Child has motivation and oomph of a comatosed sloth

[Frontpaw]

He is Kevin the Teenager in that respect (8years old).

Do you want to go to football?
Sigh. Yeeeeesss. Ok then.
So why aren't you getting ready? Where are your boots??
Dunno

He then proceeds to stand still, moving rarely, face like someone just shot his dog, playing 'zombie football'.

Shall we stop football then? You didn't seem to enjoy it much.
Nooooooooo
What's the matter then?
Nothing

I may be missing something here, but when I was a kid, if you went to a club or class that you wanted to do, you would be leaping for joy and at the very least join in with the class. I'd rather not stand in the cold for two hours of my weekend watching a woerful display of rubbish football and littlke attempt to try.

He is like this with most things these days. Its driving us nuts!

I can't help at all, sorry, as mine is only tiny - but your title made me laugh!

Dd is 7 and flips between what you've described and bouncing off the walls as if she's mainlined caffeine

They're just weird at this age.

Scrap that, they're weird at all ages.

Aside from the possibility that he is just a lazy little sod, have you looked at his social skills in general. Does he 'know' how to join in - or are the other boys more physical than him, leaving him fearful to get involved? In other activities does he put himself forward or lurk on the edges? On the playground at school is he willing and able to approach others if he wants to play or does he feel he has no friends. Some children can be enjoying themselves hugely, whilst looking as if they were facing the prospect of having all their teeth pulled. If he is truly not enjoying it, I'd stop it. Try some less direct questioning - what did you enjoy today, what was the most fun thing about football and praise his efforts (if he ever makes any:) ) If he can't actually be bothered getting himself ready on time I would simply not go - tell him once, don't give him repeated warnings, and just settle down with your cup of tea.

He is a lazy little bugger sometimes.

The annoying thing is that nine times out of ten he'll not really be arsed to go and do something, then when he does he really enjoys himself. I was really shy when I was little and just couldn't 'bring myself' to join in with lots of things, but DS isn't shy!

He's an only child so we make extra effort to get him into classes and around other kids but I'm aware that most of them do have siblings that the fight or do rough and tumble with. He does give up easily, says 'I can't do that' far too often and needs loads of motivation.

He is also late in the mornings (but then so's his dad, so its probably genetic). I get fed up nagging and geeing him up.

Ah Rum, how do you keep your motivation up - aside maternal love and desire to see your little one do well? I get fed up trying to crack this little nut, then at work I see little kiddies with SN trying really hard, working away, enjoying themselves, joining in, engaging with me...