I still remember clearly how much it sucked 25+ years ago, reaching puberty around 16 1/2... but god is it worse to watch your own teenage son on the same slow developmental track.
Mix in athletics at U15 age group, where there is one muscleless tiny boy.. trying to compete with a bunch of early bloomers.
This Sucks. Anyone know a witch doctor with puberty potion?
I don't think Bill Gates actually ever hit puberty, and he seems to be doing just fine.
No doubt he will be fine. But in the moment, unless you've been there.. you have no idea
I feel ya there. I'm 16, and have no athletic pretensions whatsoever. I just avoid team sports, and cycle. It's worked for me so far.
Wasnt until about 16 here either.
Just tell him he'll age way better than the meatheads.
I had to prove to my new boss today that i was of legal drinking age.
Swank Force One wrote: Just tell him he'll age way better than the meatheads.
I came down will full blown Crohnes disease at age 14 going on 15.. so I full understand what it is like not to be able to compete with the meatheads...
The kid will eventually be 6'5" tall so it will work out in the end. I stopped growing around 24 IIRC.
He just won't fit in a fookin car.
I was a late bloomer. My son looks to be on the same path.
Can your son compete in things that take speed and agility over strength and direct competition? I ran track and was on the swim team. Let the early bloomers play football and develop a limp in their teens.
Later bloomer. I developed at 19 to really be big. It's not when you develop honestly its how much effort you put in. I did football and wrested varsity but was never above 180 in HS. I was really small for a starting center but I was smarter and had great footwork so I was able to over come the later blooming.
It's not about blooming it's about matching strengths and what he enjoys. He may be small but that may turn into a love of the endurance sports.
Its not all fun and games from the other end either. I hit 6 feet at 12, 6'2" in grade 8. Clumsy as hell- its really hard to hit a ball when your fingertips are farther away than they were the day before.
We also won't talk about the mouth breather alpha males who saw me as the alpha and had to prove their manliness by fighting me. Little clue- I wasn't an alpha then.
Its a miracle anybody survives their teen years.
Had a classmate in high school that was a late bloomer. Now he's 6' something, was a star college athlete in a niche sport, is now an engineer, and has a hot fiancee'. Just let him know that a lot of the HS "royalty" peak during those years.
In reply to OHSCrifle:
That was me in my high school years. I was much smaller than average, and the youngest of my class to boot, due to starting school early. I used it to my advantage. I was faster and more athletic than the bigger, stronger kids. It pushed me to work harder to overcome the size difference. I was usually underestimated, which worked to my advantage. I also didn't have anything to lose- so what if a kid that is a foot taller and 50lbs. heavier outplays me? But if I outplayed him- that would really get in his head, and give me an advantage. The only downside was that some who's bodies matured faster than their minds didn't appreciate getting one upped by someone much smaller than themselves, and they would occasionally resort to bullying. It didn't happen often, but I'd just fight as hard as I could and not back down. I never got beat up, never got in trouble, and the bullying would stop. It did suck that I always seemed to have to prove myself, but I think it made me better. I also had a couple older brothers that put me through my paces, I'm sure that helped.
Meh, my 11 year old has very little athletic ability compared to his peers. However, he plays 3 organized sports. Football, wrestling and lacrosse. Not because I want him to, because HE wants to. He puts 110% into it and that's all I'll ever ask of him.
If your son is having fun and giving it his all, then don't worry if he's a late bloomer, or a never bloomer.
I could grow a full manly beard at 16 but never was an athlete. I was too sickly. I was 6' and 150lbs when I graduated.
I was 5'10" and a buck twenty five at the end of high school. I have the coordination of a newborn foal. High school sports were a relief because I learned I didn't have to play.
Having kids of both sexes following in my shoes, it's way easier for girls to be small and cute. There's nothing positive for boys. Despite what GPS says abput his baby face, college girls smiling at you when you're pushing 40 just makes you feel creepy.
Team sports are a great way for kids to learn how to win and lose with grace. Being part of a team aids in humility, as it isn't all about them--- they are part of something bigger.
Size and athleticism isn't essential---- as long as the kid is schooled on the fundamentals of whatever sport they are playing. Teach a kid how to correctly throw a ball--- and it will stay with them for life. Whatever the kid is playing, teach him the fundamentals, and they will be able to keep up with---or flat out outperform the bigger (earlier developed) kids. Correct technique goes a long way.
And sorry to see all the hate for kids that happen to be good at sports. They aren't all "meatheads".....most are just kids trying to have fun.
Though bigger than a lot of my opponents, I was a late bloomer--I have been 5'10" since my sophomore year in high school, but was about 150-165 until my sophomore year in College. I also didn't develop a ton of agility and puck handling skills until after high school.
I really wish I had hit that size and maturity level sooner--would have had more fun in high school. But its ok, I'm doing really well for myself and am extremely happy, as long as I don't say something stupid to SWMBO. (BTW, "Honey, I really don't care" is not a good response to anything about a wedding shower. Even though I REALLY DO NOT GIVE A SINGLE berkeley)
I finished highschool 6'2" and 125lbs (nicknames included Stickboy, stringbean, scarecrow, and other assorted goodies)
I peaked at 160 in my mid 20's and at 30 and now about 150.
Never been too athletic, never had "raw power".
Consider introducing him to Rockclimbing, Mountainbiking, and other sporting activities where he competes more against himself. Then again, my advice my be skewed as for a variety of reasons I was a real outcast in middle/highschool and stayed away from team sports as a result.
Damn, you guys make me feel like a meathead. I'm 5'9" and 170. Eat something!! 
Yeah, 5'9" and 190 here. And where I work I'm the little guy. You guys are making me feel fat. 
Klayfish wrote: Damn, you guys make me feel like a meathead. I'm 5'9" and 170. Eat something!!
That's about where i am too. It's ok, we'll look out for each other.
Swank Force One wrote:Klayfish wrote: Damn, you guys make me feel like a meathead. I'm 5'9" and 170. Eat something!!That's about where i am too. It's ok, we'll look out for each other.
I have a hard time believing you weigh 170.
The counter point is a boy who goes in much younger, and then you get to spend all those extra precious years with he and his favorite play toy. Which he's willing to enjoy at virtually any moment.
His mother was an only child, and didn't grow up enjoying brothers. She's regularly appalled by his actions and conduct. She had no idea about crunchy socks and night time hugs, and and and.
JamesMcD wrote:Swank Force One wrote:I have a hard time believing you weigh 170.Klayfish wrote: Damn, you guys make me feel like a meathead. I'm 5'9" and 170. Eat something!!That's about where i am too. It's ok, we'll look out for each other.
Right now i'm hovering around 163. Believe it or not... almost 15lbs lighter than last time we occupied the same close proximity.
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