The issue I have with specialization, and have had for years is this:

1. The participant (athlete) is told that if he/she doesn’t specialize they might not be able to compete at the next level. No one knows that.

2. The athlete is being are being told they need to specialize by a selfish parent or coach. I say selfish because they think that is what they would do if they were the child.

3. At a young age, the athlete doesn’t know what sport they’re best at and neither does anyone else. They may like one sport a little more than the other when they’re around 14. But, as we mature we achieve different levels of skill. Let it play out.

Let’s look at these factors. Number one happens all the time as the talented athlete enters high school. Most programs are year round in some form. What could possibly prevent two coaches from getting together to figure out a way that the young athlete could participate in both sports?

Number two is a different relationship problem from number one. If the athlete is the focus here what prevents the coach and parent from figuring out how they can support the child in playing both sports? Neither of them know what will happen, they just think they do.

Let’s be clear about this. If the athlete gets a scholarship, that’s great. If the athlete doesn’t, that’s also great. He/she will not have missed the experience of exploring and developing their talents and making their own choices.

Growing up I was never asked to choose one sport over another so I played football, basketball, baseball, tennis and ran track. I did have to make a choice down the road when I had to decide between pro basketball and pro baseball. But, it was MY choice.

I think what I said earlier covers Number three as well. Encourage the athlete to think big and support them no matter how it turns out. It is their life!!!