Youth Specialization Of Sports

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Olivia Schmitt
Professor Tainsky
Introduction to Sports Management
16 December 2014
Traditional Essay Option #2 A critical issue in sports today is the push for youth specialization in a single sport at a very young age. Activists and many experts in the sports field today argue that this is detrimental to America’s youth and urge parents to deviate away from this myth-based decision. With a society rooted in competitive spirit and edge, parents are encouraging their young children to start with travel teams, olympic development programs, and year-round training for one sport earlier than ever before. Many parents believe that starting their kids out at a young age will result in higher performance and a leg-up on other children. This trend …show more content…

Through multiple-sport participation, a young athlete has the chance to find which activity they enjoy the most, and as a result, have the opportunity to further develop athletically. It is essential that parents understand how the stress of reaching an elite status can emotionally and physically impair a young, developing body. Because this issue has become apparent within the past decade, it is imperative that our society understands the facts and takes action. I believe that with a policy rooted in education and awareness, along with a partnership with the NFL, there is a possibility for social change. Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach, Phil Jackson, once said, “40 million kids play sports, and most of them are between 7 and 12. By the time they are 13, more than 70 percent of them have stopped playing because it’s not fun anymore. All of a sudden when kids get into junior high, we feel this need to have them become professionals.” It is time that more start to recognize that specialization in one sport at an early age kills our …show more content…

"Early Specialization: Nine Reasons Why It Is a Bad Idea."MomsTEAM.
MomsTEAM.com, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014. <http://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/early-specialization-in-youth-sports-supported-by-myths-and-competitive-culture-not-facts>.
O'Sullivan, John. "The Detrimental Effect of Early Sport Specialization | Changing the Game
Project." Changing the Game Project. Changing the Game Project, 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2014. <http://changingthegameproject.com/is-it-wise-to-specialize/>.
Reed, Ken. "Youth Sports Specialization Defies Logic." The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 31 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.

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