4yo reluctance at football sessions

[BelleCurve]

After much nagging from my 4yo DS, I've recently taken him to pre-schooler football sessions.

He was extremely tearful and distressed, kept saying "want to go home" over again. He did join in eventually with a lot of persuasion from the coaches (who were great) and was good at the games.

He loves football and it quite good at it, socialises well at nursery and CMs - but does have history for being quite tearful/clingy when I have taken him to nursery (usually the CM does it)

Now, he point blank refuses to go back - says he doesn't want to play football anymore and said "how many times do I have to tell you, I don't like it" wonder where he got that from

I would like him to continue, because I think he will enjoy it eventually but don't want to make it into a huge battle. Also, I have paid for 6 sessions and it was quite expensive so don't really want to waste the money. Any suggestions how to handle it?

Did he give you any indication as to why he didn't like it?

Do you have to stay and watch? He might be better if you're not there to play up to.

He said he was shy, didn't know anyone. I think I am supposed to be around - but could maybe hide out of the way.

I have coached sports to this age group before and that's pretty common. We find though that the more they're pushed into joining in, the more they shy away.

Why not suggest that next time you will just go along and watch? (Hide his kit in the car.) It's amazing how watching the others having fun is often the best way to get others to join in.

If he'll agree to go and watch, drop the coach an email/call them to explain. They'll have seen it all before and they'll probably be able to get him to join in. I usually ask for help eg putting cones/equipment out.

Sorry, just realised how long that is. Good luck.

Thanks. Just watching seems to have done the trick.

Aw fab. You'll need to let us know how he gets on. Hope it goes well.

At that age dd1 always took about a term to join in anything.
I remember she was desperate to do ballet, and I spent a term sitting on the side with her on my lap.
Next term she skipped in happily as though she always had done that.

And that was typically the pattern at anything new. She took a term to properly join in and then would suddenly join in and not look back.

She still does ballet 10 years later too.

My oldest son was exactly the same at rugby. Yet he always wanted to go. Now he plays both disciplines to a very high standard weekly. Dont worry - 4 is very young, follow his lead as in if he wants to go then take him, but dont force it. Next season he should come round a bit and that's the time to explain he can't let ghe team down.

How's your son getting on OP?