Sports Specialization
Introduction from Director of Athletics Kevin Sims
Over the past two decades, the incidence of athletes specializing in one sport has increased markedly. This development raises many questions and merits consideration.
Why do we see more specialization?
Specialization is ill-advised in the vast majority of cases. Specialization may very well compromise the goal of a whole education for the whole child. Breadth of sports activity may very well enhance benefits socially, physically, psychologically and athletically.
I recently made a quick list of the top athletes with whom I have had personal contact over the past 30 years. The list included 32 names. The group includes two Olympic Gold Medalists, one USA national team athlete, a tennis player who competed in 29 Grand Slam events, two NFL players, one MLB player, three MLS players, three WUSA players, several collegiate All-Americans at various levels in various sports, and numerous All-State athletes. The fact is that 31 of the 32 athletes were multiple sport athletes throughout high school, most being three-sport athletes. This suggests that their innate athletic abilities played a larger role ultimately in their success than the choice to specialize. Each would state without hesitation the multiple benefits they enjoyed from being multiple sport athletes.
I just as quickly made a list of students who chose to specialize and ultimately regretted that choice and/or were very disappointed with the outcomes of that choice.
I must confess a demonstrable lack of objectivity. I was fortunate enough to compete as a Division I college athlete. I almost did so in two sports. I was fortunate to have participated in four sports in high school. Each experience taught me something of great value. Each team was enriching. Each coach was enriching. Each sport taught me something about myself physically and psychologically. Each experience molded me into a better competitor. As a three-sport athlete during each high school year and a two-sport competitor each summer, the number of competitions whose outcomes held great value to me fashioned me into an athlete able to compete at a high level. I do not think specialization would have made me better; I am convinced I would have been worse for that choice. Had I the opportunity to do it all over again, I would most certainly undertake the entire range of experiences again.
Rather than take my word for it, please access the articles and research below to educate yourself on the pros and cons of sport specialization.
If you wish to discuss the dynamics of your or your child’s athletic experience as it relates to this topic, please get in touch.
All the best,
Kevin
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS:
Intensive Training and Sports Specialization in Young Athletes
Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;106/1/154
Specialization in Sport: How early... How necessary?
http://cis.squirming.net/category/becoming_a_better_coach/7/
Youth Sports Specialization: Beware These 4 Dangers!
http://ezinearticles.com/?Youth-Sports-Specialization:--Beware-These-4-Dangers!&id=15557
Sport Specialization in Youth: A Literature Review
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3841/is_200404/ai_n9389930
Should my child specialize?