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Original poster

What would you say is the best sport for boys?

81 replies

isitworthitUK · 19/09/2021 18:42

I'm thinking of putting my nearly four year old into something.
What do people recommend, I am thinking maybe tennis?
Tennis? Rugby? Cricket? Football?

I always liked/thought my sons would do rugby but I feel like it's maybe too dangerous/too many injuries...

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NotAnotherPushyMum · 19/09/2021 20:54

The one that he likes. Let him try lots.

For the parents, anything which is indoors and requires very little kit.

LimeRedBanana · 19/09/2021 20:56

We’ve encouraged our DC to do a lone sport and a team one.

DS tried both football and rugby and year 1 and landed on football. He also started tennis in year 1 and still plays.

He started floorball (indoor hockey) around year 3 and still plays, and then switched from football to hockey in year 7.

He’s also tried diving, mountain biking, surf life-saving and of course swimming.

We have been keen to let them try things out and see what they enjoy.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 19/09/2021 20:57

Next summer look at All Stars Cricket. Its an 8 week introductory course to cricket for 4-8 year olds. I think it starts May time. (At many cricket clubs throughout the country).

My DDs also do Rugby. Most serious injury to date has been wasp stings.

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4 year olds General parenting General sports
Didyousaynutella · 19/09/2021 21:01

I wouldn’t bother with regular swimming lessons at 4. It’s a major waste of time. They make very little progress at that age and you will lose the will to live. 6 is a better age to start, it’s a life skill they need to learn but it’s tedious. And I wouldn’t encourage as their major hobby.

TintinIsBack · 19/09/2021 21:04

Whatever they enjoy.
But swimming was non negotiable until they TRULY knew how to swim

TintinIsBack · 19/09/2021 21:06

NOT football unless you are happy to spend. many hours outside in the rain. I know many parents who bought a special coat just for that.

Hellocatshome · 19/09/2021 21:08

One that he enjoys. 4 is the time when you try out a few things and decide what you like. There is nothing wrong at that age with trying something then dropping it if it doesn't suit you. The only advice I have is football teams vary greatly in terms of the behaviour of the coach and other parents, if you get a bad one dont be afraid to leave until you find one that suits. Also if they enjoy swimming enough to want to compete make sure you have VERY deep pockets and a lot of time.

TabithaTiger · 19/09/2021 21:09

Had he shown an interest in anything? Football is very social and they make loads of friends. It's also less expensive than other sports, but it does mean committing to matches every weekend once they get a bit older. He's very young so I would try out different things and see how he gets on.

00100001 · 19/09/2021 21:10

@LookMawAPossum

I can’t think of a single sport where you need a penis.
Penis Pool (the trick shots are epic!) Penis Hula Hoop...
sofakingcool · 19/09/2021 21:11

I think you just need to find some taster sessions, see what he fancies.

DS1 is almost 18, over the years he's tried tae kwon do, football, hockey, athletics and rugby - rugby ending up being his passion.

MoiraNotRuby · 19/09/2021 21:17

From a parent perspective the team sports are so much better than individual. More fun to watch, nice to chat with other parents, possibility of lift sharing. Something run by volunteers will be cheaper than a profit making outfit. And if you pick a common enough sport you won't have to travel too far for matches or spend too much on equipment.

For our family, football and netball have been the best hobbies. The DC have made friends, it's a reason to keep fit, and they respect their coaches.

Queenoftheashes · 19/09/2021 21:18

Sword fighting

EllieSattler · 19/09/2021 21:18

I'd try gymnastics. Its really good fun at 4. By 6/7 they're starting to cream off the kids who are really good and put them into squads and its almost too late to start at 7. Football they can start much older and do fine. The 4 year olds at the local practice just seem to run off in random directions and then cry at their dads, who yell at them and shove them back on the pitch like they're letting their team down in the FA Cup final.

Basilandparsleyandmint · 19/09/2021 21:24

My DS started swimming lessons age 5 and then had a thing for dancing so took him to a street dance class which he absolutely loved and was forever making up dances at home. Have some brilliant videos of him putting on shows for me. He then started cycling with go ride and now is all about football. I went with what he enjoyed 😊

Namenic · 19/09/2021 21:25

The best sport depends on the person and what they like, their streangths and body type. You can do lots of sports recreationally, but kids might be more encouraged if they play to their strengths (eg basketball may be cool if you are tall). Do they have good co-ordination, or upper body strength or stamina?

Icenii · 19/09/2021 21:31

whether we like it or not boys are treated differently to girls in society and need parenting differently to girls. Personally I have a nearly 4 year old and am thinking about a martial art because from my own experience they tend to be very good for discipline and self respect.

Self fulfilling prophecy here?

IHateCoronavirus · 19/09/2021 21:32

Mine love archery

SufferingSailors · 19/09/2021 21:32

I would also say don't worry if he doesn't take to any particular sport at 4.

DS didn't although we kept active as a family with cycling, swimming etc. (like many I consider swimming is an essential skill).

Finally age 10 he discovered the joys of cricket. And is now loving the different games and sports at secondary.

PossiblyPertunia · 19/09/2021 21:39

Fencing

Kanaloa · 19/09/2021 21:43

Well it depends on what the specific boy in question likes. My oldest boy does football and karate, my youngest boy would hate both, but my 5yo daughter likes football like her older brother. It’s just dependant on personality. When my oldest was little he tried a few different clubs, he tried gymnastics and really hated it, hated boxing even though he later liked karate. There’s just no way to say.

Kite22 · 19/09/2021 21:44

When he turns 4, swimming.
When he gets a bit older, see what he likes.

Kanaloa · 19/09/2021 21:46

As a veteran football Mum I'd advise you to encourage anything indoors

Didn’t think of this. I knew there was a reason I insisted that I love the karate events/comps and DH could do the football ones… always presumed it was because it reminds me of the karate kid 😂

CatTerrier · 19/09/2021 21:57

Equestrianism.

LimitIsUp · 19/09/2021 22:18

I am definitely a veteran football mum (dd played from age 10- 18 and ds is still playing aged 17, having started at age 7) and I haven't found the rain too problematic - largely because in amateur football the pitch gets waterlogged and unplayable quite quickly, thus games tend to be cancelled in heavy rain.

dawnwalk · 19/09/2021 22:25

I would recommend at least trying football for a while as it is so widely played that it becomes social capital in the playground. My son never really did football lessons and I think did lose some friends when they got to the age where they play football every lunch. That said, he wasn't that interested (chicken or egg), so maybe never would have been his thing.