Specializing In Single Sport, Early Travel Team Play: Not In The Best Interest Of Children
Rider:
The Case Against Early Specialization (Part 7)
In order to become an elite athlete, a child needs to be old enough to
understand what is involved. Most who specialize at a young age (before sixth grade) don't know what
they are getting themselves into: a cutthroat, high-stakes, business
run by adults.
- Before high school, a child is not likely to fully appreciate
that if she plays on a select team she may often be practicing or going
to bed early, worn out after a hard day of exercise, while her
classmates are watching TV or socializing, or she may be
getting up early, while others are giving their growing bodies the rest
they so desperately need. While some kids choose to specialize because they realize that
they have a special talent and want to improve, for many
student-athletes, external pressure from parents and coaches steers
them in a direction they may or may not want to go. The explosive growth of travel teams for kids before sixth grade thus reflects a youth sports system promoting the values and expectations of adults and not the best interests of children.
- Children who specialize early to please adults fail to develop
the critical ability to say no and to know the limitations of their
bodies, knowledge that comes only with age and experience (studies show
that most elite athletes don't know their bodies, their capabilities,
and their limitations, until the end of their careers, at about age
thirty).
- The enthusiasm and passion a child may show for a particular sport is
not enough to justify excessive training or participation on a select
team. After all, you don't hesitate to limit the amount of time your
children spend on other activities they enjoy, e.g., television and
video games. Why shouldn't you also place appropriate limits on the
amount of time they spend playing ultra-competitive, super-organized
sports at an early age? That, after all, is what parenting is all about: looking out for your child's best interests.
Teaser title:
Select & Travel Teams Before Sixth Grade: Good for Adults, Bad for Kids?
Teaser text:
The growth of early travel teams and specialization in single sport is not in the best interests of children.