As a parent of 2 boys, I always encouraged them both to play as many sports as they could, for as long as they could, assuming they still wanted to play and were good enough to continue to do so. Fortunately, they both played football, basketball, and baseball from the time they were 5 until they graduated high school. They were both lucky enough to have offers to play in college, but both decided it was time to move on to the next phase of their lives and just attend college as a "normal" kid, enjoying college life and focusing on their degrees.

 

The reality is, most people, including my kids, will never make a nickel playing professional sports. Why not encourage kids to build memories and bonds with people and enjoy as many different experiences, obstacles, and accomplishment as possible in their developmental years and through high school? I know they both have forged life-long bonds with other players and their families that will always be cherished and look back on with fondness.

 

If you are trying to make a kid focus on one sport you are doing him/her a disservice. Again, this is assuming they WANT to play and are gifted enough to make the team. And, selfishly, I'm glad they both chose the road they did,because we received as many good memories and friendships as parents as they did as players.

Spring football should be outlawed.

 

Baseball, basketball, and hockey build more total body skills than any other sport.

 

As should spring soccer, volleyball and basketball. These spring sports really hurt many high school baseball and softball teams.

As should spring soccer, volleyball and basketball. These spring sports really hurt many high school baseball and softball teams.

 

And fall baseball/AAU basketball hurts football.

Agreed. Unfortunately though it is all about the money.

Spring football should be outlawed.

 

Baseball, basketball, and hockey build more total body skills than any other sport.

 

I strongly disagree and would say wrestling over any other sport.

Spring football is the only time the KHSAA sanctions practice during the season of another sport and it is absurd.

Spring football is the only time the KHSAA sanctions practice during the season of another sport and it is absurd.

 

That's weird...I thought June was for Basketball to play their 1000 games and go to 4 camps and spend $$ on games and not work on drills or individual work.

 

So June is not for Basketball your saying?

 

Also, are coaches from a high school allowed to coach AAU basketball or Fall Traveling Baseball team?

 

Spring Football is 10 days and NOT every football player is there, like June were all basketball players can go.

This isn't so cut and dry. Some kids can make 3 different varsity teams, but they won't see significant minutes at all 3. If a kid can stomach sitting the bench for the ball team, starting football, and being a rotational baseball player than have at it. Personally, I believe that there is NOTHING wrong with a kid picking one sport to maximize his ability to be above average to very good at that sport as opposed to sitting in mediocrity at all 3. Grade school and middle school, I am with all of you. However, high school specialization is fine with me.

This isn't so cut and dry. Some kids can make 3 different varsity teams, but they won't see significant minutes at all 3. If a kid can stomach sitting the bench for the ball team, starting football, and being a rotational baseball player than have at it. Personally, I believe that there is NOTHING wrong with a kid picking one sport to maximize his ability to be above average to very good at that sport as opposed to sitting in mediocrity at all 3. Grade school and middle school, I am with all of you. However, high school specialization is fine with me.

 

Good point. However, remember, most kids are going to be average...that's where most people fit on the bell curve, right in the middle. So specializing for most kids, isn't going to move the needle all the much. The kids that seem to benefit the most from specialization are the ones who are already in the very good+ category.

Good point. However, remember, most kids are going to be average...that's where most people fit on the bell curve, right in the middle. So specializing for most kids, isn't going to move the needle all the much. The kids that seem to benefit the most from specialization are the ones who are already in the very good+ category.

 

I see that differently. The one's that are very good athletes can play all 3 well at the Varsity level. It is the kid that needs to be a 3pt specialist to see significant minutes who can't afford to lose 1/2 the year playing other sports. These guys can play other sports after school for fun. I don't think not playing a varsity sport 3 seasons out of the year is necessarily a bad thing.

I see that differently. The one's that are very good athletes can play all 3 well at the Varsity level. It is the kid that needs to be a 3pt specialist to see significant minutes who can't afford to lose 1/2 the year playing other sports. These guys can play other sports after school for fun. I don't think not playing a varsity sport 3 seasons out of the year is necessarily a bad thing.

 

I'm with you. I don't think a kid has to or even should play 2-3 sports at the high school level. 3 sports can be a grind and certainly isn't for everyone. I also don't think that specialization is as beneficial as many claim it to be, especially for the average kid.

How many healthcare experts have said it is bad for a high school student to participate in the same sport year round? Different sports stress the body differently. Throw the idiot AAU/select/travel coaches that tell parents "I can make your kid an all star, you just have to pay for it" and the gullible parents that believe it, then whine incessantly when their kid isn't good enough to play regularly at the high school level because they are actually expected to use fundamentals there. I despise the specialization that is happening in high school sports.

Id argue that playing 3 sports is just as bad as playing one and having some defined down time.

That's weird...I thought June was for Basketball to play their 1000 games and go to 4 camps and spend $$ on games and not work on drills or individual work.

 

So June is not for Basketball your saying?

 

Also, are coaches from a high school allowed to coach AAU basketball or Fall Traveling Baseball team?

 

Spring Football is 10 days and NOT every football player is there, like June were all basketball players can go.

 

Is June in the middle of an ongoing season?

 

No.

Id argue that playing 3 sports is just as bad as playing one and having some defined down time.

 

Id argue that and based on information I've read from experts (Dr. James Andrews for one) I'd feel pretty good about my argument. The problem is they is no down time if you just play one sport.