Most parents want their kid to become the next Derek Jeter. So, they sign their kid up for baseball at an early age. Then, they sign them up for baseball in the summer, baseball in the fall and indoor baseball in the winter.
Parents do this because they want their kid to get better at baseball, which they usually do. However, in the long run this can actually be detrimental to the athlete’s success.
Let me explain.
When you play a sport at a young age and that sport is the only one you play, you become accustomed to the specific movements of that particular sport.
You overdevelop particular muscle groups and strengths, while the muscles that are not primary movers for that sport are underutilized and underdeveloped.
You have now created a muscular and neurological imbalance.
This is called pattern overload.
These types of athletes do become better at the sport they play, most of the time. But due to the imbalances they have created they usually suck at most other sports.
I know from experience.
Growing up I played hockey. And only hockey from a very young age until I was about 13 and I was pretty good.
But Anytime I played pickup basketball with friends at a young age, I sucked. And pretty much sucked at everything else.
I started wrestling at about 13 and as ok because I had some decent strength in my lower body from playing hockey my whole life, but I certainly was not the most athletic kid. Not by any means.
I know, I know, very sad.
My point is, if you want your child to excel at a particular sport and enhance their athletic ability, they should play as many sports as they’d like. Not just forced to play one sport all year long.
The athleticism they develop from playing multiple sports will elevate their game in their main sport, so let them play.
Once they get to high school then maybe they can decide to only play one or two sports and dial in their focus.
Think of the best athletes you know. Usually they played multiple sports even through high school.
The best ones I know played football in the fall, wrestled in the winter and played baseball or ran track in the spring.
That’s because they developed the proper musculature, mechanics, motor skills and body control/awareness to excel in athletics.
Now, it is possible to develop skills through a good strength and conditioning program.
I also know this from experience.
As I got stronger and learned to train the right way, I became capable of jumping higher, running faster and learned to control my body.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still no LeBron James, but I have certainly enhanced my athletic ability.
And you could too.
Whether you are already in high school, college or at the professional level you can enhance your athleticism.
As long as you are training to get stronger, jumping, sprinting, throwing, pushing, pulling, crawling and carrying heavy shit, you will get better.
But parents please keep in mind that nothing will replace playing multiple sports at a young age.
Between everything I mentioned earlier and the experiences your child will have during their time playing multiple sports, it’s safe to say that getting them involved will be one of the greatest things you can do for them.
And please, let your kids have fun. Don’t make little league baseball and peewee football a miserable experience.
They should learn to work hard, learn how to win the right way, lose the right way, and overcome adversities. But at the same time they need to have fun.
That is the best way to develop an athlete.
So let em’ play!
Hopefully this article can help your child enhance his or her athletic potential.
If you are interested in getting your child stronger, bigger, faster and less susceptible to injuries, try out Tutela Training Systems, LLC in Clark, NJ.
We specialize in all of the above and would love to teach your child how to develop the right way and excel in their sport.
Email info@tutelatraining.com and schedule 2 free weeks of training plus a nutrition consultation and see the difference in what we do.
I look forward to helping you and your children!