This is a topic I should have gotten to earlier but let’s chat a bit now…..
The world of youth sports is out of control. Parents pushing their kids in sports more and more and at an earlier age. Why? Maybe delusional that they’re all on track for professional sports or possibly failed athletic dreams of their own during their childhood. I’ve seen both sides plenty.
Those are my opinions….now here are some facts. “Risks of early sports specialization include higher rates of injury, increased psychological stress, and quitting sports at a young age.” That’s not my quote, that’s data from the National Institute of Health. Here’s the full article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3658407/
I believe it because I’ve heard and I’ve seen what this can do to children. Kid plays baseball year round from 7 years old through high school….could have played in college but just completely burned out. Another kid is pushed by the parents (usually the father in 99% of cases) to keep pitching in that game because he “mowing kids down” even though he’s at 115 pitches with a 13 year old arm….and then it’s Tommy John surgery. Another kid is “recruited” to play AAA hockey at 8U level. Travel games every weekend, clinics, 3 hours of practice a week, etc. Kid is constantly injured because he’s only working “hockey muscles”. Then he also burns out.
Parents (Fathers especially, once again)…stop the madness. Let you kid be a kid and play as many sports (or none) as they want. As long as their active and happy, be happy for them. It’s their life….not YOURS. Here’s the hard truth: you’re kid isn’t making the pros. And you aren’t regaining any glory from that time you almost won the championship as a 12 year old “back in the day”.
So let them enjoy their childhood and be there to support them in every activity…because those first 18 years do go quickly.
