After two weeks of jaw-dropping watching the best athletes in the world perform their magic at the London Olympics, one has to wonder: How did they do it? It is amazing to think how much effort and time they put into this lifetime achievement of becoming an Olympian. They must have started when they were young. As these very talented people set records on the track, in the pool and at other venues during the London games, there was much to talk about around the house. We believe that every elite athlete, whether they are Olympians or pros, must have been trained in this sport since they were able to walk.
We have to question whether it is worth encouraging kids to try more than one sport or if they should be participating in travel leagues. This holds true for sports as well. Numerous coaches who are worth their salt will tell you that multiple sports can be beneficial for kids. A youngster’s enthusiasm will continue to grow by playing multiple sports. A child can look forward to other sports and, consequently, to their original sport if they have some downtime.
As an example, if your kids play baseball from April to August, then they can transition into football or soccer, it will give them a passion for both soccer and football. They love baseball but know that after baseball is over; they can take a break and get back into their fall sport. They are looking forward to the transition to new challenges, competition, and the change in social dynamics they will encounter. All these attributes contribute to the player’s ability to improve as an athlete and person. A player’s ability to learn footwork in basketball will make them a better infielder for next summer’s double play.
Multisport can teach you valuable lessons
How to beat a tougher, bigger opponent in basketball gives insight into your tenacity, drive, and ability to think strategically within this game. That does not translate from one sport to another. You might be wrong. There are many opportunities for players to learn to deal with diversity at different levels and competitions. These challenges offer a unique opportunity to develop your talents and abilities to achieve your highest performance. This is also a great way to build your confidence. It builds confidence when you have to face the challenge of blocking the best football defensive lineman. You have more confidence in yourself, which increases your self-worth, not only as a player but as a person.
Sports success breaks down the barriers that keep performance levels in check. This also means that one can be freer. You will find many examples of multi-sport athletes who excel in school and work. Overuse injuries are becoming more common in children who choose to specialize in one sport rather than trying out different athletics. Overuse injuries have been so common at an earlier age that there is an entire movement to stop them. Evidence also shows that children who play multiple sports are less likely to become obese. Let’s go one step further. Competitiveness is what coaches look for at the college level. They love the competitiveness shown by athletes who play multiple sports.