Should I put my kid in just one sport?

Today's Blog comes to us from Social Foundations of Coaching student, Kathryn Lux. Kathryn is senior Softball player for Notre Dame.

As times are changing and sports are becoming more and more competitive, there has been a big push for children to start specializing in one sport. Many feel that this is a good idea because if a child spends all of their time focusing on one sport, then it would only make sense that they have a better chance at earning a college scholarship, right? Well not necessarily. Take myself for example, I received a scholarship to play softball at the University of Notre Dame, and I played three sports until I came to college. I found that because I was a multi-sport athlete, I got better grades and was one of the most active and productive athletes in school.  Also, I would argue that those who are active in more than one sport are better all-around athletes. By participating in multiple sports, athletes gain the opportunity to learn transferable athletic skills, such as the football player who learns balance and agility from wrestling. This is important because even though a child is not active in the same sport year round, they are still improving their game. Lastly, I would say that a child benefits from playing more than one sport because they are members of multiple teams that give them exposure to different coaches with different philosophies, different teammates and personalities, which can provide important benefits for the development of a well-rounded person.

Parents tend to like specialization because it can make life easier for them, and some can live vicariously through their child. The pressure that parents put on their children to specialize can cause the athlete to settle for a sport that might not be their favorite, or might not be where their natural talent lies. Thus, leading to kids becoming burned out because they play the same sport all year round, and ultimately wanting to quit. Sports are about fun, and I would strongly encourage people to allow their children to play multiple sports because it plays such an integral part in their development as human beings, as well as aiding in their chance to earn a college scholarship.