By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
I have had many discussions with fellow Directors of COahing from the rest of the country and also with Sam Snow, the Technical Director for the United States Youth Soccer Association, regarding the frequency and number of overuse injuries that we now see in players as young as eight and nine. Unfortunately, the frequency and extent of these injuries does not surprise me at all.
The multi-sport bandwagon has been promoted for many years by many different people and organizations. Discussions on multi-lateral development and how a broad based spectrum of physical literacy can help produce athletic excellence later in life have fueled the multi-sport tank to overflow. For far too long, I've had to be content to be the quiet voice in the wilderness suggesting that what has happened to the multi-sport concept is disturbing, dangerous and ultimately harmful to our youth players. Now with more and more studies being presented on the frequency and severe nature of overuse injuries to players as young as 10, coaches and parents around the country are starting to be concerned.
Those promoting multi-sports as a solution to the ludicrous intensity and win at all costs nature of many youth teams never dreamt that the evils of the pressure to win at all costs mentality and culture would simply be multiplied as youngsters took on more sports. The truth of the matter these days is that the same issues that haunted over indulgence and pressure in one sport are simply amplified and multiplied as our U10 players deal with the same stress in basketball, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, softball and of course Soccer.
The obvious damage to the body that playing three or four sports year-round in a serious way is now being exposed by the number of overuse injuries that our younger players are suffering. It may be that this issue is the one that leads to parents and coaches having to decide what a sensible sports diet is for our youth players. As a strong advocate of the importance of “play” where kids choose the game, the rules and the duration of the activity as they play in the street or garden, I believe that two sports played concurrently is the max that is advisable. One in a serious way, child’s decision fueled by the love of the game and one played in a more social way. I believe that this diet of self-directed play, one formal and one social sport each season is more than enough for the young developing body to handle.
An over emphasis on attempting to play three or four sports at the same time does more than physically damage our players. They also suffer emotional, psychological and social pain as they are forced to deal with the following scenarios
1) Which practice, friends and coach do I let down today as there is a conflict that I cannot avoid?
2) How do I explain to my coach and teammates that I will only be trying at 50% in today’s game as I have two other games to deal with later today?
3) How can I lie to this coach about missing the game next weekend because mom and dad say I have to go the lax game instead?
4) It just doesn’t feel right to be on this team, I miss more than half of the practices and the kids don’t like me anymore.
5) It’s so embarrassing to hear mom and dad say how good I am and how I deserve lots of playing time, I know I missed the last game and the last two practices. It’s strange that they demand I am honest and truthful when they simply can’t be the same.
Perhaps the thing that bothers me the most about the multi-sport conundrum is the damage that is being done to the traditional definition of what sport is about and the lessons in life it helps us with. I was raised in a house where team and sport meant the following:
A) You always try your best and give 100% effort regardless of the score or the odds against you – simply put, you never give in.
B) Your team and teammates come first so at some point you may miss a dance or a party but to be on a team sacrifice and discipline are two very important life lessons that you will learn.
C) Your team and coach deserve you to be at your best on game day so planning what you eat, when you go to bed and how you prepare to play are important issues that will affect your performance. Choose wisely and plan effectively.
D) You will learn on your team how to deal with problems and disagreements with teammates and coaches. You will learn to express your opinion politely and honestly while also learning to listen and respect the opinions of others.
E) Ultimately with discipline, maximum effort and dedication, you will learn that excellence is a product of hard work.
F) Through all the above, you will develop a true love for sport and have great fun with your team.
I am absolutely sure that our youth players are missing out on some very valuable and irreplaceable life lessons as parents pursue sport, after sport, trophy after trophy and bumper sticker after bumper sticker I only wish I understood why.