The problem is the proliferation of private coaches and bodies like AAU that preach (either intentionally or by inference) a two-pronged message of 1) the only way to play ball at the next level (whether that's HS or college) is if you play the game year-round, and 2) your child WILL make it (if you play year-round).

 

Parents find themselves in the uncomfortable position of getting this information and feeling forced to participate at extraordinary levels (and spending extraordinary $$) to ensure that Johnny doesn't get "left behind."

 

I don't think we've necessarily lost anything because kids aren't playing hide-and-seek and "soldier" at home in their free time, they're playing organized sports. But I think we've lost something when the kids are being managed like professional athletes at tender ages.

 

 

AMEN! :thumb:

I had an eye opener this year with my son in basketball. My question would be do we as parants push the kids to hard to be the best? Do we as parants push our kids to hard to live our sport days out through them? I do think we push these kids to hard but on the other hand some kids really enjoy playing year round. If a coach said my son my lose playing time if he didn't play summer ball, and my son didn't want to play, I guess so be it let him lose the time. Be real how many of our kids will go on to a big college or pros to play a sport. Not many

One solution for homework and after-school studying getting in the way of sports, is by having the teachers download their lectures on Ipods so the young athletes can train, practice, and condition without interupption of having to sit down and actually read and write. Just a matter of getting priorities straight.

Just to play devil's advocate, if that's so hard to believe, why do kids (and their parents) focus SO much on one sport? Do they think they're going to go pro? Do they think that they're going to get a college scholarship? Do they think that playing year round is going to make them THAT much better? (And no, I'm not comparing them to someone who sits at home watching tv instead.) I'm just wondering.

 

If the majority of kids don't play anything past the high school level...what's the push behind the singular focus? I'd rather have my kid go through a broad array of experiences like spindoc and I did, than to say "you have to choose one sport".

 

Maybe the kid just doesn't have any interest in other sports. My son played a few years of football and baseball and quite frankly could have excelled at both but he said his heart wasn't in football and that baseball was boring. Instead of pushing him I encouraged him to focus on one sport and give it 100%. I am glad he was exposed to those sports as well as soccer just for the fact that he had the opportunity to see if it was for him.

Maybe the kid just doesn't have any interest in other sports. My son played a few years of football and baseball and quite frankly could have excelled at both but he said his heart wasn't in football and that baseball was boring. Instead of pushing him I encouraged him to focus on one sport and give it 100%. I am glad he was exposed to those sports as well as soccer just for the fact that he had the opportunity to see if it was for him.

 

The difference in your case, however, is this: The KID came to the conclusion on his own.

The difference in your case, however, is this: The KID came to the conclusion on his own.

Agree.

Maybe the kid just doesn't have any interest in other sports. My son played a few years of football and baseball and quite frankly could have excelled at both but he said his heart wasn't in football and that baseball was boring. Instead of pushing him I encouraged him to focus on one sport and give it 100%. I am glad he was exposed to those sports as well as soccer just for the fact that he had the opportunity to see if it was for him.

In that case great, I believe the kids should have the ultimate say in what sport they prefer but if they choose to play several they should not be pressured by anyone to specialize in one.

In that case great, I believe the kids should have the ultimate say in what sport they prefer but if they choose to play several they should not be pressured by anyone to specialize in one.

 

True statement.

Great thread, My son attends 1A school plays 3 sports baseball, football, basketball as well as summer baseball. Being a small school they (coaches) say that they have to share players. But they all let be know that thats not the case. I have asked many people about weather he should focus on just one or two sports. Surprising to me majority said if he can play all three let him play.

 

Do you former three sport players or parents of agree let them play???

Many of these decisions to play multiple sports comes down to the numbers.

How many kids are enrolled in the school. At St X, Trinity, or any of the big city schools the numbers of kids that are trying to play a sport are high compared to the smaller county schools. This makes it tougher for a kid at a big school to even make a team, so he has a decision to make. Do I concentrate all my effort (year round) on the sport that I love playing in order to put myself in a position to make the team? Kids aren't stupid. They figure things out on their own. It's just percentages and they know in order to make the team and get some PT they have to be better than the other kids. Competition for the spot influences their decision to play one sport year round. This doesn't apply to the freak athlete. He gets to play whatever he wants because God blessed him with that ability.

 

Many schools offer intramurals in order to provide kids with the opportunity to play a sport that they love. The sad truth is through the spirit of competition it's tough for kids to play more than one sport at the bigger schools because of the numbers.

Not only does playing one sport year round lead to burn-out, but also more injuries. Overuse of the same muscles causes many more sports-related injuries than playing different sports throughout the year. Great if you are in the sports medicine field, but really hard on young bodies.

 

I agree 100%. There are actually studies that have been done that proves this statement correct!

 

Two years ago, I watched a competitive 9u baseball team that had a stud 8 year old on the team. The kid was a fearsome pitcher. They pitched him all spring and all summer - riding him on the mound as their primary pitcher - and he helped the team win several titles. All of this was done in the name of "getting him to the next level", a stated goal of his father. By the fall, the kid's arm was rubber, and he was already seeing a doctor for care. All at the ripe old age of eight!

 

I don't think we've necessarily lost anything because kids aren't playing hide-and-seek and "soldier" at home in their free time, they're playing organized sports. But I think we've lost something when the kids are being managed like professional athletes at tender ages.

 

I have a 10 year old girl and an 8 year old boy and I absolutely DREAD the day that they have to "choose" a sport. They each play 2-3 sports and some sports they have played on multiple teams during that season (their choice). I couldn't imagine them choosing at this age and playing all year round in one sport bc with both of them they will choose whatever season it is at the time. They are kids, they don't know what they want to play right now. You might as well ask them to declare their college major. Let them decide what they want to play and play the games as they are meant to be played...FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME.

I attended a physical therapy conference last year, and the discussion became focused on the change to one sport athletes. A major clinic reported the athletes they are seeing are typically the best of the best, but unfortunately this is from overuse, not taking any time off. Repetitions, lack of rest, overdemanding regimes,

Not only does playing one sport year round lead to burn-out, but also more injuries. Overuse of the same muscles causes many more sports-related injuries than playing different sports throughout the year. Great if you are in the sports medicine field, but really hard on young bodies.

 

Interesting but I have a different perspective. My younger brother played three sports growing up. As soon as one finished, he went right to the other. Always practicing full go and always with the pressure to win in games on him. He actually burned out because he played 3 sports.

 

I think with a little understanding from coaches and parents, a kid can play one sport, not burn out and avoid injuries. Unfortunately too many youth coaches think they are the next Calipari or Bear Bryant. Coaches need to stop worrying about the win loss records and their egos. Parents have to step up and be parents. The kid may want to play 80 games of baseball or 80 games of basketball by playing year around, but parents need to put their feet down and say no. Unfortunately way too many parents try to live their lifes vicariously through their children. When a coach says their child need to play 80 games a year to be the star high school athlete or make it to college sports, the parents lose perspective of what being a parent is about. Some push their kids to play 3 sports because the parent played and enjoyed 3 sports. But because youth sports are out of control these days in my opinion, participating in 3 sports these days is much more grueling and intensive than when the parents were kids. But parents don't realize it or refuse to want to realize it. To those parents I've just offended, I'm sorry but that is just my opinion based on what I've observed. True in every case? No but more times than many want to admit.