Brian Grasso, I need your help (re: kids & PE)

B

BasketLady

2
I'm sure you are familiar with the Presidential Fitness testing they do in the elementary schools - running, sit-ups, pull ups, etc.

How do you work with children to better them at these challenges so they are not coming in last all the time (esp. running)?

My son (8) is a soccer player, and loves to run around outside - yet, he is not the fastest of the bunch. He often gets pains in his side while playing soccer (which may be due to hydration). He also has a slight gait abnormality - would this contribute to the running issues?

Any help you could offer would be great! :)

TIA
 
Bringing this back to the top. Looking for new and fun ways to help my son improve his running skills. It breaks my heart to hear/see him so frustrated about running vs the other kids.

With all the exercising I do, running isn't my favorite either, so it's hard to encourage [blink]

TIA
 
This might not be what you wanted to hear but I don't think as long as he is doing then that's all that matters. Over time he will get better but I think that we take organized sports a bit to seriously way to early in life.

I'm not directing this at you but I see kids beating themselves up because they don't think they're the best and parents getting way to over-zealous to push their kids.

But since soccer is a lot of stop and go, the way people train for soccer is wrong. I see so many athletes and coaches having their athletes run miles and miles and miles when this isn't necessary.

Sprints, bleachers, agility drills, etc

Anyway...unless your son is just in complete agony then don't sweat it, he will get better the more he plays.
 
I think the side hurting thing may have more to do with the "jarring" of running. Even as a kid I could not run or jog very far before my side started hurting. I can skate or bicycle for miles and pound for pound I can lift very good for no bigger than I am. I cannot run though. :(

I also was lousy at team sports. Back when I was in school (class of 1983) they introduced us to soccer but there were no teams. I stunk at basketball, football and track but did not do too bad at wrestling. Now days it seems some schools are finally moving away from many of the team oriented phys ed and toward fun fitness activities. see -
Did you know that only about 4% of people over 24 years of age participate in team sports yet most phys-ed programs are focused on team activities?

Perhaps it would be better to focus on what your son can do and work together on that than try to improve something he may never be able to do. Get him and yourself bikes or skates and do that together several times a week. I take Ashley (who's 5) out skating a lot. Tue. we skated over an hour all around town. If I ever manage to teach her to ride a bike we will do that too. :D
 
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