Counting The Advantages Of Multi-Sport Participation

Why should you be a multi-sport athlete? What are the benefits of multi-sport participation in youth sports?

Let us count the ways

• Injury Prevention: The rate of overuse injuries among children who specialize at a young age is far greater than those who experience a multitude of sports. Those who specialize in one sport are putting far too much stress on the same joints and muscles. In the development stage of their life, this can lead to catastrophic outcomes. 
• High Sporting IQ: Learning to play a number of sports, you’ll be developing a variety of skills. Many of these skills will prove transferable to other sports and will actually make you a better player in sports beyond the one you are currently playing. 
• Better Sportsmanship: Learning more skills on the playing field also helps develop a child’s cognitive skills. Multi-sport participants tend to be more compassionate toward others and hold a better understanding of why some children will struggle to compete in some sports, because they’ve experienced a similar journey while learning to play a variety of pursuits. 
• Increased Mental Toughness: Every sport is different in the demands it places on your body, the skills you must develop to play and even in the rules you must learn to abide by while playing. The physical and mental flexibility required to play a number of sports helps to develop a more well-rounded mental resilience and better problem-solving skills in youngsters.
• Avoiding Burnout: Too much of something, even if it’s something they truly enjoy, is not going to be good for a child. Variety is the spice of life and youngsters should be taking advantage of all the opportunities that surround them. By specializing in one sport, chances are much greater they will tire of the pursuit and give it up at a younger age.
• Improved Schooling: Studies show that versatile students are stronger students. The achievements they are making on the playing field transfer into success in the classroom. Those who specialize are going to feel the weight of stress to succeed and by having all their eggs in one basket, it’s much easier for all of their life to suddenly shatter.
• More Confidence: No one is going to be a star at every sport. By participating in a multitude of sports, kids are learning important life skills such as teamwork, cooperation and how to be a good teammate and be supportive of others.

Note: Image by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay