Tips to improve 8 year olds athletics

[mamatothreebunnies]

looking for tips and advice for improving my 8 year old daughter’s athletics ability, I’m talking things like running, jumping, climbing etc. she’s a fantastic swimmer, and is better at strategic sports like hockey or tennis but isn’t very good at running or jumping etc. she is hyper mobile and has had some physio before to help with strength (she has very little strength especially in her hands)

we are focusing on the sports she does love but she gets upset that at school she is put on bottom sets for sports and has been told by teachers it’s due to her lack of speed in running.

it may be obvious to some but please share any tips or techniques I can start with her. She asked me if I can help her be in a higher group for next years sports day 😢

An 8 year old is in sets for PE? Is lack of speed really what the teacher said? In my experience, pe teachers often prefer the well behaved children who put in the effort. If she wants to improve, maybe a run/ jump/ throw club. They shouldn't really be specialising that young. Triathlon clubs usually start from that age too. There's also junior/ open park run, that would improve endurance.

I found a wonderful running coach for my daughter at this age.. she had 3 sessions with her... made a world of difference to her confidence. She didn't improve her running speed for a number of years but is now quite fast.

What type of school does sets for PE? Maybe she's just not great at running? I think it seems more pressing to address the issues linked to being hyper mobile, like the strength one. As she will feel like in day to day life.
Where as running fast doesn't matter. Helping her understand we all can't be great at everything is also probably worthwhile. Obviously she doesn't want to feel different or bad at any thing. But part of life is not being great at everything, kids who understand this really are much more secure.

Her school is very sporty and are big on competitive sports so running and speed ie important. It’s a great school but I’m not a fan of these sets thing so early on. Takes the joy out of sport.

@horseymum @Stickybackplasticbear

@ChateauMargaux where how did you find a running coach?

She needs to find her niche which doesn't involve being the fastest at running. Plenty possibilities within competitive sport, need to choose your sport and position well. If this school is going to turn her off physical activity for life, it may not be the right one. It's so important especially for girls to be encouraged to continue with physical activity. She's not even reached the teen years where so many give up and she's put off.
If she's hyper mobile does she have flat feet? She may need special insoles or some more physio to help stabilise her knees/ ankles as she may be facing discomfort or pain. I hope you find a solution.

She doesn't need to be fast at running.

You would be much better to help her feel comfortable and confident with who she is, academically, personally and especially physically.

In the end, the only competition we can truly win is with ourselves.

Thank you for your replies. She has plenty of other activities she is excellent at, she’s beyond amazing at swimming, fantastic at hockey and a great musician playing multiple instruments. She’s also very smart and academic. I’ve always nurtured her passions and interests (hence the above range of activities). She’s very confident socially, academically and physically.

My question here was asking how I can help her improve her running because she asked me for to help but I don’t know how. I have always told her we can’t all be great at everything but since her sports day and her PE teacher telling her she is in bottom set because of her speed she’s wanting to find ways to improve herself. I’m not going to tell her “not to improve” if she is the one who has asked me for help and initiated it.

Getting insoles is a great shout. She was wearing some when she was younger due to her flat feet but admittedly we let it slip in the last few years so will go and get her new sizes and measurements.

I'd be a bit worried about her developing signs of perfectionism. Maybe read up on that and help find some ways to challenge it.

Exactly. Competitive sports is such a waste of time for most kids.
Fitness is important, but they have so much else to learn and experience at that age.
And the damage done by overuse of joints and ligaments can cause pain that lasts a lifetime

@mamatothreebunnies The running coach was someone who worked at crossfit gym near us, advertised on Facebook and met us a running track in the next village. (we are not in the UK). Maybe ask on local Facebook groups. She was someone who used to be a high school running coach. Maybe also contact local running clubs to see if anyone would be interested in helping her. She taught my daughter to run on her toes, rather than heel striking and also how to use her body... mostly .. as I said ... gave her self belief and told her she was a good runner. It came, eventually!

Reading the other replies - DD is a perfectionist.. but that is who she is.. she puts her all into everything.. not sure how to beat that out of her!! (joke)

her being or not being a perfectionist is irrelevant to this thread. Thanks.

@ChateauMargaux yes some kids are just naturally a perfectionist, I don’t think it’s something to have to eliminate from their personality so long as they understand the possibility of failure and not always having their way. I’m a perfectionist and so isn’t husband but we understand that we cannot control everything.

If she's hyper mobile it'll be more about building up the right muscles.

Your best best would be seeing a physio who can give you a strength programme.

There's no point working on running/jumping with someone with hyper mobile joints without the strength and control of the joints. It just won't work.

Would you bring her to junior parkrun even to build up speed & stamina. It's only 2k but the atmosphere is fantastic & it's a very positive environment.