Perspective from 11.5 also
DS has played sports both team and individual. In team sports he is usually one of the least skilled players on the team. He understands the concepts of the games but doesn't have the drive to play well. However in individual sports, he seems to shine. He did very well in karate and participated in the classes for students at least 3 years older instead of at his age level. Ice skating is a new sport for him, but he is progressing very quickly and has a much better work ethic and attention to detail. This will be interesting to watch as it evolves.
In conversation with DS in the Spring, he said that he really doesn't want to play team sports since he doesn't want to compete against his friends for position and ranking. Now he is extremely social and has a large group of friends involved in a variety of activities. In fact when we are out and about the area, DH and I often start humming the Cheers theme he gets greated by so many people
So, I'm not worried if he prefers individual sports. I really don't know if gifted plays into this or if it is just his nature to want to compete against himself and keep his social interactions more laid back.
Ds played soccer for a few years, rather than an interest in building his lpay skills, he spent more time figuring out the physics and geometry of how to angle his kicks and the impact of speed on the distance the ball goes. That I do think was some gifted shining through.
