There are athletes and then there are ATHLETES. An athlete can play multiple sports but eventually she and her coaches will both run into conflicts that cause issues. And their ability in each sport is likely to be less than optimized.
Now an ATHLETE can walk onto any field or court and be the best player there, regardless of practice or playing time. Most coaches will accommodate them because they are just that skilled. Mike Trout.
My daughter played varsity and high level travel softball and volleyball. She had no goals to play in college for either, which helped minimize worries about specialization. She would have been a bit better at either one if she'd given up the other. But she also ran into conflicts and at times had to run from one practice (HS) in one sport to another practice (travel) in the same night. Rough. She got out of it what she wanted and we enjoyed it but it was a lot. As I mentioned, she didn't play in college, went to a big school, joined a sorority, had the time of her life, graduated with honors and is now in graduate school.
I think all girls (people) need to make their choices and understand trade-offs and be conscious of potential burnout. Parents should be supportive but also on the lookout for 1) girls overdoing it and 2) parents putting undo pressure on them to go one direction or another.
Now an ATHLETE can walk onto any field or court and be the best player there, regardless of practice or playing time. Most coaches will accommodate them because they are just that skilled. Mike Trout.
My daughter played varsity and high level travel softball and volleyball. She had no goals to play in college for either, which helped minimize worries about specialization. She would have been a bit better at either one if she'd given up the other. But she also ran into conflicts and at times had to run from one practice (HS) in one sport to another practice (travel) in the same night. Rough. She got out of it what she wanted and we enjoyed it but it was a lot. As I mentioned, she didn't play in college, went to a big school, joined a sorority, had the time of her life, graduated with honors and is now in graduate school.
I think all girls (people) need to make their choices and understand trade-offs and be conscious of potential burnout. Parents should be supportive but also on the lookout for 1) girls overdoing it and 2) parents putting undo pressure on them to go one direction or another.
