When is it time to specialize in one sport?

[cz fastpitch fan]

I'm sure this debate has taken place many times throughout the years.
This topic is one I have been discussing with parents, athletic directors, coaches etc. At what point in a child's life is it the right time for them to specialize in one sport these days? Most people seem to have their own opinions on this matter and I'm curious what the general softball community'sopinion is. Do they need to specialize and be a "one sport athlete" by 8th grade, 12U, or never?
Of course the answer is different for every situation. Some may never choose only one sport.
Some may be happier playing multiple sports, and may be willing to sacrifice the potential of excelling at one sport in order to play fairly well at multiple sports.
Guys...school sports is a lot different from the time when we went to school.

Just putting it out to the masses for opinions.

 

[SMc4SMc]

Singular focus happened around age 10 because our family passions were so infused in our lives. It sped everything along since the entire family was so in to it. We all tried different things along the way because of friends and athleticism but that faded fast.... back to to what we were "born to do". And it made the calendar easy like a smooth rhythm.

 

[ech92]

My opinion , unless you are good enough to play D1 College in a specific sport I say there is no reason to specialize in one sport !

 

[Dawgsdad]

I leave it up to my DD. Right now she is 12u and plays s****r and basketball also. Next year, going into 14u, she wants to focus only on softball. D1 is far off but high school should be a breeze.

 

[coachjwb]

When the player (not the parents) decides they really only want to focus on one sport ...

Much has been written here that college coaches often like multi-sport athletes. The only issue is that it can be very difficult for anyone other than a stud athlete to play multiple sports and still keep up with those who have specialized and play year-round.

My DD played volleyball, basketball and softball up through age 14 ... but she knew that she was not a stud athlete who loved softball and knew that she wanted to focus on just softball and one day play in college ... and it did work out for her. I can only remember one girl that she played high school or travel ball with who played 2 sports all the way through high school and who eventually played softball in college.

 

[CARDS]

I agree with Coachjwb, you need to let the player decide and if under 14 that is too young to make that decision IMO. I have seen this more of an issue for pitchers who need to invest much more time into the position.

Another factor is, if the player is a natural athlete they generally do not miss a beat going from one sport to another. On my DDs high school teams all but two varsity starters (both pitchers) were two sport athletes (two ladies played more than two sports, one signed to play D1 softball the other plays two sports in D3 college softball and tennis). http://www.ihigh.com/colerain/article_173392.html


From the 2013 HS team 6 of the 9 starters went on to play softball in college. (Two D1, three of which did not playe travel softball ball, only one did not play two HS sports our pitcher).

In my DDs case being a mulit sport athlete helped her get more opportunities and $ in college.
Having the opportunity to explore other sports over the years playing Little CARDS football, Motorcross, LX,Golf,VB,BB, Bowling and Softball all helped her become a more rounded athlete.
In HS she focused on Golf and SB as a junior/senior but still found time to support her friends in the other sports.
Her college golf coach would joke with her there was a lot of softball in her swing...

So, if the player can maintain grades and find the time to "enjoy sport" I think they should not be limited.

 

[Coach Sonny]

The consensus of some books written on this subject when my oldest was coming up was around 9th or 10th grade IF it became apparent that a college scholarship looked like a real possibility. The mentality was that those were the beginning of the key recruiting years so therefore being completely focused on a specific sport would mean you would be optimally prepared. The other point was WHY risk a potential scholarship robbing injury while playing another sport...it could cost you everything that you worked so hard for and what a shame that would be!!! For my oldest daughter it was 10th grade when she decided to cut out Cheerleading, Dance and Select Soccer to focus on Varsity High school Softball, College Exposure travel ball and Varsity Soccer. Fortunately for her it all worked out but a Varsity soccer injury in her senior year nearly cost her the softball scholarship she had worked so hard for.

 

[Louuuuu]

Girls, take my advice: When you're older, and already at work at 6:30 AM (like me), you'll be wishing you were playing ANY sport on any given day. There's no need to limit yourself. It's hard to believe when you're young, but your "playing days" will be over too soon. Don't be saying "I wish I would have played more _____"...

 

[longball00]

My 7th grade DD was told by the 8th grade VB Coach, that if she missed just one day of trouts (our team is planning on ASA/USA in California and may not be back in time) That she won't make the team for 8th grade, even though she is one of the top 3 right now. The HS Varsity VB Coach has also said that if she does not play J.O. VB, that she will not play Varsity VB in High School. It looks to me like the decision is being made for her.

 

[snoman76]

My 7th grade DD was told by the 8th grade VB Coach, that if she missed just one day of trouts (our team is planning on ASA/USA in California and may not be back in time) That she won't make the team for 8th grade, even though she is one of the top 3 right now. The HS Varsity VB Coach has also said that if she does not play J.O. VB, that she will not play Varsity VB in High School. It looks to me like the decision is being made for her.

I used to like VB but after this fall I hate it. These coaches are ridiculous. I have 4 girls on my team that play VB and we've had ZERO practices this fall with the entire team. At 12u, I'm not gonna tell a kid that they can't play another sport. However, I do make it clear from the start that if they do not continue to work on their own and they can't keep up once spring/summer hits it will affect their PT.

 

[Louuuuu]

Longball, good post ! (Even with the fish reference...)

 

[Zville stars]

Athletic scholarships gets kids in the door for the real prize A DEGREE!!! That's want we as parents want the most!!!!

 

[megsmom]

MY dd who is a 13 year old pitcher who only plays softball....so far. I encourage her to go for whatever makes her happy so this is her decision. She cheered and danced before but decided she really didn't enjoy it after several years. She is thinking of cross country next year to help also with conditioning, but again that is up to her. She does do other activities that are more academic such as "power of the pen". I remind her that she is a student athlete not the other way around so it's good to do other things that may not be sports related. So we do juggle those along with activities of the two younger kids but it all works out well.
There really isn't a right or wrong....just depends on the kid the family and the situation.

 

[okiedad1961]

My dd has never shown much interest in other sports,but has filled w / her time with her musical interests which now includes marching/concert band as well as other instruments. She's also selected AFRotc as a selective,they do PT once a week and learn to show respect and follow a command structure.Academics also high priority .Leaving alot of direction's in her college choices.Not alot of time left for anything else.

 

[longball00]

Longball, good post ! (Even with the fish reference...)

Was it that obvious Don't get me wrong, DD gets that she isn't going on (or trying to go on) with VB, softball is her love, and has set the bar high to play in College. But the kid wants to play for her school, and enjoys the sport.

 

[longball00]

I used to like VB but after this fall I hate it. These coaches are ridiculous. I have 4 girls on my team that play VB and we've had ZERO practices this fall with the entire team. At 12u, I'm not gonna tell a kid that they can't play another sport. However, I do make it clear from the start that if they do not continue to work on their own and they can't keep up once spring/summer hits it will affect their PT.

I hear that! VB has put a huge damper on her pitching time during the week since they practice/play 5 days a week. I love the fact that Saturday is the last day of the end of the year tournament for Middle School by us.

 

[chixdad]

DD gave up Basketball after the 8th grade, program at the High school wasn't good and she was worried about an injury that would keep from softball. I was very glad, can't stand watching Basketball.

 

[daboss]

It's really up to the kids but I admit I had a talk with my own daughter before she went to high school. I ask her to set some goals that she'd like to accomplish during her high school years and write them down. We put them up on the fridge to see how her 4 years stacked up compared to her list. We reviewed the list and the message was right in front of us. Most of her sports related goals refered to softball. We talked and I pointed out the time and commitment she would need to achieve those goals and she'd need to put more effort into her practices and winter training to get there. She was fine with it the entire 4 years as we both looked at the list almost daily.

I encourage young ladies to try it all if possible and see what you like but the social pressure in sports at the high school level many times will dictate the choices made. I do believe if they have goals to become a premier player they need support and commitment by 9th grade. I believe some girls need a reality check by junior year if things just are not falling in place. Example; if your daughter is 5'0" and cannot dribble or shoot a basketball should she continue trying out for the State-Ranked basketball team? The answer is yes if she wants to but she needs to understand that at her skill level her future is probably going to be on the bench. If she's okay with simply being a part of the hype without exposure then by all means encourage her to be sure she gives it everything at practice so her All-State friends will be the best they can be all season. They need those girls to be the best. At least in that respect she's definately contributing to the team in a meaningful way. Whatever makes her happy. Now if this same kid is also an All-County pitcher for the varsity softball team you may want to offer her to think about sitting out basketball and increase her pitching efforts to possibly help her softball team get to a State-Ranked level---------maybe Champions. Let her decide then be sure you can follow thru to make things happen.

 

[Louuuuu]

And DO NOT concentrate on one sport because it will get you a scholarship. (You'll most likely be disappointed. Really.) Do it because it's what you want to do.

 

[megsmom]

Louuuuu, You said it well. Scholarships are not easy to come by. If my dd wants and can play in college (she's just 13 now so kids change interests) that is great and I will help her and support her. But I don't bet on getting cash for it....if it happens good and fine if it doesn't also. All I want for now is for her to keep growing and loving the sport that she feels so passionate about.