Multi-Sport Athletes
What are the advantages of playing multiple sports in high school?
Enhanced Athletic Skills: Exposure to different sports can help athletes develop a broader skill set. Each sport emphasizes specific physical abilities like speed, agility, strength, and hand-eye coordination. Playing multiple sports allows athletes to refine and transfer these skills across different contexts.
Injury Prevention: Specializing in one sport from a young age can increase the risk of overuse injuries. Engaging in multiple sports can reduce the strain on specific muscle groups and joints, potentially lowering the risk of overuse injuries.
Improved Conditioning: Different sports demand different types of conditioning. For example, endurance training in cross country can complement strength training in football. Playing multiple sports can lead to a more well-rounded and adaptable level of fitness.
Mental Toughness: Each sport presents its own set of challenges and requires different mental attributes. Athletes participating in multiple sports often develop mental toughness, adaptability, and the ability to handle pressure in various situations.
Time Management: Balancing multiple sports and academic responsibilities teaches valuable time management skills. Athletes learn to prioritize their commitments, set goals, and manage their schedules effectively.
Long-Term Athletic Development: Multi-sport participation in high school can set a foundation for lifelong physical activity and a healthier lifestyle. It can also make transitioning into various recreational sports or activities more accessible after high school.
Reduced Burnout: Focusing on a single sport year-round can lead to burnout and a loss of enthusiasm for the game. Playing multiple sports keeps athletes engaged and excited about their athletic pursuits.
Do I need to commit to just one sport?
Student-athletes can continue to play multiple sports throughout high school, but often competing in both high school and club sports can become expensive and require an enormous time commitment. Consider your long-term goals in athletics. If your ultimate goal is to play a specific sport at a high level, specializing in that sport may be necessary at some point to maximize your potential. Examine how specializing in one sport aligns with your other priorities, such as academics, extracurricular activities, and social life.
Which NCAA Division is best for multi-sport recruits?
While there are a few famous multi-sport collegiate athletes like Bo Jackson, most college athletes playing for NCAA Division I and Division II schools today commit to just playing one sport. However, NCAA Division III schools offer a unique opportunity for multi-sport athletes who want to compete in more than one sport in college. Division III programs prioritize a balance between academics and athletics, offer shorter seasons, travel less, and may have more limited budgets compared to Division I and II schools. These factors make approaching Division III schools as a multi-sport recruit an attractive option.
How do I contact college coaches as a potential multi-sport recruit?
Create a recruiting list for the coaches for both sports you want to play in college. Email the coaches and let them know your qualifications in both sports. Make sure your social media highlights video from both sports and your bio gives appropriate information that is clear and easy to read. Remember that not all college coaches will want a multi-sport recruit, so be prepared to have open discussions if coaches seem hesitant.