Is it wise to specialize?
It’s a hot topic in and around the high school sports world these days: should I/my child specialize in one sport to get better at it, and therefore further chances of playing it at the collegiate level?
There’s pros and cons to each side of the argument, and the push toward specialization has increased dramatically in recent years. There are stories every year that come out about athletes who quit other sports to focus on one and end up getting highly recruited at Division I schools. There are also stories about athletes who played multiple sports throughout their childhood, and even in college, and end up playing at a high level. So still, the question remains: to specialize, or not to specialize?
The pros of sport specialization are easy to figure out. Focusing full-time on one sport and practicing it over and over will likely make your skill level in that sport much higher. Letting go of other sports frees up more time to practice the chosen sport as well. Specializing in one sport can also build a better relationship and a stronger bond with that coach or personal trainer because of the time spent.
However, the cons of sport specialization seem to outweigh the pros. Specializing in a sport that includes travel teams can hinder social growth among peers. It may cause the athlete to be influenced by coaches and parental interests as opposed to their own. Studies show that athletes who specialize have increased risk of burnout and decrease of motivation. In fact, studies have also shown that athletes who specialize in one sport have lower rates of physical activity for the rest of their lives; simply put, kids who specialize don’t seem to want to be very athletic after they retire. Specialization also does not guarantee future success. It may put a child ahead in their sport for a time, but it doesn’t guarantee a Division I scholarship or a career in the professional leagues.
Probably the scariest side effect of sport specialization is the increased risk of injury. A 2012 study showed that of the 3.5 million children treated for sports injury, over half of those were overuse injuries, or injuries caused by repetitive motions or movements. Dr. Lyle Michele of the Children’s Hospital Boston said that 25 years ago, only 10 percent of injuries he saw were overuse injuries; today, he says that number has risen to 70 percent.
In the 2015 NFL Draft, 244 of 256 athletes were multi-sport athletes. Perhaps the most famous athlete from that draft class is Jameis Winston, first overall pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played both baseball and football growing up, and continued to play them both at a high level while at Florida State. Other notable two-sport athletes include Julius Thomas, who went to Morehouse on a basketball scholarship and only picked up football during his junior year of college, Jimmy Graham, who played on Miami’s basketball team and only played one year of football in graduate school, and the famous Bo Jackson, who played both collegiate and professional football and baseball.
Our recommendation? Don’t specialize! Play as many sports as you want. Many college coaches actually look for athletes who are multi-sport and well-rounded. If you are going to specialize, don’t do so before high school, as all these issues are more common in younger athletes. Also, if specializing is what the parents want to do, make sure it’s also what the child wants to do. Being a high school athlete is pressure enough; adding pressure to excel at one sport and sacrifice time with friends can cause burnout and an athlete quitting sports altogether.
Remember: sports are just glorified games in which the goals are to win AND to have fun. Always be sure that both goals are being accomplished.
Opinion / North Florida / April-May 2016
Greater Jacksonville Area
Jacksonville, Florida
By Kim Hoy
