Early Sports Specialization - A Path to Burnout and Injury?
Early Sports Specialization is a phrase every coach and trainer has heard. Even many parents are familiar with the term.
But what does it mean? Is it a bad idea? What are the risks? Are there rewards?
On this episode, I offer a few thoughts about early specialization and what it can mean for athletes.
If you're a parent, you'll want to tune in because some of what you've been told about "next level" sports play may be inaccurate at best and dangerously misleading at worst.
If you're a coach or trainer, you'll want to tune in because I'm going to share some insights into discussing early specialization, athletic development and the Long Term Athletic Development model with athletes and parents.
I cover:
> The two species of parent who most often succumb to the siren call of early specialization.
> The real skinny on scholarships and the subliminal marketing of them by organized youth and travel sports.
> The real reasons kids play their chosen sports.
> The injury and burnout risk posed by early specialization.
If you're interested in reading more in-depth about this topic, here's a link to a longer article I wrote for the IYCA: http://iyca.org/how-to-talk-to-parents/
As always, you're thoughts are welcome!
Keep the faith and keep after it!
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