If you can hire someone to help him improve his kickball skills, that would be the surest way to build his confidence. It could be a fitness trainer or just a local high school kid who wants to earn a few dollars for his efforts. As for kids not playing by the rules, you can definitely talk to him about this. Let him know that you understand how frustrating it can be. Also teach him that it's part of life - not everyone plays fair. It's O.K. - he can still play and have fun with the other kids - he needs to be flexible in order to fit in. If the unfairness of all this is still an issue for him, you can give him the Bach Flower Remedy called "Vervain" which helps those people who are rule-oriented and get really upset when things aren't fair. The remedy helps them calm down and enjoy life a little more. Give him 2 drops in liquid, 4 times a day for a few weeks and see how it affects him. All the best,  Sarah Chana

If your son has a few friends that great. Some kids don't even have that! And there's nothing wrong with reading or playing DS. Try not to make him feel there's something wrong with him. Just build him up. That's how you make a kid confident. Not everyone is good at sports and some kids like to use their minds more than their bodies.  Just let him be.

Build up his confidence in other areas too - like teach him karate or keyboard or something.

HAVE FAMILY TIME OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE TIME WHERE YOU GET A CHANCE TO BECOME 9 YEARS OLD AGAIN. TAKE THE DS AWAY, BUT I HAVE TO SAY READING IS A GOOD THING, BUT THERE IS A TIME TO GET OUT AND HAVE FUN. READ SOME OF THE BOOKS, AND GO OUTSIDE AND MAKE THE STORY COME TO LIFE. SLOWLY GET HIS FRIENDS OVER, OR YOU CAN GET HIM INTO SPORTS, AND STILL JOIN IN. LET HIM KNOW HE IS GOOD AT WHAT HE DOES, BUT DONT SAY HE IS THE BEST, CAUSE IF SOMEONE ELSE WINS YOU WILL HAVE TO START OVER.