What age is the minimum at which a child could begin a track program? Also, does anyone have any information on finding local track organizations? thanks.
I know its around 6yrs. Where are you located? i tried to look your info. i could not see it.
I am in South Carolina, in a suburb of Charlotte, NC. From the SC programs the closest I saw was Columbia. Doesn’t strict track lead to a bit of burnout though? How long can a kid be doig 400’s without saying “I quit?”
well its a simple thing of wanting to do it, i mean how long can a kid play a certain video game, play football or base ball, ride his bike before he says i quit! i mean if he likes it then the’ll keep doing it, know what im saying? But you cant force a kid to do a sport or they will quickly disfavour it, you gotta just lead them in the right direction, encourage him to play other sports as well. Take me for example i started playing football when i was in the 2nd grade started to run track in the 4th to get faster for football (off my own accord my parents never told me to run track) and by the end of high school i decided to stick with track and last year i finished ranked 9th in the nation in the 100m for JUCO. I also took a year off in the 8th grade from track jsut becasue i didnt want to do it (i guess you can say i got burnt out) but im just trying to show you that if a kid comes to love it then encourage it but if he doesnt then dont force it upon him becasue he’ll come to resent it and maybe even you. Shoot i know theres gotta be one closer than columbia because when i use to run AAU there was always a few teams from Charlotte at national meets.
Keep it fun and rewarding. Take them to fun meets where everyone gets a ribbon. DONT over train them or get sucked into making them a star for the local AAU meets. Focus on the long development of the kid (college scholarships at the least) Another thing to think about is letting them have a social life with non track kids and maybe practice another sport.(gymnastics and swimming are fantastic.) Charlie’s short to long program is great for kids. Its fun for them and not too taxing for them. They love the jumps too long high jump etc. Stay away from the triple until they are in HS. These are the things that I do with my own daughters.
Hope that helps.
Also look at Tudor Bompa’s Total Training for Young Champions. Some useful info in that book.
I run an age group summer clinic/camp for kids in my town ages 5 to 14. I have done it now for over 5 years.
I find that the younger kids have to be treated in a different plane. Make it fun, change activities often, make a game out of training running and jumping and throwing, throw other implements such as softballs, shorter, lighter javelins, they can do all of these well. We do it two nights a week monday and wednesday nights, ages 5-12 , 6:00 to 7:30, and older kids 7:00 to 8:30pm. We have meets once every two weeks over month of july, fun events, ribbons for all competitors!!!
Remember its all about developmental activities anyways!!!
Kids can benefit from participation in youth track 7 field from 5 yrs and up.
Make it fun, interesting and challenging. Give them their first taste of track & field?? Make it a good tatse, maybe more will come back!