Part 2: Specialization in Youth Sports, Good or Bad?

I suppose the best answer to this question of specialization in sports (and I know I might get some grief for this) is that there really is no best or right answer, at least no right answer for everyone and every situation. There are just too many variables in order for one answer to truly be beneficial for all. In fact, doing so would not only be inappropriate but completely unfair to the athlete and/or situation they might be faced with. So, even though it might seem vague at first, let’s start with some general guidelines (and I do mean general; some will even come up with scenarios that would simply not fit these general guidelines either).

I do, in general, believe that young people who participate in sports should, within reason (too many is not good either), participate in a variety of sports. There are several reasons behind this, not the least of which is to help them become more well-rounded individuals. Young athletes should learn and know how to run, jump, shuffle, sprint, jog, hop, and skip along with catching, throwing, shooting, balancing, kicking, batting, etc. All of these skills combine to make a well-coordinated individual, giving them the opportunity to choose a variety of activities throughout life to keep them fit and healthy. The physical and developmental benefits of doing this cannot be argued with. I also believe, again in general, that specializing at a young age does not take into account different rates of maturing, genetic makeup and talent, nor the changing level of interest that young people tend to go through as they grow and get older. So specializing, for most, at too young of an age pigeonholes kids, decreasing their opportunity to make choices and develop other interests and talents. Remember that the biggest, strongest, fastest kid at 7, 8 and 9 years old is rarely in the same position as a teenager. You just never know. And all of these factors are in addition to the increased risk of overuse injury that seems to be attributed to so much repetition occurring, especially at younger ages, when one participates/practices in the same activity all the time

Having said all of that, there does come a time when an athlete may want to consider moving from a framework of playing several sports to one where they narrow their focus and choices down, and yes, even down to only one sport (depending on the individual and/or sport). As far as when that best time is, I can only make a suggestion, and for most, in general, that suggestion would be in high school. Say, somewhere after their freshman year.

With regard to what factors determine whether this is the right

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