Specialization

US Soccer's High School Ban: A Question of Integrity?

US Soccer's new rule banning players on its Development Academy teams from playing high school soccer is designed to strengthen our national teams, but, says one veteran interscholastic sports administrator, the move raises questions about the integrity of the sport's national governing body.

Doug Casa (Exertional Heat Stroke Expert): Sees Early Sport Specialization As Parents' Biggest Mistake

Editors Note: This blog is part of a special series on dads which originally ran in 2012. Because it is timeless we are sharing it again. 

Being the father of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At MomsTEAM we think sports dads deserve to be honored, not just on the third Sunday in June, but for an entire month. So we have designated June as National Sports Dads Month and invited some veteran sports dads to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions (the same ones we asked sports moms in May).

The nation's pre-eminent expert on exertional heat stroke, heat illnesses and preventing sudden death in sport thinks the biggest mistake that parents make is having their child specialize in one sport at a very young age because having young children develop a wide variety of skill sets gives them the best opportunity for long-term physical development.

Development Academies: Elite or Elitist?

The United States Soccer Federation's (USSF) recent mandate that ‘elite' soccer players who play for Development Academy teams will not be allowed to play for their high school soccer teams after this season simply frosts me. I've read volumes in the last few weeks, from Soccer America's initial news article and the seemingly unending comments from readers and the soccer experati to The New York Times piece this past Sunday by Sam Borden, that really brought "Soccer's New Way" into the collective consciousness across America.

The United States Soccer Federation's (USSF) recent mandate that elite soccer players who play for Development Academy teams will not be allowed to play for their high school soccer teams after this season is wrong and misleading.

Kids Who Delay Sports Specialization More Coordinated and Physically Fit, Study Finds

Boys participating in more than one sport before age 12 are more physically fit and have better gross motor coordination than those who specialize in a single sport early, says a new study.  Whether the reason is because they play multiple sports or because the best athletes choose not to specialize early is unclear.

Don't Specialize Too Early, Says Ruggiero

Four time Olympic medalist Angela Ruggiero played sports beside ice hockey until she got to college.  She urges parents to resist the increasing pressure on their child to specialize too early.

Starting Ice Hockey At Age 10: Too Late To Reach Olympics?

 

Four-time Olympic women's ice hockey medalist Angela Ruggiero says that starting ice hockey at age 10 is not too late to become an Olympian; that some of her Olympic teammates, in fact, didn't start until age 12 or 13.  What she reminds parents is that their child will only achieve athletic success if they love their sport, so it is critical to find one they love to play.

Playing Multiple Sports: A Healthy Advantage for Youth Athletes

The overlap between youth sports seasons is only getting worse and the degree to which kids are specializing at ever-earlier ages in a single sport is a troubling trend in youth sports, says one longtime baseball coach and author.

Don't Specialize In Single Sport Too Early, Advises Trainer Mike Boyle

Most of the elite athletes he has worked with, says strength and conditioning guru Mike Boyle, did not specialize too early or play a single sport all year long, but took time off from sports or played lots of different sports. 

Start Young if You Want to Play in College

Soccer StarWhatever your sport is, the key to developing into a competitive athlete with a possible view to playing in college is starting early!  Beginning at an early age enables athletes to sharpen their skills so they will always on top of their game.

Most soccer players begin in the diaper division and play on small fields, small- sided teams, with 5 v. 5, not the usual 11 v. 11.  This way everyone gets to touch the ball, play offense, defense and even score a goal.  The key to having younger players in sports is that it is fun, builds self-esteem, teaches them to play with others, and gets them up and moving.  

Whatever your sport is, the key to developing into a competitive athlete
with a possible view to playing in college is starting early! 
Beginning at an early age enables athletes to sharpen their skills so
they will always on top of their game.

Preventing Overuse Injuries in Youth Athletes

Overuse injuries account for fifty percent of all youth sports injuries, but half are preventable, says the National Athletic Trainers' Association in a new position statement.
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