Specialization

Kids Who Delay Sports Specialization More Coordinated and Physically Fit, Study Finds

Boys participating in more than one sport before age 12 are more physically fit and have better gross motor coordination than those who specialize in a single sport early, says a new study.  Whether the reason is because they play mulitple sports or because the best athletes choose not to specialize early is unclear.

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Don't Specialize Too Early, Says Ruggiero

Four time Olympic medalist Angela Ruggiero played sports beside ice hockey until she got to college.  She urges parents to resist the increasing pressure on their child to specialize too early. Playing different sports helps a child develop different muscles and skills that make them better at their chosen sport, and is fun, which was what sport should be all about.  Early specialization can lead to burnout, Ruggiero says, so says parents need to make sure their kids get a physical and mental break from sports every year.
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Starting Ice Hockey At Age 10: Too Late To Reach Olympics?

Four-time Olympic women's ice hockey medalist Angela Ruggiero says that starting ice hockey at age 10 is not too late; that some of her Olympic teammates, in fact, didn't start until age 12 or 13.  What she reminds parents is that their child will only achieve athletic success if they love their sport, so it is critical to find a sport they love to play.
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Playing Multiple Sports: A Healthy Advantage for Youth Athletes

The overlap between youth sports seasons is only getting worse and the degree to which kids are specializing at ever-earlier ages in a single sport is a troubling trend in youth sports, says one longtime baseball coach and author.
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Don't Specialize In Single Sport Too Early, Advises Trainer Mike Boyle

Most of the elite athletes he has worked with, says strength and conditioning guru Mike Boyle, did not specialize too early or play a single sport all year long, but took time off from sports or played lots of different sports. 

More Mike Boyle videos on MomsTeam:

How To Improve An Athlete's Speed and Agility

Plyometrics: Good, But Don't Overdo It, Says Trainer Mike Boyle

Taking Gym On The Road Is Easy

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Bigger Better, Nutrition Key, Mental Toughness Essential

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Start Young if You Want to Play in College

Submitted by patgrecco on Wed, 06/08/2011 - 00:06. | 0 comments

Soccer StarWhatever your sport is, the key to developing into a competitive athlete with a possible view to playing in college is starting early!  Beginning at an early age enables athletes to sharpen their skills so they will always on top of their game.

Most soccer players begin in the diaper division and play on small fields, small- sided teams, with 5 v. 5, not the usual 11 v. 11.  This way everyone gets to touch the ball, play offense, defense and even score a goal.  The key to having younger players in sports is that it is fun, builds self-esteem, teaches them to play with others, and gets them up and moving.  

Whatever your sport is, the key to developing into a competitive athlete
with a possible view to playing in college is starting early! 
Beginning at an early age enables athletes to sharpen their skills so
they will always on top of their game.

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Preventing Overuse Injuries in Youth Athletes

Overuse injuries account for fifty percent of all youth sports injuries, but half are preventable, says the National Athletic Trainers' Association in a new position statement.
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Keith Cronin, DPT
Keith Cronin, DPT

Specialization: Too Much Sports or Too Much Sport?

Submitted by Keith Cronin, DPT on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 19:08. | 0 comments

In the face of the growing epidemic of overuse injuries in youth sports, sports parents are often given two different kinds of advice: to make sure that their kids don't play sports all the time (too much sports) and to make sure their child isn't playing a single sport too much (too much sport).

Balance and variety is best

In considering what "too much sports" and "too much sport" mean it is helpful to use real-world examples.

In the face of the growing epidemic of overuse injuries in youth sports,
sports parents are often given two different kinds of advice: to make
sure that their kids don't play sports all the time (too much sports)
and to make sure their child isn't playing a single sport too much (too
much sport).

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Resist Pressure From Coaches For Early Specialization in Single Sport

Coaches who concentrate on the well-being of their young athletes encourage them to cross-train and enjoy other activities during parts of the year, not threaten them with the loss of a place on the team if they don't drop other sports.
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Early Specialization: Pros and Cons

Four-time Olympic ice hockey medalist, Angela Ruggiero, discusses the pros and cons of early specialization in youth sports.

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