuns · 02/08/2015 18:30

Could he have a go at rowing? Short blokes tend to be quite good! Not weights!

Lurkedforever1 · 02/08/2015 18:49

Yanbu to be sad for him, but many kids have their dream shattered whether it be height, build, ability, money etc and as a parent you can't change that. What you can do though is actively promote the idea that while it's disappointing, it's not the only route to happiness.

TaylorQuifft · 02/08/2015 18:59

Have you looked into why he is so short at that age. The average height for a 15 year old 5ft 6.

Minicaters · 02/08/2015 19:07

Taylor it may be something to do with having a mum under 5 foot and a dad 5ft5 Wink

ssd · 02/08/2015 19:08

there are plenty short people about! we cant all be tall. or average.

Happy36 · 02/08/2015 19:13

Height will probably prevent him from playing for England, or the Lakers, but he can enjoy it to a high amateur level, have lots of fun and keep fit. I would let him continue with the basketball. I play quite a lot and know good players of all different shapes and sizes. As a previous poster said, the height to which you can jump is a key part of being skilled at basketball, so encourage him to work on that and, of course, shooting.

I would also keep sending him to the holiday activities as through trying many different sports he may also find another one he likes.

306235388 · 02/08/2015 19:19

I get why you feel sad for him but what I don't get is how he is 15 and wanting to do it as a career yet it seems like this was the first time he's played it properly?

Ds is 8 and wants to be a footballer - he trains formally 3 times a week and has a match once a week plus lots of stuff at home. His friend trains in gymnastics 16 hours a week.

You can't just become a sportsperson as a career without a lot of work and dedication for years.

I doubt ds will be good enough tbh but I'll let him discover that

QuiteLikely5 · 02/08/2015 19:22

Take him to the GP. It is possible for some extremely small children to be injected with HGH.

Obviously there will be criteria and risks.

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