Here’s a good article I found about youth sports specialization. This is highly recommended reading for youth coaches and parents:
The article give you an objective look at specializing in sports and what you should consider.
In particular I like the distinction between “early specialization” and “late specialization” sports…
“The relative desirability of specialization depends on the sport. Certain sports (e.g., gymnastics, diving, and figure skating) include complex artistic or acrobatic maneuvers that must be developed prior to maturation—there is evidence that maneuvers cannot be fully mastered after maturation (Judge & Gilreath, 2009).
Alternatively, in “adult peak” (late specialization) sports (e.g., baseball, basketball, and track and field), specialization in childhood is not an essential antecedent for exceptional sport performance as an adult (Hill, 1993).”
Basketball is most definitely an “adult peak” sport. Steve Nash didn’t play basketball until he was 13 and he became arguably the most skilled point guard to ever play in the NBA.
Whether you are a parent or coach, this article will give you good advice and some clarity on how to decide “if” or “when” your child should specialize in a certain sport.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/08924562.2012.749160
Leave a Reply