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Thanks for this. I think another reason kids start sports is that it’s important to one of both of their parents that they do. I guess that’d be called perceived value by family culture (and local social culture) and they start earlier than ever in many cases. In my work as a movement therapist, often working with children and teens, fundamental movement patterns have not yet been integrated by normal free play before kids start drilling repetitive moves in sports practice. My wish for future athletes is that they get lots of free play, even on a sports field with a wide variety of moves during the early years so that, when they reach 12 or 13 they can wholeheartedly and whole-bodily meet the thrill and demands of athletics. Then sports are truly healthy. Thanks for your advocacy for healthy play and athletics. Your voice is very important.

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