The multi-skilled young athlete has yielded to one of specialization in recent years. A new trend of multi-sport is coming back, for that to continue athletes & families must chart their own course.
Great article Greg! I couldn't agree more. I'm not a dissenting vote when it comes to specialization in general. I think it is right for some kids...sometimes. However, the degree to which it has blossomed (IMO) is due to overzealous parents with unrealistic expectations, led by dream-chasing coaches. In other words, adults are the problem...not kids. Over the past two or three years, I've seen multiple interviews with major college coaches describing how they prefer to recruit multi-sport athletes. They describe the benefits of cross-over training and how skills from one sport contribute to success in another. The greatest benefit I've seen as a coach and trainer is a young athlete discovering they have natural gifts in a different sport than they traditionally play. The joy and satisfaction is unmistakable on a kid's face when they excel! We need to continue to work together (all of us) to promote what you described as "saying no to some opportunities" and help kids discover the joy and satisfaction of being "well rounded!"
Great article Greg! I couldn't agree more. I'm not a dissenting vote when it comes to specialization in general. I think it is right for some kids...sometimes. However, the degree to which it has blossomed (IMO) is due to overzealous parents with unrealistic expectations, led by dream-chasing coaches. In other words, adults are the problem...not kids. Over the past two or three years, I've seen multiple interviews with major college coaches describing how they prefer to recruit multi-sport athletes. They describe the benefits of cross-over training and how skills from one sport contribute to success in another. The greatest benefit I've seen as a coach and trainer is a young athlete discovering they have natural gifts in a different sport than they traditionally play. The joy and satisfaction is unmistakable on a kid's face when they excel! We need to continue to work together (all of us) to promote what you described as "saying no to some opportunities" and help kids discover the joy and satisfaction of being "well rounded!"