Help! 6yo keeps quitting soccer halfway through practice

Nov 281 min read

So my son just turned 6 and we signed him up for spring soccer thinking he'd love it. First two practices were fine, but now he's refusing to go or saying his legs hurt after 15 mins. The coach says he's doing fine skill-wise, so it's not that he can't keep up. Anyone else dealt with this? Should I push him or just accept he's not a soccer kid yet? Part of me thinks he needs to build some resilience but my wife thinks we're forcing it.

12 comments115 views

Comments(12)

GGreg W.Regular22h ago

lol same here. Lasted 2 practices.

DDale A.Regularjust now

The "legs hurt" thing is often code for "I'm uncomfortable but don't know how to say it." When does he say his legs hurt - during warm ups, during scrimmage, during specific drills? That might give you a clue.

MMarcus L.Regular20h ago

Don't push it too hard. There's nothing wrong with trying activities and deciding they're not for you. My kid quit soccer, basketball, and baseball before finding lacrosse at age 8. Some kids just aren't team-sport kids.

RRob P.Regularjust now

This is so helpful, the coach saying he's doing fine skill-wise is actually the key info. If he was struggling he'd have a real reason. Since he's not, I'd honestly just ask him what's up without judgment. Sometimes 6yos just need to feel heard before they'll engage again.

GGene K.Regularjust now

Have you asked him directly what's wrong? Like not "your legs hurt" but sit down and actually ask. My son was quitting everything because another kid was being mean and he was scared to tell us.

NNate C.New Dadjust now

Could also be sensory stuff - the uniform feeling weird, the loud whistle, other kids being too unpredictable. My daughter quit soccer but loved swimming because it was more individual. Maybe just let this one go and try something else?

SSteve B.Regular1d ago

Could also be that the novelty wore off? First two practices are exciting, then reality sets in lol. I'd maybe ask him specific questions about what part he doesn't like - is it the other kids, the running, the coach yelling, boredom? Don't just accept 'legs hurt' as the answer, dig deeper.

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BBen L.Regularjust now

Frame it differently maybe? Instead of 'soccer practice' make it about hanging out with his friends. Or offer a small reward system - not bribing exactly but like after 4 practices you pick what we do together this weekend.

SScott W.Regular13h ago

My 6yo did the exact same thing around week 4. Turned out he was getting overstimulated by all the kids and noise. We talked to the coach about letting him take a water break whenever he needed it (not just scheduled ones) and suddenly he was fine. Sometimes at that age it's sensory overload, not actual tiredness.

JJamal W.Regularjust now

My 6yo did the exact same thing around week 3-4 of soccer. Turned out he was anxious about being evaluated. We talked to the coach about letting him sit out a few minutes when he felt overwhelmed and that helped. Now he goes through phases of loving it and being over it.

SSam P.Regular3h ago

Nah this is normal. 6yos have the attention span of goldfish. Maybe soccer isn't his thing. Have you tried other sports?

JJoe C.Regularjust now

Don't force it tbh. Some kids just aren't soccer kids at 6. My son lasted 3 weeks before we switched him to swimming and he loved that instead. The 'legs hurt' excuse sounds like he's just not feeling it anymore.