What age should kids start organized sports?

By age 6 years , most children have the basic motor skills for simple organized sports. However, they may still lack the hand-eye coordination needed to perform complex motor skills and may not yet be ready to understand and remember concepts like teamwork and strategies.

What of kids drop out of organized sport by age 13 What's the #1 reason?

70% of kids drop out of youth sports by age 13. A new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics chalks it up to the over professionalization of youth sports — including overtraining, pressure to specialize causing injury, intense competition, and burnout.

Is 12 too old to start a sport?

If your child simply wants to try a new sport, or play it for fun, it's never too late .

At what age do most kids quit sports?

About 70 % of kids drop out of organized sports by age 13 and the so-called “professionalization of youth sports” can't be understated as a significant factor why, according to a new report released Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

What 70 of kids quit sports by 13?

A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics says 70% of kids are dropping out by the age of 13 . Experts say while the demands on young athletes continue to grow, there are sensible and safe ways to play.

What is the biggest problem in youth sports?

Overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half of all sports injuries to middle and high school students (STOP Sports Injuries). Specializing in sports early carry risks of higher injury rates, increased psychological stress, and quitting sports at a young age.

How many girls quit sports by 14?

Previous studies have found that 70% of children quit sports by age 13, and by age 14 girls quit at twice the rate of boys .

At what age should kids specialize in one sport?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following guidelines on sports specialization: Children should be encouraged to participate in sports at a level consistent with their abilities and interests. Pushing children beyond these limits is discouraged as is specialization in a single sport before age 12 .

Should children participate in organized sports?

Participation in sports allows children to make lasting friendships, develop communication skills, feel a sense of community and learn to respect their teammates and coaches .

What age should kids start contact sports?

"There's no evidence that says there's an age -- 10 or 12 or 15 or 18 -- in which contact sports should be started," he told MedPage Today. "But there's no evidence that younger kids can't learn proper kinds of techniques if they are playing contact sports," he said.

What age is organized play in groups?

Cooperative Play ( 4+ Years ) When a child plays together with others and has interest in both the activity and other children involved in playing they are participating in cooperative play.

Move it! A guide to kids' organized sports in Missoula (2024)

There's no excuse for your kids to be sedentary! Missoula offers a wide range of organized physical activities for young people, from traditional sports (baseball) to the unusual (circus arts).

BASEBALL / SOFTBALL

Little Leagues of Missoula(ages 5-16)

Depending on where your child lives, he or she will be assigned to one of five Missoula-Area Little Leagues: Mount Jumbo Little League,Mount Sentinel Little League,Westside Little League,Lolo Peak Little League orFrenchtown Little League. The youngest kids start with T-Ball (introductory) and continue on to Farm (development) to Minors (moderately competitive) to Majors (competitive). The girls' Garden City Softball Leagues work the same way.

Mavericks Baseball(teen)

Is your kid thinking about playing college ball? The Missoula Mavericks American Legion baseball program is an excellent stepping stone. Tryouts take place in late March; coaches name AA, A and B teams. A regular season consists of nearly 200 home and away games and several tournaments.

BASKETBALL

Missoula Roundball Club (grades 2-8)

The Roundball Club hosts Spring Fling and other competitive Missoula-area basketball tournaments for boys and girls. All games include qualified referees.

BIKING

Zootown Derailleurs (ages 3-18)

This youth mountain biking club, a partnership between Missoula Parks & Recreation and MTB Missoula, rates as the fasting-filling program in Missoula Parks & Rec history. Kids improve their riding skills, hit jumps, climb, and downhill on Marshall Mountain trails. Watch this video to learn more about the Derailleurs.

CHEERLEADING

Galaxy Elite Athletics (ages 4-18)
The newest all-star cheer gym in Missoula sent their Solar Flare team to the U.S. Finals in Las Vegas in May 2017. They accept new students year-round.

Summit Cheer (ages 5-18)
Summit is the longest and most successful all-star cheer program in Montana. Their coaching staff is USASF certified and their teams have won multiple State, National and Grand Champion titles.

DANCE

Ballet Arts Academy(ages 3-teen)

Serious about ballet? BAA touts their highly trained instructors who follow the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Jazz and modern dance styles are also taught.

Jr.Oula(ages 4-11)

The "Jr" version of Oula, an easy-to-learn, high-energy fitness craze that started in Missoula, gives kids the freedom to explore music and movement. Its'a super fun dance workout to age-appropriate music.

On Center Performing Arts(ages 2-teen)

Sign your child up for classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, and tap. There's an in-house dance apparel store, so you're covered if your child needs tights, skirts, or shoes.

Show Tyme Academy(ages 2-teen)

Show Tyme is committed to giving each child individual attention in whatever class they're in: ballet, jazz and contemporary, tap, or hip hop.

UM School of Theatre and Dance(ages 3 1/2-10)

FENCING

Missoula Fencing Association (ages 6-19)

Fencing is an individual sport with a team atmosphere. The combination of athleticism and strategy required is appealing to many kids who are not necessarily interested in other sports. MFA promotes the Olympic sport of fencing by offering a safe environment where members can learn from qualified teachers using current United States Fencing Association rules.

FOOTBALL

Missoula Youth Football (grades 3-8)

Missoula Youth Football is a full-contact football league based on existing school boundaries. Players learn the basic fundamentals of contact football within a weight matrix- and age-based system that ensures safety, participation and fun for all players.

GYMNASTICS / AERIAL / FLOW ARTS / TRAMPOLINE

Mismo(ages 2-teen)

Not only has owner Kelly Durbin-Williams trained gymnasts who have competed nationally, but she also brought the USA Gymnastics Level 9 Western Championship to Missoula in 2016. Her "Ninja Zone" classes teach kids how to navigate obstacle courses, learn flips, rolls, kicks, vaults, and tumbling.

Moksha Aerial Studio Collective (MASC)(ages 7-18)

Think Cirque du Soleil. MASC teaches kids circus-style skills like trapeze work, aerial maneuvers on ropes, hammocks and slings, as well as juggling, poi, and slackline. While exploring these non-traditional arts, students are encouraged to discover and express their personal style.

Roots Acro Sports Center(ages 3-12)

Take your child's trampoline jumping to the next level. Roots Acro's "Tramp & Tumble" classes introduce kids to trampoline flips, twists and floor skills. "Acro Dance" classes integrate dance and gymnastics into a dynamic dance form.

ICE HOCKEY

Missoula Youth Hockey Association(ages 4-teen)

Don't puck around, sign your kid up for ice hockey. Skills programs are offered in the spring and fall; come winter, teams form for November-February games at Glacier Ice Rink.

JUMP ROPE

Montana Super Skippers(ages 5 1/2-teen)

Jumpers learn skills with single ropes, double dutch, and long rope all while having fun, gaining confidence, and improving their coordination.

KAYAKING

Youth Kayak Club /Zootown Surfers(teen)

Since 2004, Youth Kayak Club leaders have been showing local teens how to kayak safely. Zootown Surfers' expert instructors focus on teamwork, river safety, and kayak skills all summer long.

LACROSSE

Missoula Lacrosse Club (grades 3-8)

Missoula Lacrosse is a traveling club sport that plays and travels primarily in April and May.

MARTIAL ARTS

Aikido of Missoula(ages 7-14)

Aikido is a non-competitive martial art. By engaging in paired practices and solo exercises, students can learn balance, coordination, falling, rolling, a cooperative attitude, centering, self-defense skills and self-respect. Of Aikido's benefits, youth instructor Lesa Setters says, "Most importantly, children can discover their natural power, a positive power, in the noncompetitive atmosphere of the dojo.”

Big Sky ATA Black Belt Academy(ages 3 1/2-teen)

Best known for its "Tiny Tiger" program for kids ages three-and-a-half to seven, ATA has developed a unique animal-themed belt system for its youngest students, as well as this Tiny Tiger oath:“Sir/Ma’am,I promise to be a good person, with Knowledge in my head, Honesty in my heart, and Strength in my body, I promise to make good friends, if I use my manners and work really hard I can be a Black Belt!”

Championship Training (ages 4-teen)

Championship Trainingspecializes in bothTaekwondo and wrestling. Instructor James Corbin has earned medals at several TKD championships. He also coached state champion wrestler Kody Reed.

Missoula Taekwondo Center(ages 4-teen)

Co-owners and instructors Steve and Amanda Robarsky foster discipline, teamwork and positivity while showing students how best to defend themselves. Master Steve Robarsky has been appointed to coach the USA National Collegiate Team at the World University Games in August. This will be his fourth time representing the country in these games.

PARKOUR AND FREERUNNING

Unparalleled Movement

Kids get the opportunity to learn movement skills like jumping, climbing, vaulting, balancing and flipping in Montana's first parkour gym.

SKIING

Youth Ski Edu cation Foundation (ages 6-19)

The YSL program places a stong emphasis on all-mountain skiing, fun, and cultivating a lifelong love for skiing. As skiers advance from the Grizzly Ski Team to the Missoula Ski Team, they gradually learn alpine race techniques as outlined by USSA through a combination of drills, freeskiing, and gate training.

SOCCER

FC Missoula(ages 11-19)

The goal of FC Missoula is to provide players of all ages the opportunity to play soccer on teams with players of similar abilities in leagues and tournaments with teams of similar makeups so that all players can play in a healthy competitive environment.

Missoula Strikers Soccer Club(ages 3-18)

A competitive youth soccer league since 1982, the Missoula Strikersaim to enhance players’ skill levels, technical abilities, and tactical awareness.

SWIMMING

Missoula Aquatic Club(all ages)

One of the largest swimming programs in the state of Montana, MAC is also one of the oldest programs in the Rocky Mountain area. The team competes at Regional and National levels.

TRACK AND FIELD

Missoula Youth Track Club (ages 6-14)

Got a kid who likes to run, jump and throw? Volunteer high school coaches work to inspire a child's love of track and field, good sportsmanship, and a healthy lifestyle.

VOLLEYBALL

Zootown Volleyball (ages 12-18)

Zootown Volleyball Club is dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of volleyball to girls in Montana all while stimulating their love of the game.

WRESTLING

Missoula Wrestling Club (ages 6-teen)

MWC was established to provide a quality athletic program that will produce outstanding wrestling and wrestlers, while also emphasizing sportsmanship, self-discipline, and character development.

Both organizations below provide a range of children's athletic teams and activities.

MISSOULA PARKS AND RECREATION

Jr. Playmakers Youth Sports(Current offerings)

Youth Rugby League(grades 2-5)Kids will learn the basics of rugby strategy and have ton of fun while trying a new sport in a supportive team environment. Touch rugby encourages good sportsmanship and fair play.

Youth Soccer League (grades K-5)Kids learn the basics of the sport and have tons of fun.
Youth Ultimate Frisbee (grades 3-8) Games are self-officiated, teams make up a cheer for each other after games, and good sportsmanship is expected at all times. Participants learn the basics of throwing, catching, and positioning from volunteer coaches.

YMCA

Basketball(grades K-12)

These leagues are designed for kids to learn the fundamentals of basketball in a fun, positive environment. All divisions will have a girls and boys league.

Preschool Sports (ages 3-5)

Sports for preschoolers include Rookie Soccer, Rookie Sports (multi-sport), and Aquatics.

Soccer (grades 1-9)

Using modified rules designed to teach the fundamentals and skills of soccer, this recreational league is designed to provide a solid soccer foundation.

Sticks and Skills Lacrosse

Beginning players will learn about the great game of lacrosse in a fun, co-ed, non-contact environment. Sticks provided. Kids will practice the basic skills of passing, catching, dodging and shooting while learning about the rules of the sport in scrimmages.

Volleyball (grades 3-6)

Your child will learn and build on the fundamentals of volleyball skills in a fun and positive environment. Each week, players will focus on a different skill set to help them learn the game.