Why Lacrosse Players Should Be Multi-Sport Athletes
10/10/2024 11:01 AM
Why Lacrosse Players Should Be Multi-Sport Athletes
Most people believe that the key to great performance in one sport is specialization in that sport. Logically, it should make sense on paper-this is where you focus all of your time and energy; therefore, you will automatically get better at this particular sport. In real life, it is quite the opposite. In my position, I have spoken to literally hundreds of lacrosse players. I can’t even tell you how many have said they have stopped playing all the other sports and have focused on just one sport: lacrosse. As great as this may sound, like the plan to success, the risks and downsides of an athlete having only one sport in which he or she competes is MUCH greater than most parents realize.
Burnout is one of the more common issues associated with early specialization. When athletes are only specializing in one sport, especially at such a young age, their likelihood of burning out by high school is much greater. Lacrosse, like any sport, can lose its excitement when it’s the only thing you do day in and day out. What started as a passion often becomes a chore, and I’ve seen too many parents frustrated when their child suddenly loses interest in continuing with their sport after years of investment. Interestingly, the many high school athletes who switch to lacrosse after years of playing other sports like football or basketball often find themselves enthusiastic again, putting a new spark into their game since they seem particularly excited to try something different. People who have only ever known lacrosse miss this excitement sometimes simply because they have never taken the time to try another sport and re-ignite their passion.
One-sport specialization also cuts an athlete from their full potential. This may seem to be counterintuitive to one’s reasoning but the reality is that every different sport comes along with a unique skill set to an athlete that enhances his ability physically and mentally. The physicality is taught in football, while the dynamic movement is honed in basketball and endurance in soccer. With multiple sports, athletes develop a wide range of attributes physically, helping them in any athletic context. No, this doesn’t mean that a lacrosse-only player won’t develop these traits; being a well-rounded athlete who can apply the skills learned from different sports leads to fast and balanced development, especially at a young age. For example, a lacrosse player who has also played basketball and soccer may possess superior footwork, endurance, and agility compared with another individual who has experienced only lacrosse.
Beyond the physical factor, playing multiple sports brings forth a mental side that is just as important. An athlete who focuses their time and efforts on one sport over a period of time will develop a good understanding of the particular IQ of that sport. But in playing multiple sports, the perspective for the athlete expands, cultivating something that can be termed an “athletic IQ.” While there would be specific advantages to each sport, there’s a kind of universality among many: spacing, decision-making, winning one-on-one situations, and team chemistry. Playing multiple sports allows the kids to see the bigger picture and apply those principles inside and outside the game in general. The result is a more well-rounded player who can better adapt to the game in various situations. This kind of varied athletic development has been shown time and time again to be correlated with superior long-term outcomes for any multi-sport athlete.
Another positive aspect of being a multi-sport athlete is the varieties of teams, coaches, and playing environments one will be exposed to. Many athletes specializing in one sport will continue with the same coach or same club for much of their developmental years. While this might bring a certain amount of continuity, it is limiting. For an athlete to get better, they need to be uncomfortable and challenged to learn from different coaches and different teammates constantly. Understanding the different coaching styles and philosophies not only broadens an athlete’s knowledge but also aids in developing resilience. Even with the greatest coach in the world, other coaches offer their perspectives, which will further enhance your game. Moreover, being on different teams introduces them to new social dynamics. Being with the same teammates all one’s childhood can be fun, but there’s great value in learning to adjust with changing groups. Especially important is the ability to adapt to styles of play, personalities, and environments, since as athletes progress to higher levels, teams are in a state of constant flux. Those who have gone through various sports tend to become more flexible, adaptive, and resilient with the friction of team dynamics.
Last but not least, let’s not forget the fact that sports are for enjoyment! Playing a variety of sports keeps things fresh and exciting. It allows them to expand their skills, keep them interested, and avoid the monotony brought in by participation in only one sport. In this case, multi-sport athletes happen to be successful because they can be better mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared for the demands of competitive athletics, not just in competing in lacrosse but in every other aspect of their respective sports. More lacrosse players need to understand the value of being a multi-sport athlete.
