The Case for the Multi Sport Child
Over the years, there have been a lot of conversations about what age kids should start to specialize in sports, and narrow it down to just one.
As someone who has been involved with youth sports for over 30 years and has a 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter, I can tell you this:
Statistically, 78% of our kids here every single day is it direction or a correction, for the time they get up we tell them to wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, brush their teeth, get in the car, don’t forget your backpack. At school and after school it is the same routine.
Children don’t really get to explore or play the same way our generation did when we were kids. We used to be able to go down the street and play multiple sports, make up games, compete and just have fun doing what we love. This diversity of play allowed us to use our bodies in different ways and develop balance, coordination, quickness and strength.
Then when it came to organized sports, there were seasons. Those of us who played multiple sports would have football during the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in spring.
These days, kids at young ages are being encouraged to specialize and play one single sport for nine or 10 months in a row. This is where the challenge comes in,. without diversity of sport the level of competition rises as each child is “all in” on their chosen sport. Not only is a child’s body not ready for that much repetitive motion, it is equally challenging for a young child to focus mentally on competing that much.
I believe if we want our kids to want to continue to play sports you on the age of 13, it is imperative that we allow them to play as many sports as possible and get them down time to truly enjoy what they’re doing.
I love a good steak, but if you told me that I had to eat steak for nights a week for 11 months in a row, I would probably become A vegetarian.
It is been said that variety is the spice of life and I really believe this to be the case when it comes to our children and their activities whether it is on the court, in the classroom or just being a kid.
One of the main reasons that the National Academy Of Athletics office so many sports variety options is that we truly believe that there is no better way for kids to prepared to play in any sports league than to attend a camper clinic.
The foundation, fundamental skills and confidence that they will develop will truly help them to be more successful during in league play and have much more fun.
If you would like your child to have the opportunity to experience the National Academy Of Athletics camps or clinics, catch us at nationalacademyofathletics.com
Aaron Locks
Mason and Mia’s father
CEO and founder
National Academy of Athletics
Author of coaches best friend
Related reading: The Benefits of Cross-Training for Youth Athletes: How Variety Can Improve Performance · The Importance of Teaching Sports Fundamentals Before Joining a League
