4 fun sports for kids who struggle with focus

Team sports might be harder for kids who struggle with focus. This is especially true for sports with lots of rules and strategies to remember or that require learning how to use special equipment. But kids’ interests matter, too. And participating in a physical activity can be very beneficial for kids. Here are some sports that might be a better fit for a child who has trouble focusing.

Wrestling

Wrestling has advantages beyond what kids learn while doing it. As kids master different moves, they also learn discipline and how to stay on task and keep at something that feels hard. But while it’s a team sport, wrestling doesn’t really require teamwork. The actual competition is one-on-one. And matches are over quickly, so kids don’t have to hold their focus for long.

Basketball

If your child loves basketball, this can be a good team sport to choose since the rules aren’t as complicated as they are in other sports. Players are constantly moving, so there’s less chance of being distracted. Even if it doesn’t seem like your child will thrive at basketball, don’t rule it out. The love of the game is often a deciding factor in whether a kid gets better at it.

Swimming

Michael Phelps is a great role model for kids with attention issues who dream of winning gold. Phelps won 28 Olympic medals even though he struggled with focus and is hyperactive. It’s not surprising that swimming was a great sport for him. It requires intense concentration and energy. And there are few outside distractions when you’re in the water focusing on your speed and technique.

Track and field

Track is the perfect combo of individual and team sport. Kids only need to compete with themselves and their own best performance. But there are teammates to hang out with between races, giving plenty of opportunities to stretch social muscles, too. Plus, there are no real rules to remember or lengthy instructions to focus on. Just the runners in front of you and the finish line at the end.