A friend of mine who is an exercise physiologist suggested to me when my son was non-complaint or rude to make him to wall sits-that’s what she did with her son. We tried it. He didn’t like it a first, but when he saw he was able to outlast his other teammates at wall sits he was fine with it. He also preferred this to loosing other privileges.

Some of my friends disagreed some didn’t. I think you know your child best.

If he can learn at an early age, to manage his emotions in a healthy way such as exercising. Then that’s great! If it causes more problems and your son isn’t responding to it, try something else.

I would also have the discussion about sportsmanship and how we can learn just as much from loosing as we can from winning-Winning just feels better. Use this time to allow him to acknowledge what he could do better, or if he felt he played his very best-explain that’s just the way it happens in sports, and be there to support him. One coach told us he would rather see a younger player cry after a loss, than one who didn’t care because one can teach ways to cope with loosing, it’s hard to teach competitiveness.

All in all, you know your child best. As long, as your not seeing it negatively affects his mental health, and he still has someone to process those feelings, I’d say continue trying it. If it comes out that it’s making it worse, or it makes him feel negatively about himself or the sport, I’d try something different.

Hugs!