Delete. Almost made a double post.

Urban himself was at least a two sport star in HS. Played DB at UC and was drafted and I believe played a little in the Braves organization.

 

Urban played for the Pulaski Braves in the Appalachian League. One of his two homeruns was hit against the Paintsville Yankees, who played their games at Johnson Central High School. Many great players played in that league during the early 80's including: Jose Rijo, Darryl Strawberry, Greg Maddux, Eric Plunk, Dwight Gooden and so on. Here is an article discussing the Yankees stint in Paintsville.

 

MARK MAYNARD: When Paintsville had pinstripes - The Independent Online: Local Sports

 

But to get back on topic, I think it is great for kids to enjoy their time while in high school and play every sport that interests them should they choose to do so. You only have one chance to live it up and to live life with the thought of, "What if?" really isn't worth it. From a recruiting aspect, several coaches that I have talked to during the process have asked if a particular player specializes in one sport or not. One told me that the reason they ask this is because if a player specializes some tend to view it that they have possibly maxed out their potential or there is little room for growth. All I would recommend to those that only play one sport, do everything you can to enhance your abilities and do the little things that no one should have to hound you to do. Be a great student, be accountable and lead by example. It is easy being average and skirting by with minimal effort. Push yourself to not only be the best player you can be but to also push yourself to be the best person you can be. Best of luck to all student athletes with whatever choices you make.

I haven't played organized basketball since high school. I'm 250. Haven't shot one in 8 months...and, I'll play the kid who just plays one sport because he thinks that's gogoing to give him some kind of hope, and wear him out. And if I dont...then it will be a scare from an old, 20" vertical fat man.

 

So..then, he might realize that his college basketball dreams are over, and decided to play another sport or two in high school & make a few memories from that.

 

I do the same with many of the players during our weight training sessions. When they see myself and a few other coaches busting our tails, putting up bigger numbers and running every sprint along side them, it really eliminates any excuses on why they aren't working hard or saying something is too difficult. An old fella like myself, with a bum knee and a half torn pectoral muscle, grinding it out 5-6 days a week along side them helps them realize that they can always give more.

Urban played for the Pulaski Braves in the Appalachian League. One of his two homeruns was hit against the Paintsville Yankees, who played their games at Johnson Central High School. Many great players played in that league during the early 80's including: Jose Rijo, Darryl Strawberry, Greg Maddux, Eric Plunk, Dwight Gooden and so on. Here is an article discussing the Yankees stint in Paintsville.

 

MARK MAYNARD: When Paintsville had pinstripes - The Independent Online: Local Sports

 

But to get back on topic, I think it is great for kids to enjoy their time while in high school and play every sport that interests them should they choose to do so. You only have one chance to live it up and to live life with the thought of, "What if?" really isn't worth it. From a recruiting aspect, several coaches that I have talked to during the process have asked if a particular player specializes in one sport or not. One told me that the reason they ask this is because if a player specializes some tend to view it that they have possibly maxed out their potential or there is little room for growth. All I would recommend to those that only play one sport, do everything you can to enhance your abilities and do the little things that no one should have to hound you to do. Be a great student, be accountable and lead by example. It is easy being average and skirting by with minimal effort. Push yourself to not only be the best player you can be but to also push yourself to be the best person you can be. Best of luck to all student athletes with whatever choices you make.

 

I agree. That makes sense. I also think that the high level club sports have messed with the multisport concept. July 15 is the first day of football and soccer, but also the time of the showcase basketball tourneys. I'm not disagreeing. Just adding that the club sports and media and player rankings, etc have altered the multisport culture.

Athletic standards for playing football beyond D3 have exploded. Times have changed. You can play 3 sports, but if you don't have the measurables, you don't get on the field.

This is 100% true. If you don't have the speed/size. Don't matter what you do on the feild court.

I like to see kids play multiple sports, because different sports require different skill sets. It can help develop a kid into a better overall athlete.

Also, studies have shown that the more kids specialize in one sport...the more they are prone to over-use injuries... Especially true of pitchers.

But, like a lot of things...it depends on the individual and their goals.

I wouldn't be so bold to say multiple sports are best for everyone... But, if it were my kids, I'd want them to at least do two sports. If nothing else...it can keep them from getting mentally burned out.

Most look at this issue in regards to skill positions. Its a lineman issue as well.

 

I would get compliments on kids who were linemen being 'quick, good footwork, explosive - how do they do that?'.

 

Answer was simple - they played hockey. You play ice hockey and you will have good footwork, flexible ankles, quick launch, ability to spin around with one leg planted.

 

If I could make one recommendation to linemen - learn to ice skate and play hockey if you can.

This is from Ohio Varsity on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ohiovarsity

 

 

I would love to see a basketball chart. I would bet it would be the opposite if you took 47 D1 recruits, 42 would play basketball only and 5 would play multiple sports.

Hips low - Back straight - feet shoulder width - balls of feet

 

Wrestling Stance

Baseball defensive position

Basketball defensive postition

Football - Everything

 

The hardest thing to teach a young player is get and work from their stance. We try to use the example of coiling the spring. This basic athletic position separates the better players in all these sports. Learning to wrestle helps you stay in a good football position. A good basketball defender has the groundwork for being a good football player due to low stance and lateral movements.

 

I watch a lot of kids do agility straight legged and high hipped. Slow, slow. slow off balance. off balance, off balance

 

Learning this basic principal in other sports carries well over to football

I would love to see a basketball chart. I would bet it would be the opposite if you took 47 D1 recruits, 42 would play basketball only and 5 would play multiple sports.

This. Well said.

I would love to see a basketball chart. I would bet it would be the opposite if you took 47 D1 recruits, 42 would play basketball only and 5 would play multiple sports.

 

I think you see so many multi sport football players because there is no "second" season. Basketball has AAU, there's select baseball in summer in fall, club soccer etc. In many cases those second seasons are more competitive than the high school season, and provide opportunities for players to be "seen" by college scouts. These extra opportunities to play at a high level give players a very good reason to specialize and forego other sports. Aside from lifting and conditioning and a couple of weeks of spring ball, there is no second season for football. Yes I know there are camps but they are typically a few days here and there and do not preclude football players from playing other sports.

I think you see so many multi sport football players because there is no "second" season. Basketball has AAU, there's select baseball in summer in fall, club soccer etc. In many cases those second seasons are more competitive than the high school season, and provide opportunities for players to be "seen" by college scouts. These extra opportunities to play at a high level give players a very good reason to specialize and forego other sports. Aside from lifting and conditioning and a couple of weeks of spring ball, there is no second season for football. Yes I know there are camps but they are typically a few days here and there and do not preclude football players from playing other sports.

 

Good point.

The kids that Urban gets are natural athletes that are blessed with profound athletic gifts. They already have the measurables needed to be recruited and signed at that level. Most have to make themselves into athletes. The only way to do that is through structured training, specific goals and a plan to get there. That commitment simply does not leave time for another sport. I bet the chart at a MAC school , or an FCS school would look a lot different.

 

 

 

I will 100% respectfully disagree. You can ask any recruiter out there if they want specialization and they will tell you absolutely not. We have become a society of if I train in one sport year round I have a better chance. That is false and it is proved over again and again at the college level. But high school coaches think that you have to have them 24/7/365 and that is just not the case. I wish more and more people in this state would understand this.

I would love to see a basketball chart. I would bet it would be the opposite if you took 47 D1 recruits, 42 would play basketball only and 5 would play multiple sports.

 

If this is true then there may be the problem. Maybe just maybe they should look at the athlete. LeBron was a great football player. I think back to Mason Co with Lofton and Grutza( sorry if spelling is off) oh Darious Miller. It is shameful in my opinion for ANY high school coach to try and persuade a player and his or her parents to have a kid specialize and if that is the case they shold be FIRED. But if they are winning they get away with it.

I will 100% respectfully disagree. You can ask any recruiter out there if they want specialization and they will tell you absolutely not. We have become a society of if I train in one sport year round I have a better chance. That is false and it is proved over again and again at the college level. But high school coaches think that you have to have them 24/7/365 and that is just not the case. I wish more and more people in this state would understand this.

 

We will have to agree to disagree. Ask any recruiter and they will tell you if they don't have the measureables, they could play 6 sports , and it would not matter.

 

I also believe that unless you are a track athlete, taking the spring off to participate in spring football helps you get prepared for camp season. IMO, wrestling and track are the only sports that helps football athletes prepare for evaluation.

 

Like I said in my original post, if you have all the measurables, then go right ahead and play multiple sports. If you don't have the measureables, then playing multiple sports is not going to further your football career aspirations.